Ship Method Mapping

ianaiERP's Ship Method Mapping feature lets you link the shipping option a customer chose at checkout to a specific carrier service and package type in ianaiERP. This streamlines your shipping process and ensures orders are processed with the correct shipping method.

Understanding Ship Method Mapping

When an order imports from a selling channel, the shipping option the customer chose is stored as the "Requested" ship method — the raw text your store sent (for example, "Expedited" or "Standard Shipping"). Ship Method Mapping links that raw value (for a given store/channel) to an ianaiERP carrier Service and Package, so ianaiERP knows what to actually ship it with.

Note : A mapping is specific to one external channel (store), since the same Requested value can mean different things on different stores.

Creating Ship Method Mappings

There are two ways to create Ship Method Mappings in ianaiERP:

1. Mapping from an Order

1. In the Shipping Sidebar, find the "Requested" row.

2. If the value hasn't been mapped yet, click the "unmapped" link next to it.

3. In the pop-up window, the Name and External Channel are pre-filled from the order; select the Service and Package to map it to.

4. Save.

Advantage : This method ensures you're mapping to the exact Requested value as it was imported.

2. Mapping in Advance

1. Go to Miscellaneous (in the main menu) > Ship Method, under the "Sales & Customers" section.

2. Click to add a new Ship Method.

3. Enter the Name exactly as your store sends it, choose the External Channel it applies to, and select the corresponding Service and Package.

4. Save.

Advantage : Mappings are set up ahead of time, so orders can be matched automatically as soon as they import.

Editing Existing Mappings

To modify an existing mapping:

1. Click "mapped" next to the Requested value in the Shipping Sidebar, or

2. Open and edit the record from Miscellaneous > Ship Method.

Note : An edit applies to new orders that import with that Requested value going forward. If you need a different service on an order that's already imported, set it directly on that order's shipment.

Example: Mapping Expedited Shipping

Let's say you offer an "Expedited" shipping option in your store for $20.00, and you want to fulfill these orders using FedEx Priority Overnight.

1. Go to Miscellaneous > Ship Method and add a new mapping.

2. Set:

   • Name: "Expedited"

   • External Channel: your store

   • Service: FedEx Priority Overnight

   • Package: [select the appropriate package]

3. Save.

Now, when an order imports with "Expedited" as the Requested value from that store, the shipment will already show FedEx Priority Overnight as its Service.

Best Practices

1. Regularly review and update your mappings to ensure they align with your current shipping strategies.

2. Use consistent naming conventions for shipping options across your stores to simplify mapping.

3. Consider creating mappings for all your common shipping options ahead of time to minimize manual work on import.

4. Test your mappings with sample orders to ensure they're working as expected.

Troubleshooting

If mappings aren't applying as expected:

1. Verify the exact Requested value on the imported order — mapping is matched on the exact text and channel.

2. Check that the mapping's External Channel matches the store the order came from.

3. Ensure the mapped service is available for the shipping address.

4. Review any automation rules that also set the carrier/service, since a rule that runs after import can override the mapped service.

Related Features

• Carrier Connections

• Order Automation

For more detailed information on specific carrier services or advanced shipping features, please refer to the respective sections in this documentation.