So I just tried setting up the Tracking Number Export from UPS. I don't think it's working properly, as it's adding a new record to BKARINV rather than updating the field. The new record is just the SONUM and TRACK fields.
 
I didn't actually test the report to see if it worked, because it just doesn't seem right. Further to the point, if I we were also exporting the Freight cost, it would also be putting it in the new record, and the original "real" one would still be 0.
 
How do you get the UPS system to overwrite the data rather than create a new record?

Email sent.
 
Thx,

Our Java programmer was looking on the UPS web site and says there is an API to the UPS data through their website that bypasses Worldship, Crossware and all that and we could potentially write something where you could access your UPS account (obviously you would need to log in using the appropriate credentials, etc.) and process something through our own app.   If there is interest we can pursue further.  Your "Technology Allowance" would probably more than cover the development, then $0 per month ongoing, how does that sound?

Quote from David Waldmann on 02/25/16 at 07:28:05:

 
Not sure what your rep is talking about as far as "too expensive". I didn't pay anything for Crossware or the scripting.

Quote from btaylor on 02/26/16 at 09:53:41:

 
Quote from BurrKing_Mfg on 02/26/16 at 10:11:49:

 
Good to know. I'll bring that up with them, The only thing I can think of is that because of volume you had more money available and it covered it. We spend less than $50k per year on UPS.
 
Quote from BurrKing_Mfg on 02/26/16 at 10:11:49:

 
We currently use the native UPS Worldship Import mapping to enter the SO # and get the address in.  
 
We don't have a problem with scrolling to select another customer because we set up a Custom Tab Order. It starts at the Package Size, then goes to weight. Nothing else on the first page, as that takes care of 99.9% of shipments. Before we started importing we had the tab order start at the Customer ID field, then go to Package Size and Weight.

Nah, what you spend annually shouldn't matter. Definitely push your rep on this. I'm not entirely sure your rep fully knows what Crossware is, especially based on their "overkill" comment.  
 
It is just some middleware with custom scripting so it can be as simple or complex as need be. The guy that did the tracking number script for me was actually assigned to it because he only had two weeks left in the Crossware division before moving on to a different team at UPS. His boss just had him working on small, easy jobs at that point. He banged out the script for me in a couple of hours.
 
I'm also bringing orders in natively in Worldship, no Crossware. Just a keyed import from our DBA/Evo SO#. I set the Worldship mapping on that one up myself as it was pretty straightforward.
 
We just put in a new Worldship station a couple of weeks ago and our rep is setting up a time with someone from Crossware because we have to copy it over to the new station. When he is in here next time I will double-check with him but as far as I know, there should be no way that you should have to pay anything. I'll let you know what he says about it after I talk to him.

So I called my UPS rep yesterday evening to ask about Crossware. He told me that in the past they might charge for Crossware if the procedure(s) being implemented were really complex but generally didn't charge in the past for relatively simple stuff. However, this has changed recently as they found out that their main competitor (obvious but I won't name) was charging for implementation of these types of things so they are now as well.
 
That being said I questioned him about the $2500 given the fact that I went through it and saw how quickly the script was put together. He agreed that the price seemed awfully high for just that and was guessing that maybe the rep was ballparking it without fully understanding the relative simplicity. Even more simple in that I have already had this done and like I said in a previous post they save all the scripts so outside of a couple of tweaks that may need to be made for your system the heavy-lifting is already done.
 
In a nutshell yeah I guess they charge for more and more now but there is no way, in both my opinion and the opinion of my rep, that the price tag should be that high (or even close to that high).