Basic functionality: no shipping platform available
In the most basic shipping environment, there is no shipping platform—everything tends to be managed via the selling platform(s) and the carrier’s website (e.g., UPS Worldship or FedEx Shipment Manager) or PC Postage provider (e.g. Stamps or Endicia). In this case, you would simply log into your selling platform (into each one, one at a time, if there are more than one) and print your packing slip(s), then move to the next step. In some selling platforms (e.g., eBay, Amazon, Etsy), labels can be generated directly from that platform for orders generated there.
Advanced functionality: shipping platform available
- Your shipping solution receives the order data via the Application Programming Interface (API—a software interface that allows one system to easily send and receive data from another system) from the selling solution(s) in real time, including the customer selected shipping option, customer address, customer messages, order split/merge information, and item weight and dimension measurements, when available.
- If multiple selling platforms are used, a good shipping solution can aggregate order data from all of them into a single view.
- Shipping administrator(s) can manage order data by filtering and sorting to guide automated processes.
- Multiple administrators can view and manage specific groups of orders, communicate with each other, and collaborate to prep orders for picking, packing and shipping.
- Your shipping solution applies rules to order data to automate decision-making and repetitive tasks. For example:
- Assign weight to items/SKUs
- Add weights to shipments containing promotional gifts
- Assign categories or “folders” to create groups of similar orders
- Assign carriers based on weight, dimensions, customer-requested shipping option and/or address type
- Automatically send a promotional shipment confirmation email
- Assign designated orders to a designated user/administration
- Add signature or delivery confirmation for orders over a certain value
- Automatically print a unique packing slip template for designated orders
- Flag orders that contain multiples of a specific SKU
- Your shipping solution creates related pick list, packing slips, and shipping labels, and readies them to print.
- A good shipping solution allows you to design your pick lists, packing slips, and shipping labels to lay out various data elements from the shipping platform. For example:
- Pick lists may contain images and/or warehouse locations and be grouped by order vs. by item.
- Packing slips may or may not contain certain information such as gift messages or product prices, depending on customer intention.
- Shipping labels may include removable doc tabs with pack list data, or the order number or item details may be printed directly on the shipping label.
- A good shipping solution allows you to design your pick lists, packing slips, and shipping labels to lay out various data elements from the shipping platform. For example:
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