Best Shipping Software

Shipping Software Guide

Shipping software is a term that encompasses a wide range of software solutions designed to help businesses manage the processes associated with shipping products—from warehouse management, order fulfillment and inventory tracking to freight negotiations and payment processing.

At its most basic level, shipping software helps streamline the process of getting an item from point A to point B. It generally includes features like automated order entry, weight & dimension calculation, route optimization and multi-carrier support. It can also integrate with other systems like Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems for improved speed and efficiency.

Going beyond the basics, more advanced shipping solutions offer tools for freight claims processing, shipment traceability and visibility, as well as reporting capabilities to help businesses make informed decisions about their supply chain. Some even offer predictive analytics to anticipate possible problems or delays in delivery times. This allows companies to respond quickly when needed by taking proactive steps before issues arise—helping them maintain customer satisfaction while at the same time reducing their overall costs.

In addition, some modern shipping solutions allow customers to easily track their orders online with real-time updates about where their package is located at any given moment in the transit. This not only offers convenience for customers but also helps reduce labor costs within businesses that don’t need dedicated staff members assigned solely to handle customer inquiries related to shipments.

The right shipping solution can go a long way towards improving operational efficiency while minimizing costs throughout every part of your supply chain—making it an essential component of modern ecommerce operations that is worth investing in.

What Features Does Shipping Software Provide?

• Shipping Calculations: Shipping software can automatically calculate the cost of shipping based on the destination, weight, size, and distance. It also allows you to set up specific rules for free shipping or discounts for certain customers.
• Addressing Feature: This feature helps streamline the address-entry process by auto-populating fields with existing customer info or providing address suggestions. It also supports international addresses that are verified against a database of global address formats.
• Tracking Feature: This tool allows you to quickly and easily track your shipments and view their status in real-time. You'll have access to detailed information about package pickup times, delivery dates, sender/recipient contact info, delivery notes, and more.
• Call Center Integration: This feature keeps your customer service team up to date on all incoming orders by providing them with automated order notifications via email or text message. Additionally, they can track packages in real-time and provide customers with accurate delivery estimates.
• Label Printing: With this feature, you can easily print labels and store them in the system for later use if needed. Label printing is often integrated into a barcode scanner system ensuring accuracy when scanning items at checkout or shipment pick-up locations.
• Returns Management System: Returns management systems help tracking returned items by linking them back to original orders for easy credit processing. The software will generate return labels (based on user’s preferences) which customers can print off from their own devices and send back the item through a chosen carrier service provider.
• Multi-Carrier Support: With this feature, you can connect multiple carriers for shipping your packages. You can compare rates and choose the most cost-effective option for each delivery, helping you save money on transportation costs.

Different Types of Shipping Software

• Automated Shipping Software: Automated shipping software automates the process of shipping goods out to customers, taking data from an order and generating labels and paperwork while keeping track of shipping costs.
• Warehouse Management Software: Warehouse management software is designed to automate inventory-related processes like tracking stock levels and replenishment, enabling warehouses to ensure stock is accurately tracked and available when needed.
• Dispatch Software: Dispatch software helps companies manage their entire fleet of vehicles, allowing for efficient tracking of routes, delivery times, fuel costs, driver performance and more.
• Order Tracking Software: Order tracking software allows businesses to monitor the journey of an order from point A all the way to its destination. This includes order status updates and tracking orders in transit or at rest.
• Logistics Management Software: Logistics management software provides end-to-end visibility into transportation processes from planning through execution. It ensures that shipments are running smoothly and on schedule by using real-time data for predictive analytics and optimization.
• Parcel Tracking Systems: Parcel tracking systems provide greater visibility into every shipment’s progress throughout the supply chain by tracking steps in both directions—from origin to destination, as well as destination to origin—for both domestic and international parcels.
• Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Solutions: EDI solutions enable businesses to exchange electronic documents with other organizations in a standard format, such as invoices or purchase orders. This can save time compared with manual processing of paper documents or email attachments.
• Address Verification Systems (AVS): AVS technology matches addresses against official databases maintained by various countries around the world to ensure accuracy before a package is shipped out, helping reduce delivery errors due to incorrect address information being entered into the system.

Advantages of Using Shipping Software

1. Increased Visibility: Shipping software provides access to real-time tracking data, enabling shippers to track their packages and cargo as they move through the supply chain. This increased visibility helps companies better anticipate delays and plan for contingencies, reducing the risk of costly delays.
2. Improved Efficiency: Shipping software streamlines processes such as tracking orders, assigning routes, generating labels and documents, automating billing and more. By automating many of these tasks, shipping software can help companies save time and money while increasing efficiency across their operations.
3. Enhances Customer Service: With real-time access to order status information, customers can stay informed about their orders throughout the entire process. This not only improves customer satisfaction but also allows customers to be proactive in addressing any issues that arise along the way.
4. Reduced Costs: Shipping software enables businesses to better manage their logistics operations by optimizing routes, consolidating shipments and negotiating favorable rates with carriers. These cost savings can have a significant impact on a company’s bottom line.
5. Enhanced Safety: Shipping software provides tools for monitoring dangerous goods or hazardous materials during transportation. This ensures that shipments are handled safely and securely, allowing businesses to avoid potential penalties or other legal liabilities associated with improper handling of hazardous materials.

Who Uses Shipping Software?

• Consumers: Individuals who use shipping software to purchase and ship items to themselves.
• Retailers: Companies that use shipping software to send out products they have sold online or in a physical store.
• Vendors: Businesses that use shipping software to manage the shipment of goods they sell wholesale to other companies.
• Distributors: Companies that supply merchandise from warehouses and suppliers, often selling directly to consumers or retail stores.
• Logistics Providers: Professionals who manage the entire supply chain process, including packaging, tracking, delivery, and returns.
• Customs Agents: Professionals responsible for ensuring imports follow customs regulations and processes.
• Freight Forwarders: Companies hired by shippers or vendors to assist with the international movement of goods from one location to another.
• Carriers/Couriers/Shipping Lines: Organizations tasked with transporting goods from one place to another using various modes of transportation (air, sea, land).
• Government Entities: Organizations responsible for regulating imports, exports, and other areas related to shipping.
• Warehouses: Storage facilities that house products until they are ready for shipment.

How Much Does Shipping Software Cost?

The cost of shipping software can vary depending on the features and options you need. Generally, most companies offer a range of products, from basic to advanced, so there is sure to be a product that fits your needs and budget. Basic shipping software typically costs between $50 and $150 per month for a single user license. However, this price may increase if additional features are included or the number of users increases. Advanced shipping software can range from $200 to upwards of thousands of dollars for enterprise-level packages with numerous features including multi-carrier integration, third party logistics management tools, invoice and payment processing capabilities, etc.

To find the best value for your company’s needs, it is important to take time researching different products and services as well as pricing structures of each before making a decision. Additionally, many software companies have free trials available so you can test out the product before making an investment. It is also important to factor in any additional development or training costs that could be associated with the new software. By doing your research and making a well-informed decision, you can ensure that you get the most out of your shipping software investment.

What Does Shipping Software Integrate With?

Shipping software can integrate with a wide variety of other types of software. These integrations can include customer relationship management (CRM) systems like Salesforce, ecommerce systems like Shopify, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems such as NetSuite, warehouse management systems, accounting software like QuickBooks, and transportation management systems. By integrating with these other types of software, shipping software helps streamline the entire order fulfillment process by providing real-time visibility into key data points such as inventory levels and shipment statuses. This integration enables users to have access to up-to-date information and more efficient processes for managing their shipments.

What are the Trends Relating to Shipping Software?

1. Automation is becoming increasingly popular in the software shipping process. Automation makes it easier and faster to package, ship, and track deliveries.
2. Software shipping is becoming digitalized as more companies move away from paper-based processes. Companies are using digital tools to manage orders and streamline the shipping process.
3. Companies are looking for ways to reduce costs associated with shipping software. This includes finding ways to optimize routes, reduce labor costs, and eliminate errors.
4. Companies are looking for ways to increase visibility into the shipping process. This includes tracking packages in real-time and providing customers with updates on their orders.
5. Companies are looking for more flexible solutions that can accommodate their changing needs. This includes offering customizable options, such as delivery dates and times, that can be tailored to meet individual customer needs.
6. Security is a top priority when it comes to software shipping, as companies must ensure sensitive data is protected during transit. Companies are implementing security measures, such as encryption and authentication protocols, to protect their data and comply with industry regulations.
7. Companies are looking for software shipping solutions that can scale as their business grows. Solutions must be able to handle increasing volumes of orders without sacrificing performance or reliability.

How to Select the Best Shipping Software

On this page you will find available tools to compare shipping software prices, features, integrations and more for you to choose the best software.

Selecting the right shipping software can help streamline your business operations and improve customer satisfaction. Here are some tips to help you find the right shipping software for your needs:

1. Identify Your Needs: Before selecting a shipping software, consider how it will be used within your organization. Think about what features and capabilities you need to support your business model and ensure that your customers have a seamless experience.
2. Research Options: Once you have identified what features you need, start researching different solutions available on the market that meet those requirements. Make sure you read reviews from other businesses and compare pricing structures before making any decisions.
3. Check Compatibility: Not all shipping softwareare compatible with every type of system or platform, so make sure the solution you select is compatible with yours. Additionally, make sure that any third-party integrations are possible too if needed for additional functionality or efficiency gains.
4. Test it Out: It’s important to test out a shipping software before fully committing to it. Most providers offer a trial period where you can test the features and ensure that it works for your needs.
5. Select Support: Find out what level of support is available from the provider, including any maintenance/update plans, training and customer service options. This is especially important if you have little experience in using shipping software solutions.

By following these tips, you should be able to find the right shipping software for your business needs.