When your business has large amounts of inventory to send out, you’ll want to install shipping and rating software for use in your warehouse. Once you download the rating software, you can calculate the amounts you’ll have to pay to ship out a product and then pass that cost onto your customer.

Shipping software can give you the ability to look at different rates from a variety of companies that offer shipping services. Most likely, you’ll want business shipping software that gives rates offered by the United States Postal Service, UPS and Federal Express.

1. Decide on the features you need from shipping management software. Besides standard mailing rates, you may need freight software as well that offers information on the cost to set up freight delivery.

2. Find rating and shipping software suppliers. Compare the cost of each product along with the features and support available from the manufacturer.

3. Purchase shipping software. Install the shipment software and provide training for employees on the software.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy shipping and receiving software

You'll find multiple software companies that offer reliable shipping and receiving software programs. With this software, you can find out the cost and time frame needed for your inventory to arrive at the selected destination. You can also utilize the features to track packages and delivery of your incoming shipments.

I recommend: Choose your business size on Dydacomp in order to receive a shipping software recommendation. You can also choose your industry to get an even more specialized rating software program recommendation. Pacejet Logistics will also give you multiple types of shipping and rating software solutions to choose from. The software packages from this company appeal to warehouse operations.

Obtain freight rating software

When you have to outsource your freight shipping needs, you'll need transport software that can generate you multiple estimates. Freight software programs will also give you features to manage fuel surcharge rates, label printing and more.

I recommend: Through Xerious Solutions, you’ll find a freight rating software package that can help manage your larger delivery items. Besides providing rate estimates, the software can integrate with multiple accounting programs. Request a demo from Cass Information Systems, Inc. on their freight software program. The company offers a comprehensive freight transport software program at a very reasonable cost.

Install free shipping software

If you're on a tight budget, you may want to save by using free shipping software to calculate the cost to mail your products. Many free rating software programs will give you the same accuracy of paid programs.

I recommend: On the NewFreeDownloads.com website, you can find multiple versions of UPSS available for download. This rating software will give you fast and free quotes from multiple carriers by proving zip code information. You can find free label printing and shipping software from Dispatch-Labels.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  You may want to consider installing a complete mail order management system as part of your shipment software. With this type of program, you'll not only receive mailing rates, but also have the ability manage customer orders and inventory.