Skip to main content

Carrier Management

Carrier Management in Dispatch allows you to configure, manage, and work with multiple shipping carriers from a single platform.

Overview​

What Are Carriers?​

Carriers (fulfillment providers) are:

  • Shipping companies that deliver packages
  • Integrated with Dispatch for seamless operation
  • Configurable per your business needs

Benefits of Multiple Carriers​

Working with multiple carriers allows:

  • Compare rates and services
  • Choose best option for each shipment
  • Backup options if one carrier unavailable
  • Geographic coverage optimization

Viewing Carriers​

Carrier List​

View all available carriers:

  1. Navigate to Carriers
  2. See list of carriers
  3. View status and configuration

Configured Carriers​

See carriers you've set up:

  1. Go to Carriers > Configured
  2. View your active carrier integrations
  3. See configuration status

Available Carriers​

Browse carriers you can add:

  1. Go to Carriers > Available
  2. View all supported carriers
  3. Select to configure

Configuring Carriers​

Adding a Carrier​

Set up a new carrier:

  1. Go to Carriers > Available
  2. Select the carrier
  3. Click "Configure"
  4. Enter required credentials:
    • API keys
    • Account numbers
    • Authentication details
  5. Test the connection
  6. Save configuration

Configuration Fields​

Common configuration includes:

  • Account Number - Your carrier account
  • API Key - Authentication credential
  • API Secret - Security credential
  • Test Mode - Use sandbox environment
  • Default Service - Preferred service level

Carrier Lookups​

View carrier options:

  • Available service levels
  • Supported features
  • Geographic coverage
  • Rate structures

Managing Carriers​

Viewing Carrier Details​

Access carrier configuration:

  1. Find the carrier
  2. Click to view details
  3. See configuration and status

Updating Configuration​

Modify carrier settings:

  1. Open carrier details
  2. Click "Edit"
  3. Update configuration
  4. Save changes

Testing Connection​

Verify carrier integration:

  1. Open carrier configuration
  2. Click "Test Connection"
  3. View results
  4. Fix any issues

Carrier Contacts​

Managing Contacts​

Add contacts for carrier communication:

  1. Go to Carriers > Contacts
  2. View existing contacts
  3. Add new contacts

Adding a Contact​

Create carrier contact:

  1. Click "Add Contact"
  2. Enter contact details:
    • Name
    • Email
    • Phone
    • Role
  3. Save contact

Using Contacts​

Contacts help with:

  • Issue escalation
  • Account management
  • Support requests
  • Relationship management

Carrier Selection​

Per-Shipment Selection​

Choose carrier for each shipment:

  1. When creating shipment
  2. Select from configured carriers
  3. Compare services and rates
  4. Confirm selection

Default Carrier​

Set a default carrier:

  1. Go to Business Settings
  2. Select default carrier
  3. Auto-applied to new shipments

Carrier Rules​

Set up automatic carrier selection:

  • Based on destination
  • Based on package size
  • Based on service requirements
  • Based on cost

Carrier Features​

Service Levels​

Each carrier offers service levels:

LevelDescription
StandardRegular delivery timeframe
ExpressFaster delivery
EconomyCost-effective option
Same DayDelivery same day
ScheduledSpecific time window

Additional Services​

Carriers may offer:

  • Signature required
  • Insurance
  • Saturday delivery
  • Hold at location
  • Special handling

Tracking​

Carrier tracking includes:

  • Tracking number assignment
  • Status updates
  • Delivery confirmation
  • Proof of delivery

Removing Carriers​

Disabling a Carrier​

Temporarily disable:

  1. Open carrier configuration
  2. Click "Disable"
  3. Carrier unavailable for new shipments
  4. Existing shipments continue tracking

Deleting a Carrier​

Permanently remove:

  1. Open carrier configuration
  2. Click "Delete"
  3. Confirm removal
  4. Configuration is removed

Considerations​

Before removing:

  • No active shipments
  • Historical data preserved
  • May affect reporting

Carrier Performance​

Performance Metrics​

Track carrier performance:

  • On-time delivery rate
  • Exception frequency
  • Transit times
  • Cost per shipment

Comparing Carriers​

Compare carrier performance:

  • Side-by-side metrics
  • Cost comparison
  • Service comparison
  • Reliability ranking

Best Practices​

Configuration​

  1. Test thoroughly - Verify before going live
  2. Document credentials - Store securely
  3. Use test mode - Develop with sandbox
  4. Regular verification - Test periodically

Selection​

  1. Match to needs - Right carrier for shipment
  2. Consider costs - Balance price and service
  3. Geographic fit - Best carrier for destination
  4. Backup options - Have alternatives

Monitoring​

  1. Watch performance - Track carrier metrics
  2. Address issues - Resolve problems quickly
  3. Review regularly - Evaluate carrier fit
  4. Stay updated - Know carrier changes