Descartes Systems Group announced that Southwest Airlines has deployed Descartes' cloud-based Air Messaging Service to its Cargo Customers. Descartes shipment status messaging allows Southwest Airlines Cargo to deliver real-time alerts to its freight forwarders and direct shipper Customers. With Descartes' extensive community of freight forwarders already connected to Descartes Global Logistics Network (GLN), Southwest Airlines Cargo was able to quickly connect to its Customers, dramatically reducing the time to improve Customer satisfaction, reduce costs, and streamline operational processes.

Electronic messaging services, including status messaging, are provided by Descartes GLN, which processes over 1 billion electronic messages annually. The GLN is a cloud-based logistics platform that connects 35,000 trading partners and leverages over 50 value-added services. The GLN spans the entire shipment management process, from contract management, to freight bookings, shipment tracking, security and trade compliance filings, mobile resource management, and more.

'We initially launched Descartes Air Messaging Service to select freight forwarder trading partners,' said Kevin Russell, Director of Cargo Revenue Management and Automation at Southwest Airlines Cargo. 'The cloud-based service was fast and easy to implement and delivered immediate service improvements to our Customers and provided full transparency into their shipments. Based on the positive Customer feedback that we received about the improved Customer Service, we are pleased to now offer shipment status messaging to all of our Cargo Customers.'

'Descartes is very pleased to work with the award winning cargo division of Southwest Airlines to continue their great tradition of outstanding Customer Service by adding Air Messaging Service to their Customers,' said Cindy Yamamoto, VP Product Management at Descartes. 'The strength of our federated network of pre-connected freight forwarders has allowed Southwest Airlines Cargo to reduce the time-to-value for its Customers.'