OpenERP 7 Integration with FedEx

FedEx is one of the providers of shipping service. In OpenERP, we can create delivery orders based on each orders to the customers, but the shipment order creation and the shipping has to be done manually through some of the shipping service providers like FedEx, UPS etc.

We have created a new module named zb_shipping_fedex which integrates OpenERP with FedEx and enables users to create and manage shipment orders from OpenERP. The module can be installed as a normal module in OpenERP. The module requires an additional python package called requests which can be installed as sudo apt-get install python-requests.

Module adds a configuration menu at location Warehouse > Configuration > Shipping Configuration > FedEx. Here is where we configure the FedEx credentials like key, password etc. These credentials can be obtained while registering the user as a shipper in www.fedex.com. A screenshot of the configuration window is shown below:

The user have to enter the details like "Account Number", "Key", "Password" and "Meter Number". If the shipper has a freight shipment account, this account number has to be entered in the field "Freight Account Number". "Weight Unit" and the "Dimension Unit" are the units in which the weight and dimensions are represented. The valid Combinations are "LB and IN" and "KG and CM". This depends on the localization settings of each country. "Is Test" is used to indicate if we are using the FedEx API in test environment. This is only applicable to FedEx Freight shipment. For normal shipment, we have to apply for a test account. After the configurations are done, we can start shipping using FedEx shipment service.

In delivery order, the module adds a new field called "Shipping Type". This field is used to select which shipment method is used to ship the particular order. A screenshot is shown below:

In this field we can select FedEx as shipping method. When FedEx is selected, a new tab named "Shipping info" will be made visible. Here is where we select the other shipment parameters like shipment type, package etc. A screenshot is given below:

In this tab we have 3 sections in which "Shipping Info" is the general information about the shipment. In this section we can specify weather the shipment to address is a residential address or not by setting the field "Residential Address". For each shipment, the weight of package is a required parameter. If the pack is not assigned with any weight, the value in the field "Package Weight" will be considered as the package weight.

Next section is the "FedEx". Here is where we define the shipment properties of this particular shipment. The user can select "Service Type", "Packaging Type", "Dropoff Type" and "Payment Type". FedEx provides various shipment types from which the user can choose from based on his/her requirements. The different shipment types can be selected from the field "Service Type". These include:

• EUROPE_FIRST_INTERNATIONAL_PRIORITY
• FEDEX_1_DAY_FREIGHT
• FEDEX_2_DAY
• FEDEX_2_DAY_FREIGHT
• FEDEX_3_DAY_FREIGHT
• FEDEX_EXPRESS_SAVER
• STANDARD_OVERNIGHT
• PRIORITY_OVERNIGHT
• FEDEX_GROUND
• GROUND_HOME_DELIVERY
• FEDEX_FREIGHT_ECONOMY
• FEDEX_FREIGHT_PRIORITY
• INTERNATIONAL_ECONOMY
• INTERNATIONAL_ECONOMY_FREIGHT
• INTERNATIONAL_FIRST
• INTERNATIONAL_PRIORITY
• INTERNATIONAL_PRIORITY_FREIGHT

Packaging type is the type of the package that is being send by FedEx shipment. This can be:

• FEDEX_BOX
• FEDEX_PAK
• FEDEX_TUBE
• YOUR_PACKAGING

Dropoff type identifies the method by which the package is to be tendered to FedEx. This can be:

• REGULAR_PICKUP
• REQUEST_COURIER
• DROP_BOX
• BUSINESS_SERVICE_CENTER
• STATION

Payment Type is the method of payment for the service. This can be:

• RECIPIENT
• SENDER
• THIRD_PARTY

The third section is the "Pack Details". Here is where we define the dimensional parameters of the package being send by FedEx. The user can enter the "Length", "Width", "Height", "Monetary Value" and "Weight" of the package. The Length, Width and Height is the dimensional parameter of the package. Monetary value is the insurance value of the package and the weight is the weight of the particular package. A screenshot is shown below:

After all the required data are filled, we can request for quote for the shipment from FedEx web service. This can be done by pressing the button "Generate Quote". When this button is pressed, the quote request will be send to the FedEx web service server and the quote will be returned as the result. The response will contain all the details regarding the pricing of each shipments. The quote returned from the FedEx will be displayed in the section "Shipping Rate Details". A screenshot is shown below:

If we open this record, we can see the pricing details, billable weight and total price. A screenshot is shown below:

The user can accept or reject the quote. The quote can be accepted by pressing the button "Accept Shipment". When the button accept button is pressed, the shipment will be accepted an the shipping label will be generated. The label will be available as a attachment to the delivery order. A screenshot is shown below:

 

Shipping Label Sample

Tracking number will be available at the quote. A screenshot is shown below:

 

FedEx Freight :

There are two freight shipment services provided by FedEx. They are:

• FEDEX_FREIGHT_ECONOMY
• FEDEX_FREIGHT_PRIORITY

If any one of these shipment type is selected, user will have additional options like "Freight Class" and "Freight Packaging Type". A screenshot is shown below:

Freight class is the class of the freight in which the shipment is to be send. This can be:

• CLASS_050
• CLASS_055
• CLASS_060
• CLASS_065
• CLASS_077_5
• CLASS_085
• CLASS_092_5
• CLASS_100
• CLASS_110
• CLASS_125
• CLASS_150
• CLASS_175
• CLASS_200
• CLASS_250
• CLASS_300
• CLASS_400
• CLASS_500

Freight Packaging type is the FedEx freight packaging type. This can be:

• BAG
• BARREL
• BASKET
• BOX
• BUCKET
• BUNDLE
• CARTON
• CASE
• CONTAINER
• DRUM
• ENVELOPE
• HAMPER
• OTHER
• PAIL
• PALLET
• PIECE
• REEL
• ROLL
• SKID
• TANK
• TUBE

User will also have the option to select the Booking number of the freight shipment in the "Booking Number" field. The booking number can be obtained by contacting the FedEx customer care executive.

After selecting these values, we can request for quote and accept shipment same as the normal shipment. The bill of lading for the freight shipment will also be available as an attachment to the delivery order. A screenshot of the bill of lading is shown below: