UPS, FedEx and US Postal Service each offer FREE Windows applications which allow me to easily ship packages using their service.
For example, with UPS WorldShip Software, I can do the following:
– Place my package on a digital scale. The scale is a USB device and the UPS software reads the weight from the scale. (Or, I can manually type in the package weight)
– Enter a ship-to address. (I enter it manually, or I can ask WorldShip to read it from a database).
– Select a shipping method
– Optionally Insure my package for a specific amount
– Generate a UPS shipping label. (I have a Zebra 4×6 thermal label printer)
The UPS WorldShip software also allows me to do things such as bill third party, create international shipments, track previous shipments, void shipments, validate/correct addresses, and run reports.
This software is provided for free from UPS.
The problem is, I need ONE shipping solution that allows me to ship packages using ALL carrier – UPS, FedEx or US Postal Service.
So I’m looking for a program that is a combination of UPS WorldShip, FedEx Ship Manager, and USPS Stamps.com
Additionally, I have 2 MIS programs in which we input orders and ship-to addresses.
This shipping solution should allow the user to scan a barcode (or enter a shipment number), and the shipping details (ship-to address, ship method, etc) should automatically be retrieved from the MIS program. Furthermore, AFTER the package has shipped, the shipment details (ship date, ship method, package weight, number of packages, tracking number(s), cost, etc) need to be written BACK to the MIS program.
This shipping solution needs to be the ‘central’ hub where ALL of my shipments are processed.
The shipping solution should include a table of all known shipping methods (USPS Medium Flat-Rate Box, UPS 2-Day Air, FedEx Standard Overnight, etc).
The shipping solution should be able to validate and correct addresses on the fly. We should not be able to ship packages to invalid addresses. I believe the US Postal Service has an address database which can be purchased. Or there may be other methods of address verification and cleansing.
The shipping solution should allow the user to MANUALLY enter a shipment.
It should also allow us to import an Excel or CSV file for batch shipments.
The shipping solution should be allowed to use several FedEx and UPS Accounts. When shipping a package, the user should be able to select the account to ship FROM.
The software should be password protected at three levels:
– Level 1 Users can log in and search only.
– Level 2 Users can also search, but can also ship packages, void packages, and run reports.
– Level 3 Users (Admins) have access to all program features.
The software should provide an interface (web-based) that will allow users to search for shipments by shipment number, name, city, etc. (Basically, user should be able to search by any field(s) by entering criteria. For example: ‘Show me all shipments for order #132354’ or ‘Show me all shipments where city=Miami and carrier=FedEx’)
The software should be very quick and responsive to the user, since the shipping department is very busy. So, I think this should be a Windows application (vs. a web-based application). (The ‘query’ module (i.e. the interface that allows users to search for shipments) SHOULD be web-based, but for shipping, the interface should be a Windows app). The app needs to be installed on multiple Windows workstations. (XP and Windows 7 compatibility).
The software should receive input from a digital scale, a standard USB Keyboard, a USB mouse, and a USB Barcode reader. The software should be able to direct output to multiple printers based on the type of ‘report’. (In the options screen, the Admin should be able to specify a printer as the ‘label’ printer, and another printer as a ‘report’ printer. This way, labels automatically print to the label printer, and reports automatically print to a laser printer). (The printers will be Windows printers)
PROGRAMMING REQUIREMENTS: Must be created using Visual Studio, .NET Framework (3.5 or higher), and C# (NO VB or other languages – C# is a must). The web portion of the app should be written in ASP.NET, again using C#.
I believe each of the carriers (UPS, FedEx and US Postal Service) offer developer tools (APIs, Web Services, Documentation, etc).
When shipping a package via UPS, the 4 inch x 6 inch shipping label MUST be 100% compliant with UPS specs. Same for FedEx and same for US Postal Service.
