nShift Delivery — Get started
Introduction to nShift Delivery
Introduction to nShift Delivery integration
Start shipping
To successfully get started with your shipments you have to be familiar with some core functions and make some initial settings.
Create your address book
You can create your address book in different ways:
Register your carrier customer number(s) and other relevant carrier information
Install and configure a print solution
Print by nShift - stand-alone API printing solution
OnlinePrinter - printing software
Create and use printing favorites for efficient book and print
Tip
Integrate your cloud-based ERP or WMS system with nShift Delivery for a simpler dispatch processing, safer transactions and significant time savings.
User interface
Note
We are updating the nShift Delivery look and feel and have released a beta version for you to try it out. In the first release you will meet a new login page, a new landing page and new menus. More new pages will be released continuously. You can switch back and forth between the new and the old user interface (UI) , and thus work in the new UI in production.
From the landing page you reach everything you need.
In the center of the page you get important messages and the latest news about nShift Delivery. The news and messages section is surrounded by menus that help you navigate the system.
In nShift Delivery (new UI) you use different menus to navigate the system as well as access assets related to the system.
The shortcut menu
The left side menu is used for your or your profile's shortcuts. You can create shortcuts to frequently used pages and to printing and search favorites, and then access them from the shortcut menu.
The shortcut menu is available wherever you are in the system and can either be expanded or collapsed.
The quick link menu
To the right you find the quick link menu. It's an easy way for you to reach the Standard printing page, the webshop and our help center.
The quick link menu is only available from the landing page. Click the nShift logo to the upper right in nShift Delivery to get back to the landing page.
Address book
ESSENTIAL |
Create and maintain your address book manually, via API or by file import.
You should register at least one sender. You can have several senders with different names and/or address information. They can also have different carrier customer numbers, depending on your needs.
Note
The upper limit for senders/receivers is 30,000.
Go to
> .Click
.Tip
Quick ID is a unique reference to identify a sender, for example "123", and can be used in many different scenarios.
Tip
Check the Receiver box if the sender should act as receiver as well.
Note
Check the System integration box if the sender should be available as default sender in nShift Checkout.
Enter Address details.
Enter account information if you use Cash on Delivery or any other service that requires account information.
Enter carrier information, such as customer number.
Caution
Before you make your first shipment you have to add your carrier customer number(s) and other relevant information.
To add a carrier:
Click in the Carriers section.
Select a carrier from the Carrier dropdown menu.
Enter your carrier customer number in the CustNo field.
Note
Contact the carrier if you're unsure which customer number to use.
Enter other carrier information, if relevant or requested by the carrier.
In the Search information section, add category values to enable category search.
In the Default values section, add information, such as sender reference and delivery instructions, that will be set as default values when creating shipments.
You can add a new sender when printing, using standard printing and, if the option hasn't been locked, using printing favorites.
If you want to edit, copy or delete a sender, use the search function.
Go to
> .Click
.Tip
Check the Sender box if the receiver should act as sender as well.
Enter Address details.
Enter account information if you use Cash on Delivery or any other service that requires account information.
Enter carrier information, such as customer number.
In the Search information section, add category values to enable category search.
In the Default values section, add information, such as receiver reference and delivery instructions, that will be set as default values when creating shipments.
You can add a new receiver when printing, using standard printing and, if the option hasn't been locked, using printing favorites.
If you want to edit, copy or delete a receiver, use the search function.
If you keep your address book in another system you can use Address book via API to maintain and synchronize senders and receivers in your address book.
Learn more about Address book via API.
If you keep your address book in another system you can import it to nShift Delivery. You can add the entries as senders, receivers or both.
The prerequisites are that you can export the name and address information, edit the data and create a tab delimited text file.
Import the file
Go to
> or and click .After adding the file, select ”Standard, address (Tab separated)” as Import type and, in most cases, "ISO-8859-1" as Character encoding.
Check the Also import as receiver/Also import as sender box if the address party should act as both sender and receiver.
Check the Replace matching quick ID box if you want existing information to be replaced by information from the file for address parties with the same unique quick ID.
Tip
It's recommended to select Replace matching quick ID to avoid duplicates.
Click
.
If you get an error message saying that the file is incorrect, check the file structure and contents. Make the necessary changes and try to import the file again.
File structure
The import file must have the following structure and content:
ISO -8859-1 (Windows ANSI) or UTF-8 encoding.
Records that are separated by a line break.
Headers (top row) must be spelled correctly and appear in square brackets, for example, [quickid]. You only need to include headers that you want to import. If a header shouldn't be used, it's important to remove it, not just delete the content.
Download an example file and open in a text editor or Microsoft Excel to see what it should look like.
ESSENTIAL |
You can use the import/export function to clean your address book, that is, remove duplicates, outdated addresses, etc.
Go to
> or .Search the address book without using search values, which will retrieve all senders/receivers in your address book.
Click
.Edit the file in, for example, Microsoft Excel.
Go to
> or .Search the address book without using search values.
Click
.Caution
You remove the entire address book and it can't be undone. Make sure that you've a correct file to import.
Click
to import your updated address book file.
Category values are useful if you want to send something to a group of receivers or remove receivers belonging to a specific category.
You give the receivers a value in one of the category fields, for example "Summer gift 2020" in [category1text], and use that category search value when printing, preferably using batch printing.
If you want to remove receivers, use a category search value and click
.Caution
Make sure you've made the correct selection so you don't accidentally delete the entire address book.
Register your customer number with the carrier
Before you make your first shipment you have to add your carrier customer number(s) and other relevant information.
Tip
Contact the carrier if you're unsure which customer number to use.
Go to
> .Select
or use the search function to find your sender.Note
If you have more than one sender you have to add the carrier on all senders.
Go to the Carriers section.
Click .
Select a carrier from the Carrier dropdown menu.
Enter your carrier customer number in the CustNo field.
Tip
Contact the carrier if you're unsure which customer number to use.
Enter other carrier information, if relevant or requested by the carrier.
Click
.
Print client
The Print client communicates with printers and pushes print jobs. The client will remain connected to the server persistently and be assigned a unique identifier along with every printer detected.
Before you can start using the Print by nShift solution you need to receive an account through nShift Delivery and make some preparations .
An email containing an autogenerated username and a link to setting a password is sent to the email address associated with your Delivery account.
Log into nShift Delivery.
Go to
> .Click
.Open the email containing your auto-generated username and the link to setting a password.
Follow the link to set your password.
When you've downloaded and installed the Print client you can use your credentials to connect it to the printing solution.
Before you're ready to use the solution through Delivery you need to associate API keys in Delivery with the Print account.
Go to
> .Check the Print by nShift box in the Type section on any API key you want to use with the solution.
The Print client application facilitates communication with installed printers and the printing solution server. The client will remain connected to the server persistently and be assigned a unique identifier along with every printer detected.
The desktop application runs on Windows and Mac. You can also run the application as a service and interact with it through a browser based interface which is the preferred method when run on a server.
Requirements for Windows
Versions
Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows 8 Windows 10 Windows 11
Download Print client for Windows.
Requirements for Mac
Versions
Big Sur Monterey Ventura
Download Print client for Mac.
After launching the installer, follow the steps in the installation wizard. Make the appropriate choices and finish the installation.
Caution
Make sure to select the correct box depending on whether you're installing as a desktop or as a service.
Once the installation has completed you will be able to launch the application user interface from the system tray icon if you've installed the Print client as a desktop application.
As a service the client interface is accessible using the following URL: localhost:8888
Desktop application
Launching the application user interface will take you to the welcome screen of the application.
Provide the credentials you received by email for the printing solution. Using those credentials in the client application will open a persistent session and the client registers with the service.
Installed printers will automatically be detected and assigned unique identifiers. Switch to the Printers tab in the application to view and deselect any printers that you don't want to use for the service.
Some other settings can be adjusted under the Settings tab.
The Logs tab provides information that can be useful for troubleshooting.
License information can be found under the About tab.
If you forget your password to your Print account, which is needed to connect the Print client, the password can be reset.
If the Print client application is not connected the user will see a Forgot password? link below the login fields in the application interface .
Click the Forgot password? link.
Enter username or email for the account.
Click
.An email containing a link to set a new password is sent to the email provided, or associated with the username.
Open the link in the email and provide a new password.
OnlinePrinter
ESSENTIAL |
OnlinePrinter is a printing software for printing labels and shipping documents on a physical printer.
Requirements for Windows
Windows 10 or higher
Local system administration privileges
The installation of OnlinePrinter follows the standards for "Windows Installer". The installation file is currently only available in English.
Download OnlinePrinter for Windows.
Requirements for Mac
MacOS 10.13: High Sierra or higher
Local system administration privileges
Download OnlinePrinter for Mac.
Drag the OnlinePrinter icon to the Applications folder.
Tip
If you encounter problems while installing OnlinePrinter, please refer to Troubleshoot OnlinePrinter.
Go to
> .Click
and follow the instructions.
Caution
If you use Firefox you may receive a message the first time you use the printer software. You must accept to open the link in order for OnlinePrinter to work properly.
If you use Safari you have to allow OnlinePrinter to open when you make the settings as well as each time you print labels and documents.
Problem | Solution |
---|---|
Error message saying that the program can't be run on your type of processor or operating system. | You probably have a 32-bit operating system and need to download another installation program. Please contact technical support. |
Problem | Solution |
---|---|
Error message saying "Java runtime dll is missing". | Download and install the necessary program library. Download |
Problem | Solution |
---|---|
The program doesn't start. (Mac only) | Go to System preferences > Security and privacy and click "Open anyway". |
Problem | Solution |
---|---|
The program doesn't start. | Delete the program's working folder and enter new printing settings.
|
Problem | Solution |
---|---|
Error message saying that the program doesn't show. | Click . |
Problem | Solution |
---|---|
| Add the following IP network to the firewall configuration: 193.183.118.0/24 193.183.119.0/24 |
The support staff might request an information file from you in order to help you solve a problem.
Go to OnlinePrinter by accessing the application via the system tray. Right-click on OnlinePrinter > Open.
Choose Archive > Create an information file and save the zip file.
Attach the zip file to an email and send it together with a problem description and your user ID to technical support.
Printing favorites
ESSENTIAL |
To quickly get started with nShift Delivery and at the same time streamline your delivery management, you should use printing favorites.
You create your own printing favorites by adding default values or selections for senders, receivers, services, addons, contents, etc.
A printing favorite is not a fixed template, but a tool for you to regulate and limit alternatives when creating a shipment. The degree of regulation can vary and you can create printing favorites for different purposes.
Note
Start by analyzing your needs. You can add as many printing favorites as you want. Remember to optimize for normal cases and not for special cases.
You can use your printing favorite to print directly to a printer or print to PDF. You can also store the shipments for later printing.
The purpose of filtering information is to reduce the number of senders, receivers, services and addons to choose from. For example, you can create a printing favorite that only includes receivers in a particular city.
Tip
We recommend using the category fields when you add receivers to the address book. Use a category as a label for different types of receivers, if you, for example, have several senders and want to tie receivers to one particular sender.
When creating a printing favorite you start with senders and receivers, continue with adding details about services and addons and finally adding details about shipment and parcels.
Note
All sections and alternatives within the sections are optional as you decide the level of detail you need for the printing favorite.
The services, addons and options available depend on what is included in your account.
Senders
Go to
> .Click
and give the printing favorite a name.Go to the Senders and receivers section and click .
Go to the Sender section.
Create a filter by clicking Filter . If you want to change where the information comes from, start by clicking next to Source. Normally, the source is Sender/receiver.
next toIf you always use the same sender, select it as Default sender.
Check the Hidden box if the sender information shouldn't be displayed in the GUI when printing.
Check the Locked box if it shouldn't be possible to change sender.
Select a Default mode for using the printing favorite.
Register new/edit selected, if the mode where you add senders should be set as default.
Select from address book, if the mode where you select senders should be set as default.
Check the Locked to default mode box if it shouldn't be possible to change modes.
Check the Never propose a sender box if the Sender field shouldn't contain a sender from start, to avoid sending from the wrong sender.
Check the Mandatory search value box if a search value must be used.
Check the Only exact search box if it must be an exact match between search value and search results.
Receivers
Go to the Senders and receivers section and click .
Go to the Receiver section.
Create a filter by clicking Filter . If you want to change where the information comes from, start by clicking next to Source. Normally, the source is Sender/receiver.
next toIf you always use the same receiver, select it as Default receiver.
Check the Hidden box if the receiver information shouldn't be displayed when printing.
Check the Locked box if it shouldn't be possible to change receiver.
Select a Default mode for using the printing favorite.
Register new/edit selected, if the view where you add receivers should be set as default.
Select from address book, if the view where you select receivers should be set as default.
Check the Locked to default mode box if it shouldn't be possible to change views.
Check the Never propose a receiver box if the Receiver field shouldn't contain a receiver from start, to avoid sending to the wrong receiver.
Check the Mandatory search value box if a specific search value should be used, for example, Quick ID.
Check the Only exact search box if it must be an exact match between search value and search results.
When needed, proceed with other address parties and enter details in the same way as for sender and receiver.
Service, addons and options
Go to the Service and addons section and click .
Go to the Service section.
Create a filter by clicking Filter .
next toIf you always use the same service, select it as Service.
Check the Hidden box if the service shouldn't be displayed in the GUI when printing.
Check the Locked box if it shouldn't be possible to change service.
Check Normal label, Return label or both.
Check the Hidden box if the label selection shouldn't be displayed in the GUI when printing.
Check Use sender address on label if that should be shown on the label instead of the dispatch address, in cases where dispatch party is used.
Go to the Addons section to add relevant addons. Different addons require different kinds of information.
You can choose to check Hidden, Locked and Select if valid for all addons.
Go to the Options section to add relevant options. Different options require different kinds of information.
You can choose to check Hidden and Locked for all options. For some options you can choose Select if valid.
Shipment and parcels
All fields in the Shipment and parcels section can be defined for the printing favorite. Entering default values, locking values, hiding details, and set fields as mandatory are some examples of how you can control information about shipments and parcels. You can also make settings such as the number of parcels, weight and package codes. These are values that may be mandatory for a service.
Caution
Proceed with caution when hiding or locking mandatory values as it may prevent you from creating a correct shipment when using the printing favorite.
Ignore warnings
In the Ignore warnings section you can make settings that allow you to print shipments that normally should have generated the status ”Warning”.
If you want to show, edit or delete a printing favorite, use the search function.
Go to
> .Click to the left of a printing favorite.
Enter relevant shipping information.
Click
or to print immediately, or for later printing.
If the printing went well and should be used, click
or to start a new print job.If the printing went well but shouldn't be used, click
.If the printing did not go well, but the problem can be solved immediately, for example, by loading labels, solve the problem and click
.If the printing did not go well, but the problem can be solved later, for example, if the printer is out of order, click
and continue when the problem is solved.
Caution
Some carriers communicate via EDI and others via API, which can be important when you discard a shipment.
If you discard a shipment before EDI is sent (EDI carrier):
The carrier receives no information.
If you use the label anyway, the carrier may charge you a penalty - for using a non-EDI label.
If you discard a shipment after EDI is sent (EDI carrier) or if you use an API carrier:
The cancellation only takes place in Delivery and the label is still valid according to the carrier.
If you don't use the label, some carriers may charge a penalty - because they did not receive the parcel they expected.
Contact the carrier if you're unsure of what applies.
If the carrier offers pickup you can book by clicking
after printing or do it later in > .Tip
All methods may not be available for all services. For example, for some services, typically freight services, pickup booking is preselected. For those services it’s not possible to book pickup afterwards.
You can create shortcuts to your printing favorites and easily access them from the left menu in nShift Delivery.
Printing favorites can be used to complete shipments created through API or XML file integration.
When creating a printing favorite you give it a unique name.
You then use the printing favorite name in the JSON or XML file.
JSON | XML |
{ "pdfConfig": {}, "shipment": { "ediForward": true, "favorite": "My favorite", "options": [{ "id": "free", "languageCode": "SE" }], "parcels": [{ "copies": 1, "valuePerParcel": true }], "receiver": { "address1": "Runevej 2A", "city": "AARHUS V", "country": "DK", "name": "Bookstore", "zipcode": "8210" }, "sender": { "address1": "Yliopistonkatu 5", "city": "HELSINKI", "country": "FI", "name": "Warehouse", "zipcode": "00100" }, "service": { "addons": [], "id": "FREE", "normalShipment": true, "pickupBooking": false, "pickupDate": "2022-10-19", "subId": "13579" }, "test": false } } | <?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?> <data> <meta> <val n="favorite">My favorite</val> </meta> <shipment> <val n="from">party1</val> <val n="to">party2</val> <service srvid="FREE_13579"> </service> <ufonline> <option optid="free"> <val n="language">SE</val> </option> </ufonline> <container type="parcel"> <val n="copies">1</val> </container> </shipment> <sender sndid="party1"> <val n="name">Warehouse</val> <val n="address1">Yliopistonkatu 5</val> <val n="zipcode">00100</val> <val n="city">HELSINKI</val> <val n="country">FI</val> </sender> <receiver rcvid="party2"> <val n="name">Bookstore</val> <val n="address1">Runevej 2A</val> <val n="zipcode">8210</val> <val n="city">AARHUS V</val> <val n="country">DK</val> </receiver> </data> |
Some examples of using printing favorites to complete shipments created through integration
Caution
If a value is provided in both the integration file and the printing favorite, the integration file overwrites the printing favorite in case you don't lock the value in the printing favorite.
For example:
Go to
> .Click
.Give the printing favorite a unique name.
Click Senders and receivers section.
in theClick Source in the Receiver section.
underSelect a source from the drop-down list in the Source field.
Click
.Select a receiver from the drop-down list in the Default receiver field.
Click
and to save your printing favorite.
Go to
> .Click
.Give the printing favorite a unique name.
Click Service and addons section.
in theGo to the Addons section and check the Select if valid box next to the additional service you want to use.
Click
and to save your printing favorite.
Caution
If you lock an addon with Select if valid, shipments where the addon is not available will result in an error.
Go to
> .Click
.Give the printing favorite a unique name.
Click Service and addons section.
in theSelect a service if it should only apply for that specific service.
Check the Normal label box and the Return label box.
Click
and to save your printing favorite.
Go to
> .Click
.Give the printing favorite a unique name.
Click Service and addons section.
in theCheck the Pre-notification (email) box in the Options section.
Enter your message in the Message field.
Click
and to save your printing favorite.
Go to
> .Click
.Give the printing favorite a unique name.
Click Shipment and parcels section.
in theSelect the warnings to ignore in the Ignore warnings section.
Click
and to save your printing favorite.
Go to
> .Click
.Give the printing favorite a unique name.
Click Shipment and parcels section.
in theCheck the No direct print of orders with warnings box in the Order import section.
Click
and to save your printing favorite.
Standard printing
ESSENTIAL |
Use standard printing for single print jobs.
You can print directly to your printer or print to PDF. You can also store the shipments for later printing.
Note
If you want to print labels and shipping documents on a physical printer you need to install Print by nShift or OnlinePrinter.
To simplify and streamline the printing function, create printing favorites for your most common cases.
Go to
> .In the Sender and Receiver sections, select to use an existing sender/receiver. Select to use a new sender/receiver. When you use a new sender you can add your carrier customer number in the CustNo field.
Click
to save the sender/receiver. Otherwise the sender/receiver is used only for this shipment.Note
If you've entered a carrier customer number for the sender and saved it to the address book, please go to
> and check if more carrier information is required.Enter relevant shipment information, such as addons, options and parcel details.
Note
Depending on service, different information is required and/or available.
If you have different types of parcels, for example, 2 parcels of 3 kg each and 1 parcel of 4 kg, you must enter the types separately.
Example
Set No. of parcels to "2" and Weight (kg) to "3". Click .
Set No. of parcels to "1" and Weight (kg) to "4". Click .
You can choose to specify parcel information per parcel or per row. All parcels in a shipment must be specified in the same way.
"Specified per parcel" – the weight and/or the volume are calculated per parcel (2 parcels and 3 kg equals 6 kg).
"Specified per row" – the weight and/or the volume is the total for the parcels (2 parcels and 3 kg equals 3 kg).
Example
2 parcels and 3 kg, and 1 parcel and 4 kg, specified per parcel is 3 + 3 + 4 = 10
2 parcels and 3 kg, and 1 parcel and 4 kg, specified per row is 3 + 4 = 7
The information in the Freight measure section depends on your agreement with the carrier. Carriers use different values and calculation methods.
Click
or to print immediately, or for later printing.
If the printing went well and should be used, click
or to start a new print job.If the printing went well but shouldn't be used, click
.If the printing did not go well, but the problem can be solved immediately, for example, by loading labels, solve the problem and click
.If the printing did not go well, but the problem can be solved later, for example, if the printer is out of order, click
and continue when the problem is solved.
Caution
Some carriers communicate via EDI and others via API, which can be important when you discard a shipment.
If you discard a shipment before EDI is sent (EDI carrier):
The carrier receives no information.
If you use the label anyway, the carrier may charge you a penalty - for using a non-EDI label.
If you discard a shipment after EDI is sent (EDI carrier) or if you use an API carrier:
The cancellation only takes place in Delivery and the label is still valid according to the carrier.
If you don't use the label, some carriers may charge a penalty - because they did not receive the parcel they expected.
Contact the carrier if you're unsure of what applies.
If the carrier offers pickup you can book by clicking
after printing or do it later in > .Note
All methods may not be available for all services. For example, for some services, typically freight services, pickup booking is preselected. For those services it’s not possible to book pickup afterwards.
The webshop
From the landing page you reach the webshop, where you can add more carriers and upgrade your subscription plan.
Go to the webshop from the quick link menu to the right or from the upper top menu.
Select Add more carriers.
Search for the carrier you wish to add.
Click
.Click
.Fill in the required text fields (*).
Note
Make sure to enter a relevant contact person so you don't risk missing out on important information.
Contact the carrier if you're unsure which customer number to use.
Read and approve nShift's general terms and conditions.
Click
.
You will receive an email when the order is handled, usually the same day.
Tip
Profile management is available on Professional and Premium subscription plans.
Select Upgrade your business.
Select the upgrade you want to make or a profile management package.
Click
.Click
.Fill in the required text fields (*).
Read and approve nShift's general terms and conditions.
Click
.
Tip
The webshop for labels, printers and and other supplies you may need for safe and accurate deliveries is powered by Wallink.
Wallink specializes in offering printers, labels, packaging, and essential warehouse supplies and has established itself as a key player in the industry.
You reach the webshop from Delivery, by clicking
> .