# Order Dispatch

***

### Setting up your Delivery Methods

Venditan Commerce contains a powerful, rule-based system used to create Delivery Methods and control their eligibility.

This is configured in three parts:

* **Couriers**: The businesses that you work with for delivery.
* **Delivery Methods**: The delivery services that you provide to your customers.
* **Shipping Rules**: The criteria applied to Delivery Methods to control their eligibility.

Let’s explore each of these in more detail.

{% hint style="success" %}
**No shipping headaches, we will simplify this for you**

We will set up your Delivery Methods, Shipping Rules and Order Communication templates when switching to Venditan Commerce, and make them easy to manage ongoing with full training provided.
{% endhint %}

**Couriers**

**Couriers** are the companies that you have arranged your various Delivery Methods with.

Each Courier is created within Venditan Commerce.

Standard information held against a Courier will include:

<table><thead><tr><th width="269">Data</th><th>Purpose</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Courier Name</strong></td><td>Name the Courier, e.g. DPD, Royal Mail, UPS</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Preferred Shipping Location</strong></td><td>Specify your preference for this Courier for a particular Stock Location.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Customer Code</strong></td><td>Input a code given to you by the Courier as a customer reference number.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Contract Number</strong></td><td>Input a number to identify your contract with the Courier.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Tracking Template</strong></td><td>A URL template containing placeholders for Order IDs, which can be sent to the customer in their Order Communication.</td></tr></tbody></table>

**Delivery Methods**

Delivery Methods are the different delivery services you may offer customers during checkout or when manually creating an Order.

Standard information held against a Delivery Method will include:

<table><thead><tr><th width="269">Data</th><th>Purpose</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Name the Delivery Method displayed to customers, e.g. Next Day Delivery</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Extended Description</strong></td><td>Explain the Delivery Method, providing additional context internally, and can also be used on your website.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Courier</strong></td><td>Assign a Courier from the pre-saved list held within Venditan Commerce.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Service Code</strong></td><td>Input a unique service code if supplied by the Courier.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Estimated Delivery Days</strong></td><td>Set the number of days it will take for this service to deliver.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Price, Tax &#x26; Markup</strong></td><td>Define the base price of the Delivery Method, along with any applicable taxes and markups.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Shipping Cost</strong></td><td>The price you are charged by the courier for this service. Can be automatically generated via our Ship Engine integration.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Weight &#x26; Dimensions</strong></td><td>Set weight and/or size thresholds for the Delivery Method.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Day Control</strong></td><td>Enable or disable the Delivery Method on particular days.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Cut-Off Time</strong></td><td>Set a daily cut-off time for the Delivery Method, after which any Orders will be processed the next business day. </td></tr><tr><td><strong>Service Group</strong></td><td>Collect related Delivery Methods under a Service Group, such as grouping all Next-Day options. </td></tr></tbody></table>

{% hint style="info" %}
**Windsor Framework**

All courier integrations supported by Venditan Commerce, whether direct or through third-party aggregators, are compatible with the regulatory requirements of the Windsor Framework. This ensures that consignments moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland meet the necessary compliance standards.
{% endhint %}

### Shipping Rules

**Shipping Rules** are applied to Delivery Methods to control when and for whom the method is available.

This vast functionality spans 40+ rules that can be used individually or combined to control Delivery Method eligibility.

Here are the most popular Shipping Rules.

<table><thead><tr><th width="224">Rule</th><th>Purpose</th><th>Example Use</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Order Value</strong></td><td>Limit Delivery Methods to baskets that meet specific Order Values.</td><td>Offer 'Free Delivery' on Orders over £100.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Country</strong></td><td>Control which countries a Delivery Method is available in.</td><td>Limit international Delivery Methods to intended countries.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Postcode</strong></td><td>Restrict or allow Delivery Method availability by individual postcodes.</td><td>Manage regional delivery limitations, e.g. Isle of Wight.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Sales Channel</strong></td><td>Control Delivery Method availability by Sales Channel.</td><td>Create specific Delivery Methods for international marketplaces.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Customer Type</strong></td><td>Control Delivery Method availability by Customer Type.</td><td>Offer premium Delivery Methods to Loyalty customers.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Weight/Height</strong></td><td>Enable or disable Delivery Methods depending on the total Weight/Height of the basket, or, the total Weight/Height of the heaviest product in the basket.</td><td>Adhere to Courier restrictions on package weights and dimensions.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Dispatch Location</strong></td><td>Control where the Order ships from.</td><td>Ensure the correct Courier and Delivery Method are used based on the warehouse or retail store.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Day of the Week</strong></td><td>Configure the rules based on specific days.</td><td>Weekend deliveries.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Product Tags</strong></td><td>Limit the Delivery Method to particular products by tagging them.</td><td>'Fragile' tagged products.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Product Category, Department or Season</strong></td><td>Limit the Delivery Method to particular Product Categories, Departments or Seasons.</td><td>Promotional campaigns.</td></tr></tbody></table>

Using the above functionality, we can configure any Shipping Rule you need to implement.

For clients with more complex shipping configurations, we offer a full-service solution and can manage this complex area of eCommerce for you.

***

### Review your Open Batches

The **Open Batches** screen displays all Orders awaiting collection, organised into batches by Location and Courier.

If tracking information is retrieved automatically through integration with a Courier, it will be populated for each relevant order. Tracking information can also be manually added to orders from this screen.

Additional actions include placing an order on hold, cancelling it, or reporting missing items.

{% hint style="success" %}
**Leading courier integrations**

We integrate with all leading courier services in the UK and Ireland to streamline this process.

Learn more: [Couriers & Logistics Integrations](/docs/integrations/couriers-and-logistics.md)
{% endhint %}

***

### Print a Manifest for the Courier

Some couriers require a manifest to accompany the shipments. If this is the case, you'll see an option in the platform to print the manifest after packing is completed.

This document provides the courier with a summary of the shipments, including package details, weights, and other necessary information.

Different couriers may have varying format requirements for their manifests. You can control these formats from your Printer Settings within Venditan Commerce, where you set up your printers and specify document types for each courier.

This ensures the manifest is printed in the correct format, tailored to each courier's specific needs, for a smooth handover.

***

### Automate your Order Communication

Once the Courier has collected the Order, closing off the Batch in Venditan Commerce will automatically send the Order Dispatch emails to the Customers.

Our intelligent **Delivery Date Change Notification/Detection System (DDCN/D)** will automatically update customers if their predicted delivery date changes.

The system detects real-time adjustments and sends notifications via email or SMS, keeping customers informed and ensuring transparency throughout the delivery process.

***

### Set up and offer a Delivery Subscription Service

Venditan Commerce enables you to offer a Delivery Subscription Service, similar to Amazon Prime, providing customers with exclusive delivery benefits.

Subscriptions are managed using recurring payments handled directly by your payment gateway, with tokenised card details securely stored for ongoing billing.

Subscribed customers are assigned a specific customer type, which unlocks a dedicated delivery method, such as free UK delivery, via a configurable shipping rule.

When a subscribed customer is logged in, their eligible delivery option is automatically presented at checkout. This setup provides a flexible, secure, and efficient way to drive loyalty and recurring revenue.


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