Integrating with courier companies. Metapack replacement.

[roger_retail]

Hi, I'm a web developer looking to help out a client who's having problems with courier companies and integrating with their IT systems. Currently they use metapack.com to manage this.

They're not happy with the service for various business reasons (cost, reliability, support). I'm not happy with the service for various technical reasons (reliability, speed, api idiocy and implementation complexity). There's no doubt that metapack do some stuff right and it's not awful tech but it absolutely makes sense to replace it.

I've found a very few direct competitors, justshoutgfs.com (mentioned on this forum) but none seem compelling. There's lots of companies reselling courier services like p4d, parcel2go, interparcel, et al but no other companies offering solutions which provide a consistent electronic interface to courier companies. Think mapstraction.appspot.com/ for couriers.

So, three things:

1. Do you know of a metapack alternative?
2. Do you think the market is reacting to the highly fragmented uk courier setup not by offering abstractions a-la metapack but by creating brokers like interparcel?
3. If 2, should my client and I invest more time to figure out if a courier broker is the way to solve the problems we're having?

Thanks, Roger

 

[GFSIT]

Hi Roger,

I'm from GFS and we can certainly help with what you're looking for. We offer a web services API which can be deployed either over the web, the cloud or locally to generate carrier labels. We also provide a sandbox environment for testing and integration purposes.

Our multi-threaded system when locally deployed can generate c. 14 labels per second and is used by a number of high volume retailers. It provides contingency from internet connectivity and latency issues. The product you are looking for is GFS Selector Enterprise. Access to the software is charged transactionally.

Drop us a line if you'd like further information we'd be happy to assist.

All the best,
GFS IT Support

 

[SmartFreight]

Hi Roger,

We would be glad to assist if possible. SmartFreight is an international product. We have offices in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, China and Europe.

The product you are probably looking for is SmartFreight Professional but we have other products that may be added to provide a flexible solution.

Our latest product SmartFreight Cloud will allow you to ship internationally, it handles all customs clearance procedures and tracks the shipments at each step.

Very cost effective solution, SaaS and support here in UK.

Completely independent of carrier. You chose which carrier you would like to use.

Please take a look at our website for SmartFreight and it will give you an idea of what we do. Smartfreight dot com.
If I can help then please let me know.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Richard Tucker]

Do check out Route Genie, a credible alternative Carrier Management Software, offers real value for money, developed and proven from a retail logistics perspective providing 360° control and visibility over all aspects of carriage, resulting in lower costs within the supply chain and the flexibility to respond quickly to changes in customer demand within a multi-carrier environment, all the while enabling you to deliver on your customer promise.

Route Genie is an advanced carrier routing software, the robustness that comes from routing millions of parcels a year for clients like Dunelm, Waitrose Cellar, Paperchase, Cath Kidston and Fortnum & Mason, it has been independently volume tested with 20 times its forecasted annual volumes and has passed all tests with flying colours. Route Genie delivers a credible alternative:

• Route Genie gives you outstanding Reality Time Dashboard service level visibility reporting of carrier performance
• Route Genie is designed and implemented from a logistics retailer’s point of view
• Route Genie offers 24/7 Customer Support as standard
• Route Genie offers real value for money and flexibility, not just per label pricing
• Route Genie provides real operational efficiencies and customer experience.
• Route Genie is a Software Solution that is Agile, Easy Intuitive and quick to change and update