Goto AZ Planning Automates Home Delivery Service in Japan With Cloud-Based Descartes/CTC Solution

WATERLOO, Ontario, Sept. 11, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Descartes SystemsGroup (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG), the global leader in unitinglogistics-intensive businesses in commerce, announced that Goto AZPlanning, a leading home care rental company in Japan, has automatedits home delivery operations with a combined cloud-based solution fromDescartes and ITOCHU Techno-Solutions Corporation (CTC), a Descartes'United by Design' partner.The cloud-based home delivery solution, called Supply Chain NetworkController, includes Descartes' Reservations, Route Planner and Mobileapplications. It allows Japanese retailers to quickly deploy acomprehensive home delivery solution that starts with real-timedelivery appointment scheduling during the customer ordering processand finishes with Android-based mobile proof-of-delivery at customerreceipt. Currently, Goto AZ is using Descartes' Reservations and RoutePlanner solutions as part of its overall delivery system."At Goto AZ Planning, we aim to provide our customers with what isneeded such as the information, the service and the products when theyare needed," said Sae Hamaguchi, Senior Director of System Planning atGoto AZ. "Our delivery system's innovation allows us to clearly knowthe status of each resource and share the planning information betweenthe sales drivers at the customers' sites and the operators at the callcenter. And that can drastically reduce the workload of the people whoare in charge of the route planning and dispatching.""We've worked with Descartes to deliver a cloud-based solution for theJapanese market that provides differentiated customer service," saidShun Ando, General Manager, SaaS division of CTC. "Because of ourprepackaged approach and the solution's comprehensive functionality andcloud infrastructure, customers are able to quickly adopt the superiorhome delivery capabilities and cost reduction benefits.""Our alliance with CTC extends Descartes' advanced home deliverysolution to include Japanese retail market requirements, such asprebuilt consumer delivery appointment scheduling screens that can beembedded directly in the customer's website or point-of-sale systems,"said Chris Varney, Vice President Global Alliances & Channels. "We'repleased that the combination of our unique home delivery technology andCTC's cloud-based service is delivering significant value to customerslike Goto AZ Planning."About Goto AZ PlanningGoto AZ Planning was established in 1991. The company operates retailstores in western Japan and provides delivery of the home careproducts, bedding and water dispensers direct to homes and facilitiesfor the elderly. Its aim is to support the family member to have a morecomfortable life by caring for the elderly. More information on Goto AZPlanning is available at www.goto-az.co.jp.About CTCEstablished in 1972, ITOCHU Techno-Solutions Corporation (CTC) providesadvanced IT solutions to enhance enterprise network systems, and offersvarious outsourcing services, such as operations by its own datacenters. CTC supports such market segments as telecommunications,broadcasting, finance, retail, distribution, manufacturing, education,government, medicine, pharmaceutical, chemicals and apparel. CTC hasformed partnerships with hundreds of leading IT companies from all overthe world. These partnerships range from those with globalmultinational IT companies to those with highly focused venturebusinesses. Around 7,000 people work for CTC throughout Japan, and ourservice edge lies in offering one-stop 7 x 24 support in approximately100 service centers.About DescartesDescartes (TSX:DSG) (Nasdaq:DSGX) is the global leader in providingon-demand, software-as-a-service solutions focused on improving theproductivity, performance and security of logistics-intensivebusinesses. Descartes has over 147,000 parties using its cloud basedservices. Customers use our modular, software-as-a-service solutions toroute, schedule, track and measure delivery resources; plan, allocateand execute shipments; rate, audit and pay transportation invoices;file customs and security documents for imports and exports; andcomplete numerous other logistics processes by participating in theworld's largest, collaborative multi-modal logistics community. Ourheadquarters are in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada and we have offices andpartners around the world. Learn more at www.descartes.com.