Distribution and Shipping

Configuring Distribution and Shipping Methods

Before you configure your UltraCart shipping settings, you need to determine how your order fulfillment and shipping will be managed. Consider the following two options:

• External Distribution Center: Utilizing a third-party fulfillment center to handle warehousing, picking, packing, and shipping of your orders.

• In-house Shipping: Managing the entire shipping process yourself from your own location.

Option 1: Using an External Distribution Center

If you partner with an external distribution center (also known as a fulfillment center, fulfillment house, or pick/pack/ship service), ensure they are integrated with UltraCart. You can find a list of our integrated partners on our [Fulfillment Partners]([insert link to fulfillment partners documentation here]) page.

Prerequisites:

• Credentials (username, API key, etc.) provided by your chosen distribution center.

Step-by-step Instructions:

1. Navigate to the distribution center setup within UltraCart. (Specific navigation path will be provided in the full documentation.)

2. Enter the credentials provided by your distribution center.

3. Configure the following settings as needed:

   • Daily Shipment Cutoff Times: Specify the time of day after which orders will be shipped the following business day.

   • Customer Communication: Determine how shipping updates and tracking information will be communicated to your customers.

   • Distribution Center Restrictions: Define any limitations imposed by your distribution center, such as only shipping to the continental US.

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Conclusion:

Once configured, UltraCart will communicate order information directly to your distribution center for fulfillment. Tracking information will be relayed back to UltraCart and can be shared with your customers.

Option 2: Managing Your Own Shipping In-house

If you handle your own shipping, you have two primary methods: utilizing UltraCart's UltraShip software or managing the process manually.

Using UltraCart's UltraShip Software and Shipping System

UltraShip is a proprietary software solution that resides on your local shipping computer and integrates directly with your UltraCart store.

Prerequisites:

• Installation of the UltraShip software on your shipping computer.

Step-by-step Instructions (Overview):

1. UltraShip software will prompt you to login and select a distribution center.

2. New orders will be pulled from UltraCart into the UltraShip software.

3. Within UltraShip, you can batch process orders or pack orders one by one.

4. UltraShip will generate packing slips and shipping labels for your orders based on your carrier.

5. (Optional) Configure additional UltraShip features such as scale integration and barcode scanner support.

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Conclusion:

UltraShip streamlines your in-house shipping process by automating order retrieval, label creation, and carrier processing.

Resources:

UltraShip

Managing In-house Shipping Manually

If you prefer a manual approach, you will export order information from UltraCart and import it into your chosen shipping carrier's system.

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Step-by-step Instructions:

1. Export Orders from UltraCart: Navigate to Order Management → Shipping → [Select Shipping Department] → [Select Orders and Export]. This will typically generate a file (e.g., CSV) containing your order details.

2. Feed Orders to Shipping Carrier Software:

   • Open your shipping carrier's software (e.g., FedEx Ship Manager, UPS WorldShip, USPS Click-N-Ship).

   • Locate the import function within their software.

   • Select the file you exported from UltraCart and import it into their system.

   • Process the orders within the carrier's software to generate shipping labels and tracking information.

   • Export the tracking information file from the carrier's software.

3. Import Orders with Tracking Information into UltraCart:

   • Return to the Order Management → Shipping → [Select Shipping Department] screen in UltraCart.

   • Locate the import function (often on the same screen where you exported orders).

   • Select the file containing the tracking information from your shipping carrier and import it.

Expected Outcome:

Importing the tracking information into UltraCart will automatically update the order status and send an email notification with the tracking details to your customer.

Integrated Delivery Networks

UltraCart seamlessly integrates with the following delivery networks:

• FedEx

• UPS

• USPS

• Canada Post

• Australia Post

• DHL

• PeriShip

• Watkins

Shipping Lifecycle Overview (Example: FedEx)

This section provides a high-level overview of the manual shipping process using FedEx as an example:

1. Export Orders: Navigate to Order Management → Shipping → [Select Shipping Department] → [Select Orders and Export].

   Note: You may have one or more shipping departments configured in UltraCart. Select the relevant department for the orders you wish to ship.

2. Feed Orders to FedEx Ship Manager:

   Warning: The exact steps for this stage depend on the version and configuration of FedEx Ship Manager, which is subject to change. Consult the official FedEx Ship Manager documentation for detailed instructions.

   • Move the exported file from UltraCart to a location accessible by FedEx Ship Manager.

   • Open FedEx Ship Manager and locate the import functionality.

   • Import the file containing your UltraCart order data into FedEx Ship Manager.

   • Process the imported orders within FedEx Ship Manager, which may involve verifying addresses, selecting service types, and specifying package details.

   • Once processed, export the tracking information file from FedEx Ship Manager.

3. Import Orders: Return to the same screen in UltraCart where you exported the orders (Order Management → Shipping → [Select Shipping Department]). Locate the import function and import the tracking information file you exported from FedEx Ship Manager.

Conclusion:

Successfully importing the tracking information will complete the shipping process within UltraCart, updating the order status and automatically notifying your customer of their tracking information via email.