Parcel Shipping Software works with IT software.
Share:
Press Release Summary:
DI Server Enterprise meets distribution needs of companies that ship large volumes of parcels, often from multiple distribution centers in Americas or overseas. Software works with information technology (IT) packages such as ERP, WMS, and TMS systems. It receives data from order entry, WMS, and other systems; performs carrier rating, selection, and manifesting; and returns information about shipment to ERP, CRM, and other enterprise applications.
Original Press Release:
ShipNow Launches New Enterprise Version Of Its Parcel Shipping System at DC Expo
Transportation Management Software Serves the Needs of High- Volume Parcel Shippers
CHICAGO, May 17, 2002 -- ShipNow, Inc., a developer of shipping systems, today launched DI Server Enterprise, a transportation management system that serves the needs of parcel shippers. The announcement was made to coincide with the Distribution / Computer Expo 2002 which will be held in Chicago next week.
DI Server Enterprise is designed to meet the distribution demands of companies that ship large volumes of parcels, often from multiple distribution centers in the Americas or overseas. Most importantly, it works closely with a company's ERP, WMS, TMS and CRM systems.
Michael Kurgan, CEO of ShipNow, explained that the system fills a void in the area of enterprise software for parcel shippers. "Just as with ERP and WMS systems, there are high-quality transportation management systems available," he said. " But they are not designed to meet the needs of parcel shippers. Ours does. It was built from the ground up to handle the demands of high volume shippers. It is rock stable and works closely with a company's other enterprise systems, making shipping-related information available throughout the company.
Small Parcel Shipping Has Become a Critical Corporate Function
"Top management has come to realize that small-package shipping has become a critical part of the corporation," said Kurgan. "Shipping, which has become a major cost area, holds significant potential for savings. And shipping is a crucial component of customer satisfaction.
"Shipping, in short, has become a strategic corporate area where productivity and quality can have a dramatic impact on profits and brand. DI Server Enterprise was created to address these issues. And because parcel shipping offers so many areas for potential costs savings, rapid Return on Investment (ROI) is assured."
DI Server Enterprise features high performance, reliability and flexibility. It has a robust application-programming interface (API) that makes DI Server's capabilities accessible for custom development and rapid integration to enterprise systems, including leading ERP, WMS, and TMS systems such as SAP, Baan, JD Edwards, Oracle, Catalyst, EXE, Optum, Retek, Manhattan, McHugh and Manugistics.
Adaptors Available for XML, PL/SQL, Java, and COM
To ease integration into other systems, a number of adapters are available for XML, PL/SQL, Java, and COM, and custom integrations may be accomplished with the API to make all of the capabilities of ShipNow available to other applications.
DI Server Enterprise comes with 80 per cent of functionality pre-built; consequently, very little time is needed to "configure" to a company's unique enterprise systems and business processes.
DI Server's ease of installation is possible because its architecture allows it to execute business rules on a compiled basis. This ability to act on high levels of information allows it to handle most shipping related data by itself, requiring fewer changes to existing ERP or WMS systems.
Because the total cost -- including software, implementation, and configuration -- is lower, DI Server Enterprise provides a fast, "hard dollar" ROI.
Sub-Second Label Printing at Multiple DCs from One Software Instance
DI Server Enterprise is most commonly used as a "black box" which receives data from the order entry, WMS and other systems, performs carrier rating, selection and manifesting, and returns information about the shipment to ERP, CRM and other enterprise applications.
DI Server also executes sub-second label printing. In fact, it can print millions of labels per hour. It also can manage multiple distribution centers from one software instance while still accommodating local operations. In addition to speed, DI Server is stable, which results in fewer interruptions in the day-to-day shipping process that need IT attention.
DI Server Enterprise is designed to work in any organizational configuration and with any business processes. This is enabled through its business rules engine, a flexible, scripted engine that is capable of tailoring the operation of DI Server into any environment.
Uses Sophisticated Business Rules to Cut Costs and Create Efficiency
The business rule engine is capable of managing both human and system tasks, such as looking up data missing from API calls. For example, it is possible to ship a package by sending only an order number to ShipNow's API, and using the business rule engine to execute arbitrary SQL commands to look up the remainder of the required data.
The business rules can be as sophisticated as necessary. For instance, most parcel shipping applications require a business to close and manifest all operations for a single carrier at the same time, cutting off hours of productive work. DI Server Enterprise instead looks at carriers and specific carrier services as individual entities so that shipments can be prioritized by service, not just carrier. This allows an organization to minimize its warehouse labor.
Other uses of advanced business rules include wave planning, when integrated into WMS, and fully trackable zone skipping or break bulk shipping, either in the U.S. or internationally.
ShipNow, Inc.'s multi-carrier shipping system is the industry's first enterprise-class software for parcel shippers. It helps companies efficiently ship high volumes of parcels to and from domestic and international locations. Clients that have adopted ShipNow's automated shipping system include Williams-Sonoma, Maybelline, and Autodesk. Benefits include savings, customer satisfaction, global visibility and speed. ShipNow has offices in Chicago and India. For more information visit www.shipnow.com or call 312-587-2800
