API integration in Logistics

Are you a shipper that is constantly juggling multiple programs to fulfil an order? From label generation to booking a pickup. Or perhaps your orders get lost due to not having proper address validation? The solution is to integrate via API, with your favourite logistics provider.

API integration in Logistics is bringing carriers functionality to an enterprise application or a website. A business can greatly benefit from integrating. A great level of efficiency is achieved through synchronization and connectivity between a shipper and a carrier. Let’s take a look at a few examples below:

Website address validation API

Address validation API allows a merchant to integrate address validation functionality, of a carrier, into a web or non-web based platform. When a buyer places an order and enters a delivery address, that address will be compared to the available addresses on a carrier’s database. In an instance where a miss-match is found, the API will return alternatives and possible entries. This is a great little way to make sure information added by your customer is correct and eliminates a possibility of a miss-delivery due to an incorrect address. Please note not all carriers provide this API, those who do: not all have address validation on a street level. Most validate on State to postcode level.

Shipping API

This API may differ from carrier to carrier. Shipping API usually provides you with functions of label generation, forecasting of data and booking of a pickup. This is a great way to eliminate double entry and improve efficiency.

Tracking

Allows a merchant or a buyer to track a shipment using a tracking reference number from a merchant’s website.

Rates

As the name suggests, this API can be integrated to give you a rate on a particular shipment without the need of contacting the carrier or going onto the carrier’s website.

Conclusion

There are many APIs to choose from, each one is used to streamline processes related to shipping. Shippers small or big should find an API that they could benefit from. So contact your logistics provider for the API docs and get your business on the first step towards efficiency.