In addition to the traditional way of parcel stamp printing via delivery bill and parcel stamp format, you can also perform parcel stamp printing with CSV files. In this article you will find information about the approach and the special cases DPD (CSV) and GLS (CSV).
Often there is software from the parcel service provider that expects a CSV file in a local directory. In this case xentral runs on a web server in a remote network. Then you have to mount the files or directory locally. Many hosters, e.g. All-inkl., offer simple shares via network drive. So you can create a file from xentral and mount it locally via the network drive. Alternatively you can work with a FTP program that copies a FTP directory cyclically, e.g. http://www.watchftp.com/.
To create a directory, do the following:
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Create a directory on your xentral server (in the web space where xentral is installed). From this directory a shipping software, e.g. .csv, can fetch information to generate package labels
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The fetching can be done e.g. via a folder share, e.g. publish via Windows share, or via FTP
Parcel mark printing in xentral with the shipping service provider DPD works in two ways: Either you use the conventional shipping method DPD or you perform parcel mark printing with CSV as described here.
Create a new shipping method under Administration > Settings > Shipping methods > Overview > +NEW > DPD (CSV).
Fill in the following fields:
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Designation: Freely select a designation for the shipping method. This will be displayed in xentral among others in the order for selection in the drop-down menu
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Type: Enter the type/field description. You can generally choose this as long as it is not necessary for the store mapping or other mappings. Ideally you should keep the default setting
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Module: Select DPD CSV from the drop-down menu
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Project: Optionally select a project, provided that a separate DPD(CSV) shipping type is created for each project
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Active: By checking this box you activate the shipping method and make it visible and usable
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No postage check: By checking this box, no postage check will be performed in the order
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Printer parcel label: Select from the drop-down menu the default printer that prints the parcel labels
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Printer Export: Select from the drop-down menu the default printer that prints the export documents
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Shipping Mail: Select from the drop-down menu the behavior of the shipping mail. "Default behavior" means that a default tracking mail will be sent, "no shipping mail" means that no tracking mail will be sent for this shipping type, and "custom text template" means that a custom shipping confirmation text template will be used for this shipping type, regardless of project and logistics process
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Standard weight: Specify the standard weight of a package in kg
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Export as single file: By ticking, a separate file will be sent for each package
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Tracking number start position: Enter the barcode of the internal start position
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Tracking number length: Enter the desired length of the tracking number. If you enter "0", all or the entire tracking number will be used
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Remove tracking number DPD identifier: Check the box to remove the DPD identifier from the tracking number
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DPD identifier: enter the DPD identifier
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DPD Path: Specify the DPD directory where the documents to be printed will be stored. The files will be stored locally on the server
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Test: Use the Create test file button to create a CSV test file. But first click on the Save button to save all data
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userdata: Here is your xentral userdata path
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DPD file extension: Enter the file extension for DPD
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DPD Format: Specify the DPD format. The following variables are available to you: {name}, {name2}, {name3}, {street}, {house number}, {zip code}, {city}, {country}, {weight}, {procedure}, {product}, {service}, {dispatch}, {delivery note number}, {customer number}, {dateline number}, {dateline date}, and {internet}
Finally, click on the Save button.
Parcel mark printing in xentral is possible not only via DPD (CSV) DELISprint, but also via GLS (CSV).
To use GLS as a shipping method in xentral, you must first create a new shipping method. To do this, create a new shipping method under Administration > Settings > Shipping methods > Overview > +NEW > GLS (CSV).
After you have selected the module GLS CSV from the drop-down menu, the relevant fields for GLS will appear.
Fill in the following fields:
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Designation: Freely select a designation for the shipping method. This will be displayed in xentral, among others, in the order for selection in the drop-down menu
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Type: Enter the type/field description. You can generally choose this as long as it is not necessary for the store mapping or other mappings. Ideally you should keep the default setting
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Module: Select GLS CSV from the drop-down menu
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Project: Optionally select a project, provided that a separate GLS shipping type is created for each project
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Active: Tick the checkbox to activate the shipping method and make it visible and usable
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No postage check: By checking this box, no postage check will be performed in the order
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Printer parcel label: Select from the drop-down menu the default printer that prints the parcel labels
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Printer Export: Select from the drop-down menu the default printer that prints the export documents
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Shipping Mail: From the drop-down menu, select the behavior of the shipping mail. "Default behavior" means that a standard tracking mail will be sent, "no shipping mail" means that no tracking mail will be sent for this shipping type and "custom text template" means that a custom shipping confirmation text template will be used for this shipping type, independent of the project and logistics process
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Standard weight: Specify the standard weight of your shipments in kg. This will then be filled in automatically in the shipping dialog
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Export as single file: By checking the box, a separate export file will be sent for each package, default: export documents on the same document as the package label
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Tracking number start position: Enter the barcode of the internal start position. Everything before this position will be truncated from the tracking number (e.g. start position 3, tracking number "abcdef" > "def")
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Tracking number length: enter the length of the tracking number from the start position
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Remove tracking number GLS identifier: Check the box to remove the GLS identifier from the tracking number
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Path: Specify the directory where the documents to be printed will be stored. The files will be stored locally on the server
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Test: Use the Test button to create a test file. Before you do so, save your data with the Save button
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userdata: Here is your userdata path at xentral
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file extension: enter the file extension of the created document, e.g. .csv
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Format: You have several values to choose from as variables, which you can use to determine the format. These are: {NAME}, {NAME2}, {NAME3}, {STREET}, {HOUSE NUMBER}, {ZIP CODE}, {LOCATION}, {COUNTRY}, {WEIGHT}, {PROCEDURE}, {PRODUCT}, {SERVICE}, {AMOUNT}, {RECEIPT TEXT}, {DELIVERY NOTE NUMBER}, {CUSTOMER NUMBER}, {INTERNET NUMBER}, {DATETODAY}, {INTERNET}
Finally click on the Save button.
In the interface for DPD as well as in the one for GLS you have the possibility to create and test your information via a test file. In any case, save the information you have entered by clicking on the Save button at the bottom right of the page.
A prerequisite for using the test file is that you have previously entered a valid and accessible storage location for the documents in the Path field.