News | June 1, 2009

Con-way Prepares For Canadian ACI Truck E-manifest Requirements

Source: Innovative Retail Technologies
WATERLOO, ONTARIO— June 1, 2009 —Descartes Systems Group, a global on-demand software-as-a-service (SaaS) logistics solutions provider, announced that industry-leading carriers, including Con-way Freight, are preparing for the soon-to-be-mandatory Advanced Commercial Information (ACI) Truck e-manifest with Descartes' Global Logistics Network (GLN) Customs Filing & Compliance suite.

On January 12th, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced a revised ACI e-Manifest initiative which mandates that CBSA receive advance electronic notification of cargo shipments arriving in Canada by highway. Already a leading service provider for reporting cargo data for air and marine shipments entering Canada and the United States, Descartes has extended its Global Logistics Network Compliance service to help the international carrier community comply with this e-Manifest initiative.

Con-way Freight (NYSE: CNW) is among a select group of less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers authorized by CBSA to benefit from a streamlined import process in advance of the formal regulation mandate by sending electronic cargo and conveyance information to CBSA.

"Descartes has proven to be a reliable supplier that provides us with effective technology to efficiently manage our commercial documentation processes and communicate effectively with customs brokers," said Melissa Mathew, manager of customs compliance for Con-way Freight, one of North America's leading LTL trucking service providers. "Our customers expect us to support new customs filing regulations and simplify the shipment process for them. Working with Descartes helps us meet this important customer satisfaction objective."

"Descartes is committed to ensuring that its customs solutions and services for import and export cargo are developed and proven before compliance is mandated," said Oryst Dydynsky, Vice President of Cross Border and Regulatory Affairs for Descartes. "This includes the stringent requirements put forward by global regulatory and customs compliance agencies. Working with industry leaders such as Con-way enables us to streamline the process for our customers even before the mandate goes live."

Descartes' Viatrade service is part of Descartes' GLN Customs Filing & Compliance suite. The GLN helps automate, manage and streamline the end-to-end shipment process, from source to consumer, with ongoing real-time visibility. Descartes' customs filing and compliance services help companies meet regulatory requirements for international shipments for both international customs agencies and security initiatives.

Descartes is hosting a web seminar to help organizations "Get in the Know on ACE and ACI" and understand what is needed to comply with the regulations, how to get started and the latest developments on the regulations. Organizations can sign up for the web seminar by visiting Descartes' website at www.descartes.com, emailing info@descartes.com or calling 1-416-741-2838 ext 298.

About Con-way Freight
Con-way Freight is the industry's leading less-than-truckload (LTL) freight transportation company, providing guaranteed, day-definite regional and transcontinental service through a single, unified network of more than 300 service centers in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Based in Ann Arbor, Mich., Con-way Freight offers LTL freight delivery across North America, as well as delivery in the United States for international less-than-container (LCL) ocean shipments from Asia through its OceanGuaranteed® service; and expedited U.S. delivery for inbound international cargoes from Europe through an exclusive alliance with TNT. Con-way Freight is a certified FAST highway carrier and is ISO 9001- and 14001-, C-TPAT/PIP, ACE- and CSA-certified. Con-way Freight is a subsidiary of Con-way Inc. (NYSE: CNW), a $5.0 billion diversified freight transportation and logistics services company. For more information, visit www.con-way.com

About Descartes
Descartes (TSX: DSG) (NASDAQ: DSGX), is making the world a better place by enabling global organizations with logistics-intensive businesses to save money by improving the productivity and performance of their operations. Underlying Descartes' offerings is the Descartes Global Logistics Network (GLN), one of the world's most extensive multi-modal business applications network. As a federated software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform, the Descartes GLN combines with component-based 'nano' sized applications to provide messaging services between logistics trading partners, shipment management services to help manage third party carriers and private fleet management services for organizations of all sizes. Descartes' solutions and services deliver results by enabling organizations around the world to reduce administrative costs, billing cycles, fleet size, contract carrier costs, and mileage driven; improve pick up and delivery reliability; and optimize working capital through fleet visibility. Descartes' hosted, transactional and packaged solutions deliver repeatable, measurable results and fast time-to-value. Descartes customers include an estimated 1,600 ground carriers and more than 90 airlines, 30 ocean carriers, 900 freight forwarders and third-party providers of logistics services, and hundreds of manufacturers, retailers, distributors, private fleet owners and regulatory agencies. The company has more than 350 employees and is based in Waterloo, Ontario, with operations in Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Ottawa, Montreal, Miami, Minneapolis, Washington DC, Derby, London, Stockholm, Shanghai, and Toronto. For more information, visit www.descartes.com.