WAERlinx – our fully integrated WMS suiteapp for NetSuite now interfaces to a wide variety of third-party courier systems using the NetDespatch portal. We recommend this approach because it is a lot more cost-effective than building bespoke interfaces to individual couriers.
The way it works
At the point when a despatch is processed, WAERlinx makes a call to the courier system, transmitting the relevant details. Typically, this includes (but is certainly not limited to) product code, ship-to address, number of packages, package weight(s), tariff code and special instructions. There are a great many other data elements that can be included and these can be set up according to the needs of the customer.
The tariff code and any special delivery instructions can either be specified on the NetSuite sales order or manually input at the point of despatch. If the tariff code and delivery instructions are specified on the NetSuite sales order, then this is included with the sales order information that is interfaced to WAERlinx, and no operator input is needed at the point of despatch.
In all cases, the courier system responds with the additional information required by the courier in order to execute the collection and delivery. This includes information to be output on courier-specific labels, which can be printed locally in the despatch area of the supplying warehouse, as well as a tracking reference number. The courier’s printed labels are then fixed to the relevant packages, prior to physical collection by the courier.
For the purposes of customer service, the tracking reference number mentioned above can, via WAERlinx, be optionally interfaced back to its corresponding NetSuite sales order and in all cases, a full audit trail of courier collection and delivery status is maintained.