FedEx Ship Manager Integration (Cafe)

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Overview

• SEOM integrates with the standalone FedEx Ship Manager (Cafe) shipping software by means of an ODBC connection abbreviation for Open Database Connectivity, which is the technology that allows applications to access data from a database, independent of the programming language of the application, or the operating system upon which it is run. For example, Monsoon OMS uses an ODBC Connection to share information with UPS WorldShip., which allows data to pass back and forth between the systems so that the user does not need to manually re-type shipping and tracking information. If you have multiple SEOM store files, the steps outlined in this topic have to be performed for each store file the database used by Monsoon OMS that contains all order, customer, inventory and supplier records related to a given "store"., and a different "Integration Profile" should be created in Ship Manager for each data file. The Integration Profile contains user preferences and field mapping information, as well as the ODBC connection to the SEOM store file.   

• Contact FedEx to obtain the Ship Manager software (FedEx Web site). You must already have an established account with FedEx before the software can be installed and the registration process can be completed.

• The images in this topic were produced in an Access 2003/Windows XP environment and may differ slightly in other environments, but the same functionality is available in later editions. Refer to the Help system of the installed versions of Access or Windows for more assistance.

• The images for the FedEx Ship Manager software in this topic may be slightly out of date, but should provide enough guidance for the user to complete the necessary steps.

SQL Store Data Files: Preliminary Setup Steps (Enterprise Edition only)

Enterprise Edition users who use an SQL database as a their SEOM store data file the MS Access or SQL database that contains the users order information and program preferences. It does not contain Reports, which are housed in the Monsoon OMS program file (MS Access database). must perform some additional steps that are not necessary when an MS Access database is used.

If you are not an Enterprise user or do not use an SQL database, skip to MS Access Store Data File: Define an ODBC Connection and continue with those instructions.

Create an Intermediary Database and Link Tables from the Order Manager's Store File

1. Launch Microsoft Access.

2. Create a blank MS Access database (File>New>Blank Database) named OMExternalShipping.mdb, or something similar, in the C:\StoneEdge directory of the workstation where FedEx Ship Manager is installed.

3. Open the newly created database and go to File > External Data> ODBC Database.

4. Select to "left-click" the mouse on an object, usually a row in a table, in the context of Monsoon OMS documentation Link to the data source by creating a linked table and click OK.  

5. The Select Data Source dialog opens.

6. Click on the Machine Data Source tab and locate the System DSN Data Source Name - associates a specific SQL Server, driver, and database together in a connection string used to access the data. for the Order Manager's store data file (which was created when the SQL database was converted from an MS Access database).

It should be noted that the Order Manager is a 32-bit application and an ODBC connection made through the Order Manager (Convert to SQL process, Worldship Setup function ) will not be visible via the default ODBC Data Source Administrator utility of a 64-bit Operating system. Refer to Knowledge Base topic, Windows 64-Bit Operating System Considerations, for instructions on locating the compatible 32-bit ODBC utility.

7. Select the correct DSN and click OK.

8. The Link Tables dialog opens.

9. While holding either the Shift or Ctrl keys down, select the tables, dbo.Orders and dbo.ShippingMethods, and click OK.

10. The OMExternalShipping: Database screen synonymous with the Microsoft Access Form object or graphical user interface (GUI) appears, showing the linked tables.

Import the Shipping Information Query (WorldshipOrdersSQL) into the Intermediary Database

Although, the shipping information query has "Worldship" in it's name, this same query is also used for any external shipping software package that supports the use of an ODBC connection, such as FedEx Ship Manager or DHL DBConnect, etc.  

1. From the MS Access menu (not pictured), select File > External Data > Import & Link > Access.

2. Click Browse and navigate to the Order Manager's program file The MS Access database that contains the Monsoon OMS application code. This database does not contain the user's order information, which is housed in the Store Data File. The program file name begins with SEOrdMan* and has the extension of .mdb. (SEOrdManEnt2007.mdb).

3. Click Browse and navigate to the Order Manager's program file (SEOrdManEnt2007.mdb).

4. Select Import tables, queries, forms user interface through which users are able to interact with the program. The terms "form" and "screen" are used interchangeably throughout the documentation., reports, macros, and modules into the current database. Click OK.

5. The Import Objects dialog opens, select the Queries tab.

6. Select WorldshipOrdersSQL, and click OK.

7. If you want to Save the Import Steps, select that box.

8. Click Close.

9. The WorldshipOrdersSQL query is now listed in the Queries section of the OMExternalShipping database.

Define an ODBC Connection for the Intermediary Database

1. Create a new System DSN for the OMExternalShipping database, using the 32-bit version of the ODBC Data Source Administrator utility.

2. Windows XP users simply go to Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Data Sources (ODBC). If a 64-bit edition of Windows is used, review the Knowledge Base topic Windows 64-bit Operating System Considerations for information about how to execute the 32-bit compatible utility.

3. When the ODBC Data Source Administrator form appears, click Add.

5. At the Create New Data Source screen, select Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb) from the list of Name(s).

6. Click Finish.

7. The ODBC Microsoft Access Setup screen opens. Enter a meaningful name in the Data Source Name field, and optionally, a description.

8. Click Select and navigate to the location of the database created in step 2 (OMExternalShipping.mdb) of section, Create an Intermediary Database and Link Tables in SEOM's Store File.

9. Click the OK buttons on the Select Database screen and the ODBC Microsoft Access Setup screen.

10. The user is returned to the ODBC Source Administrator screen, where the new connection is visible.

11. Continue on to section MS Access Store Data File: Define an ODBC Connection and complete those instructions.

MS Access Store Data File: Define an ODBC Connection

An ODBC connection to SEOM's store data file must be created on each workstation where Ship Manager will be used to print shipping labels for SEOM orders.

If an ODBC connection to the store data file has already been defined for some other purpose, such as for use with another external shipping application, it is possible to use that same ODBC definition in conjunction with Ship Manager. In that case, skip to Configuring FedEx Ship Manager and follow those instructions. Otherwise, complete the following steps:

1. Go to Main Menu > Settings > System Functions > Store Setup Wizard > Shipping.

2. Click Create System DSN/ODBC Connection.  

3. The Enter name for System DSN dialog box opens.

4. Enter a name for the ODBC connection between Ship Manager and your store's data file, such as "OMSTOREDATAFILE". The name cannot have spaces or punctuation in it. If more than one store file is used, and you will be printing labels for orders from both stores through FedEx Ship Manager, it might be helpful to use the store name in the System DSN to easily tell them apart.

Be aware that an ODBC connection made through SEOM (Shipping Setup Wizard or UPS WorldShip Setup) is 32-bit and is not visible via the default Data Connections utility in the Administrative Tools section of the Control Panel of a 64-bit Windows operating system. Refer to Windows 64-Bit Operating System Considerations, for more information.

Microsoft Access is a 32-bit application and cannot use an ODBC connection created in 64-bit mode.

5. Click OK create the ODBC connection. Make a note of the name as you will need it later when setting up Ship Manager.

6. The program pops a message box to indicate the creation of the ODBC connection and the addition of the WorldShip queries to the SEOM store data file.  

7. Click OK to acknowledge the end of the process.

Configuring FedEx Ship Manager

Once the FedEx Ship Manager application has been downloaded and installed,you can create an Integration Profile to complete the connection between SEOM and Ship Manager.

Creating a FedEx Ship Manager Integration Profile

1. Launch the Ship Manager software.

2. Select Integration from the menu and click FedEx ® Integration Assistant.

3. At the Welcome > Introduction screen, click Continue (not pictured).

4. At the  Welcome > Before You Begin screen, click Continue (not pictured).

5. At the Begin > Create screen, select Create a New Profile and then click Continue (not pictured).

6. At the Begin > Integration Type screen, select Both Import and Export] and click Continue, pictured below.

7. At the Import>Source screen, select ODBC and then select the radio button that represents the proper ODBC Data Source Name (which depends on the type of database is used for the SEOM store data file):

If you use an SQL database as your SEOM store file:

1. • the Import Map Minimum Advertised Price; applies to Consumer Goods categories and listed on Amazon Seller Central Market should point to the intermediary database, OMExternalShipping.mdb, created way back in step 2 of the section entitled, Create an Intermediary Database and Link Tables in SEOM's Store File

   • the Export Map should point to the ODBC connection for the SEOM store data file, OMStoreDataFile, created in the section entitled, MS Access Store Data File: Define an ODBC Connection

If you use an MS Access database as your SEOM store data file:

1. • the Import and Export maps created in Ship Manager should both point to the same database (ODBC connection) that represents the SEOM store data file, OMStoreDataFile

8. Click Continue.

9. At the Import > Shipping screen, it is recommended that you select Yes for all of the settings on this page.

10. Click Continue.

11. At the Import > Lookup screen, select After I enter a lookup value and click Continue (not pictured).

12. At the Import > Information screen, complete the Recipient and Package field lists.

    1. Click Recipient and select all of the fields in the table below:

1. 2. Click Return to close the Recipient form.

   3. Click Package and select the fields listed in the following table:

It is necessary to use the vertical scroll bar to locate some of these fields, which are not all visible in the image below.

1. 4. Click OK.

13. At the Import > Match screen, map the fields in your store's data file with the corresponding fields in Ship Manager as shown in the table below:

The WorldShipOrders table is used for any external shipping software integration, not just for UPS WorldShip.

• These fields can be mapped on a one-by-one basis or respond Yes to the pop-up message shown below to set all unselected tables to WorldShipOrders. Even though the Bill Transportation To and Package Type fields do not require a table selection, it is OK to leave the WorldShipOrders table selected for those fields.  

14. While still at the Import > Match screen, click Select Index after all of the SEOM fields have been mapped to the corresponding Ship Manager fields.

15. The Primary Index screen opens. Click Tables at the bottom of the page.

16. A list of fields found in the WorldShipOrders table appear in the Lookup dialog box.

17. Select the Order Number field from the list and then click OK. A colored line will appear to indicate the relationship has been made.

18. Click Continue and proceed to the Import > Conversion screen.

19. Click Service Type to map the names of FedEx Ship Manager method names (radio buttons) to your SEOM shipping methods (drop-down lists). Use the vertical scroll bars to see additional shipping methods.

20. For each FedEx shipping method that you use, click its radio button in the FedEx list, To (FSM value), and select the corresponding shipping method name from the adjacent drop-down list in the SEOM method name list, From (your value).

21. Click Continue to proceed to the Export > Destination screen. This is where the export map gets created.

Remember, if you use an SQL database as your SEOM store file, the ODBC connection used for the ShipManager export map should point to the store data file, not the intermediary database.

22. Click Continue to proceed to the Export > Method screen.

23.  It is recommended to select the settings as shown in the image above:

1. • When do you want to export to your data source?

At the end of day

1. • How do you want to update your data source?

Insert a new record

24. Click Continue to proceed to the Export > Information screen.

25. Click Tracking Number on the side of the screen and select the field labeled Tracking Number (not pictured).

26. Click Return and then select Package.

27. Select the box labeled Customer Reference.

28. Click OK to proceed to the Export > Match screen and map the following fields:

29. Click Continue to proceed to the Finish > Summary screen, which shows a summary of the integration profile.

30. To review or change the settings that have been made, click Edit next to any of the sections.

31. If satisfied with the settings, click Continue to proceed to the Finish > Instructions screen.

32. Click Finish. The application prompts you to provide a name for the new integration profile.

33. Enter a name that clearly distinguishes the profile as being related to SEOM store data file, and click Save.

34. Click Finish to complete the integration between FedEx ShipManager and SEOM.

35. At that time, the ShipManager software opens the Lookup Value screen.

36. Enter the number of an approved SEOM order in the Lookup: field and click OK.

37. The ShipManager screen is populated with the shipping information pulled from SEOM, and you are ready to print a shipping label.

Using the FedEx ShipManager Software with SEOM

 Once the integration steps have been completed, to print SEOM shipping labels through ShipManager, follow these steps:

1. 1. Launch the FedEx ShipManager software.

   2. Click on the [Integration] menu item and select the name of the profile that was created during the setup process from the drop-down list. Refer to step 33 in the previous section.

   3. The Lookup Value dialog box opens.

   4. Enter the SEOMorder number of an approved order and press [OK].

   5. The order information populates the screen.

   6. Review the fields for accuracy and print the label.

Additional Information

Windows 64-Bit Operating System Considerations

Created: 9/26/11

Revised: 5/29/13

Published: 04/13/16