In Q2 of 2024, Extensiv launches Parcel API technology for the Brands customers. This API upgrade offers significant benefits to customer shipping operations. This upgrade will also be required for UPS connections. This article details the benefits of this upgrade, as well as instructions for how to upgrade your existing shipping connections.

Who will be impacted by this change?

Any customer actively printing labels through the order management interface will be upgraded to our new APIs in Q2, 2024.

What are the benefits of the Parcel API?

The Parcel API was developed by Extensiv to simplify the process of managing carrier upgrades and connections. The big carriers like UPS and FedEx are always adjusting their API infrastructure, and with our Parcel API, those requirements will be handled automatically in the background. This will reduce disruptions and provide more stability for managing shipments.

In addition, additional carrier options will be part of this rollout.  This process will be staggered throughout Q2 and will include connections for Firstmile, Tusk Logistics, Sendle, Passport, and Canadian-based carriers. Extensiv plans to continually invest and add carrier choices for customers, giving you the flexibility to optimize your carrier mix to reduce costs and improve performance.

Shipping Providers

When the API is upgraded, you will see a ribbon under the Shipping Providers page indicating your organization has received the upgrade. All existing connections will work as normal, with a button to “Upgrade Connection” under this settings page.

Upgrade Connections

The upgrade process takes minutes and requires reconnecting the account with the same information you used when you first connected each carrier.  Your existing connection will remain workable until you have the time to upgrade the connection, however, we highly recommend you upgrade your connection as quickly as possible.

Once you have successfully upgraded your connection, you will see a pink ribbon “API” next to the carrier logo:

Required UPS Upgrade

The UPS has announced a major security update, where UPS is officially sunsetting their current access key authentication process on June 3rd in favor of the more secure OAuth 2.0 model.