Receipt of Order Data Files
Publishers Storage and Shipping Corp. is able to coordinate the electronic receipt of orders from publishers. Since few publishers work with the same software or forms it should be stressed that effective electronic communication requires some customization for each publisher desiring such service. Thorough communication should take place between software developer and PSSC so that an effective link can be made that is advantageous to both parties.
Much of the premise of our prompt and economical service rests on the ability of publishers to send PSSC order files that can import directly into PSSC’s data base. This is a delimited ASCII file (with a specific field layout). Learn more about PSSC Order Import File Specifications>>> If orders are sent to PSSC that have to be manually entered into the data base there is an extra charge per order. As an alternative for smaller publishers an Excel data file layout is also available for the creation of order data files to be sent to PSSC: http://www.pssc.com/resources/PSSCImportFile.xls .
There is also the matter of order forms that publishers may want PSSC to include in shipments. The form is sent as a “print file” and does not do the same thing as the “import file” which is strictly data. See PSSC’s reflections on order forms: http://www.pssc.com/forms.htm
So to re-cap, PSSC needs to receive 2 files for each batch of orders. One would be a file (print file) to print orders at the warehouse. The second would be the aforementioned ASCII import data file for the same orders that is entered into PSSC’s data base. These files have to be created by the system at the publishers end. It is most important that the order forms PSSC receives are synchronized with the file import process. Orders that are sent that have to be manually entered into the system have extra charges added to the processing fees. These data files can be sent to PSSC by way of email attachment or FTP.
One critical bit of advise is that all orders need to be linked to a unique order number in the publishers data base. Order numbers should not be recycled in backorder releases or be reused in the future.
Included in order data files sent to PSSC is a field that designates the carrier method to be used for each shipment. FedEx and UPS have many services that sound very familiar and are easy to confuse. PSSC uses carrier codes that designate the precise type of carrier method to be used. For instance there is a different code for UPS Ground Commercial third party collect as opposed to recipient collect. If the wrong one is used the recipient is likely not to pay. Please note that the codes used for PSSC’s Fitchburg, MA facility are different from the Ypsilanti, MI. Please navigate to the correct list: http://www.pssc.com/carriers.htm