 Business Rules
Malvern Link is a
scripting engine that enables the Malvern
Manifest System to
seamlessly integrate with your business system (database, file or
API). Virtually any manual step in your shipping process can be automated
with Malvern Link scripts. Business
rule scripts can accelerate your shipping process and reduce errors at a
truly affordable price. Business rules can be created by a Malvern
technician or by a tech savvy end-user.
 A business rule can be defined
as one of a unique set of guidelines necessary for a company to meet its
objectives. By definition, business rules are highly customer-specific.
Many companies consider their own shipping-related business rules to be too
complex or costly to automate. As a result, they implement manual
steps for the shipping system operator which are not only inefficient
but error prone.
The open and flexible nature of
Malvern Link's
scripting language sets it apart from
our competition. The integrated
development environment
(included with the product) enables the creation of
fine-tuned, highly customer-specific solutions without the traditionally high costs
associated with customization. To further reduce implementation costs, end-users
have the option to write or simply update the scripts themselves.
The goal with any Malvern Link script is to
automate every possible manual step-- streamlining the process and
eliminating room for error.
Benefits
The primary benefit to incorporating business
rule logic into your shipping system is that manual, time-consuming steps
can be eliminated. This results in a more efficient, less error-prone
operation which directly reduces costs and improves customer service. As a result of the flexible nature of
Malvern Link scripting, rules can
be easily adjusted as the needs of the business changes over time.
Events
The
Malvern Manifest System
includes dozens of
events. Each event can be used to trigger Malvern Link to perform a
specific, scripted function (such as load data, display a message, perform a
customer function, etc.) Events can be activated by specific user actions
(such as pressing the Print button) or internal steps (such as a specific
step in the rating process.)
Following are the most commonly used Events
(and how they are used):
-
Order_No_On_Exit (triggers import process)
-
Print (triggers export process)
-
Print_Validation (triggers validation
process before a shipment is processed)
-
Void (triggers removal of previously
exported data)
Business Rules
When Malvern Link receives a specific Event
Trigger (such as the examples above), the script "wakes up" and performs a
specific function or business rule. For example, when the cursor leaves the Order
# field on the shipping screen, most scripts import data from a business system (database) or
import file. This is a very common area for Business Rules to be
applied too. Such rules might determine the shipping method, the billing method,
the return address, the carrier account #, the billing or reference data
fields, insurance amount, or virtually any other parameter including the
actual source of the data to be imported (if more than one database or
source is needed.)
Sample Business Rules
-
 Carrier Selection Many
companies have guidelines associated with carrier selection. By
building scripts to handle these business rules, the logic can be
applied automatically. For example, a company may choose to
incorporate rules such as a specific shipping method specific to a
customer, product, package weight, dimensions, or business unit.
Some companies may wish to compare ground transit times when
considering express shipping methods. Others may choose to
automatically select the cheapest method from a dynamic list of
possible methods.
-
Fulfillment Shipping A
company may ship on behalf of multiple, independent clients. The
business rules associated with this type of operation are usually
significant. That is, each client may have their own set of business
rules. Such rules can be to
automatically switch between return addresses, billing methods
(third-party, prepaid, etc), automatically set client specific reference
data, carrier selection methods, and much, much more.
-
Multiple Business Units Some
operations generate shipments for more than one internal business
unit-- but each unit operates under a unique company
name. The business rules associated with this type of operation might include
dynamically changing the return address on the shipping labels,
integrating with alternate data sources, switching between multiple
prepaid carrier account #s, or setting and validating billing reference
data by business unit.
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