Unlocking the Benefits of NetSuite Ship Central's Latest Enhancements

In the ever-evolving landscape of eCommerce and logistics, efficiency and accuracy in packing and shipping operations are critical. NetSuite Ship Central has rolled out a series of enhancements that significantly optimize these processes. This article delves into these new capabilities and offers insights on leveraging them for business success.

Scanning HIBC Bar Codes during Packing

Efficient identification of items during packing can dramatically reduce errors. With the latest update, NetSuite Ship Central supports the scanning of Health Industry Bar Codes (HIBC). This addition automates the capture of product numbers along with lot, serial, or quantity data, minimizing manual inputs and potential for error.

Pro Tip: Ensure that your inventory system is compatible with HIBC formats to maximize automation benefits.

Autogenerated UCC-Based IDs for Subsidiaries

Uniform Code Council (UCC) IDs can now be autogenerated per subsidiary. This flexibility allows each subsidiary to operate with a unique ID configuration when necessary, supporting more granular control over transactional data. If a specific subsidiary configuration is absent, the parent company's settings will apply.

Preference for Scanning GS1 Application Identifiers

For developers and administrators, handling GS1 bar codes has become more streamlined with the preference setting for Application Identifier (AI) 02. This feature prioritizes AI 02 for identifying GTINs during packing. In cases where AI 02 is unavailable, AI 01 is used as a fallback.

Important: Carefully review your product labels to ensure GS1 identifiers are accurately placed for seamless integration.

Enhanced Fulfillment and Packing Thresholds

Now introducing a 100-package threshold, real-time updates to fulfillment and shipping details are possible without disrupting operations. Ensure that any fulfillment line limit is set within the 75-line maximum to maintain system performance.

Drop-Off Point Shipments

Flexible delivery options are now supported, allowing shipments to be directed to pick-up and drop-off points. This not only reduces missed deliveries but also cuts down on costs, enhancing customer satisfaction.

Did You Know? Tracking and label creation features are fully integrated but note that returns via this method aren’t currently supported.

Negotiated vs List Rates for UPS and USPS

NetSuite Ship Central can now compare retail list rates with your company’s negotiated rates through UPS and USPS (Stamps.com), always choosing the lower for charging purposes. This ensures cost-effective shipping operations without compromising profitability.

Bulk Shipping Threshold Increases

Processing of up to 400 cartons in bulk is now feasible under customizable thresholds, empowering businesses to scale shipment operations more effectively.

Third-Party Billing Updates

The ability to set billing details directly on sales orders enhances billing flexibility and maintains data consistency across orders with differing billing accounts.

Managing ShipEngine Accounts

With the ability to enable or disable your ShipEngine account directly through the management interface, controlling shipping activities has never been more accessible.

Key Takeaways:

HIBC scanning minimizes packing errors and manual data entry.
UCC-based IDs can now be customized per subsidiary, offering more control.
The latest enhancements support flexible, cost-effective shipping strategies.
Bulk shipping thresholds have increased, aiding businesses in scaling operations efficiently.
Managing shipping accounts is streamlined through direct enablement or disablement controls.

NetSuite Ship Central continues to evolve, providing robust tools for efficient ship and pack management, helping businesses deliver their products with precision and speed.