[Info-vax] OT: Automating shipments

[Jan-Erik Soderholm]

JF Mezei wrote 2011-12-01 18:32:
> 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.

My *guess* is that they have some API's (Web-Services, SOAP or similar)
where large customers can connect with their own shipping systems
and "integrate". Much like the API that eBay offers where large sellers
can fully integrate eBay into their own warehouse/order system.

It seems resonable that the customer can get back whatever information is
needed to print the shippig label localy according to some specification.
Maybe they even can supply you with label form/layouts for popular
label printers (Zebra, Intermec and so on).

But why not ask them ?