3 Minute Explainer: What is Desktop Shipping Software?

In this week’s 3 Minute Explainer, we look at desktop shipping solutions. We discuss five major benefits of controlling non-production shipping with desktop shipping software.

Desktop shipping software — as the name suggests — allows you to ship packages from your desktop computer. Of course, it has long been possible to open up a carrier webpage and ship a package. However, desktop shipping software is a multi carrier small package shipments and export compliance solution. This allows organizations to:

• Control parcel shipping spend

• Standardize shipment procedures 

• Automate trade compliance 

Banks, universities, legal offices, public institutions and other organizations use desktop shipping software to control non-production shipping. 

Most companies have shipping procedures in place to control production shipping. However, front offices and administrative units often ship parcels on an ad hoc basis. As a result, a company can have little control or visibility over what is being shipped and how these shipments are being made. Furthermore, even if guidelines are in place, it can be difficult to make sure staff comply with these — particularly if a company has many locations. 

These costs can quickly add up, especially if staff use expensive premium services as a default. In addition, front office staff may unwittingly violate export regulations or other restrictions, leaving a company vulnerable to fines and reputational damage.

Five Benefits of Desktop Shipping Software

A comprehensive desktop shipping solution will include access to a global multi carrier parcel network, as well as export regulations and shipping documentation. Desktop shipping software users can:

• Select the best carrier and rate for on-time delivery 

• Generate carrier compliant labeling

• Perform due diligence with restricted party screening

• Automatically generate all the required shipping documents for global destinations 

As a result, desktop shipping solutions offer five major benefits. These are: 

• Control parcel shipping costs

• Mitigate compliance violations with company shipping procedures

• Mitigate the risks of compliance missteps

• Institute chain of custody controls

• Proactively manage delayed shipments 

Let’s look at these in more detail.

CONTROL SHIPPING COSTS

Poor management of non-production shipping can result in substantially increased costs for your enterprise — at least 20 percent annually. 

An organization that uses multi carrier desktop shipping software has access to more shipping options and service levels at more competitive rates. Users can seamlessly switch between carriers, choosing the carrier that can meet the promised delivery date at the lowest cost. 

Desktop shipping solutions allow you to integrate with your preferred carriers. Furthermore, the desktop shipping solution provider also provides ongoing compliance with carrier regulation changes.

STANDARDIZE ENTERPRISE SHIPPING PROCEDURES

Standardizing shipping procedures, while useful, is not enough unless you can ensure staff adhere to these guidelines. Therefore, simplifying the user experience is crucial.

Desktop shipping software offers an easy “walk-up” user interface. This takes the user through a series of steps in line with your company’s shipping procedures. It is not possible to ship a package without completing all the necessary steps that your company guidelines require. This means that users ship all parcels in line with your organization's rules for rates, transit times and service levels.

MITIGATE COMPLIANCE MISSTEPS 

Desktop shipping solutions allows you to perform due diligence with automated restricted party screening. Users can easily verify that they are not shipping to groups, individuals or entities that appear on official lists of denied parties.

Furthermore, organizations using desktop shipping are able to automate business rules that account for the complexities of cross-border customs regulations. This includes having the correct licenses and permits, where required, as well as global shipping documentation.

CHAIN OF CUSTODY CONTROL

Any organization that ships confidential and sensitive documents needs chain of custody controls. Desktop shipping software tracks all packages, with all carriers in the same way. 

This provides intelligent visibility as your packages travel across town, across country, or around the world. As a result, an organization has a chronological trail for each package. This includes a record of all parties that came into contact with every inbound and outbound package. 

PROACTIVELY MANAGE DELAYED SHIPMENTS

If your organization sends hundreds, or even thousands, of shipments to customers or other corporate offices, tracking these can seem like a daunting task. 

A comprehensive desktop shipping solution manages by exception. The solution will flag shipments that are at risk of missing their delivery date. As a result, the appropriate personnel can take action.

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About QAD Precision – Trusted Global Trade and Transportation Execution

QAD Precision, a division of QAD Inc., provides industry-leading global trade compliance, and multi carrier transportation execution solutions from a single, integrated platform. An ISO-certified company, QAD Precision assists companies to streamline their import, export and transportation operations, optimize deliveries, and increase logistics ROI. QAD Precision’s scalable and extensible solution easily integrates with existing ERP and WMS solutions. Industry leaders in every region of the world rely on QAD Precision’s global support centers to leverage thousands of carrier services and manage millions of global trade and shipping transactions every day. For more information about QAD Precision, visit www.qadprecision.com.