WATERLOO, Ontario, March 13, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Descartes Systems Group (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG), the global leader in uniting logistics-intensive businesses in commerce, announced that JAS Forwarding (USA) is using the cloud-based Descartes Air Cargo Advance Screening™ (Descartes ACAS™) solution to provide enhanced security for air cargo coming into the United States.

The Air Cargo Advanced Screening (ACAS) initiative was created by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to gather data concerning the parties and commodities involved in air cargo prior to its loading on an aircraft at a foreign port. The initiative is currently in the pilot phase allowing CBP to collaborate with the air industry to determine the most effective means of achieving the desired regulatory results without affecting the speed of air cargo operations. CBP has extended the ACAS pilot program through July 26, 2017 and subsequent approval of mandatory compliance with ACAS is expected.

"Technology innovation remains a cornerstone of our mission to ensure worldwide transparency and an efficient supply chain for our customers by delivering their cargo on time and securely," said Laurie Arnold, Regulatory Compliance Officer at JAS Forwarding (USA). "With the Descartes solution, we're not only an early adopter of the ACAS pilot program but are sharing information with CBP further back in the supply chain to help identify high-risk air shipments into the U.S. while accelerating the movement of low-risk shipments."

The Descartes ACAS™ solution uses the Descartes Global Logistics Network™ (Descartes GLN™) to collect house bill information directly from forwarders' enterprise systems to file directly to CBP without any manual intervention, thereby increasing data quality and velocity. The solution performs automatic validation against reference data to help ensure accuracy. Air forwarders also have the option to use the web-based user interface to add new or update existing required information.

The majority of ACAS pilot participants consists of airlines and express carriers, but has lacked forwarder participation. "Representing the forwarder community, we want the chance to help write the rules before we are brought under its requirements," says Arnold. "In addition, any ACAS rule should maintain a level playing field for all filers. No requirement should create an unfair competitive business advantage for one filer over another."  

"We're pleased to help progressive forwarders, like JAS Forwarding (USA), participate in the ACAS pilot and enhance readiness for the regulation when it is issued," said Scott Sangster, Vice President of the Global Logistics Network at Descartes. "Descartes has a strong history in providing the air cargo industry with customs and security filing systems and, with our ACAS solution, we worked in close cooperation with leading forwarders, CBP and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to help forwarders of all sizes quickly and easily participate in the pilot program."   

About JAS Forwarding (USA)
JAS Forwarding (USA) strives to be an organization that is committed to providing service at a level of excellence that exceeds every industry standard, at a price that is fair. We will accomplish this by creating an environment that encourages and rewards our employees on reaching our full potential, and puts emphasis on both competition and equality. It is our objective to create lasting value to our clients and shareholders by repeatedly and transparently delivering the client's products safely and on time, and doing so in an atmosphere of integrity and honesty that still allows our company to prosper in the long term. For more information, visit www.jas.com.

About Descartes Systems Group              
Descartes (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG) 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. 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; access global trade data; file customs and security documents for imports and exports; and complete numerous other logistics processes by participating in the world's largest, collaborative multimodal logistics community. Our headquarters are in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada and we have offices and partners around the world. Learn more at www.descartes.com, and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.         

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
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 including Descartes most recently filed management's discussion and analysis. If any such risks actually occur, they could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. In that case, the trading price of our common shares could decline, perhaps materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. 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, except as required by law.

Global Media Contact 
Mavi Silveira      
Tel: +1(800) 419-8495 ext. 202416         
msilveira@descartes.com