Descartes Systems Group, the global leader in uniting logistics-intensive businesses in commerce, announced that four of the world’s largest ground handling agents are deploying Descartes Core Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)™ readers across their global cargo operations to offer their customers enhanced real-time shipment visibility and cost-effective asset management solutions. Ground handling agents are a critical link in air cargo transportation and this significant expansion of the Descartes Core BLE Network™ helps the air cargo community track parcel, mail, high-value and cold chain shipments such as pharmaceuticals. 

Leading ground handling agents dnata, Menzies Aviation, Swissport International and Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) have deployed Descartes Core BLE readers in their operations at major airports and are continuing their rollouts across the globe. With combined operations in more than 350 airports in 52 countries, these leading ground handlers will provide airlines and forwarders using Descartes Core BLE tags with greater visibility to their unit load devices (ULD) and pallets and the status of the goods in them. 

Designed to work across the air cargo community to help deliver end-to-end visibility, Descartes Core BLE readers capture the movement of shipments and ULDs that have either Descartes or third-party BLE tags attached. The readers are part of the Descartes Core BLE Network™ and a Descartes Global Logistics Network™ service. Shipment status can be tracked whether in the air or on the ground to help the air cargo community automate the end-to-end tracking of freight location and condition, such as precise temperature, movement, shock, light and humidity. This is especially important for high-value and cold chain air cargo shipments. The solution can also improve ULD asset management with real-time location information that, combined with forecasting of asset location requirements, helps carriers reduce ULD fleet losses, better match capacity with ULD inventory, and reduce the costs associated with misplaced equipment or the requirement to lease additional ULDs. 

“We are thrilled to help dnata, Menzies, Swissport and WFS provide their customers with real-time visibility into the location and status  of their air cargo shipments and assets,” said Scott Sangster, Vice President Global Logistics Services Providers at Descartes. “Our goal is to enable the air cargo community to provide end-to-end, real-time visibility into the movement of shipments across the globe and working with these industry leaders is an important step in expanding our network.”