Using EasyPost

Deacom's integration with the EasyPost API allows companies to obtain shipping rates in real time and easily generate shipping labels and tracking information during order entry or when shipping orders domestically or internationally.

Customers MUST use this link to create their EasyPost account prior to configuring EasyPost in Deacom: EasyPost Signup

Configuration

Prior to using EasyPost the following setups must be performed.

  • Freight types for EasyPost must be created.
  • An API Key must be obtained from EasyPost and added to the "Key" field for the EasyPost API Profile via System > Maintenance > API Profiles.
  • An item needs to be added to the "Freight Out Part" field on the Shipping tab of Sales > Options.
  • The "Add Shipping Freight Charges to Order" field must be checked on the Shipping tab of Sales > Options.
  • The "Generate Shipping Label," on the Shipping tab of Sales > Options, must be set to either "Save Package" or "Ship Order." This determines at which point the shipping label will be attached to the order.
  • Accurate address information must be entered on all appropriate Ship-to and Facility records. Different carries require different information to validate addresses, so we recommend adding as much address information as possible, including phone numbers.

Optional

  • Companies have the option, beginning in version 16.00.084, to use EasyPost to calculate shipping rates when using the Deacom eCommerce application. The feature is controlled via the "Use EasyPost For Shipping Rates" flag on the eCommerce Site form.
  • Companies have the option, beginning in version 16.02.078, to use Facility-specific EasyPost API Keys. This can be set in Facilities, and will take priority over the API Key set in Sales Options if applicable.
  • Beginning in version 17.00.000, several new options have been added to the Freight Type form for use with EasyPost:
  • The "EasyPost" field now contains "Fastest Delivery", "Lowest Rate", and "Expression options.
  • SMS and Email notifications are available when using EasyPost in conjunction with a Deacom API endpoint.

See the Freight Types page for more details.

Process

The process for using EasyPost in Deacom is described below.

Note: Packages in Deacom are used to define physical attributes for the packaging used to ship items including weight and container dimensions. Packages are optional for domestic orders, but required for international shipments.

Domestic Order, No Packages

  1. Navigate to Sales > Order Entry.
  2. Select the appropriate Bill-to/Ship-to record. See the Entering Sales Orders page for complete information on order entry.
  3. Add the appropriate items.
  4. On the Misc 1 tab select an EasyPost freight type in the "Freight" field.
  5. Finish any required order entry steps.
  6. Save the sales order. At this point the system will display the EasyPost Rates form where users will select the appropriate shipping type and rate. The EasyPost Rates form also contains a Messages tab that will display any warnings or errors related to the EasyPost freight calculation process.
  7. Select the appropriate rate and hit the continue button. A new freight line will be added to the order with the cost selected from EasyPost. In addition, the "Ship Via" field on the Misc 1 tab will be updated with the correct service type.
  8. If the "Generate Shipping Label" field was set to "Save Package," the shipping label will be attached as a document to the sales order. If the field was set to "Ship Order," the label will be attached once the order has shipped.
  9. Navigate to Sales > Ship.
  10. Select the appropriate order and hit the "Continue" button to display the Sales - Ship form. See the "Shipping Sales Orders" page for complete information.
  11. Ensure the "Generate Shipping Label" field is checked on the Sales - Ship form.
  12. Make any selected changes as required and click the "Ship Order" button to complete the process. If the "Generate Shipping Label" field was set to "Ship Order," the shipping label will be attached to the order at this point. Users may navigate to Sales > Order Reporting and select the order to view the shipping label.

Notes:

  • Users have the ability to mass select EasyPost shipping type for multiple orders.
  • Making changes to the order quantities or the facility on the order will cause the EasyPost rates to be recalculated. The system will display the EasyPost Rates form in order to reselect the shipping type and updated rate.

Domestic Order, Packages

  1. Navigate to Sales > Order Entry.
  2. Select the appropriate Bill-to/Ship-to record. See the Entering Sales Orders page for complete information on order entry.
  3. Add the appropriate items.
  4. On the Misc 1 tab select an EasyPost freight type in the "Freight" field.
  5. Finish any required order entry steps.
  6. Save the sales order. If the Freight Type selected has the EasyPost field set to "Order Entry" or "Both, the system will display the EasyPost Rates form where users will select the appropriate shipping type and rate. The EasyPost Rates form also contains a Messages tab that will display any warnings or errors related to the EasyPost freight calculation process. If the Freight Type has the EasyPost field set to Shipping, the user will not be required to select an EasyPost rate until that time.
  7. Select the appropriate rate and hit the continue button. A new freight line will be added to the order with the cost selected from EasyPost. In addition, the "Ship Via" field on the Misc 1 tab will be updated with the correct service type.
  8. If the "Generate Shipping Label" field was set to "Save Package," the shipping label will be attached as a document to the sales order. If the field was set to "Ship Order," the label will be attached once the order has shipped.
  9. Navigate to Sales > Ship.
  10. Select the appropriate order and hit the "Continue" button to display the Sales - Ship form. See the "Shipping Sales Orders" page for complete information.
  11. Ensure the "Generate Shipping Label" field is checked on the Sales - Ship form.
  12. Modify the sales orders lines to ensure the correct ship quantity is specified.
  13. Click the "Packages" button to display the Packages form.
  14. Click the "Add" button to display the Add Package form.
  15. Enter the appropriate package dimensions and weight information.
  16. Click the "Add" button to display the Add Package Line form.
  17. Select the appropriate part in the "Part Number" field.
  18. Enter the ship quantity in the "Quantity" field and any additional required information.
  19. Save and exit the form.
  20. The system will return the user to the Add Package form.
  21. Save and exit this form.
  22. The system will return the user to the Packages form.
  23. Confirm the information is correct and exit this form.
  24. Click the "Ship Order" button to ship the order and complete the process.
  25. If necessary, users may select the order in Sales > Order Reporting to display and print the shipping labels.

International Order, Packages

The steps necessary to ship international orders with Easy Post are the same as those for shipping domestic packages with one exception. Users will not be prompted to select an EasyPost rate during order entry, but will be prompted when they attempt to ship the order. Note that international shipments require packages when using EasyPost.

FAQ & Diagnostic Tips

Tip: The "EasyPost Signature Required" field, on the Freight Type form, is used to determine if the shipping label will indicate that a signature is required.