What is ChannelShipper Desktop?
ChannelShipper Desktop is a separate application for ChannelShipper which allows you to:
- Import your orders into ChannelShipper by simply dropping a spreadsheet into a designated folder on your computer or network
- Use spreadsheets generated by your own systems - no file conversion needed
- Set up multiple workstations with different designated printers for your labels
- Export a spreadsheet report of your successfully processed orders including tracking numbers
- Save a copy of your labels to a folder on your computer
- Print labels automatically when combined with Royal Mail Print Assist (Online Business Account customers only)
There are a variety of different ways to set up ChannelShipper Desktop depending on your individual technology infrastructure and business needs.
If you have not already installed ChannelShipper Desktop - please see this guide: How to import orders with ChannelShipper Desktop.
What file formats does ChannelShipper produce?
ChannelShipper labels are produced in .PDF file format
ChannelShipper reports are produced in .CSV format
Please note that our CSV files are designed to be easily converted into your preferred format if you choose.
What common installation and usage methods are there?
All of the following are common setup methods used by existing ChannelShipper customers. Please note that your method may not exactly match the methods listed below.
1. Local machine without bar code scanning
2. Local machines with bar code scanning
3. Networked machines without bar code scanning
4. Networked machines with bar code scanning
5. Third party order or despatch manager systems
1. Local machines without bar code scanning
Fig 1. Separate workstations/packing machines with separate printers
Use this setup if you
- have a separate printer connected to each packing machine,
- you do not use any additional order management software,
- you want labels to print automatically,
- you do not wish to scan bar codes to get your labels.
What do I need to do?
- Install ChannelShipper Desktop and Royal Mail Print Assist on each machine you wish to print from
- Configure workstations within ChannelShipper Desktop (only if you operate from more than one machine) and set your workstation printers.
- In your ChannelShipper Desktop integration settings, switch on 'Print labels automatically'.
Considerations
- You will need to specify a different watch folder for each machine you wish to print from.
2. Local machines with bar code scanning
Fig 1. Separate workstations/packing machines with separate printers and bar code scanners
Use this setup if you
- have a separate printer connected to each packing machine,
- you do not use any additional order management software,
- you want labels to print automatically,
- you wish to scan bar codes to get your labels.
What do I need to do?
- Install ChannelShipper Desktop and Royal Mail Print Assist on each machine you wish to print from
- Configure workstations within ChannelShipper Desktop (only if you operate from more than one machine) but ensure you do not select any printers.
- In your Royal Maul Print Assist settings, make sure you have not selected any printers.
- In your ChannelShipper Desktop integration settings, switch on 'Print labels automatically'.
- Read our Scan & Print (Online Business Account customers) guide to learn how to generate despatch notes
Considerations
- You will need to specify a different watch folder for each machine you wish to print from.
- You will need to decide if you wish to generate labels by scanning Click & Drop's dispatch notes, or your own paperwork.
3. Networked machines without bar code scanning
Fig 3. Workstations/packing machines connected to a single installation of ChannelShipper Desktop, with separate printers.
Use this setup if you
- have separate machines and printers connected via a single network,
- you do not use any additional order management software,
- you want labels to print automatically.
What do I need to do?
- Install ChannelShipper Desktop on a single networked machine.
- Install Royal Mail Print Assist on every machine you wish to print from.
- Configure workstations within ChannelShipper Desktop (only if you operate from more than one machine) and configure printers for each workstation.
- In your ChannelShipper Desktop integration settings, switch on 'Print labels automatically'.
Considerations
- Make sure that all spreadsheets containing your order data are dropped into the correct workstation sub folders within a single watch folder hosted in a central network location. This could be either a) a server, or b) a dedicated machine.
- You must be logged into your ChannelShipper account from at least one machine if your printers are networked. If your printers are not networked, you will need to be logged into ChannelShipper on each machine you wish to print from.
4. Networked machines with bar code scanning
Fig 3.. Workstations/packing machines connected to a single installation of ChannelShipper Desktop, with separate printers and bar code scanners.
Use this setup if you
- Have separate machines and printers connected via a single network
- You do not use any additional order management software
- You want labels to print automatically
- You wish to scan bar codes to get your labels
What do I need to do?
- Install ChannelShipper Desktop on a single networked machine.
- Install Royal Mail Print Assist on every machine you wish to print from.
- Configure workstations within ChannelShipper Desktop (only if you operate from more than one machine) and configure printers for each workstation.
- In your ChannelShipper Desktop integration settings, switch on 'Print labels automatically'.
- In your Royal Maul Print Assist settings, make sure you have not selected any printers.
- Read our Scan & Print (Online Business Account customers) guide to learn how to generate despatch notes.
Considerations
- Make sure that all spreadsheets containing your order data are dropped into the correct workstation sub folders within a single watch folder hosted in a central network location. This could be either a) a server, or b) a dedicated machine.
- You must be logged into your ChannelShipper account from at least one machine if your printers are networked. If your printers are not networked, you will need to be logged into ChannelShipper on each machine you wish to print from.
5. Third party order or despatch management systems
If you use any 3rd party order management or despatch management system that uses ChannelShipper to produce Royal Mail labels, you will need to contact them first to ask which method it is they would like you to use. They may have their own method not listed above, or their own help documentation.