DAT is retiring their legacy SOAP API on March 31, 2026. To continue posting/searching DAT loads from AscendTMS, users must switch to the new REST API connection before that date.
The good news? The switch only takes a few minutes and your load posting/searching workflow in AscendTMS stays exactly the same. This guide walks you through how to obtain your DAT credentials and connect the new API so you can keep posting/searching loads without interruption.
Who Needs to Do This?
If your company posts loads to DAT from AscendTMS, you will need to switch to the new REST API connection before March 31, 2026.
A few important notes:
An Administrator must first connect DAT at the organization level
After the organization connection is established, individual users can connect their own DAT logins
If your company uses multiple DAT logins, each user can enter their own credentials
Before You Begin
Before connecting to the new DAT API, make sure the following requirements are met.
Connexion Must Be Enabled
Connexion must be enabled on your DAT account.
This has always been a requirement for posting/searching DAT loads from AscendTMS.
If Connexion is not enabled, contact DAT Support to have it activated.
How to Switch to the NEW DAT REST API
Step 1 — Request Your DAT REST API Credentials
To obtain your new DAT credentials, send an email to:
Request your DAT REST API credentials for use with AscendTMS.
DAT will provide:
Username (email)
Password
Since DAT accounts use individual user logins, each DAT user will receive their own credentials.
Once you receive your credentials, you are ready to connect them inside AscendTMS.
Step 2 — Connect DAT at the Organization Level (Admin Only)
Before individual users can connect their DAT logins, an Administrator must first connect the organization to DAT.
Begin by navigating to Settings
Locate the AscendTMS Plans, Features and Billing Details section, then click Add or Edit Loadboard Settings
Scroll to the DAT NEW VERSION section
NOTE: The DAT Connexion flag must be turned on by DAT in order to post and/or search DAT loads without ever leaving AscendTMS. Please contact DAT at 1-800-547-5417 to make sure your DAT Connexion flag is turned on and request an email containing your DAT Connexion credentials be sent to you. If you have entered your valid DAT login credentials, and DAT load posting and/or searching is not working in AscendTMS, please contact the AscendTMS Gurus at support@inmotionglobal.com.
Enter the following credentials:
Username (DAT Admin Email)
Password
Click Save.
Step 3 — Connect Individual DAT Users
Since DAT uses individual user logins, each user can connect their own DAT credentials in AscendTMS.
You can do this in two ways.
Option 1
User Connects Their Own DAT Login
Each user can enter their credentials by navigating to:
User Settings → My Personal Load Board Settings
Scroll Scroll to the DAT NEW VERSION section
Enter your individual DAT Username (email) there, click Save.
Note: If you do not see the green checkmark and the message “Organization settings are set for this integration” above the DAT Username field, your company’s DAT account must first be connected at the organization level to complete this step.
Please contact your AscendTMS Administrator. Instructions are provided above in Step 2 — Connect DAT at the Organization Level (Admin Only).
Option 2
Admin Adds Users from the DAT Settings Page
Administrators can also add users from the DAT NEW VERSION section in Settings → Add or Edit Loadboard Settings
To add a user, just click on Add Additional Users
Connect users with DAT Credentials by selecting the user from the dropdown list, click Connect User
This is helpful for organizations that prefer centralized credential management.
NOTE — you can see which users are currently connected by clicking on View all AscendTMS Users Connected to this Partner
Step 4 — Confirm the Connection (if Load Posting to DAT)
The easiest way to confirm that your DAT connection is working is to post a load to DAT.
You will receive an immediate response and see the load posting result in both the Load Actions Bar → Post / Search Load Boards within the load and within the Externally Posted Loads screen in Load Management
A successful connection will display as Successful Post
Load Actions Bar → Post / Search Load Boards
Externally Posted Loads
If credentials are incorrect, you may see an error such as Bad Credentials
Load Actions Bar → Post / Search Load Boards
Externally Posted Loads
Confirm the Connection (if Searching DAT Loads)
The easiest way to confirm that your DAT connection is working is to search DAT loads.
A successful connection will display DAT load results
If credentials are incorrect, you see a red banner displayed that reads: Error Searching DAT: Bad Credentials
What Happens to the Old DAT Connection?
Your existing SOAP API connection will remain active until you switch to the REST API or until DAT sunsets the SOAP API on March 31, 2026.
Once you connect to the new REST API:
Your SOAP API connection is automatically disconnected
All future DAT postings and load searching will use the REST API
SOAP and REST cannot run simultaneously.
Do I Need to Repost My Loads?
No. Once you switch to the new DAT API, you can continue posting and/or searching loads exactly as you normally would.
Your workflows inside AscendTMS remain unchanged.
Only the authentication method connecting AscendTMS to DAT has changed.
Good to Know
✔ DAT is replacing the legacy SOAP API with a modern REST API
✔ Your load posting and/or searching workflow inside AscendTMS does not change
✔ Each DAT user can connect their own login credentials
✔ An Admin must connect DAT at the organization level first
✔ After March 31, 2026, SOAP connections will no longer function
Need Help?
If you need help obtaining your DAT credentials, contact:
DAT Developer Support
developersupport@dat.com
If you need help connecting DAT inside AscendTMS, the AscendTMS Gurus are always happy to help.