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Holly Ocasio Rizzo

Guide to Using United Parcel Service (UPS) More Effectively

Discover helpful tools and services you might not have known about

By Holly Ocasio Rizzo, Writer and editor, Holly Ocasio Rizzo

United Parcel Service (UPS) has long been a trusted shipping partner for small businesses everywhere. And its focus remains helping businesses ship and receive letters, freight and parcels quickly, conveniently and cost-effectively.

But "Brown" may have more tools and services than you know about. For example, UPS offers:

  1. Time saving solutions for you and your customers
  2. Delivery services worldwide
  3. Online lists and label printing, logistics management solutions and even small business financing.
  4. Bulk mailing services delivered by the U.S. Postal Service

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


Save money with pickups

On-call pickup means you and your employees save precious work time. Daily pickup accounts, for which a driver stops by every day, save money on shipping but cost a weekly fee.
I recommend: Schedule a pickup, or compare rates for daily and on-call services.

Handle your shipping easily online

You'll find guidelines at your fingertips, as well as online tools to make UPS more convenient and useful.
I recommend: Find guidelines about packing, weight and size, and forms. Online tools generate cost estimates, provide proof of delivery and offer other services.

Check how far your package has gone

Package tracking lets you and your customers learn when a shipment leaves and when and where it transfers until it's delivered.
I recommend: Get on track with shipment tracking.

See who took delivery

Optional signature tracking clues in you and your customer to when and where delivery was made.
I recommend: Learn about signature tracking. Quantum View provides email notification.

Call on UPS when designing an efficient shipping system

UPS offers consultant services to create a shipping system that works best for your business needs. These include logistics and distribution, post-sales support, and transportation management on air, water and land.
I recommend: Supply Chain Services offers a menu of possibilities.

Ship it overseas

The Global Advisor page links to essential information for international shipping.
I recommend: Get a primer to international shipping, information about U.S. Customs brokerage, and international shipment forms. Refer to the entire Global Advisor page for more information.

Let UPS streamline your regular postal operations

UPS Mail Innovations sorts, codes and distributes your bulk mailings for insertion into the U.S. Postal Service system. The service is designed uniquely for your business.
I recommend: Find out what Mail Innovations can do for you.

Need a small business loan? Ask UPS

UPS Capital, a branch of UPS, offers a variety of insurance, credit, capital, fleet management and other services.
I recommend: Select from UPS Capital's menu.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

  • It's easy to set up a UPS account; you can do it online with a few clicks.
  • How much will it cost, and how long will delivery take? Online calculators help you to estimate the cost and time for domestic and international door-to-door shipments.
  • In a changing shipping climate, keep up to date on rules and regulations at the UPS home page.

The official source of Using United Parcel Service (UPS) More Effectively is
the UPS page at Business.com

Recommended Solution Providers

UPS Supply Chain Solutions: Logistics
Single-source solution for sourcing, manufacturing, transportation distribution and order fulfillment.

UPS Supply Chain Solutions: Order Fulfillment
UPS is a provider of order fulfillment services including warehousing, supply chain solutions, and distribution.

Best Sites to Learn More

UPS: Shipping Advice
UPS gives your small business all the information needed to help your choose the right shipping service.

UPS: Packaging Advice
Choose the right packaging for your product based on method of transport and materials.

UPS: Package Tracking
With your tracking number/s on hand, this search page enables you to track up to 25 UPS packages at a time.

UPS: Track by Email
UPS provides the capability to track as many as 25 UPS packages at a time by sending your tracking numbers in an e-mail message.



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Daniel Kehrer

Order Fulfillment

How you fulfill orders can have a major impact on your business
When it comes to shipping and fulfillment solutions for small business, it is definitely NOT one size fits all. Key variables include the type, weight, size and destination of the items you ship, along with customer needs and expectations. Don't take fulfillment lightly. It is often the final touch-point with your customer, and poorly packaged items, slow, botched or overly pricy shipping can be a real turnoff. Don't make ... Read more

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