FedEx Web Services is the next-generation solution for integrating FedEx® technologies into your business applications using the industry standard of Web services.
The following information is intended to give you the information you need to get started integrating FedEx services with your applications.
Definitions you need to know
Web services: Modular software systems that support interoperable machine-to-machine interaction over a network
API: Application programming interface
XML: Extensible Markup Language used to facilitate the sharing of data across different information systems like the Internet
WSDL: Web Services Description Language is an XML-based language that provides a model for describing Web services
HTTP: Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is a communications protocol used to transfer or convey information on the World Wide Web
Technologies to better fit your business FedEx has offered integration solutions for several years, including FedEx Ship Manager® API and FedEx Ship Manager® Direct. Now, with the standardization of Web services, FedEx is introducing additional functionality and support through FedEx Web Services.
Through FedEx Web Services, we’re changing the way your systems interact with ours. What this means for you is that you now have more options and can create more unique, customized solutions — faster.
Web services as the future of integration Web services go beyond traditional application development models by including the following features:
Interoperability: Any Web service can interact with any other Web service regardless of programming language used.
Ubiquity: Web services communicate using both HTTP and XML allowing any connected device that supports these technologies to both host and access Web services.
Ease of development: With easy-to-understand development concepts, Web services can be quickly developed and deployed with many readily available toolkits.
Industry support: Web services development is supported by many content providers and vendors.
FedEx Web Services delivers simplified integration FedEx Web Services lets you add simplified, streamlined FedEx shipping integration to your company Web sites, internal business applications, software, and more. With FedEx Web Services, you can:
Streamline your business operations by integrating features such as rating, tracking, address verification and correction, pickups, returns, transit times, and more into your current business workflow. You’ll be able to provide the positive, efficient shipping experience that today’s clients demand.
Keep your applications up-to-date by using an industry-standard, easy development model that is compatible with all programming languages.
Get end-to-end support from FedEx in a secure environment. We’ll provide you with the support needed for a successful implementation using Web services technology:
Product planning guidance
Documentation and sample code
Testing and production
The decision to use FedEx Web Services is an easy one We recommend FedEx Web Services as your integration solution if your business has:
Online transactions that need immediate response.
Low to medium transaction volume.
If your business has a high transaction volume, we recommend FedEx Ship Manager® Server.
Integrate the FedEx services you need
To make sure we can meet your business needs, we’re offering FedEx Web Services at two levels.
Standard services are available for general use and do not require certification.
Advanced services are available for proprietary developers and will require certification prior to production launch.
Both Web services levels offer sample code in Java, C#, C++, VB.Net and PHP programming languages.
To find out which level is right for your business, refer to the following charts:
Standard services
Category
Service
Description
Rating
Rate
Submit origin, destination, weight, service and get rate quote
Rate Available Services
Submit origin, destination, weight and get list of available services with rate quotes
Service Availability
Submit origin and destination information and get list of available FedEx Express® services (FedEx Ground® and FedEx Home Delivery® are not available)
Tracking and Visibility
Track
View tracking information for your all inbound, outbound or third-party shipments
Signature Proof of Delivery
Receive delivery confirmation as well as signature proof of delivery for packages
FedEx Notification
Send and receive e-mail notifications of package shipment or delivery
Other
Drop-off Locator
Receive list of near-by FedEx drop-off locations
Advanced services
Category
Service
Description
Shipping
Ship/Cancel Ship
Print a label or cancel a shipment
Ground Close
Generate a shipment manifest for groups of ground packages for pickup
E-mail Label/Cancel
E-mail Label
Send a return label to a recipient via e-mail
Courier Dispatch
Courier Dispatch/Cancel Courier Dispatch
Request courier shipment pickup
Call Tags
Express Tag/Cancel Express Tag
Request FedEx Express courier to provide label for package(s) at time of shipment pickup
Express Tag Availability
Check FedEx ExpressTag® service availability
Ground Call Tag/Cancel Ground Call Tag
Request FedEx Ground driver to provide label for package(s) at time of shipment pickup
Other
Address Validation
Validate U.S. addresses
Identify U.S. addresses as business or residential
