Royal Mail Tracked services add web booking through NetDespatch

UK-based NetDespatch has made its web shipping, tracking and advanced systems integration tools available for Royal Mail Tracked and Royal Mail Tracked Next Day services. The NetDespatch Velocity system provides an online method for Royal Mail customers to produce Royal Mail bar-coded shipping labels, electronic pre-advice files and paper collection manifests.

Royal Mail will offer the NetDespatch service as a free Royal Mail Tracked on-line despatch management service. This will provide multiple methods of systems integration, including web services, FTP and the unique Velocity Connector application for secure automated file transfer, which will streamline despatch operations for major home shopping companies, manufacturers and on-line retailers as well as thousands of smaller organisations using Royal Mail Tracked services.

The system is entirely web-based, does not require special dedicated hardware or software, and can be accessed anywhere.

Authorised users use their normal web browser to access the system through a secure login page. Users can book or import parcel data on line using full PAF (Postcode Address File) business address lookup and address book management, print labels anywhere in the world, request data downloads and review the status of all their shipments in real time. NetDespatch systems integration tools allow parcel data and tracking status to be transferred automatically between the secure NetDespatch servers and shippers’ own systems.

“NetDespatch is working closely with Royal Mail to develop advanced parcel despatch systems that make it easy for customers to take advantage of Royal Mail services freeing them from the restrictions of traditional PC based despatch management systems. They won’t need to worry about updating the software or postcode data, or managing electronic file transfers because this is all handled automatically by NetDespatch as part of the service. The system provides constantly updated information for tracking parcels, which helps with speedy and accurate responses to customer queries,” said Becky Clark, NetDespatch CEO.

Patricia Leonard, head of new channel development, Royal Mail, added: “Royal Mail Tracked services are used by thousands of companies every day and as home shopping grows year on year it is essential that we provide web-based despatch tools that are easy to use and that integrate seamlessly with modern warehouse technology. NetDespatch has produced a version of ‘Velocity’ that allows our customers to use both Tracked and Tracked Next Day services from a single login, secure in the knowledge that they are using a tried and tested platform that also satisfies all Royal Mail shipping requirements without requiring any special software development.”