Waterloo, ON – May 8, 2013 - Descartes Systems Group (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG), a global leader in uniting logistics-intensive businesses in commerce, announced that IAG Cargo has extended its relationship to include air cargo booking through Descartes’ cloud-based Global Freight Exchange (GF-X) Private Label solution. Descartes’ solution will support iagcargo.com, the carrier’s electronic booking portal for freight forwarders of all sizes. IAG Cargo will provide the online booking service to its customers completely free of charge.
Descartes’ GF-X is one of the largest electronic information and reservation systems in the airfreight industry. Airfreight carriers can distribute real-time product, routing, capacity and rate information to their forwarders worldwide. Airfreight forwarders can access carrier information, make electronic bookings and track shipments via a web browser, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The Descartes GF-X Private Label service is a unique way for carriers to deploy a robust electronic bookings channel without the higher costs and risks associated with in-house development, in a way that utilizes existing processes and interfaces to the Descartes GF-X Exchange. Descartes’ GF-X and Private Label solutions are part of Descartes' cloud-based Logistics Technology Platform. The Logistics Technology Platform uniquely combines the power of the Global Logistics Network, the world's most extensive multi-modal network, with the industry's broadest array of modular and interoperable web and wireless logistics applications.
"We’ve been a long-time customer of Descartes, using the company’s air messaging and GF-X solution. Extending our relationship to include a private-label portal is a logical extension for IAG Cargo," said Angel Cabeza, Head of Distribution and IT Platform at IAG Cargo, in a press release. "Descartes' GF-X Private Label is a cost-effective and proven solution that allows us to deliver against our goal of providing outstanding levels of customer service in the industry. It will help us support our existing network of large freight forwarders and will also be highly beneficial in helping us target the SME market, which we see as being of great value over the coming years.”
IAG Cargo customers use the private-label solution to book cargo through the iagcargo.com website and check booking options against their shipment needs. The system responds with details on available cargo capacity and rates. When a cargo reservation is made online through the IAG Cargo website, an electronic confirmation is delivered to the customer. Freight allocations can also be booked through iagcargo.com.
"IAG Cargo’s operations span the globe," said Ed Ryan, Chief Commercial Officer at Descartes. "Our long-standing relationship has been predicated on helping IAG Cargo improve their service to their customers in a cost effective manner. We’re pleased to be able to extend our relationship to help them streamline and add greater value to their air cargo booking process with our proven on-demand solution."
About IAG Cargo
IAG Cargo is the single business created following the merger of British Airways World Cargo and Iberia Cargo in April 2011. In April 2012, IAG completed the purchase of bmi, including bmi Cargo.
In 2012 the operations of IAG Cargo had a turnover of €1,217 million. The business has a combined workforce of more than 2700 people covering a global network of over 350 destinations.
About Descartes
Descartes (TSX:DSG) (Nasdaq:DSGX) is the global leader in providing on-demand, software-as-a-service solutions focused on improving the productivity, performance and security of logistics-intensive businesses. Descartes has over 146,000 parties using its cloud based services. Customers use our modular, software-as-a-service solutions to route, schedule, track and measure delivery resources; plan, allocate and execute shipments; rate, audit and pay transportation invoices; file customs and security documents for imports and exports; and complete numerous other logistics processes by participating in the world's largest, collaborative multi-modal logistics community. Our headquarters are in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada and we have offices and partners around the world. Learn more at www.descartes.com.
This release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements") that relate to Descartes' solution offering and potential benefits derived therefrom; and other matters. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the factors and assumptions discussed in the section entitled, "Certain Factors That May Affect Future Results" in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Ontario Securities Commission and other securities commissions across Canada. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. We do not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
