Choosing the Right Shipping Software for Your Business
Choosing the right shipping software for your business requires careful consideration. Ensuring that your decision is “future-proof” adds an additional layer of complexity.
The recent exponential growth in ecommerce has forced businesses to take a hard look at their shipping software. Increased order volume, carrier capacity and supply chain issues have merchants questioning whether their current solution is right for them and one that will benefit them well into the future. Here are some things to look for in a dedicated shipping software to ensure you are set up for the long haul:
Choose Customizable Shipping Software
Small to medium businesses that are in the earlier stages of growth can benefit from a shipping software that is more templated and equipped with more defined workflows, like ShippingEasy or ShipStation. For warehouses and higher volume merchants who are well established and have sophisticated systems already in place, flexibility and customization become crucial priorities. They need a shipping software, like ShipWorks, that can work with, and be molded around, their current systems and workflow.
Also, consider your speed and security needs. While cloud-only solutions offer convenience, higher volume shippers benefit from the speed and security of an on-site solution that allows them to drive workflow efficiencies and increase daily throughput capacity. Not sure if you prefer speed and security over convenience? Good news is you don’t have to choose. A hybrid solution like ShipWorks gives you the speed, scalability and security of an on-site solution, married with the convenience of cloud-based features. The best of both worlds!
Shipping Software Integrations
Regardless of your shipment volume, you’ll want to ensure that the shipping software is compatible with your current carriers, channels and systems, as well those you may expand to in the future. Some shipping software options limit their integrations to a select group of partners, and others tailor to a niche or small subset of the market. Your best bet is to go with a shipping solution that offers not only an expansive selection of built in integrations, but also one that offers the ability to connect to any system, carrier or channel through API and ODBC.
“As we grew, other companies couldn’t integrate with our systems like ShipWorks. We’ve tripled our daily shipment volume!”.
Melissa S – CEO/Founder of Java Momma
Are you using an ERP or WMS? WMS and ERP systems can be vital for warehouse management, especially when it comes to product inventory and employee resources management. However, they often lack the shipping capabilities and features that high volume shippers and warehouses need to optimize their fulfillment. That is why businesses running an ERP or WMS often find themselves adding a standalone shipping software to boost shipping performance. Be sure to choose a software that is compatible with and easily added to your current system, saving you significant time and money versus replacing your current WMS or ERP.
Cost Management
While paying too much for shipping can add up quickly, especially for warehouses and other high volume shippers, carrier rates aren’t the only cost your shipping software should help manage. Look for features, like robust automation, that help you reduce costs by eliminating errors, speeding up workflows and allowing you to scale without reliance on headcount. In the face of exponential growth, ShipWorks customer 1st Phorm was able to stick to their customer promise of same day shipping, without needing to hire a significant amount of new employees, by implementing ShipWorks’ powerful shipping automation.
“ShipWorks has automated everything for us. If we were doing this number of orders without ShipWorks, I would need hundreds of people here”.
Brian W. – Warehouse Manager at 1st Phorm
Customer Support
Customer support is often overlooked but one of the most important factors when choosing a shipping software. From personalized assistance with initial setup, to issues that can bring your fulfillment to a grinding halt, you want to be sure you are dealing with real problem-solving experts and not script readers. Look for businesses that have been around a while. They will have seen a thing or two, and have the experience to get you up and running quickly.
Try ShipWorks – The Leading Warehouse Shipping Software
In summary, dedicated shipping software can and should act as an extension of a larger system, helping you get more done in less time. Whichever customer-facing services you use, however you store data, and whatever systems you currently have in place, ShipWorks is highly customizable and works with any existing system and workflow.
With powerful features like our Best Rate Tool, Intelligent Order Routing, and endless automation capabilities, ShipWorks will help you optimize your shipping process for the present and future. This is why warehouses and other high volume businesses have been using ShipWorks for more than two decades.