There is an ever growing list of carriers, transportation companies, freight brokers and forwarders, and even government agencies that facilitate shipping by supporting electronic communication. The depth of services supported varies from carrier to carrier, but most have the following capabilities:
- Generating documents such as shipping labels, bills of lading, air waybills, and commercial invoices;
- Parcel / shipment tracking;
- Scheduling pickup requests;
- Providing rate quotes.
Here is a list of organizations which support electronic communication. These organizations use XML instead of EDI for communication unless otherwise noted.
- FedEx & FedEx freight (Web Services);
- UPS & UPS freight (API);
- USPS (Mail.XML);
- TNT (ExpressConnect);
- DHL (XML Services);
- Purolator (E-Ship Server API / ESS API) – Canadian freight and parcel carrier.;
- DB Schenker (Web services support – XML/SOAP over HTTP. Currently offer Shipment Tracking, Pickup Request and Rate Quote as Web Services.);
- Canpar (EDI Support) – Canadian parcel carrier;
- Con-Way (web services);
- Holland/New Penn (web services);
- AES (Automated Export System – this is the electronic way to file the Electronic Export Information (EEI) and ocean manifest information directly to U.S. Customs and Boarder Protection (CBP) via EDI).
Limited web services support – these organizations are able to provide real time tracking and rates, but cannot create BOL:
- Saia;
- YRC Freight;
- Estes Express.
Again this is probably an incomplete list, and it is growing and changing all the time. If you know of an organization that supports electronic communication which I have not mentioned here, drop me a note and let me know – I’ll add it to the list!
If your company needs help setting up your SAP system to communicate electronically with any of these transportation organizations, contact Blue Harbors Consulting – they can assist with this. More information is available at www.blueharbors.com/xsi.
By Josh Riff