Descartes Study: 74% of Supply Chain Leaders See Technology as Key to Growth Amid Rising Global Trade Complexities

Rhea-AI Summary

Descartes Systems Group (DSGX) has released a comprehensive study revealing that 74% of supply chain and logistics leaders consider technology fundamental or highly important for organizational growth amid global trade challenges. This percentage increases to 88% for companies projecting over 15% growth in the next two years.

The study, surveying 978 supply chain intelligence leaders globally, found that 59% of respondents view technology as important for competitive advantage in international trade. Global trade intelligence emerged as the top technology capability (36%) expected to deliver the greatest value in the next two years, followed by global trade analytics (27%) and supply chain mapping (26%).

Across industries, global trade intelligence was consistently ranked as the primary technology capability, with wholesale and distribution leading at 44%, manufacturing at 40%, finance and insurance at 38%, and retail at 30%.

Positive

• 74% of supply chain leaders recognize technology as important for growth strategy
• 88% of high-growth companies prioritize technology integration
• Strong cross-industry recognition of global trade intelligence importance
• 59% view technology as key competitive advantage driver

Negative

• None.

Global Trade Intelligence and Global Trade Analytics are Top Technologies Expected to Deliver Business Value

ATLANTA and LONDON, Jan. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Descartes Systems Group (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG), the global leader in uniting logistics-intensive businesses in commerce, released findings from its study What Companies are Doing to Tackle Escalating Global Supply Chain Challenges. The study shows that 74% of the supply chain and logistics leaders surveyed view technology as fundamental or highly important to their organization’s growth strategy in the face of rising global trade challenges, such as tariffs and trade barriers, supply chain disruptions and geopolitical instability. This number jumps to 88% for companies expecting greater than 15% growth over the next two years. In addition, 59% consider technology as extremely or very important to provide a competitive advantage in international trade.

When considering what technology capabilities are expected to help companies involved in international trade enable business growth and gain a competitive advantage, 36% cited global trade intelligence as the top capability required to deliver the greatest value in the next two years. This was followed by global trade analytics at 27% and by supply chain mapping at 26% (see Figure 1).

Source: Descartes/SAPIO

Results also showed that respondents across all industries agreed that global trade intelligence was the top technology capability expected to deliver the greatest value over the next two years, including, for example, in manufacturing (40%), wholesale and distribution (44%), finance and insurance (38%), and retail (30%) sectors.

“For companies in diverse industries, global trade has become much more complex, with many new challenges to traditional business operations,” said Jackson Wood, Director, Industry Strategy at Descartes. “As businesses contend with tariffs and trade barriers, geopolitical instability, supply chain disruptions and compliance requirements, technology tools can help them build greater agility and resilience into their supply chains to compete more effectively.”

Descartes and SAPIO Research surveyed 978 supply chain intelligence leaders in key trading nations across Europe, North and South America, and Asia-Pacific. The goal was to understand the strategies, tactics and technologies used by companies involved in international trade to help gain a competitive advantage and ensure continued business growth, and to identify if these varied by factors such as country, industry, company size and business growth. Respondents are members of company leadership teams, from management level to Chief Executive Officer or Owner. To learn more, read the study What Companies are Doing to Tackle Escalating Global Supply Chain Challenges.

Learn more about Descartes’ global trade intelligence solutions.

About Descartes

Descartes (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG) is the global leader in providing on-demand, software-as-a-service solutions focused on improving the productivity, security and sustainability of logistics-intensive businesses. Customers use our modular, software-as-a-service solutions to route, track and help improve the safety, performance and compliance of 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.

Global Media Contact
Cara Strohack                                                                     
cstrohack@descartes.com  

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’ global trade intelligence solution offerings 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 purposes 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.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/10c34d00-34d1-44e2-b20e-c04b8e202018

FAQ

What percentage of supply chain leaders view technology as important for growth according to Descartes (DSGX) 2025 study?

According to the Descartes study, 74% of supply chain and logistics leaders view technology as fundamental or highly important to their organization's growth strategy.

What are the top 3 technology capabilities identified in the Descartes (DSGX) 2025 supply chain study?

The top three technology capabilities identified are global trade intelligence (36%), global trade analytics (27%), and supply chain mapping (26%).

How many supply chain leaders did Descartes (DSGX) survey in their 2025 global study?

Descartes surveyed 978 supply chain intelligence leaders across Europe, North and South America, and Asia-Pacific regions.

What percentage of high-growth companies prioritize technology in the 2025 Descartes (DSGX) study?

88% of companies expecting greater than 15% growth over the next two years prioritize technology as fundamental or highly important.

Which industry showed the highest adoption rate for global trade intelligence in the 2025 Descartes (DSGX) study?

The wholesale and distribution sector showed the highest adoption rate at 44% for global trade intelligence technology.