ESPAS and Steinehelden Use Descartes’ Solution to Optimize Ecommerce Productivity by 500% While Supporting Special Needs of Workers

Rhea-AI Summary

Descartes Systems Group (Nasdaq:DSGX) announced that Swiss non-profit ESPAS and German non-profit Steinehelden are using Descartes’ ecommerce warehouse management system to streamline fulfillment and support workers with disabilities. ESPAS reported a 500% increase in order processing productivity since 2022 after automating manual processes and reducing error rates. The solution’s configurable, visual interface helps diverse teams (including deaf, autistic, and short-statured employees) work across orders, improve accuracy, and boost customer service, especially during peak seasons.

Positive

• Order processing productivity +500% since 2022
• Configurable UI enables inclusive workforce participation
• Improved accuracy and customer service during peak seasons

Negative

• None.

Insights

Logistics SaaS Strategist

Customer deployments show material operational gains and strong accessibility tailoring, with measurable productivity and seasonal resilience.

Descartes delivered an ecommerce warehouse management system now used by ESPAS and Steinehelden to automate manual tasks, reduce errors and enable employees with disabilities to perform fulfillment work. The announcement cites a 500% increase in order-processing productivity since deployment in 2022, plus interface and workflow customizations for deaf, autistic and short-statured workers.

These facts describe a clear business mechanism: software-driven automation replaces manual steps and standardizes pick lists, which explains lower error rates and higher throughput. Key dependencies and risks remain internal to the organisations (training breadth, ongoing configuration, and seasonal capacity needs at Christmas and Easter); the release flags those peak periods explicitly as stress points for operations.

Concrete items to watch include the sustained validity of the 500% productivity claim in later quarters, ongoing error-rate trends, and how the solution performs during next major seasonal peak (Christmas). Expect relevant updates or metrics to appear within standard operating cycles or future customer communications over the next 6–12 months.

LEIPZIG, Germany and ATLANTA, Oct. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Descartes Systems Group (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG), the global leader in uniting logistics-intensive businesses in commerce, announced that Switzerland’s ESPAS, a non-profit foundation for labor integration that manages ecommerce fulfillment for various web shops, and Germany’s Steinehelden, a non-profit company that operates an online shop for LEGO® products, are using Descartes’ ecommerce warehouse management system (WMS) to optimize ecommerce fulfillment processes, reduce error rates and increase customer satisfaction. With its user-friendly interface and the ability to tailor workflows to the needs of employees, the solution is also supporting the integration of persons with and without disabilities into the workforce.

“Our employees are people who face barriers in the primary labor market, but who want to actively contribute their skills and motivation,” said Danja Klink, Head of Services of ESPAS. “While most have no background in logistics, with Descartes’ ecommerce WMS, they can take on fulfillment activities independently, such as picking orders. This not only boosts operational efficiency but also gives employees greater self-confidence and responsibility in day-to-day work. Since deploying the solution in 2022, we’ve increased order processing productivity by 500 percent by automating manual processes and significantly reducing error rates. In addition, every employee can work on any order, which is particularly important as disabilities can often lead to short-term absences.”

“Logistics and order processing are at the heart of Steinehelden,” said David Lyle, Managing Director at the organization’s parent company Gemeinnützige Integrationsgesellschaft Kaiserslautern mbH. “We benefit from optimized order processing enabled by the Descartes solution, especially during peak periods at Christmas and Easter, and our employees benefit daily from its ease-of-use and configurability. For example, deaf and autistic team members appreciate the clear, visual user interface, and employees of short stature receive customized pick lists to ensure they only pick products that are stored within reach. This noticeably simplifies processes, reduces error rates, increases employee satisfaction and has helped us to improve customer service.”

“We are delighted that our solution is helping to improve ecommerce fulfillment efficiency and satisfaction for employees and end customers at ESPAS and Steinehelden,” said Dirk Haschke, Vice President & General Manager, Ecommerce at Descartes. “While the supply chain and logistics industry continues to grapple with pervasive workforce challenges, modern logistics technologies can help companies drive greater levels of operational efficiency with existing resources, and they can also help support recruitment and retention strategies centered on facilitating access to the labor market for all people.”

For further insights into how companies are addressing workforce challenges in logistics, see the Descartes study: What Are Companies Doing to Survive the Supply Chain and Logistics Workforce Challenge?

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.

About ESPAS

ESPAS is a leading specialist in customized work integration in the greater Zurich area, with locations in Zurich, Richterswil, and Winterthur. As a social enterprise, it is committed to the professional and social rehabilitation of people with mental or physical disabilities. ESPAS offers tailor-made integration programs, adapted workplaces, and professional services such as fulfillment, telephone service, and document scanning. This gives employees meaningful work, strengthens their self-determination and self-esteem, and companies which outsource orders benefit from high quality with social added value. For more information, visit espas.ch.

About Steinehelden

Based in Kaiserslautern, Steinehelden is a non-profit, inclusive company that brings people with and without disabilities together to operate an online shop dedicated entirely to the fascination of LEGO®. Whether for young or old, beginners or experienced builders, SteineHelden offers a diverse range of LEGO® products sets—from the latest releases to rare collectibles and affordable offers. We create a work environment based on respect, collaboration and joy in our work and, with every purchase from us, you actively contribute to social inclusion. Find out more at steinhelden.de. 

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’ ecommerce 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 regulatory authorities across Canada including Descartes’ most recently filed annual and interim management’s discussion and analysis which are available under Descartes’ profile through the EDGAR website at http://www.sec.gov or through the SEDAR+ website at http://www.sedarplus.com/. If any such risks actually occur, they could, among other consequences, 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.

FAQ

What improvement did ESPAS report after deploying Descartes WMS at ESPAS (DSGX) in 2022?

ESPAS reported a 500% increase in order processing productivity since deploying the Descartes ecommerce WMS in 2022.

How does Descartes WMS (DSGX) support employees with disabilities at Steinehelden?

The solution offers a clear visual interface and customized pick lists so deaf, autistic, and short-statured employees can perform tasks independently.

Will Descartes’ system (DSGX) help ecommerce operations during peak seasons?

Yes; Steinehelden said the Descartes solution optimizes order processing, especially during peak periods like Christmas and Easter.

Does the Descartes WMS allow any employee to process any order at ESPAS (DSGX)?

Yes; ESPAS reported that every employee can work on any order, helping cover short-term absences and maintain throughput.

What operational benefits did Descartes say customers achieved with its ecommerce WMS (DSGX)?

Descartes highlighted higher efficiency, lower error rates, and improved employee and customer satisfaction at ESPAS and Steinehelden.