Top 10 Multi-Carrier Parcel Management Software

Streamline operations and enhance dispatch functions with parcel management software

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By Komal Puri | June 23, 2023

In today's fast-paced world of e-commerce, where customer demands are skyrocketing and competition is fierce, online retailers face a significant challenge in managing their logistics effectively. The solution to this challenge lies in choosing a multi-carrier shipping solution provider to streamline their delivery operations.

The Need for Multi-Carrier Shipping

E-commerce has transcended national boundaries, requiring the use of multiple carriers to fulfill deliveries both domestically and internationally. Relying on a single carrier is no longer feasible when you aim to reach diverse regions and areas efficiently. Multi-carrier shipping is essential for providing comprehensive coverage and flexibility in the delivery process.

By utilizing multi-carrier delivery management software, online stores are always prepared to mitigate risks that may occur during shipping. Having backup carrier options ensures that your customers receive their orders even when unexpected issues arise.

Understanding Multi-Carrier Parcel Management Software

In the realm of e-commerce, multi-carrier parcel delivery software stands as a pivotal pillar within logistics and supply chain management. It leverages multiple courier partners to facilitate the prompt delivery of orders to customers, both locally and globally. These solutions bridge the gap between online stores and markets worldwide, offering seamless shipping solutions.

The Top 10 Multi-Carrier Parcel Management Software in 2023

When it comes to shipping solutions, multiple carriers can significantly enhance the efficiency of e-commerce companies. They enable faster order deliveries, expanded reach into remote areas, and the ability to quickly adapt to unforeseen emergencies. Here are the top multi-carrier parcel management software solutions to simplify your search:


1. FarEye - The Ultimate Multi-Carrier Parcel Management Solution

FarEye emerges as a leading player in the multi-carrier parcel management software landscape, offering a comprehensive suite of features that make it the ultimate solution for e-commerce businesses. With a strong emphasis on enhancing delivery operations, FarEye has earned its place among the best in the industry.

Key Features and Advantages of FarEye:

FarEye provides a robust end-to-end logistics platform that seamlessly integrates with over 500 global carriers, ensuring that your e-commerce store can efficiently deliver orders to customers across the world.

  • Advanced Route Optimization: FarEye empowers you to manage, generate, and automate schedules for your workforce, optimizing routes based on workload and availability. This feature alone can significantly reduce operational costs and improve delivery efficiency.
  • Real-Time Tracking: Customers can track the real-time status of their orders via dynamic ETAs, enhancing the overall shopping experience. This level of transparency and communication sets FarEye apart from the competition.
  • Comprehensive Analytics: FarEye doesn't just stop at route optimization; it provides comprehensive analytics for individual couriers, allowing you to continually fine-tune your delivery processes for maximum efficiency.
  • SMS and Email Updates: To keep both you and your customers informed, FarEye offers SMS and email updates throughout the delivery journey. This proactive approach to communication ensures that all parties are kept informed of any potential delays or issues that may occur during transit.

FarEye's dedication to providing cutting-edge solutions for e-commerce logistics makes it a standout choice. With its exceptional route optimization, real-time tracking, dynamic ETAs, comprehensive analytics, and proactive communication features, FarEye is undoubtedly one of the best multi-carrier parcel management software solutions available today. Elevate your e-commerce business to new heights with FarEye's innovative approach to delivery management.

2. Shippo

Since 2013, Shippo has been a reliable multi-carrier parcel management solution for e-commerce ventures. Based in San Francisco, Shippo integrates seamlessly with a range of carrier partners to offer diverse shipping services, both domestically and internationally.

Shippo empowers businesses by facilitating rate comparisons across various carriers, enabling the printing of shipping labels, scheduling pickups, and simplifying return management. It offers online retailers the flexibility to tailor the post-purchase shipping experience to their customers' preferences. Shippo additionally secures discounted shipping rates with prominent carriers like USPS, UPS, and DHL. Its seamless integration with e-commerce stores empowers retailers to establish customized rules for generating shipping labels. The software excels in address validation, particularly in the U.S., to prevent failed deliveries.


3. XPS Ship

XPS Ship is a robust shipping management software that extends the advantages of multi-carrier delivery services to online stores. It offers integrations with top global marketplaces and shopping carts, including Amazon, Walmart, WooCommerce, and more. This software collaborates seamlessly with major carriers such as UPS, USPS, FedEx, and others to facilitate multi-channel shipments. What sets XPS Ship apart is its fee-free approach to online stores, making it a cost-effective choice.

Like Shippo, XPS Ship seamlessly integrates with online stores to effortlessly import orders and perform real-time comparisons of shipping rates among various carriers. It also streamlines shipping operations, allowing you to create an address book for your most valued clients and batch-print shipping labels. XPS Ship's efficiency shines in its ability to simplify shipping processes.


4. ShipStation

ShipStation is a well-known shipping platform that provides comprehensive shipping solutions to businesses worldwide. With 65 active carrier integrations, ShipStation serves North America, Europe, and Australia. Based in Austin, Texas, this company streamlines shipping, order management, and inventory management, offering a comprehensive solution for businesses.

ShipStation offers highly discounted shipping rates with carriers like USPS, UPS, and DHL, benefiting retailers. For those seeking customization options, ShipStation provides various features such as custom emails and tracking pages. In its role as an inventory management software, ShipStation simplifies tasks such as multi-parcel and shipment splitting, bulk printing of shipping labels, and automated workflow management.


5. StarShip

StarShip stands out as parcel management and delivery software, boasting support from 22 carriers. Its strength lies in the efficient delivery of time-sensitive parcels, positioning it as the perfect choice for e-commerce businesses. StarShip offers rapid integrations with e-commerce platforms like Magento, BigCommerce, Acumatica, and Fishbowl.

StarShip serves as a versatile solution by consolidating both parcel and Less Than Truckload (LTL) shipments. Its automated carrier selection, driven by predefined rules, ensures efficient delivery management. Additionally, StarShip offers seamless plug-and-play integration with warehouses, providing easy access to invoices and packing lists. StarShip facilitates shipping label generation and seamlessly integrates with various WMS (Warehouse Management System) and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software.


6. MetaPack

MetaPack stands as a comprehensive shipping and delivery management software with a global presence, boasting international offices across various countries. MetaPack efficiently connects online stores with an extensive network of over 350 couriers on a global scale, streamlining and optimizing the entire order delivery process. MetaPack offers next-day and same-day deliveries, automating carrier selection based on destination, shipping class, order type, and more. Retailers appreciate MetaPack's ability to manage large order volumes and automatically allocate carriers for parcels.

The software provides instant shipping label generation and enables retailers to display multiple delivery choices and estimated delivery times (ETAs) during checkout.


7. ShippingEasy

ShippingEasy serves as a versatile parcel shipping and customer marketing solutions provider, catering to the diverse needs of businesses. It seamlessly integrates with carriers such as USPS, UPS, FedEx, and international carriers, providing comprehensive multi-carrier shipping solutions. The software excels in streamlining shipping processes, real-time tracking, and facilitating product returns. Its standout feature lies in offering highly competitive discounts on orders of all sizes, ensuring cost-effective shipping solutions for businesses of varying scales.

ShippingEasy boasts an intuitive user interface and automatic integration with e-commerce stores to manage orders seamlessly. Moreover, ShippingEasy goes the extra mile by providing branded shipping solutions, empowering businesses to enhance their brand visibility and customer engagement. Through this feature, companies can effortlessly incorporate their logos onto shipping labels, creating a distinctive and professional impression on their customers throughout the shipping process. Additionally, its customer marketing tool automates promotional emails.


8. Centiro

Centiro is a Sweden-based cloud-native software specializing in global shipping and supply chain management. Established in 1998, the company serves 120+ countries with the support of 100+ carriers. Centiro excels in real-time carrier allocation based on configurable rules, offering substantial cost savings.

The software can design personalized shipping plans, ensuring cost-effective fast deliveries. Centiro's Delivery Management Cloud service seamlessly integrates with a multitude of carriers, offering versatile solutions for same-day and hyperlocal deliveries, along with robust LTL shipping capabilities.


9. ShipWorks

ShipWorks, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a versatile multi-carrier shipping software that streamlines order distribution both domestically and globally. It collaborates with major carriers, including FedEx, UPS, DHL, USPS, OnTrac, and Global Post, to ensure efficient shipping operations. ShipWorks offers quick integrations with leading online marketplaces and carts, including Shopify, PrestaShop, Amazon, and Etsy.

In addition to its comprehensive shipping solutions, ShipWorks offers valuable fulfillment services, including warehouse management and order management. Operating as a cloud-based solution, ShipWorks provides essential features such as intelligent order routing and streamlined batch shipment processing. It automates intricate shipping workflows, seamlessly integrates with WMS (Warehouse Management Systems) and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems, and ensures efficient order processing. Similar to other top-notch parcel delivery software, ShipWorks automatically selects suitable carriers for each shipment, offers competitive discounted carrier rates, and includes insurance coverage for added peace of mind.


10. OrderHive

OrderHive offers e-commerce automation for online stores, collaborating with over 300 carrier partners worldwide. This versatile software encompasses a wide range of features, including warehouse management, streamlined Amazon inbound shipments, advanced logistics capabilities, and efficient management of reverse logistics processes. OrderHive simplifies order management with bulk order processing and batch shipping label generation. It allows customizable shipping rules, including setting default rules, adding due dates, and designing packing slip templates.

E-commerce businesses have the option to display real-time tracking information from carriers to their customers, significantly enhancing the post-purchase experience. OrderHive offers rate comparison across all supported carriers, ensuring the selection of the best rate based on order specifications and delivery locations. U.S. customers can benefit from a 50% discount on USPS rates.

Choosing the Best Multi-Carrier Parcel Management Software

Choosing the appropriate multi-carrier parcel management software for your e-commerce establishment is of paramount importance. Take into account the following aspects when you're in the process of making your selection:

1. Extensive Serviceability

The broader the reach and serviceability of a multi-carrier solution, the better. Ensure that the supported carriers and their service regions align with your business needs. Discuss the possibility of integrating new carriers with your logistics provider.

2. Reduced Shipping Costs

Partnering with a logistics provider can substantially cut down operational expenses for your e-commerce venture. Keep an eye out for bulk shipping choices, loyalty initiatives, and additional avenues to trim costs. Multi-carrier software providers benefit from economies of scale, offering low-cost international shipping that in-house teams can't match.

3. Rate Shopping Options

Multi-carrier parcel management software provides unmatched rate shopping capabilities. With numerous carriers to choose from, you can compare shipping rates across carriers, helping you select the most cost-efficient service that aligns with your budget.

4. Exceptional Customer Care Support

Having robust customer support is essential to ensure both customer satisfaction and overall business success. A dedicated customer service team can address inquiries from both clients and customers promptly, preventing dissatisfaction due to failed or delayed deliveries.

5. Order and Inventory Management

E-commerce businesses often struggle with limited warehouse space and inventory management. Multi-carrier order management software can provide valuable warehouse management services for stores dealing with high order volumes. These solutions also assist with inventory replenishment and product returns, relieving the shipment management burden.

Conclusion

While some e-commerce stores may initially rely on a single carrier for all delivery operations, the need for multi-carrier parcel management software becomes evident as businesses aim to expand rapidly into new markets. Multi-carrier solutions provide access to a broader e-commerce market and offer a fail-safe option during unforeseen circumstances.

With the ability to compare shipping rates, lower costs, enhance customer support, and manage orders efficiently, multi-carrier parcel management systems are integral to the success of e-commerce businesses. The selection of the right software from the options presented above will depend on your specific business goals, budget, and preferred shipping methods.

About the author:

Komal Puri is a seasoned professional in the logistics and supply chain industry. As the Senior Director of Marketing and a subject matter expert at FarEye, she has been instrumental in shaping the industry narrative for the past decade. Her expertise and insights have earned her numerous awards and recognition. Komal’s writings reflect her deep understanding of the industry, offering valuable insights and thought leadership.

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