nShift Ship Connector
Printer Client setup
Product Sheet
Section titled “Product Sheet”Documentation
Section titled “Documentation”How-to guides
Section titled “How-to guides”YouTube
Section titled “YouTube”Dive into nShift Ship Shipment Connector features and usages at our YouTube channel.
1.2 Setup of nShift Shipment Connector
Section titled “1.2 Setup of nShift Shipment Connector”After the installation of the extensions is completed, the setup of the nShift Shipment Connector can commence. Firstly, ensure that connection is established to the nShift Web Portal. Afterwards, setup the integration between the nShift Web Portal and the nShift Shipment Connector.
1.2.1 nShift Web Portal
Section titled “1.2.1 nShift Web Portal”Begin the setup with the nShift Web Portal.
- Log into nShift Web Portal with the account information provided by nShift: Welcome to nShift Ship
- Install the Dropzone Client: nShift Dropzone Client
- Use the same account information previously used to log into the nShift Web Portal to log into the Dropzone Client.
- Additional information about the setup of the Dropzone and nShift Web Portal can be found in the nShift help center.
1.2.2 nShift Shipment Connector
Section titled “1.2.2 nShift Shipment Connector”Utilise the search function (Alt + Q) in order to find Shipment Settings.
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Insert the API User & API Key information provided by nShift.
The API User is your nShift Actor ID. The API Key can be found on the consignor/ship Portal under the Actors/Carriers tab.
- Insert the Dropzone Username & Dropzone Installation ID.
- Lastly, enable Activate and Test Mode.
If you want nShift to automatically print labels when you are shipping in Dynamics 365 Business Central it is necessary to activate the Auto-print function. If this function is deactivated you are still required to manually print your labels in the nShift Web Portal.
1.2.3 Download of Data
Section titled “1.2.3 Download of Data”The next step in the setup is to download the data from nShift. This is done by accessing the Shipment Settings page (Search via Alt + Q). In the ribbon of the setup access the following: Actions > nShift > Get Dataset.
This function will download the data that is attributed to nShift. When Get Dataset is used the following is retrieved: Shipping Agent, Shipping Agent Services and Package types. It is also possible under the same tab to download the data step by step.
Note: We recommend that you start with testing the connection via the Test Connection button under the same tab as Get Dataset.
You will receive an acknowledgement when the data is correctly transferred.
1.2.4 Setup of Dropzone Printers
Section titled “1.2.4 Setup of Dropzone Printers”In the Dropzone Client it is required to register and create the printers that are used to print labels and waybills. This is firstly done by accessing Printers in the ribbon. In the printers tab you can press the New… button which enables you to define the properties of the new printers.
Afterwards, it is possible to access a dropdown menu in order to view the various printers that are connected. Furthermore, it is also possible to change the size of the print. Once finished with the set up on this page, press the OK button.
Afterwards select the newly created printer on the line and click Advanced in order to further configure the printer.
This opens a new window where the following options are available:
- Select your printer type: PDF, ZPL, etc.
- Enables the user to select the printer as the default printer for labels.
- Enables the user to give a description for the printer. It is recommended that the printer is given a description which is relevant for its function.
Click on Import in order to access the page where it is possible to create an Import key for the printer. All printers that are utilised should be given an import key, since this makes the printers created in the Dropzone Client accessible for download directly into the user’s Dynamics 365 Business Central.
This makes it very accessible and user friendly to select and switch between the various printers. It is recommended to name the Import keys after the printer itself so they are easily identifiable in the overview of the Dropzone printers. Furthermore, it is recommended to avoid the use of space in the name of the import keys and instead use an “Underscore” (_) or similar, e.g. Test_Printer.
Once this setup is completed and all the printers that are regularly used are created with related import keys, the process of downloading to your Business Central can begin. This can be started by accessing Shipment Settings (Utilise the search function via Alt + Q). From this page access the following in the ribbon: Actions > nShift > Get nShift Dropzone Printers.
This function downloads the printers that are setup with a valid import key in the Dropzone Client into your Business Central. The printers are then available to be selected in the field Default Printer on the page for Shipment Settings.
It is also possible to access an overview of all the downloaded printers from the Dropzone Client. This is also found on the Shipment Settings page — in the ribbon access the following: Related > nShift Printers.
1.2.5 Shipping Agent & Shipping Agent Services
Section titled “1.2.5 Shipping Agent & Shipping Agent Services”Below is shown an overview of the various Shipping Agents that have now been downloaded. The overview can be found by searching for Shipping Agent in the search field (Use Alt + Q).
Every Shipping Agent has various services associated with them. The Shipping Agent Services specify the “Product” which is ordered to handle the parcel. Note that there can be different Shipping Agent Services depending on which countries you are shipping to. Select a Shipping Agent on the line (e.g. “PostNord (DK)”) and select the following in the ribbon: Shipping Agent > Shipping Agent Service.
Illustrated below is what the overview looks like for the associated Shipping Agent Services for a given Shipping Agent.
The following fields exist in the Shipping Agent Service overview:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Code | This code is used when selecting a Shipping Agent Service in Business Central. Shipping Agent and Shipping Agent Service is specified e.g. on a Sales Order or Sales Shipment. It is possible to rename the code to a name that is more descriptive for the user. |
| Default | Select a default Shipping Agent Service which is automatically inserted onto the waybill line when the Shipping Agent is selected. This can be overruled on the Waybill lines. |
| LDM (Loadmeter) Factor | If you are booking with Loadmeter it is necessary to define an LDM Factor. Normally, this factor is 2.4. If the field is otherwise left blank, Loadmeter will not be enabled on the service. Consult the tooltip for additional information. |
| Include Customs | Check this field if you want to include Customs when using the Shipping Agent Service. This is required if you want to ship with customs, however, you can still ship without customs as per usual. |
1.2.6 Shipping Agent Service — Addons, Additional Services & Notifications
Section titled “1.2.6 Shipping Agent Service — Addons, Additional Services & Notifications”Every Shipping Agent has various supplementary services associated with them. It is possible to assign optional services to a Shipping Agent Service.
The options available differ from Shipping Agent to Shipping Agent but also from Shipping Agent Service to Shipping Agent Service. However, SMS and E-mail notifications are universally available. It is possible to select multiple addons, services and notification types.
An example of an optional service is E-mail Notification where the receiver of the shipment will receive an e-mail notification containing the status of their parcel. There can be multiple optional services added to a Shipping Agent Service.
The optional services for a Shipping Agent Service can be found in the Shipping Agent Service tab. In the tab find: Related > Services.
Note: If you select multiple optional services it may require you to insert additional information in Business Central. If you e.g. select the optional service “E-mail Notification” it is required to specify the receiver’s e-mail address in Business Central on the related Waybill.
An overview of the selected optional Shipping Agent services is also available on the Sales Order. This is found in a fact-box at the bottom right of the sales order.
It is possible to acquire insurance for one’s shipment. This is done by choosing the equivalent Insurance addon for a given Shipping Agent Service. A similar function exists for Cash on Delivery. Once the addons/additional services are activated you can select a Service Type.
Once these criteria are met, it is possible to specify the insurance or cash on delivery amount in their respective fields on the waybill. Once activated the fields are also editable which enables users to manually insert an amount. At default the insurance amount will be the purchase price excluding VAT whereas the Cash on Delivery amount will be the purchase price including VAT.
Be aware: If you add an addon or an additional service to a shipping agent it will update on every open post. We recommend that you create a new shipping agent service named appropriately for its purpose.
For instance, the Shipping Agent PostNord (DK) has a shipping agent service named Parcel — there may be occasions where you would like to add an SMS or Email notification for the receiver of the shipment so they are notified of the status of their order. The best practice we suggest is to copy the current Parcel service and name it appropriately for the context, such as “Parcel with SMS & Email notification”.
In order to create/copy a new shipping agent service, access the ribbon and select the following: Actions > Copy Shipping Agent Service.
Afterwards you will be prompted with a wizard where you can enter the new Shipping Agent Service code, as well as a name/description for the service (e.g. “Parcel with SMS & Email notification”).
Once finished select the OK button and the service will be available in the overview.
Lastly, select the newly created shipping agent service and add the desired addons and extra services.
1.2.7 Package Types
Section titled “1.2.7 Package Types”Every Shipping Agent Service has one or more related Package Types. The Package Types have a number which cannot be altered and a description which may be changed — additionally, it is possible to adjust the dimensions of the package: Length (cm), Width (cm) and Height (cm).
The description of the package, as well as the dimensions, are automatically inserted onto the waybill lines when the package type is selected. It is also possible to define Pallet Exchange and select a package type as the default package type for the Shipping Agent Service — this in turn will insert the package type automatically when the Shipping Agent Service is selected.
In order to access the overview for a given Shipping Agent’s package types you have to navigate onto the given Shipping Agent and afterwards select a Shipping Agent Service on the line and then access the following in the ribbon: Related > Package Types.
Afterwards, you will be shown the aforementioned overview.
It is also a possibility to make a new Package Type for the Shipping Agent Service. This is done by selecting a package type on the line and accessing the following in the ribbon: Actions > Copy Package Type.
Afterwards, you will be prompted by a new window which is where the setup of the new package type takes place. When the new package type has been named and given a unique number then press the OK button to continue.
The new package type is now found in the overview and can henceforth be selected as a package type when shipping.
1.2.8 Pick-up Points
Section titled “1.2.8 Pick-up Points”It is possible to select a Shipping Agent Service where the parcel is delivered to a Pick-up Point (e.g. Parcel Shop). The overview of the Pick-up Points is continuously updated — the update occurs each time the page is opened in order to select a Pick-up Point for a shipment.
In order to download the Pick-up Points for a Shipping Agent, you must go to the overview for Shipping Agents, then select a given Shipping Agent on the line and access the following in the ribbon: Actions > Get Pick-up Points.
Afterwards, access the overview for the Pick-up Points by selecting a Shipping Agent Service on the line and opening the following in the ribbon: Related > Pick-up Points.
Afterwards the overview appears which provides a list of all of the Pick-up Points available for the given Shipping Agent Service.
In the overview it is possible to see the Name, Country/Region Code, Zip Code, City and Address for the Pick-up Point. It is also possible to sort the overview to your liking by pressing the sort icon in the top right corner.