Fast Shipping using Barcode Scanning Barcode Scanning with SerialMagic, LaserChamp, oscommerce and UPS Worldship ABSTRACT: The following document will outline how to integrate oscommerce 2.2 (modified by Serialio.com) with UPS Worldship utilizing SerialMagic with LaserChamp barcode scanners. It has been demonstrated that using this solution can cut order processing time by 50% and more over using UPS.com website for shipping (even when automated scripts are used in concert with UPS.com)
The following document outlines the procedure that a company can use to process United Parcel Service (UPS) shipments generated on an online store. This procedure outlines how four major components are used in harmony to provide extremely efficient shipping on a very small budget: oscommerce (Open Source Commerce www.oscommerce.com), United Parcel Service s (UPS) Worldship software, the LaserChamp barcode scanner, and SerialMagic Professional software for Windows. The first part of the solution is oscommerce (OSC). OSC is one of the most popular commerce engines on the Internet. Some of the features outlined in this document are not built-in to OSC 2.2 that this solution is based on. OSC was modified to facilitate this implementation. For example, a custom feature we have implemented is the ability to select several pending orders at once and print all the packing slips at one time. The starting point was a contribution, but it too required modification. Another important feature that has been implemented is to include a barcode on each packing slip. This barcode contains the OSC order number. The barcode on the packing slip is used to streamline the order fulfillment process by allowing a quick scan with a the LaserChamp barcode scanner to pull the order information from oscommerce database into Worldship. (for information on OSC modifications please contact Serialio.com). The UPS Worldship application is used to process the shipments and print the proper shipping labels. To streamline order shipments, Worldship is connected to the oscommerce Orders database by utilizing an ODBC connection in concert with an Import Key (see below). The LaserChamp scanner is an important component in the shipping procedure. The LaserChamp barcode scanner functions much like a perfect keyboard user (one that is 100% accurate, and very fast). When the barcode is scanned information is sent to the computer and placed in the desired application. There are three places where using barcode scanning saves time and eliminates human typing error. First it s used to scan in the Order number from the packing slip. Next it s used to scan the serial numbers of the products being shipped, which also helps when tracking inventory. Finally, it takes the UPS tracking number from the printed Worldship shipping label and scans it into the UPS Tracking number field on the order. But none of this would work seamlessly and effortlessly without our silent hero, SerialMagic Professional. SerialMagic Pro does a number of things during this process. The main function of our software is to communicate with our LaserChamp scanner and deliver scans to the desired application. The software runs in the background, waiting for data to come across to the computer, via a cable connection or wirelessly via Bluetooth. When SerialMagic receives the data, it first examines the information, and then performs certain functions based on the pattern of the data. This is all user configurable by using SerialMagic Action Profiles (SMAP for short). The SerialMagic Action Profile that has been created for our Worldship process below does a number of things. When it recognizes a packing slip barcode, SerialMagic opens the web browser, types in the proper URL of the order in our online store, and also posts the Import Key in UPS Worldship, importing the shipping information. Later on in the procedure, it recognizes serial numbers of products and clips unnecessary characters from the barcode before posting the data. There is another pattern programmed to recognize UPS tracking numbers.
With the process outlined here, shipping is literally, a few scans, a couple clicks of the mouse, packing the order, and you re done. It has been demonstrated that using this solution can cut order processing time by 50% and more over using UPS.com website for shipping (even when automated scripts are used in concert with UPS.com) UPS Worldship Procedure -Print packing slips (check all the desired packing slips) -Load UPS shipping labels (self-adhesive) into the printer -Match Product(s) to packing slips -Locate shipping method and service requested (Ground, 1-Day, 2-Day, etc) -Find the appropriate packaging for the orders (e.g. 1-Day can use express packaging from UPS, Ground uses other packaging) -Place the product, packing slip and any other info such as: store flyers or marketing into packing -Pile/ stack all filled orders next to computer for processing -Double-Click on the SerialMagic Pro icon - Click Start on the program (If not already running) -Double-Click on the UPS Worldship icon to bring up the program
-Click on the UPS Online Connect button on the menu bar- select Keyed Import then select 1 SIO_WS_SHIP -Open up the Serialio orders page with web browser -Use the appropriate Packing Slip (example below)
-Use the scanner to scan the barcode on the Packing Slip, this will bring the customers shipping info into Worldship. The LaserChamp barcode scanner scans the code, SerialMagic received the barcode, strips off the PKS portion, and inserts the number into the WorldShip Enter Import Key field (shown below) - Verify the shipping address, service type, and weight matches the packing slip -Click on Process Shipment and the label will print - Get the label from the printer -Next the Orders window in the OSCommerce admin view gets updated
-If the order has item(s) that have serial number(s), click on the Add Serial # link, and scan the serial number barcodes from the products for that order. -Confirm the numbers are entered, and then click Update - Click in the UPS Tracking Number field, and then scan the barcode on the shipping label; it will then be entered on the OSCommerce form -Add comments, and then click Update (note this version of OSCommerce has a Javascript enhancement that automatically changes the order status to Shipped when the shipping number is entered. Since this occurs after the focus goes away from the tracking number field, it may not be completely evident that the status has been changed. By clicking outside the tracking number field this can be confirmed)
-Verify order shows that it was shipped -Verify all paperwork -Close package(s) and put label on the package: It is now ready for UPS pickup -Repeat as needed for all Pending orders
-If this is the last order for the day, click on the End of Day icon to print Shipment Summary for the day -When UPS pickup occurs, make sure all packages are picked up and the UPS driver scans the End-Of-Day sheet and signs the Shipment Summary