I have just released my own version of the UPS XML Rates and Services Shipping Module. I wanted to release it early to get feedback and bug reports. I dare say I have not tested it on any system but my own, so please consider it very beta.
I plan on improving this by extending it to support the more obscure features of the UPS XML gateway, and introduce intelligent product packing for anyone who has installed Tom Croix's Canada Post 3.1 module with dimensional support.
Enjoy.
Torin...
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4
2360 replies to this topic
#2
Posted 28 June 2003 - 06:21 AM
torin, Great module, thanks. I have it installed on a recent snapshot. All install went well. We set it up as follows:
------------------------------
Pickup Method
Customer Counter
Packaging Type
Customer Package
Customer Classification Code
03
Origin Zip/Postal Code
95118
Test or Production Mode
Test
Quote Type
Residential
Handling Fee
etc.
----------------------------
A handling fee of $10.00 does not seem to show up at all.
When selecting some shipping methods from UPS, rather than accepting the rate and moving on with the checkout, the rates all double and the screen to select a ship method is shown again. This appears to happen with 2 day, 3day and overnight, but ground seem to work fine.
Other rates work fine.
Thanks
frankj
------------------------------
Pickup Method
Customer Counter
Packaging Type
Customer Package
Customer Classification Code
03
Origin Zip/Postal Code
95118
Test or Production Mode
Test
Quote Type
Residential
Handling Fee
etc.
----------------------------
A handling fee of $10.00 does not seem to show up at all.
When selecting some shipping methods from UPS, rather than accepting the rate and moving on with the checkout, the rates all double and the screen to select a ship method is shown again. This appears to happen with 2 day, 3day and overnight, but ground seem to work fine.
Other rates work fine.
Thanks
frankj
#3
Posted 30 June 2003 - 04:55 AM
Warning: Call-time pass-by-reference has been deprecated - argument passed by value; If you would like to pass it by reference, modify the declaration of xml_set_object(). If you would like to enable call-time pass-by-reference, you can set allow_call_time_pass_reference to true in your INI file. However, future versions may not support this any longer.
Does this mean my hosting will not support xml..?
Does this mean my hosting will not support xml..?
#4
Posted 02 July 2003 - 12:57 PM
Guys,
I've found a few problems in the UPS XML module that I am addressing. I will release a fix very soon.
Are any of you guys using the DIMENSIONS support? This upcoming release will provide an admin interface and package configuration screen (allows you to configure shipping boxes, dimensions, weights) and the shipping module will use a simple box packing algorithm to fit your products into the least number of boxes. The quote is then based on the number of boxes, rather than the number of products you're selling.
Is there any interest in this kind of featureset, or should I publish the UPS XML Module with the option to turn it on/off? Making this an option will take considerably longer.
Torin...
I've found a few problems in the UPS XML module that I am addressing. I will release a fix very soon.
Are any of you guys using the DIMENSIONS support? This upcoming release will provide an admin interface and package configuration screen (allows you to configure shipping boxes, dimensions, weights) and the shipping module will use a simple box packing algorithm to fit your products into the least number of boxes. The quote is then based on the number of boxes, rather than the number of products you're selling.
Is there any interest in this kind of featureset, or should I publish the UPS XML Module with the option to turn it on/off? Making this an option will take considerably longer.
Torin...
#5
mugitty
-
- Members
- 1,201 posts
- Real Name:Stuart Owens
- Location:Great Southeastern Washington Desert, USA
Posted 02 July 2003 - 03:57 PM
Torin;
First, thank you for your efforts in creating this mod. Shipping variations and expense are probably one of the most critical issues that an online seller faces, judging from the number of "how much is the shipping" questions that I receive.
While what I propose below goes beyond the scope of UPS shipping alone, a big part of it relies on UPS*** so, hopefully, it will be of value in this discussion and something that would be considered useful to a wide range of osC users. I identify specific shipping methods below just for illustration, but the ideal arrangement would probably allow for any shipping method set up in a shop. For the example below, we are using UPS, USPS, Special Handling (for items larger or heavier than what the previous 2 allow) and In-Store pickup. The origin of shipments is within the continental US.
1) Shipping methods available selectable on a per item basis in the product addition area of Admin.
2) Provisions for entering dimensions (length, width, height) of a product package on a per item basis, as above. It might be appropriate to simply dictate that entering dimensions for a product would dictate that product be treated as a separate package, which would eliminate the need for #3 below.
3) Switch to indicate whether an item should be treated as a separate package when added to a cart.
4) ***UPS and USPS Dimensional Weight, Oversize 1 and Oversize 2 calculations should be considered where they apply to a given service. These vary by service company, type of service and destination, so that should be reflected when a shipping destination is chosen and the resulting rates shown to the customer should reflect only what is valid for their order and shipping destination.
5) The "Ship In Cart" contribution should also reflect the results.
6) If mixed items within a cart dictate separate packages, the results should show "Package 1", "Package 2", etc. and be added to the order total accordingly.
7) If conditions for #6 exist, a user configurable message should appear at the top of the shipping quotes, such as: "Some of the products in your cart require specific shipping methods. If we can combine packages to lower your shipping costs, we will do so and advise you of the changes."
I realize that the above may not be completely thought out and there are probably considerations that I haven't addressed. Furthermore, I am not a programmer, so what I propose may not be doable and is definitely WAY beyond my meager skills, but I am hoping that it may tickle the creative in someone here who is capable of programming something like this and sees it as a need that many shops might have.
First, thank you for your efforts in creating this mod. Shipping variations and expense are probably one of the most critical issues that an online seller faces, judging from the number of "how much is the shipping" questions that I receive.
While what I propose below goes beyond the scope of UPS shipping alone, a big part of it relies on UPS*** so, hopefully, it will be of value in this discussion and something that would be considered useful to a wide range of osC users. I identify specific shipping methods below just for illustration, but the ideal arrangement would probably allow for any shipping method set up in a shop. For the example below, we are using UPS, USPS, Special Handling (for items larger or heavier than what the previous 2 allow) and In-Store pickup. The origin of shipments is within the continental US.
1) Shipping methods available selectable on a per item basis in the product addition area of Admin.
2) Provisions for entering dimensions (length, width, height) of a product package on a per item basis, as above. It might be appropriate to simply dictate that entering dimensions for a product would dictate that product be treated as a separate package, which would eliminate the need for #3 below.
3) Switch to indicate whether an item should be treated as a separate package when added to a cart.
4) ***UPS and USPS Dimensional Weight, Oversize 1 and Oversize 2 calculations should be considered where they apply to a given service. These vary by service company, type of service and destination, so that should be reflected when a shipping destination is chosen and the resulting rates shown to the customer should reflect only what is valid for their order and shipping destination.
5) The "Ship In Cart" contribution should also reflect the results.
6) If mixed items within a cart dictate separate packages, the results should show "Package 1", "Package 2", etc. and be added to the order total accordingly.
7) If conditions for #6 exist, a user configurable message should appear at the top of the shipping quotes, such as: "Some of the products in your cart require specific shipping methods. If we can combine packages to lower your shipping costs, we will do so and advise you of the changes."
I realize that the above may not be completely thought out and there are probably considerations that I haven't addressed. Furthermore, I am not a programmer, so what I propose may not be doable and is definitely WAY beyond my meager skills, but I am hoping that it may tickle the creative in someone here who is capable of programming something like this and sees it as a need that many shops might have.
... if you want to REALLY see something that doesn't set up right out of the box without some tweaking,
try being a Foster Parent!
try being a Foster Parent!
#6
Posted 03 July 2003 - 02:15 PM
Mugitty,
Thank you for your input. I'm hoping to address as many issues as possible with this UPS module, not so much with the module itself, but with surrounding support (perhaps in the form of other modules upon which the UPS module depends) in order to improve the overall osCommerce payment and shipping systems. So far, I can see it breaking down into at least three separate modules:
A dimensional support module (adds LWH and Ready To Ship to products, plus a global dimensions switch - more on this in a moment)
The UPS XML module with Intellipak®
A packaging admin module - Packaging administration and library support - if this module is installed, other shipping modules can avail themselves of its packing algorithms.
The trick is convincing everyone that shipping matters this much!
Pertaining to your suggestions, the items I have successfully addressed so far are:
2) Provisions for entering dimensions (length, width, height) of a product package on a per item basis, as above.
3) Switch to indicate whether an item should be treated as a separate package when added to a cart.
Item (3) is treated with a "Ready To Ship" switch indicating the product is already boxed and ready to ship. It is simply added to the total number of boxes.
As for the remaining items (1, 4, 5, and 6), my module only optimizes to reduce the total number of packages but could be modified to quote against all the available shipping methods and return the lowest combination of shipping methods that both satisfy a lowest cost criteron and any shipping constraints set by the admin or inherent in the products purchased (such as permitting packages to ship separately, or oversize).
Perhaps you could provide me with an example of a customer purchasing two items and having each sent by a different courier. I personally would prefer to have everything arrive at the same time, and by the same service.
Torin...
Thank you for your input. I'm hoping to address as many issues as possible with this UPS module, not so much with the module itself, but with surrounding support (perhaps in the form of other modules upon which the UPS module depends) in order to improve the overall osCommerce payment and shipping systems. So far, I can see it breaking down into at least three separate modules:
A dimensional support module (adds LWH and Ready To Ship to products, plus a global dimensions switch - more on this in a moment)
The UPS XML module with Intellipak®
A packaging admin module - Packaging administration and library support - if this module is installed, other shipping modules can avail themselves of its packing algorithms.
The trick is convincing everyone that shipping matters this much!
Pertaining to your suggestions, the items I have successfully addressed so far are:
2) Provisions for entering dimensions (length, width, height) of a product package on a per item basis, as above.
3) Switch to indicate whether an item should be treated as a separate package when added to a cart.
Item (3) is treated with a "Ready To Ship" switch indicating the product is already boxed and ready to ship. It is simply added to the total number of boxes.
As for the remaining items (1, 4, 5, and 6), my module only optimizes to reduce the total number of packages but could be modified to quote against all the available shipping methods and return the lowest combination of shipping methods that both satisfy a lowest cost criteron and any shipping constraints set by the admin or inherent in the products purchased (such as permitting packages to ship separately, or oversize).
Perhaps you could provide me with an example of a customer purchasing two items and having each sent by a different courier. I personally would prefer to have everything arrive at the same time, and by the same service.
Torin...
#7
Posted 03 July 2003 - 02:22 PM
Frank,
Let me look into the handling fee. As far as the rate doubling and shipping screen showing up again, enable logging and take a look at the XML response from UPS. It might be throwing an error that I failed to catch.
Torin...
Quote
torin, Great module, thanks. I have it installed on a recent snapshot. All install went well. We set it up as follows:
[snip]
A handling fee of $10.00 does not seem to show up at all.
When selecting some shipping methods from UPS, rather than accepting the rate and moving on with the checkout, the rates all double and the screen to select a ship method is shown again. This appears to happen with 2 day, 3day and overnight, but ground seem to work fine.
[snip]
A handling fee of $10.00 does not seem to show up at all.
When selecting some shipping methods from UPS, rather than accepting the rate and moving on with the checkout, the rates all double and the screen to select a ship method is shown again. This appears to happen with 2 day, 3day and overnight, but ground seem to work fine.
Let me look into the handling fee. As far as the rate doubling and shipping screen showing up again, enable logging and take a look at the XML response from UPS. It might be throwing an error that I failed to catch.
Torin...
#8
mugitty
-
- Members
- 1,201 posts
- Real Name:Stuart Owens
- Location:Great Southeastern Washington Desert, USA
Posted 03 July 2003 - 02:57 PM
Torin;
I agree, and usually, this is possible but here are a few examples that come to mind:
1) Cart contents
Engine short block - 50 pounds
Repair manual and extra air filters
This can all go UPS Ground, but the short block is being drop-shipped from the distributor* and the remaining items being sent from our store, with USPS Priority Mail being the most economical means (* I won't even get into the differences created by a separate originating ZIP code - this is a situation where I think I just have to live with the differences because I can't think of any way one could have the cart accomodate these variations within a given customer's shopping cart - luckily, in our case, the distributor's location is generally near enough to us that the differences are minimal).
2) Cart contents
String trimmer - 12 pounds, dimensions 60 x 10 x 10
Leaf blower - 18 pounds, dimensions 24 x 24 x 20
Again, all can go UPS Ground, but the first item falls into the Oversize 1 category (billable shipping weight 30 lbs.), while the second doesn't. They are both ready-to-ship packages and nothing would be gained by trying to ship both in one package (plus it would probably exceed the maximum per package size if they were combined).
Then there are the considerations for shipments that need to be Oversize rated if going UPS Ground or UPS Standard to Canada, but need to be Dimensional rated if going Second day air or Next day air.
There are a 'ton' of possible variations of course, and I don't believe that any system could deal with all of them dynamically (although I dream of someone proving me wrong), but I am in total agreement with you as to the need for something that would address as many of these issues as possible, thus reducing the "special handling" situations to a minimum.
Quote
Perhaps you could provide me with an example of a customer purchasing two items and having each sent by a different courier. I personally would prefer to have everything arrive at the same time, and by the same service.
I agree, and usually, this is possible but here are a few examples that come to mind:
1) Cart contents
Engine short block - 50 pounds
Repair manual and extra air filters
This can all go UPS Ground, but the short block is being drop-shipped from the distributor* and the remaining items being sent from our store, with USPS Priority Mail being the most economical means (* I won't even get into the differences created by a separate originating ZIP code - this is a situation where I think I just have to live with the differences because I can't think of any way one could have the cart accomodate these variations within a given customer's shopping cart - luckily, in our case, the distributor's location is generally near enough to us that the differences are minimal).
2) Cart contents
String trimmer - 12 pounds, dimensions 60 x 10 x 10
Leaf blower - 18 pounds, dimensions 24 x 24 x 20
Again, all can go UPS Ground, but the first item falls into the Oversize 1 category (billable shipping weight 30 lbs.), while the second doesn't. They are both ready-to-ship packages and nothing would be gained by trying to ship both in one package (plus it would probably exceed the maximum per package size if they were combined).
Then there are the considerations for shipments that need to be Oversize rated if going UPS Ground or UPS Standard to Canada, but need to be Dimensional rated if going Second day air or Next day air.
There are a 'ton' of possible variations of course, and I don't believe that any system could deal with all of them dynamically (although I dream of someone proving me wrong), but I am in total agreement with you as to the need for something that would address as many of these issues as possible, thus reducing the "special handling" situations to a minimum.
... if you want to REALLY see something that doesn't set up right out of the box without some tweaking,
try being a Foster Parent!
try being a Foster Parent!
#9
Posted 03 July 2003 - 07:17 PM
Stuart,
I can see a few possible simple solutions, but we're treading into Enterprise grade shipping solutions here. Unfortunately, I don't have the time to develop such an elaborate system unless a) My business needs it; and
My business earns enough to cover what I would lose by not working full time at a real job ;-), or, c) The osCommerce community all gather together and chip in to have me develop it for them.
Perhaps one day, when my business requires it, I will spend more time on developing a more elaborate system. Right now, I'm trying to contend with the existing issues of supposedly drop-in shipping modules! Not one is!
The Canada Post 3.1 module I had installed adds an extra 3 kg to the shipping cost for no apparent reason. Just the way the guy laid out his variables. I've fixed it in mine (since I derived code from his), but now I've got to go and fix his module as well. Good lord...
Anyway, I can see one quick fix that would require little more than a week's worth of evening-in-front-of-the-tv programming effort:
This could be done easily with multiple shipping locations. Since I am now proficient with developing admin interfaces for osCommerce, I could see a shipping origin configuration utility and product modification whereby one can choose from which location the product ships. I wouldn't want to keep it that simple however... I would want this module customizable, and intelligent. I would want to be able to configure a product such that it ships from the nearest location, and it would necessarily have to update the stock at that location. Every time you consider an option, another option pops up. Feature Creep will get ya.
I wouldn't want to package these together. I just set the flag READY_TO_SHIP so the shipping module will treat the item as a box ready for shipping rather than a product that needs to be packed. I then send out the list of boxes to UPS for quotation.
As far as the oversize option goes, I can support it one of two ways: Program in every location on earth along with the corresponding maximum dimensions (UPS has a table for this), or allow the customer to specify what oversize means. The latter seems far simpler.
If the package exceeds the admin-defined dimensions and/or weight, an oversize=1 (or 2, or 3...) is added to the XML request for that package.
I'll take a look and see if I can quickly implement oversize.
See, this is where I let the UPS do most of the work. Their XML gateway is smart enough, provided I've submitted dimensions and specific locations, to adjust the cost according to any oversize requirements. That is, if I ship a package of 60x30x30 from the US to Canada, the XML gateway should adjust the rate according to the oversize requirement you just mentioned, and quote it accordingly.
I seem to get more accurate quotes when I provide extended details. Earlier modules (UPS Choices 1.7) only used zip and weight. I use City, Province/State, Country, and Postalcode/Zip, plus Length, Width, Height and Weight.
What has been your experience with the existing shipping modules? I haven't really tested any others because I've got my head buried in code. From the looks of it though, both the Canada Post 3.1 and the UPS Choices 1.7 module seem to treat quotations weirdly:
UPS Choices 1.7 uses the weight provided by osCommerce (which is correct) and multiplies the rate by the number of boxes (shipping tare weight / product weight - which is wrong)
The Canada Post module is just as bad. This one submits all the products and their quantities to Canada Post and lets them figure out how many boxes to use, but then returns a rate multiplied by the number of boxes provided initially by osCommerce, not Canada post.
I'm not sure why they work the way they do, or how they might be working for their authors...
Torin...
I can see a few possible simple solutions, but we're treading into Enterprise grade shipping solutions here. Unfortunately, I don't have the time to develop such an elaborate system unless a) My business needs it; and
My business earns enough to cover what I would lose by not working full time at a real job ;-), or, c) The osCommerce community all gather together and chip in to have me develop it for them.Perhaps one day, when my business requires it, I will spend more time on developing a more elaborate system. Right now, I'm trying to contend with the existing issues of supposedly drop-in shipping modules! Not one is!
The Canada Post 3.1 module I had installed adds an extra 3 kg to the shipping cost for no apparent reason. Just the way the guy laid out his variables. I've fixed it in mine (since I derived code from his), but now I've got to go and fix his module as well. Good lord...
Anyway, I can see one quick fix that would require little more than a week's worth of evening-in-front-of-the-tv programming effort:
Quote
here are a few examples that come to mind:
1) Cart contents
Engine short block - 50 pounds
Repair manual and extra air filters
This can all go UPS Ground, but the short block is being drop-shipped from the distributor*
1) Cart contents
Engine short block - 50 pounds
Repair manual and extra air filters
This can all go UPS Ground, but the short block is being drop-shipped from the distributor*
This could be done easily with multiple shipping locations. Since I am now proficient with developing admin interfaces for osCommerce, I could see a shipping origin configuration utility and product modification whereby one can choose from which location the product ships. I wouldn't want to keep it that simple however... I would want this module customizable, and intelligent. I would want to be able to configure a product such that it ships from the nearest location, and it would necessarily have to update the stock at that location. Every time you consider an option, another option pops up. Feature Creep will get ya.
Quote
2) Cart contents
String trimmer - 12 pounds, dimensions 60 x 10 x 10
Leaf blower - 18 pounds, dimensions 24 x 24 x 20
Again, all can go UPS Ground, but the first item falls into the Oversize 1 category (billable shipping weight 30 lbs.), while the second doesn't.
String trimmer - 12 pounds, dimensions 60 x 10 x 10
Leaf blower - 18 pounds, dimensions 24 x 24 x 20
Again, all can go UPS Ground, but the first item falls into the Oversize 1 category (billable shipping weight 30 lbs.), while the second doesn't.
I wouldn't want to package these together. I just set the flag READY_TO_SHIP so the shipping module will treat the item as a box ready for shipping rather than a product that needs to be packed. I then send out the list of boxes to UPS for quotation.
As far as the oversize option goes, I can support it one of two ways: Program in every location on earth along with the corresponding maximum dimensions (UPS has a table for this), or allow the customer to specify what oversize means. The latter seems far simpler.
If the package exceeds the admin-defined dimensions and/or weight, an oversize=1 (or 2, or 3...) is added to the XML request for that package.
I'll take a look and see if I can quickly implement oversize.
Quote
Then there are the considerations for shipments that need to be Oversize rated if going UPS Ground or UPS Standard to Canada, but need to be Dimensional rated if going Second day air or Next day air.
See, this is where I let the UPS do most of the work. Their XML gateway is smart enough, provided I've submitted dimensions and specific locations, to adjust the cost according to any oversize requirements. That is, if I ship a package of 60x30x30 from the US to Canada, the XML gateway should adjust the rate according to the oversize requirement you just mentioned, and quote it accordingly.
I seem to get more accurate quotes when I provide extended details. Earlier modules (UPS Choices 1.7) only used zip and weight. I use City, Province/State, Country, and Postalcode/Zip, plus Length, Width, Height and Weight.
What has been your experience with the existing shipping modules? I haven't really tested any others because I've got my head buried in code. From the looks of it though, both the Canada Post 3.1 and the UPS Choices 1.7 module seem to treat quotations weirdly:
UPS Choices 1.7 uses the weight provided by osCommerce (which is correct) and multiplies the rate by the number of boxes (shipping tare weight / product weight - which is wrong)
The Canada Post module is just as bad. This one submits all the products and their quantities to Canada Post and lets them figure out how many boxes to use, but then returns a rate multiplied by the number of boxes provided initially by osCommerce, not Canada post.
I'm not sure why they work the way they do, or how they might be working for their authors...
Torin...
#10
Posted 09 July 2003 - 11:11 PM
Where do I get an XML Rates account and key? PLEASE HELP!!!
WhizzKid :D
http://xnet.3dg.net/
http://xnet.3dg.net/
#14
Posted 10 July 2003 - 12:22 AM
mine isnt either-its cuz we dont have CURL on our servers
WhizzKid :D
http://xnet.3dg.net/
http://xnet.3dg.net/
#15
Posted 10 July 2003 - 12:30 AM
I'm getting...
Thomas
Quote
Warning: Call-time pass-by-reference has been deprecated - argument passed by value; If you would like to pass it by reference, modify the declaration of fsockopen(). If you would like to enable call-time pass-by-reference, you can set allow_call_time_pass_reference to true in your INI file. However, future versions may not support this any longer. in catalog/includes/modules/shipping/upsxml.php on line 431
Thomas
#18
Posted 11 July 2003 - 03:38 PM
Guys,
Re: Deprecated pass-by-reference error:
Just remove the _sendToHost function call. It's old code from the UPS Choices 1.7 module and is has been superceded by the _post method.
Thanks for pointing this out. I'll remove the method from the new release.
Torin...
Re: Deprecated pass-by-reference error:
Just remove the _sendToHost function call. It's old code from the UPS Choices 1.7 module and is has been superceded by the _post method.
Thanks for pointing this out. I'll remove the method from the new release.
Torin...
#20
Posted 11 July 2003 - 03:57 PM
The URL to the UPS XML Rates and Services Module (1.01):
http://www.oscommerce.com/community/contri...ons,1323/page,3
Torin...
http://www.oscommerce.com/community/contri...ons,1323/page,3
Torin...
