Multi-Carrier Shipping Software | iAbol
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Our API Shipping Software Solution can automate every step of the shipping process. With multi-carrier integration shipping can now be done on the fly. Information processing and the return of carrier information allows for super fast parcel shipping.

Developer API

Developer API

Looking for a tighter integration into your business system with ABOL Shipping Software? Our API is designed to work with the iabol.com web interface and not to replace it. It’s an extension to the functionality of iabol to developers and integrators. The iabol API is divided in 2 components. Ship API and Data API. API is a term for programming two or more pieces of software to work together. ABOL Software offers API capabilities as a way to simplify the process of shipping.

iabol is a constantly growing product, and so is the API. Currently up to two new carriers and capabilities are added each month. With over 40 supported national and international carriers already in place iabol is taking shipping integration to a whole new level. iabol API’s XML interface is the core engine behind iabol 2.0 and utilizes these core interfaces.

 

Ship API

for shipment processing related functions like ship, void, manifest, track

Data API

for shipment processing related functions like ship, void, manifest, track


Ship API Overview

It is important to understand that using the API does perform the same background logic as using iabol. Any shipment processed or voided is reflected in the iabol 2.0 UI as if the web browser was utilized. This means that iabol 2.0 needs to be properly configured for the API to return proper results. For example, if the intention is to ship UPS through the API, UPS needs to be properly configured (use the Add Carrier wizard) in iabol 2.0

To take it a step further: Even if UPS is properly configured and has only Ground and Express services enabled, only these two services are available for shipping through the API. This concept carries through all aspects of the iabol API. Another example is that if a user is deleted, the credentials will not work with API either.

Key Benefits

  • Ship across multiple carriers with one API.
  • Switch between multiple shipping sites by switching credentials.
  • Combine use iabol and API together (UPS in shipping department, API in intranet).
  • Manage accessible API services with the iabol UI.
  • Track shipments from multiple carriers with one API.

Funtionality

Shipping: Process a shipment and return a shipping label

Ship API will process a shipment based on the authentication and shipment criteria passed to the web service. The API supports multi-piece as as well as international shipments. The web service returns the label in the requested format (ZPL, EPL, PNG) as base 64 encoded string.

Voiding: Void a shipment based on tracking number

Sending a void request flags the shipment as voided in iabol and passes it on to any carriers that require it. For example, voiding an Endicia package will automatically trigger a refund request to send the postage back to your Endicia postage account.

Closing out: Close Out current shipments / Perform and End of Day request

Although some carriers do not require the user to perform an End of Day close out in the online world, we still encourage users in a daily close out routine. It helps with reporting and daily management of shipments. By calling the ship API with either a carrier code or service code, the API user has very granular control over the manifesting process.

Tracking: Track a shipment by tracking NBR or reference NBR

Same as the iabol application, the iabol API has access to all available carriers tracking interfaces. So by calling one API, you have access to all iabol supported carriers shipment statuses. However, please be aware that iabol only allows tracking shipments that were prepared by iabol.


Data API Overview

Order Import

Submit order data that can be used to process a shipment. this data can be as simple as an address and weight, or as complex as an international multi-piece shipment. The submitted data is available through the Import Data Module in iabol.

The API allows developers to control how to handle resubmitted information. So for example, if there is a change in an internal system, the change can be easily replicated by resubmitting the data and requesting to replace the existing information with the newly submitted.

Address Book

Allows developers to populate a user (private) or shipper / site (public) address book through the API. For example, you have an internally developed client management tool, the API allows you to populate the address book from this application. The data API can assist you in loading or updating the information.