Descartes Systems Group (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG), the global leader in uniting logistics-intensive businesses in commerce, today announced that it has signed a software development cooperation agreement with SAP SE (NYSE:SAP). The partnership provides customers with an end-to-end business-content network for logistics collaboration and connectivity by creating a logistics message exchange between Descartes' cloud-based Global Logistics Network (GLN) and the SAP® Transportation Management (SAP TM) application.

Since global transportation management is a multi-party process involving logistics services providers, carriers and governmental agencies, effective connectivity and collaboration are critical. Descartes' partnership with SAP is designed to provide customers with end-to-end shipment visibility and control across the logistics network and help ensure that the supporting customs security and fiscal filings are executed for safer, more seamless and consistent logistics operations.

Descartes' GLN is one of the world's most extensive logistics electronic communications networks, connecting a global community of more than 220,000 parties in more than 160 countries. Designed for logistics operations, it takes into account the unique requirements of the different transportation modes and regional messaging standards critical to successful management of the inter-enterprise flow of data and documents that track and control shipments, inventory, assets and people in motion. In addition, Descartes' GLN supports commercial, customs and product information messaging essential to global operations.

Also as part of the agreement, Descartes will provide GLN-based messaging and filing services for cross-border security filings such as ICS and ACE and transit, export and import declarations for forwarders and brokers. These services will leverage the transportation information created by SAP TM and provide filing status updates to SAP TM for improved shipment visibility.

"We are pleased to be working with SAP to help customers gain better control of their logistics operations on a global and local basis," said Edward J. Ryan, CEO of Descartes. "We have enjoyed our successful collaboration providing SAP customers with global trade data. This new relationship and our recent acquisition of denied party screening solutions provider, MK Data Services, offer us the opportunity to work together even more closely and in a more comprehensive way for customers' betterment."

"Across today's complex global supply chains, the movement and sharing of data between logistics parties is as important as the physical movement of goods," said Franz Hero, senior vice president, Supply Chain Management and Logistics at SAP. "We're pleased that our partnership with Descartes enhances SAP TM with greater trading-partner connectivity options that deliver more comprehensive, timely and accurate logistics information required for driving operational excellence."