[Info-vax] OT: Automating shipments

[JF Mezei]

Does anyone know how large shippers automate shipping with FedEx, USPS,
UPS etc ? (or whatever you have in your country) ?

These shippers provide web interfaces for individuals to generate
waybills, but large shippers can't possibly be doing that.

How is this done ?

Does FedEx just give them standards for labels, and the shippers simply
send some HTTP transaction to FedEx and get a waybill number and they
they create the waybill and print it themselves ?

Or do they submit the information and FedEx responds with a .pdf that
contains the printable waybill ?


Since these shippers have well integrated systems, I doubt they run some
PC software that handles printing of waybills since this would need to
integrated with their ordering system (to get the address), shipping (to
get weight/size of package and then report back with wayboll number so
the buyer can get their email advising the shipment has been made and
provide him with the tracking number.