Business FAQs
- How does FedEx Web Services work?
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The customer’s applications communicate to the FedEx processing systems by passing real-time information over the Internet.
- Aside from Shipping, how can FedEx Web Services help my company?
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FedEx WebServices contains functionality that can assist in order entry, customer service, reverse Logistics, billing as well as shipping operations. As an example affecting “Order Entry,” the address verification transaction can be used within a shopping cart or by phone-based personnel to verify the “Ship-To Address” in order to avoid address correction charges. This capability is completely separate from the act of shipping.
Additionally, FedEx Web Services for Office and Print is now available. These services enhance business processes by enabling easy access to FedEx Office document print and finishing services. - How long does it take to implement FedEx Web Services?
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It depends on multiple factors, such as: How many functionalities will be implemented? How many programmers are assigned? Where does the FedEx Web Services project fall on your priority list? Are your programmers already fluent in implementing Web Services? It can take as little as a few weeks to several months depending on the factors above.
- Is FedEx Web Services and "off-the-shelf" solution?
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No, FedEx Web Services is a set of technical schematics provided to a customer, from which the customer’s IT resources can incorporate numerous FedEx functionalities into their internal systems.
- Can FedEx do the programming for me, if I do not have any programming resources?
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Unfortunately, not. Since the programming is being done on a customer's internal systems and not FedEx provided hardware, programming support is not an option. FedEx can provide assistance in the understanding of the FedEx Web Service WSDLs, error messages, etc.
- Are there any FedEx revenue requirements associated with the user of FedEx Web Servies?
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No. Since this solution is simply a set of technical schematics, there are no revenue requirements.
- What is the difference between FedEx Web Services for Shipping and FedEx Web Services for Office and Print?
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FedEx Web Services for Shipping is a collection of FedEx Web Services used for shipping-centric implementations designed to rate, ship, track and return packages. FedEx Web Services for Office and Print is the collection of FedEx Web Services used for document-centric implementations designed to create, configure and submit FedEx Office digital print orders.
- Does FedEx have a testing environment for our programmers to use while developing the application?
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Yes.
- What if my business does not have an Internet presence, such as a Web Site or a shopping cart? Can FedEx Web Services still work for me?
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Yes. All that is necessary for the implementation of FedEx Web Services is a connection to the Internet and programming resources. The existence of a web site or shopping cart is not mandatory.
- What certification requirements are involved with FedEx Web Services?
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Many of the functionalities within FedEx Web Services do not require certification such as rating, tracking. For those activities that generate a shipping label (ship, call tag, email return label), the customer will be required to submit labels for evaluation by the FedEx Label Certification teams. Completion of a FedEx End User License Agreement is also required.
- I have business units that operate outside of the United States. Will this solution still work?
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Yes. FedEx Web Services for Shipping is a global solution that works well outside of the United States. For availability in your region please check Web Services Documentation.
- If my programming department needs assistance with implementing FedEx Web Services, what help is there from FedEx?
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There are two levels of assistance available. General support is available via the FedEx Help Desk at 877-339-2774. If you would like for a FedEx Consultant to work with you during your entire implementation effort, FedEx has the Web Integrated Solutions Consultation team to assist you.
- What services can the Web Integrated Solutions Consultation Team provide?
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WISC team will explain what the solution is capable of, the technical schematics of the solution, including the WSDLs, and the certification requirements. The WISC team cannot perform actual programming for the customer.
- What is FedEx Web Services for Office and Print?
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FedEx Web Services for Office and Print is a portfolio of transaction interfaces to digital printing functionality hosted by FedEx Office. These transactions provide an avenue for software developers to create custom, highly efficient solutions that enable users to manage the creation, configuration and submission of FedEx Office digital print orders.
- What support options are available for FedEx Web Services for Office and Print?
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Technical documentation, sample software code and support materials are available within the Technical Resources section of the FedEx Developer Resource Center.
If you need assistance evaluating whether FedEx Web Services for Office and Print is the correct solution for your business, please contact your FedEx Office Sales executive. They will ensure a FedEx Office customer technology consultant contacts you to discuss the solution in detail. - Do I use FedEx Web Services for Office and Print to print shipping labels?
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No. Please use FedEx Web Services for Shipping for shipping-centric implementations.
- Which FedEx Office Print and Ship Centers accept orders placed via FedEx Web Services for Office and Print?
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All of the more than 1,800 FedEx Office Print and Ship Centers in the U.S. can process orders submitted via FedEx Web Services for Office and Print.
- Can I use this solution to place orders with FedEx Office locations outside of the United States?
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No. FedEx Web Services for Office and Print orders can only be fulfilled within the U.S.
- Will you print copyrighted files?
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Please refer to FedEx Office Terms and Use.
- What is FedEx Ship Manager Server?
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FedEx Ship Manager Server is a hardware and software solution for high-volume shippers, giving customers the speed and convenience of a dedicated connection to FedEx . It consists of a free-standing hardware platform, including a 1.133 GHZ processor, 1 GB hard drive plus Windows 2000, Windows 2003 Server, or Windows XP operating system. Using any programming language that supports TCP/IP, you can create customized graphical user interfaces to enable shipping processes.
- How do you qualify for FedEx Ship Manager Server?
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Use of FedEx Ship Manager Server is free to high-volume FedEx customers. To find out if your organization qualifies, contact your FedEx Account Executive directly or e-mail us to request an appointment.
- Is there a limit to the number of customer accounts that can be set up on one FedEx Ship Manager Server?
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There is no limit to the number of accounts that can be set up on one server. However, if you have a large number of locations all sending to one FedEx Ship Manager Server, you should stagger the close transactions and use a backup server.
- Does FedEx Ship Manager Server create an invoice?
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Yes, FedEx Ship Manager Server is self-invoicing.
- Can you pre-assign tracking numbers with FedEx Ship Manager Server?
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Yes, but you should still download tracking numbers to the server. You should then send a transaction to the server to get the next tracking number. Actual package tracking is not available.
- How fast is FedEx Ship Manager Server?
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FedEx Ship Manager Server processes eight express shipping transactions per second on average. Many other transactions take even less time. Using TCP/IP and a dedicated connection between your location(s) and FedEx operations, it bypasses the Internet and its real-world traffic jams completely. The speed for each customer will depend on network speed, network load, network message priorities, desired response time, security and client code.
- What shipping label options are available with FedEx Ship Manager Server?
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You have several options. You can create, format and print a FedEx-approved custom label and add custom fields, if needed. The label must meet FedEx specifications. Or, you can use a label transfer option allowing you to print labels to a FedEx thermal printer attached to your network.
- Is it possible to send different reports to different printers?
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Yes. For example, you can print the courier report in the shipping area and print the invoice report on the accounting department printer.
- What are the benefits of the FedEx Web Integration Wizard?
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The FedEx Web Integration Wizard provide significant benefits, including:
- Simplified development and coding requirements, to avoid delays and complications that could affect your business.
- Cost savings, eliminate customer service intervention for returns, shipment tracking status or rate and service options.
- Ability to generate shipping labels, obtain shipping rates and transit times and track the status of FedEx shipments.
- Efficiency enhancements, including FedEx services integrated directly into your web site for customer convenience and ease.
- Simplified development and coding requirements, to avoid delays and complications that could affect your business.
- Does FedEx have a mechanism for notifying customers about product updates and system alerts?
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Yes, sign up for the Alert Notification System from the Developer Resource Center to receive communications related to important information about the FedEx Web Integration Wizard. You must be logged in to the Developer Resource Center to sign up for the Alert Notification System.
- What are the steps for using the FedEx Web Integration Wizard to create html code?
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To gain access to the FedEx Web Integration Wizard tool is as simple and fast as using the tool itself. Follow the simple steps outlined below to get stated:
- Go to the FedEx Developer Resource Center at fedex.com/developer
- Login or register to gain access.
- Click on the "FedEx Integration Tools" option under the "Technical Resources" tab.
- Click the read more under the FedEx Web Integration Wizard section.
- Click on Launch Wizard link.
- How often do you update the software?
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The FedEx Web Integration Wizard application is updated once a year, and the generated html code has a limited two year usage expiration. Customers are required to regenerate the html code to ensure the latest software are in use.
- What if my business has a global Internet presence, such as a Web site, can the FedEx Web Integration Wizard still work for me?
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Yes, the FedEx Web Integration Wizard is a global solution that supports various international services and the generated html can be used outside of the United States.
- What services does FedEx Web Integration Wizard offer?
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FedEx Web Integration Wizard is a "one-stop" resource offering the industry's broadest range of shipping services including:
- Full range of ground and express shipping services, including international express and ground services
- Intra-Canada and Intra-Mexico express shipping services
- FedEx Ground Home Delivery shipping services including Premium Services
- SmartPost
- US domestic Returns
- SmartPost Returns
- Rate and transit time
- Signature Proof of Delivery
- Tracking and alternate reference tracking
- Address verification
- Residential delivery
- What special services are available with the FedEx Web Integration Wizard?
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FedEx Web Integration Wizard expands your shipping options by including additional services:
- Multiple piece shipping for express and ground shipping
- Signature Option services
- Dangerous Goods/Hazard Material services
- FedEx Home Delivery Premium services
- What certification requiremetns are involved with FedEx Web Integration Wizard?
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None. Users of the FedEx Web Integration Wizard are NOT required to submit labels for evaluation by the FedEx Label Certification teams.
