Fed Ex Web Services integration...

[paydepst]

I received a letter today telling me that Fed Ex will be retiring their Ship Manager API in May 2012 and that I need to migrate to their new web services code in the meantime. Is their any documentation available about how to do this with my version of Squirrelcart? I am using version 2.6.1.

[Jamie]

We will be issuing an update for that soon, when we get through their recertification process.

[paydepst]

Thanks Jamie!

[jonsweaver]

Hi Jamie - do you have a timeline for the new FedEx system? Has your work been certified? Thank you - a client just got interested in including tracking numbers so here we go... best JON

[Jamie]

Hi Jamie - do you have a timeline for the new FedEx system?

As fast as humanly possible.

Has your work been certified?

No, I am in the middle of their (re)certification process. When it is completed, the code will be released.

I have been working on this for a very long time. I don't have a completion date because it is impossible for me to determine how long it is going to take to get through their system. I hope to have it done in a couple of weeks.

[jonsweaver]

Thanks Jamie - that's what I suspected. No rush on this end.
THanks for all your work. JON

[paydepst]

Jamie just curious but I was wondering if you thought this represents the vast improvement that FedEx is claiming it will be over their old system or just another case of "fixin' what ain't broke" and being a general pain in the neck to all and sundry.

[Jamie]

I honestly couldn't say. The technology behind the scenes is different. Instead of an API where you have to put together XML and send it to them to make a request, and then read the XML response and parse it into an array, it is handled with Web Services via SOAP technology.

It is still ultimately broken down into XML before being sent to and from their server, but as a developer you don't have to work at that level. The SOAP client accepts function calls, with the request being formatted via a PHP array. The response is also a PHP array. So, there is a bit less code on our end to format the XML and read it as the SOAP client takes care of that part. I guess that is a slight improvement, though its replacing one thing that works with another that also works fine.

I don't believe users (you, or your customers) will notice much of a difference in performance. Their new system supports everything the old one did. I don't know if its any faster or more reliable but I'm guessing it may be.

We are adding support for a few extra things that we did not support in older versions, so from that viewpoint I guess you would see some small improvements with those additional features.

[Jamie]

We have completed our certification with FedEx Web Services, and will be issuing an update for this in the near future.

[dave01978]

Awsome, Thanks I will be keeping an eye out for it

[Jamie]

http://www.ldev.com/forums/showthrea...-now-available

[dave01978]

Jamie,

This is great, it works great, although the interface is a bit clunkier (not that its bad or anything you could do about it)

However the best part is that smart post works great, and shipping labels print great for that as well. It will be nice not having to offer flat rates based on weights and stuff depending on where it goes to overcharging our customers, or undercharging them.

Thank you so much for this
Dave

[Jamie]

Hi Dave,

You're welcome! Thanks for the feedback, glad you like it.

[designwerks]

Jamie,

Updated the standard install of FedEx to your new FedEx Web Services via the download links.

Instructions were clear. Took about 15 minutes to get up and running. Took about 1 minute to register with FedEx. ( I consider that fast)...

While I am not sure of the actual difference between what was and what is, the labels print great ( I can now get two labels on the expensive label paper) and all tracking appears to be working.

John

[dave01978]

Jamie,

Updated the standard install of FedEx to your new FedEx Web Services via the download links.

Instructions were clear. Took about 15 minutes to get up and running. Took about 1 minute to register with FedEx. ( I consider that fast)...

While I am not sure of the actual difference between what was and what is, the labels print great ( I can now get two labels on the expensive label paper) and all tracking appears to be working.

John

John,

Not sure if its available in Canada, but you might be able to order labels from fedex for free.
Dave