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Business Setup Guide

This guide walks you through the complete process of setting up your business in Dispatch. Proper configuration ensures smooth operations and optimal use of all features.

Initial Registration​

Creating Your Business​

When you first register:

  1. Business Information

    • Enter your legal business name
    • Provide your primary contact email
    • Select your industry/business type

  2. Primary User Account

    • Create your administrator account
    • This becomes the primary account owner
    • Full access to all business settings

Email Verification​

After registration:

  • Check your email for a verification link
  • Click to verify your account
  • Log in to access the Management Portal

Business Configuration​

General Settings​

Navigate to Settings > Business to configure:

Business Details​

  • Business Name - Your company name as displayed to customers
  • Legal Name - Official registered business name
  • Tax ID/VAT Number - For invoicing purposes
  • Business Type - Industry classification

Contact Information​

  • Primary phone number
  • Support email address
  • Business website

Address​

  • Head office address
  • Used as default sender address
  • Appears on shipping documents

Operating Configuration​

Time Zone​

Set your business time zone to ensure:

  • Accurate delivery time windows
  • Correct reporting timestamps
  • Proper scheduling of automated tasks

Currency​

Select your primary operating currency for:

  • Pricing and invoicing
  • Cost tracking
  • Financial reports

Branding​

Customize the appearance of your documents:

  • Logo - Upload your company logo
  • Brand Colors - Used in customer-facing communications
  • Document Templates - Customize waybills and invoices

Subscription Management​

Viewing Your Plan​

Access subscription details in Settings > Subscription:

  • Current plan and features
  • Billing cycle and next payment date
  • Usage statistics

Billing Information​

Manage payment methods and billing:

  • Add or update payment methods
  • View billing history
  • Download invoices

Plan Changes​

To upgrade or modify your subscription:

  1. View available plans
  2. Compare features and limits
  3. Select the appropriate plan
  4. Confirm the change

Dimension Presets​

Speed up shipment creation with saved package dimensions:

Creating Presets​

  1. Go to Settings > Dimension Presets
  2. Click "Add Preset"
  3. Enter preset details:
    • Name (e.g., "Small Box", "Pallet")
    • Length, Width, Height
    • Default weight (optional)
  4. Save the preset

Default Dimensions​

Set a default preset that auto-populates for new shipments:

  1. Select a preset
  2. Click "Set as Default"
  3. New shipments will use these dimensions unless changed

Using Templates​

Copy from system templates:

  1. View available templates (standard box sizes, pallets, etc.)
  2. Select a template
  3. Copy to your presets
  4. Customize as needed

Service Level Templates​

Configure fulfillment service levels:

What Are Service Levels?​

Service levels define delivery expectations:

  • Delivery timeframe (same-day, next-day, standard)
  • Service requirements (signature, insurance)
  • Handling instructions

Creating Templates​

  1. Navigate to Settings > Service Levels
  2. Add a new template:
    • Name the service level
    • Set delivery expectations
    • Configure requirements
  3. Assign to carriers or customers

API Access​

For system integrations:

Generating API Tokens​

  1. Go to Settings > API Access
  2. Click "Generate New Token"
  3. Note: The token is shown only once
  4. Store the token securely

Managing Tokens​

  • View all active tokens
  • Revoke tokens that are no longer needed
  • Track token usage

Security Best Practices​

  • Use separate tokens for different integrations
  • Rotate tokens periodically
  • Never share tokens in unsecured channels
  • Revoke tokens immediately if compromised

Business Defaults​

Set defaults to streamline operations:

Default Carrier​

  • Automatically assigned to new shipments
  • Can be overridden per shipment

Default Service Level​

  • Applied to orders without specified service

Notification Preferences​

  • Email notification settings
  • Customer communication templates

Multi-Location Setup​

For businesses with multiple locations:

Adding Locations​

  1. Navigate to Settings > Locations
  2. Add each warehouse or pickup point
  3. Configure location-specific settings:
    • Operating hours
    • Available carriers
    • Contact information

Location Assignment​

When creating orders:

  • Select the fulfillment location
  • Different carriers may be available per location
  • Inventory can be tracked per location

Next Steps​

After completing business setup:

  1. Set up user accounts for your team
  2. Configure carriers you work with
  3. Enable integrations for e-commerce
  4. Create your first customer and order

Troubleshooting​

Common Setup Issues​

Can't save business settings?

  • Ensure all required fields are completed
  • Check that uploaded images meet size requirements
  • Verify email format for contact fields

Subscription not activating?

  • Confirm payment method is valid
  • Check for declined payment notifications
  • Contact support if issues persist