Royal Mail has launched a new parcels shipping and tracking platform to enable e-retailers toimprove integration between their IT systems and Royal Mail.
The new Shipping and Tracking application programming interface (API) is available to allRoyal Mail business account customers. It completes the introduction of easy to use online shippingtools across consumer, SME and large customer groups, the British postal group said.
Customers using the system will have access to all of Royal Mail’s parcel services both forUK and international destinations. Customers will also be able to track the progress of theirconsignments, check the track status of an item and retrieve the tracking history of theirshipment.
The new API will enable e-retailers and other parcels customers to benefit from fast, easyand flexible integration of systems, the ability to monitor usage and customise reports. Thesystem, which will have full IT support from Royal Mail, also means new customers can connect theirsystems to Royal Mail much faster than previously.
The Royal Mail Shipping API, available to customers at no additional cost, uses up to theminute technology and a common technical language to connect Royal Mail’s systems and a retailer’sorder processing systems to easily and seamlessly enable shipping and tracking services.
Royal Mail said the new API is part of its investment in new IT systems to make working withthe group and adding new services even easier. Other systems include the free Despatch ManagerOnline solution, which is typically used by smaller businesses and for those shipping highervolumes, and the Online Postage service for consumers and micro-businesses.
Nick Landon, Managing Director of Royal Mail Parcels, said: “Royal Mail is very pleased tointroduce our new Shipping and Tracking API which will enable e-retailers to improve and speed upthe integration between their own IT systems and Royal Mail. The new API provides the potential forimproved parcels management as well as enabling e-retailers to connect their systems to Royal Mailsoftware much quicker than previously.”
