Features & Capabilities

Core Features

1. Multi-Provider Rate Quoting

What it does: Automatically retrieves shipping rates from all available providers (UPS and Clinton Tractor) in a single request.

Business Value:

• Save time by comparing rates instantly instead of manually checking each provider
• Offer customers the best shipping prices automatically
• Make informed decisions based on cost and delivery time

How it works: Provide origin and destination addresses, package details (weight, dimensions), and the system returns all available shipping options sorted by price.

Example Use Case: A customer orders a product. The system automatically shows:

• UPS Ground: $15.50 (5 business days)
• Clinton Tractor Standard: $0.00 (3 business days) - Free for orders under $100 within 25 miles
• UPS 2nd Day Air: $25.00 (2 business days)

The customer can choose based on their needs and budget.

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2. Shipment Creation & Management

What it does: Creates shipments with any provider, generates tracking numbers, and produces shipping labels.

Business Value:

• Streamline order fulfillment process
• Reduce manual data entry and errors
• Generate professional shipping labels automatically

Features:

• Automatic provider selection based on service type
• Label generation (PDF format)
• Shipment ID assignment for internal tracking
• Integration with order management systems

Status Tracking:

• Pending - Shipment created, awaiting pickup
• In Transit - Package is on the way
• Delivered - Successfully delivered
• Cancelled - Shipment cancelled
• Failed - Delivery attempt failed

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3. Real-Time Package Tracking

What it does: Provides up-to-date tracking information for all shipments, regardless of provider.

Business Value:

• Reduce customer service inquiries ("Where is my package?")
• Provide customers with self-service tracking
• Proactively identify delivery issues

Tracking Information Includes:

• Current status (pending, in transit, delivered, etc.)
• Current location
• Estimated delivery date
• Complete event history (pickup, transit updates, delivery confirmation)
• Delivery location details

Automatic Updates:

• Webhook notifications from providers (UPS)
• Real-time status synchronization
• Email notifications (configurable)

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4. Address Validation

What it does: Validates delivery addresses before shipment creation to ensure accurate delivery.

Business Value:

• Reduce failed deliveries due to incorrect addresses
• Save money on return shipping
• Improve customer satisfaction
• Ensure compliance with carrier requirements

How it works:

• Validates address format and completeness
• Corrects common address errors
• Verifies postal codes match cities/states
• Suggests address corrections when needed

Supported Providers:

• UPS Address Validation API (comprehensive validation)
• Basic validation for all providers

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5. Shipment Cancellation

What it does: Allows cancellation of shipments that haven't been picked up or are still pending.

Business Value:

• Handle order changes and cancellations efficiently
• Avoid unnecessary shipping costs
• Update order status automatically

Limitations:

• Can only cancel shipments that haven't been picked up
• Once in transit, cancellation may not be possible
• Provider-specific rules apply

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Advanced Features

6. Time in Transit Estimation

What it does: Provides accurate delivery time estimates for different UPS service levels.

Business Value:

• Set accurate customer expectations
• Help customers choose the right service level
• Plan inventory and fulfillment schedules

Information Provided:

• Guaranteed delivery dates for each service
• Business days in transit
• Service availability by destination

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7. Pickup Scheduling

What it does: Schedules UPS pickup at your location for outgoing shipments.

Business Value:

• Convenience - no need to visit drop-off locations
• Time savings for high-volume shippers
• Professional service for customers

Features:

• Schedule pickup date and time window
• Receive pickup confirmation number
• Automatic notification when pickup is scheduled

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8. Location Finder

What it does: Finds nearest UPS locations (Access Points, UPS Stores, Drop Boxes, Customer Centers) near any address.

Business Value:

• Help customers find convenient drop-off or pickup locations
• Improve customer experience
• Reduce shipping-related customer service inquiries

Location Types:

• UPS Access Points - Convenient pickup/drop-off locations
• The UPS Store - Full-service locations
• Drop Boxes - 24/7 package drop-off
• Customer Centers - UPS service centers
• On-Call Air Pickup Points - For air shipments

Information Provided:

• Address and contact information
• Hours of operation
• Distance from search address
• Available services
• Map coordinates

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9. Quantum View

What it does: Provides comprehensive shipment information for multiple tracking numbers or date ranges.

Business Value:

• Bulk shipment monitoring
• Operational visibility
• Reporting and analytics

Use Cases:

• Monitor all shipments for a specific date range
• Track multiple packages simultaneously
• Generate shipment reports
• Identify delivery patterns

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10. Paperless Documents

What it does: Uploads commercial invoices and other documents electronically for international shipments.

Business Value:

• Streamline international shipping
• Reduce paperwork
• Faster customs processing
• Environmentally friendly

Supported Documents:

• Commercial Invoices
• Other customs documents (as per UPS requirements)

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11. Pre-Notifications

What it does: Sends advance notifications to customs or other parties before shipment arrival.

Business Value:

• Expedite customs clearance
• Improve international delivery times
• Professional service for international customers

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12. Dangerous Goods Validation

What it does: Validates that dangerous goods information is correct and compliant with shipping regulations.

Business Value:

• Ensure regulatory compliance
• Avoid shipping delays
• Reduce risk of penalties
• Professional handling of special items

Validates:

• UN numbers
• Proper shipping names
• Hazard classifications
• Packing groups

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System Features

Data Persistence

What it does: Stores all shipment data, rate queries, and tracking information in a secure database.

Business Value:

• Complete shipment history
• Reporting and analytics
• Audit trail
• Data recovery

Stored Information:

• All shipments with full details
• Rate query history
• Tracking updates and events
• Address validation results

Health Monitoring

What it does: Provides system health checks to ensure all components are functioning properly.

Business Value:

• Proactive issue detection
• System reliability assurance
• Service level monitoring

Monitored Components:

• Database connectivity
• Provider availability
• API service status

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Integration Capabilities

RESTful API

Standard REST API that can be integrated with any system or platform.

Webhook Support

Receive real-time notifications when shipment status changes.

Multiple Data Formats

Support for JSON request/response formats.

Comprehensive Documentation

Interactive API documentation (Swagger/OpenAPI) for easy integration.

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Next Steps

• Learn about Delivery Providers to understand your shipping options
• Discover Business Value and ROI
• Explore Use Cases for your industry