Potential Buyer Q: USPS / Endicia Integration

[ebernhard]

We ship all orders via USPS (60% are <= 1 lb). Currently using USPS Click And Ship and copy/paste - UGH! Is there a plan to integrate directly with USPS? Is there capability - or a mod - to integrate batch USPS shipping with Endica, or other 3rd party vendor?

TIA --eric

[Shopping Cart Admin]

Hello,

http://www.endicia.com/

Was a feature we wanted in 7.0 and it just didn't make the cut. It will make it into 7.1 or as an optionally available add on, it's not been decided which.

[krittleb]

Searching through the posts here looking for shipping software options and see that it looks like Shipper 3.0 is the only available option still??

It was mentioned above that 7.1 was intended to have a shipping software included, but I have 7.1 and have not seen it and don't remember it listed in the upgrade list.

Was it included or is there any information on if there will be any shipping software integrations soon? We are hoping to launch our site within a few weeks and need to get this figured out.

Thanks!

[compunerdy]

Think shipper 3 is still the only option..but it rocks!! so get it

[krittleb]

That is most likely what we will end up doing, but I just wanted to check and make sure that there wasn't already a built-in integration in the works by AbleCommerce.

[Jaz]

I need to make an investmemnt at some point. When is the expected release of 7.1? Also will Shipper 3 work with 7.03? I need to do some upgrading, but I want to make sure all my plugins will work.

[afm]

Also will Shipper 3 work with 7.03?

Good question! I hope to know for sure within a few of days.

[compunerdy]

I have the newest version of shipper and 7.0.3 seems to work fine with it so far.

[WylieE]

Is anyone using Shipper 3 to ship internationally?

We currently use Endicia and Worldship to handle USPS and UPS, respectively. Our international business continues to increase and we need to find ways to improve shipping efficiency.

UPS is nice with its electronic paperwork, but USPS takes extra time to print and sign all the paperwork.

[compunerdy]

We do yes..

Depending on the amount of items it can take a bit to modify the customs forms to come out correct. Only takes a min or two once you are used to it. Doing them online this way you dont have to sign them either.

[afm]

Tim,

How do you change the customs forms? Perhaps I can automate the changes.

[compunerdy]

Not really. We modify them and remove custom work fees etc and list stuff as kits (although you arent supposed to) so we dont have so many items listed out on the forms. This makes it easier to get the total value and weight correct as well.

I think if you only had a couple items on a invoice you wouldnt need to change much at all.

[afm]

That helps to know.

Shipper should not be listing non-shipping items on the customs form, so I will take a look at that.

I am thinking of adding a product catalog of shipping information to Shipper that would contain things like weight and dimensions (if the underlying store does not support them) and customs information. If several products had the same customs description (i.e. MERCHANDISE) then I would combine them on the form. I could also include a checkbox to never show the product on the customs form.

[pharita]

We are currently evaluating Able Commerce to host multiple storefronts. To keep the shipping process and printing of labels seamless and less error prone, we are also looking at Encidia and Shipper3.

http://www.endicia.com/Products/ and http://structured-solutions.net/Shipper3Editions

Looking at both solutions, can someone help me with answering these questions

1. Is the shipping data pushed or pulled from AC7 database?
2. What is the level of integration between AV7 and these products out of the box?
3. Can Encidia and Shipper 3 work with multiple AC7 storefront databases.
3. What is your experience to customize these two packages.(Lower priority).

Would love to hear more for questions 1, 2 and 3.

Thanks,
Prabhakar

[compunerdy]

1. Both
2. Fully.. setup is very minimal
3. This I am not positive about but I am 99% sure you can add multiple connections.

[afm]

1. Is the shipping data pushed or pulled from AC7 database?
2. What is the level of integration between AV7 and these products out of the box?
3. Can Encidia and Shipper 3 work with multiple AC7 storefront databases.
4. What is your experience to customize these two packages.(Lower priority).

My take (Shipper 3 author):

1. Order and shipping data are pulled from AC7. Tracking and status are pushed to AC7.
2. No customizing required to work out of the box. Just install, use a wizard to connect Shipper 3 to your website, and go.
3. Yes. Theoretically an unlimited number.
4. Drag and drop UI and report customization. Simple scripting for automating tasks. You can also customize the integration code between Shipper and AbleCommerce (the integration code is free and open source).

The software comes with built in 30 day trial license.