Prepare for When Your eCommerce Platform is Unable to Pull Real-Time-Rates
On January 21, 2012 from 9:00pm CST until 11:00pm CST FedEx will be unable to respond to Rating or Shipping requests due to a FedEX scheduled production outage. If your ecommerce platform in integrated with FedEx Web Services, FedEx Ship Manager API, or FedEx Ship Manager Direct you will be unable to quote real time shipping rates or create FedEx Shipping labels during this two hour window. While it is unlikely that you would have to create a shipping label on a Saturday night, it is quite possible that you will have customers shopping during this outage.
If your store provides real time shipping rates to your customers it is important that you have a “back up” shipping structure in place for such outages. Even if you ship with another carrier, it is always advisable that you have a shipping rate(s) that you can return in the event that your carrier’s real time rates are not available for whatever reason.
If you currently use Nexternal’s ecommerce platform it is very simple to set up a shipping rates structure as a backup in the Settings section under Shipping. If you do not yet have a structure in place or have questions about the best calculation method to use, please contact your Account Manager. They are highly knowledgeable about shipping options and are happy to help.
Craig is the VP of Sales at Nexternal and is known in the industry as an expert in eCommerce, systems integrations, and online marketing. Craig has been with Nexternal since 2000 and his passion and experience are apparent to all who work with him.
