Shipping System Integration Utility

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Malvern Systems develops affordable, integrated, multi-carrier parcel shipping software

for small to medium-sized companies across a wide variety of industries.


 

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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.

 

Integrated business rules will streamline your shipping process.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

  • Business Rules Help Automate Shipping ProcessCarrier 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.

More Info

Integration Language

Sample Script

 
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