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UPS OnLine® Tools are Internet-based application programming interfaces (APIs)
that add a new level of customer service and functionality to a company's enterprise
and Web applications. UPS currently offers seven UPS OnLine Tools to customers
and select third parties, who may integrate the tools into end-user applications
or their own e-commerce products. They are: UPS Tracking Tool, UPS Signature
Tracking™ Tool, UPS Rates & Service Selection Tool, UPS Time in Transit Tool,
UPS Address Validation Tool, UPS Shipping Tool and UPS File Download for Quantum
ViewSM Tool.
TOOLS OVERVIEW
The UPS OnLine Tools act as the server side of an Internet client/server application.
When an e-commerce application is using UPS APIs, it acts as a client to the
UPS OnLine Tools, even though it may be simultaneously acting as a server to
its end-users' Web browsers.
UPS OnLine Tools allow a customer's program to pass data back and forth between
itself and UPS, with information displayed on the customer's computer in a style
consistent with its own application. Generally, there is no UPS program or code
that needs to be installed on the client computer. Upon receiving a signed license
agreement, UPS provides users with the API tool instructions. With these instructions,
developers can then integrate the desired functionality into their Web or enterprise
application.
The tools are currently offered in two versions: XML and HTML. All of the tools
are available in the XML version. Unlike the traditional HTTP applications on
the Internet, the XML versions do not return data in the form of HTML pages.
Instead, they return data in a convenient XML format that can be more easily
parsed by client-side applications. Two of the most popular tools, UPS Signature
Tracking™ and UPS Rates & Service Selection, are also available as HTML templates.
Customers simply copy the HTML code into their Web sites to gain the functionality
of the tools. The HTML versions are technically easier to implement, but do
not offer the flexibility or customization options of the XML versions.
The Tools are platform-independent. No matter what the computing environment,
UPS OnLine Tools work well with any platform that supports HTTP. UPS servers
are accessible over the Internet, giving easy access to businesses and their
customers, via network connections and Web browsers. The tools are very flexible
and customizable, and can support Web storefronts as well as enterprise applications.
And because of their XML format, they allow for fully customizable presentation
outputs. UPS OnLine Tools are scalable and designed to integrate easily with
legacy systems as well as Web-based applications.
UPS ONLINE TOOLS DESCRIPTIONS
UPS Tracking
UPS Tracking provides up-to-the-minute shipping status to online customers
directly from a business' Web site. With UPS OnLine Tracking, customers can
track their shipments using their reference or order number. This functionality
encourages customers to return to the company's site to track their shipments
or to check the status of their order. This return traffic may lead to additional
sales opportunities. Customers can find out specific details about their shipments'
status, including the time and location of each scan as the package moves toward
its final destination. And this tracking information can be displayed in a customized
format.
UPS Tracking is available in 46 countries and allows packages
or shipments to be tracked from any one of the 46 origins to any destination
UPS serves.
UPS Signature Tracking
In addition to tracking a package, businesses can also obtain valuable Proof
of Delivery (P.O.D.) information including a digitized signature and delivery
address. This powerful tool enables companies to obtain P.O.D. of goods often
needed to collect on an invoice. UPS Signature Tracking provides P.O.D. not
in days but in seconds, enabling companies to shorten the time between the sale
and the collection of funds. With this tool, UPS advances the tracking technology
that so many customers already depend on today.
UPS Signature Tracking is available in 35 countries.
UPS Rates & Service Selection
This UPS OnLine Tool lets online shoppers compare, price and select shipping
services that best fit their needs and budgets. For example, customers can choose
express services, like UPS Next Day Air®, when they need their packages
right away and standard services, like UPS Ground, when they have more time
for delivery. For single packages or multi-piece shipments, the UPS Rates &
Service Selection Tool identifies all the available UPS domestic and international
services and displays published shipping rates based on package or shipment
specifications. It can be used to dynamically generate a list or menu of shipping
services tailored to customers' shipping needs.
UPS Rates & Service Selection is available from 35 countries, including the
U.S., to every destination UPS serves.
UPS Time in Transit
UPS Time in Transit displays all available UPS shipping services within the
United States, with their associated scheduled delivery time, date and days
in transit. This tool also provides the city and state names associated with
the origin or destination postal codes. With this tool, customers have the option
to choose the UPS service that best fits their needs and budgets. UPS Time in
Transit covers all UPS services, between all UPS territories (200+) and is available
for use in 46 countries.
UPS Address Validation
With the UPS Address Validation Tool, businesses don't have to worry about
their customers entering incorrect address information. If customers make a
mistake, UPS Address Validation alerts them with an error message, ensuring
that errors are corrected at the point of entry - long before orders leave
the shipping dock. This reduces costly returns and billing address errors for
businesses and eliminates headaches for their customers. UPS Address Validation
uses U.S. Postal Service guidelines to thoroughly check the city, state and
postal code of every shipment. UPS provides up to ten alternate addresses, including
an accuracy rate that lets customers know how closely the address they entered
matches the suggested address. UPS Address Validation is available for U.S.
addresses only.
UPS Online Shipping
With the UPS Online Shipping Tool, businesses can bring UPS Web-based shipping to
their employee's desktop. The tool also allows a company to customize the interface
to meet their business needs. Whether it's creating greater efficiencies in
the mailroom, increasing the level of customer service or lowering overall costs
due to better controls over shipping activities, this UPS OnLine Tool can streamline
shipping without the addition of expensive hardware or software. The tool is
ideal for shipping from one location to many, or from many locations to one.
It's also one way to network the shipping activities occurring within different
retail locations, dealers or branch offices.
UPS Online Shipping is available in 35 countries for shipments to any UPS destination
worldwide.
UPS File Download for Quantum View
Tool UPS File Download for Quantum View allows businesses to automatically
retrieve Quantum View files and imports them directly into back-end systems.
Fully customizable and platform-independent, UPS File Download can be seamlessly
integrated with almost any database or enterprise system.
Customers set their schedules for downloading Quantum View files when needed
up to every hour. After a one-time setup, shipment information automatically
downloads from UPS at the times you specified. No need for logging-in to manually
access files.
Quantum View is a Web-based service that provides shipment manifest information,
status updates and event alerts for inbound and outbound packages. With Quantum
View Data, businesses can view UPS packages sent by multiple vendors to receiving
locations across an organization. Quantum View Manage provides information about
the packages shipped using UPS Accounts which in turn helps improve your inventory
management, operational planning, and customer service.
Use of the UPS OnLine Tools documentation and data streaming without a signed
license agreement is prohibited.
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