Old Dominion Freight Line Selects Descartes
WATERLOO, Ontario--Oct. 18, 2001--The Descartes Systems Group Inc., , , a leading provider of logistics management technology, announced today that Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc., , has selected Descartes' technology to improve operational efficiency through dynamic routing and scheduling and strengthen customer service through rapid order response. A dominant carrier in the less-than-truckload regional and inter-regional markets and a leader in the southeastern United States, Old Dominion plans to use the Descartes technology to ensure their business network of over 2000 power units and 118 terminals is continuously optimized through improved routing, scheduling and dispatch capabilities.
The Descartes technology will enable the Company to achieve significant financial returns through their integrated network for both transportation planning and execution. Through a real-time system for the command and control of truck dispatching, Old Dominion's operational efficiency will be enhanced by improving the capacity utilization of vehicles, increasing the number of stops possible per driver day, reducing the miles between stops, and optimizing the driver-to-dispatcher ratio.
"While we considered other software providers, it became clear that Descartes best understands the logistics needs of a less-than-truckload carrier. With a large investment in legacy technologies that were not prudent to replace, we knew that we needed a relationship with a proven software provider that could offer us flexibility in architecture and seamless integration with our existing systems. We also wanted a provider that could continue to enhance the online information services we provide to our customers to help them manage their daily logistics challenges more effectively," said David Congdon, President at Old Dominion. "Based on the analysis of our operation, the return will be months, not years, and the impact on customer service will be dramatic."
A command and control approach will enable real-time monitoring of routes, quick identification of new customer orders or delivery delays, and dynamic optimization of routes to meet customer commitments. This will enable Old Dominion to improve customer service through more timely response to last minute pick-up requests and visibility of routing ETA's (estimated time of arrival) for customer inquiries. Wireless technologies will play a key role in allowing dispatchers to assign last-minute pick-up requests dynamically while incrementally optimizing the driver's route. This will keep mileage and the driver's time to a minimum while meeting customer time windows. The system will also automatically issue alerts to notify dispatchers of pending customer service requirements, helping dispatchers to focus on managing exceptions while ensuring address verification at order entry/pickup and efficiently re-route based on demand.
"Old Dominion, a leader in the less-than-truckload business, is an innovator in the use of Descartes' technology. We welcome Old Dominion to the Descartes family of 4500 customers, which includes 85 of the top 100 less-than-truckload carriers successfully using Descartes' technology," said Willem Galle, President and COO at Descartes. "Today's less-than-truckload carrier cannot afford to replace their legacy applications. Based on experience with clients, it is clear that Descartes' architecture, based on Java and XML technologies, provides an easy and elegant extension of their existing systems. This approach preserves and maximizes the carrier's current and future investment."
Old Dominion has signed an enterprise-wide license agreement with Descartes. The implementation will begin immediately.
About Old Dominion
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. is an inter-regional and multi-regional motor carrier transporting primarily less-than-truckload shipments of general commodities, such as consumer goods, textiles and capital goods, to a diversified customer base. The company provides service both domestically and internationally.
Domestically Old Dominion serves 37 states with direct coverage. Within the 37 state network, the company offers 100% Full State Coverage to 23 states. The Company provides next and second day regional service in the Southeast, South Central, Northeast, Midwest and West regions of the United States. In addition to regional service within each of the regions listed, Old Dominion also provides inter-regional service to, from and between each of the regions.
Old Dominion's International Service Transline offers service to Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. This service also includes Intermodal Ocean Container service to and from 7 ocean ports as well as 1 inland port in Atlanta, Georgia.
Old Dominion provides expedited service through its Speed Service division including next day air service. Should a client need a delivery outside the normal operations, Speed Service can design a delivery to fit special circumstances.
Visit www.odfl.com for more information about the company and the services available.
About Descartes
Descartes Systems Group is a leading provider of network-based collaborative logistics management technology. Descartes offers more than 30 network-based applications and services and a worldwide supply chain infrastructure built to facilitate highly efficient trading partner collaboration.
The Descartes Global Logistics Services Network connects thousands of companies globally from a range of industries, including automotive, chemical, consumer packaged goods, financial services, healthcare, high tech, postal, retail, telecommunications, and transportation and logistics.
Established in 1981, Descartes is headquartered in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada with offices and distributors located throughout the Americas, EMEA and Asia-Pacific.
For more information about Descartes, visit www.descartes.com.
All registered and unregistered trademarks mentioned in this release are the property of their respective owners.
This release contains statements that may relate to product functionality, potential benefits derived therefrom, performance of Descartes' DeliveryNet solutions, and other matters that may constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results may differ from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements as a result of factors discussed in the section entitled, "Risk Factors" in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Ontario Securities Commission and other securities commissions across Canada.