eConnect Plus (eConnect) is a specialist mail house located in Port Melbourne, Victoria that manages their clients’ mail and parcel distribution. eConnect runs their own fleet of drivers that collects their clients’ parcels then returns them to eConnect’s warehouse in Port Melbourne where the parcels and mail are sorted, scanned and then dispatched via several carriers including Australia Post and Team Global Express.
How 2Ship helps eConnect streamline their Mailroom and Inbound Freight
Carrier Rates and Labels via API
There were several features of 2Ship that eConnect was immediately drawn to as a way of solving challenges with their current operations.
Firstly, the elimination of the need to monitor and maintain carrier rates in the system. For all those who currently use a Freight Management System (FMS) you would be familiar with the need to have to configure carrier rate zone files, where the carrier identifies the rate zone name, post code and town name.
In addition to the zone file, you need the carrier rates. All this information is configured into excel templates and then uploaded into the FMS. This can be a time-consuming project for each carrier and requires maintenance and constant monitoring. So much so that in our experience, if left to the client’s own devices seldom is regularly updated and maintained, leaving gaps or inaccuracies in the data to the point where the shipping cost estimates in the system become ineffective.
Because 2Ship has an API based integration with eConnect’s carriers, 2Ship provides live carrier rates, straight from the carrier, with no need to configure and upload, nor maintain zone and rates files. It’s far easier and quicker to connect with the carrier and the live rates are more accurate.
Furthermore, in most cases the carriers also provide 2Ship with a print label API so that the address label is always formatted correctly. Again, no need to maintain label zones and bar code formats. All this critical data is maintained by the carrier and passed on saving time and eliminating maintenance of the labels.
International Shipments via 2Ship
As eConnect’s penetration into large organisations and government departments has grown recently, they noticed a new requirement for them to offer international parcel shipments which is not available in their current FMS. Now with 2Ship, the one software platform can be rolled out to their clients that accommodates both international and domestic parcel shipments via carriers like TGE Priority, Australian Post, FedEx and DHL.
Single Sign On and Active Directory Support
Through the support of single sign on and active directory technology, 2Ship offers eConnect a method for them to allow eConnect’s clients to simply login to eConnect’s services portal and then be automatically logged into 2Ship’s – ready to go. This allows eConnect to easily control and manage access to 2Ship and ensure that the client is serviced correctly. Again, simplifying the maintenance and control part of managing a large client base comprising of government departments and large organisations with strict control and access protocols.
Australia Post Consignment Manifesting Issues
eConnect has had an ongoing issue with manifesting shipments via Australia Post and getting fined about $25.00 per unmanifested consignment. The problem arises because eConnect’s clients create shipments on their premises but occasionally fail to dispatch the shipment in a timely manner for one reason or another.
2Ship has developed a solution to alleviate this problem. All shipments created by clients are by default dispatched through 2Ship’s Inbound Location set up on behalf of eConnect. Effectively this inbound 2Ship location represents the Port Melbourne warehouse. Only shipments attached to this internal location can be manifested, but before this can be done eConnect staff have to scan the package bar code using a scanner or phone at the warehouse.
The scan receives the shipment into the warehouse and allocates the package to a numbered cage or pallet. Only shipments that have been scanned into the warehouse (Inbound Location) can then be manifested because eConnect manifests by container ID. As a result, shipments that have been created, but have not been scanned and identified back at eConnect’s warehouse stay unmanifested and can be investigated. If the client created the shipment but doesn’t intend to ship it then eConnect staff can delete the shipment from 2Ship thereby avoiding unmanifested fees.
Shopify Integration
2Ship comes with a simple DIY integration with shopping stores like Shopify. Some of eConnect’s clients participate in the ecommerce market and so having an easy, but sophisticated shipping solution fully connected with Shopify or WooCommerce allows them to seamlessly capture orders from the web store that flow straight into 2Ship or shipping when they are ready. Shopify is automatically updated with the consignment tracking details as soon as the orders are shipped from 2Ship.
Conclusion
eConnect are delighted with their adoption of 2Ship. It’s a sophisticated platform that provides them with a simple to use solution that accommodates all their clients’ needs and ensures that they capture the benefits of best practice shipping techniques.
Mr Rob Sherley. eConnect’s Operations Manager and the person at eConnect that project managed the 2Ship roll out said:
“2Ship offers us a comprehensive solution which is easy for our clients to use and accommodates all of our clients use cases in a way that our previous system couldn’t. We are delighted with 2Ship and look forward to getting all our clients onto 2Ship and simplifying our operations dramatically. The 2Ship team has listened to our needs and accommodated those needs without fuss. We are happy to recommend the 2Ship team to anyone that is looking for a easy to use but comprehensive shipping system.”
If you have similar needs to our new valued customer eConnect Plus, such as the need to automate your Inbound Logistics or Mailroom, please contact us for a free consultation and we would be happy to customise a solution for your business needs.