Shipment management software explained: A comprehensive FAQ
This page provides a comprehensive set of frequently asked questions about shipping management software for enterprise and mid-market eCommerce retailers in the UK and beyond.
It covers what shipping management software is, how it works, the benefits it delivers, and how it supports senior roles such as Logistics Directors, CFOs, CTOs, CMOs, Operations Directors, and eCommerce leaders.
Designed to address strategic, financial, technical, and operational considerations, this FAQ explains integrations, costs, international delivery, returns, compliance, customer experience, and sustainability.
It’s written by Scurri team members – the same team behind Scurri Unpacked and multiple industry insight reports.
It’s designed to be helpful and informative and is updated regularly with new questions and answers.
General questions about mutli-carrier delivery
What is shipping management software?
Shipping management software is a digital platform that integrates with multiple couriers, sales channels, and warehouse systems. It automates shipping processes such as rate comparison, label creation, tracking, and reporting, helping retailers reduce costs and improve delivery performance.
Why do enterprise retailers need shipping management software?
Enterprise retailers need shipping management software to streamline complex delivery operations across multiple couriers, sales channels, and regions. It enables automation, visibility, compliance, and cost savings at scale, while enhancing customer experience through faster, more flexible delivery options.
How does shipping management software work?
The software connects to eCommerce platforms, ERPs, and couriers. It retrieves order data, compares courier rates and services, generates labels, and provides real-time tracking. Rules and automation ensure the most efficient courier and delivery option are selected for each order.
What are the benefits of shipping management software?
Benefits include reduced shipping costs, faster label creation, better courier rate comparison, centralised tracking, improved reporting, enhanced compliance, scalability for growth, and improved customer satisfaction through better delivery options and transparency.
Which businesses benefit most from shipping management software?
Enterprise and mid-market eCommerce retailers, subscription businesses, wholesalers, and multi-channel retailers benefit most. Companies handling high order volumes across multiple regions gain the greatest efficiency and cost savings from automation and courier flexibility.
What features should enterprise retailers look for in shipping management software?
Key features include multi-courier integrations, automated label generation, customs and compliance tools, advanced reporting, scalability, ERP and WMS integration, rules-based automation, and international delivery support. Enterprise retailers should also seek analytics and API flexibility.
How does shipping management software help reduce delivery costs?
It reduces costs by comparing courier rates in real time, applying business rules, and consolidating shipments. Many platforms also enable use of negotiated rates, access to discounted tariffs, and optimisation of packaging and delivery routes.
Does shipping management software integrate with ERP systems?
Yes. Enterprise-grade shipping platforms integrate with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, and Microsoft Dynamics. This allows order, inventory, and fulfilment data to flow seamlessly across departments, reducing manual work and ensuring accuracy.
How does shipping management software support CFOs and finance teams?
CFOs gain visibility into shipping costs, courier performance, and margin impact. Detailed reporting helps with cost allocation, budget control, and forecasting. Software also reduces billing errors and provides auditable data for financial planning.
How does shipping management software support CTOs and IT directors?
CTOs and IT directors benefit from API-driven integration, automation, and scalable architecture. Shipping software reduces reliance on manual processes, minimises IT support costs, and integrates with existing systems without disrupting core infrastructure.
How does shipping management software support CMOs and marketing teams?
CMOs can leverage delivery speed, flexibility, and reliability as marketing messages. Shipping platforms also improve customer experience by providing accurate delivery dates, branded tracking pages, and reliable returns, boosting conversion and customer loyalty.
How does shipping management software help operations directors?
Operations directors gain a centralised view of courier performance, order flow, and logistics KPIs. Automation reduces manual errors, speeds up fulfilment, and ensures the right courier is selected for the right order at the right cost.
What role does shipping management software play in customer experience?
It enhances customer experience by offering multiple delivery options, accurate delivery windows, and real-time tracking. Customers benefit from flexible returns, transparent communication, and faster delivery – improving satisfaction and reducing complaints.
Does shipping management software support international delivery?
Yes. Leading platforms provide international courier integrations, automated customs forms, duty and tax calculation, and compliance tools. This simplifies cross-border shipping, ensures regulatory compliance, and reduces delays in global deliveries.
Can shipping management software handle returns management?
Yes. Many platforms support automated return label generation, return authorisations, and integration with courier networks for reverse logistics. This streamlines the returns process and improves customer satisfaction while lowering costs.
How does shipping management software support omnichannel retail?
It unifies shipping across eCommerce websites, marketplaces, and physical shops. Retailers can manage all orders in one platform, ensuring consistency in delivery speed, cost, and tracking, regardless of sales channel.
How secure is shipping management software?
Enterprise platforms provide secure APIs, role-based access, encryption, and GDPR compliance. Leading solutions undergo regular penetration testing and meet ISO security standards, ensuring sensitive customer and financial data is protected.
Does shipping management software support sustainability goals?
Yes. By optimising courier selection, route planning, and packaging, retailers can reduce emissions. Some platforms provide carbon reporting and support eco-friendly courier services, aligning logistics with sustainability targets.
What reporting and analytics does shipping management software provide?
Most platforms offer cost breakdowns, courier performance metrics, delivery times, customer satisfaction data, and carbon footprint reporting. Advanced analytics help directors make data-driven decisions and optimise operations.
Can shipping management software reduce basket abandonment?
Yes. Offering multiple delivery options, accurate costs, and faster services at checkout reduces abandonment. Customers who see flexible delivery choices are more likely to complete their purchases.
How does shipping management software integrate with eCommerce platforms?
It integrates with platforms like Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce, Salesforce Commerce Cloud, and BigCommerce. This ensures order data flows automatically into the shipping system for quick processing and label generation.
How do Logistics Directors benefit from shipping management software?
Logistics Directors gain control over courier performance, compliance, and costs. Centralised dashboards provide real-time visibility, enabling directors to manage large-scale operations efficiently and improve supply chain resilience.
How does shipping management software help with Brexit-related challenges?
It simplifies cross-border compliance by automating customs declarations, HS codes, and duty calculations. This reduces delays, avoids fines, and ensures accurate documentation for UK-to-EU deliveries.
How quickly can shipping management software be implemented?
Implementation times vary but most cloud-based platforms can be set up in weeks, with courier and channel integrations activated quickly. Enterprise deployments may take longer depending on custom integrations and ERP connections.
Does shipping management software support click-and-collect?
Yes. Many platforms support delivery to lockers, parcel shops, and in-store collection points. This gives customers more flexibility and reduces failed deliveries.
What is rules-based automation in shipping management software?
Rules-based automation allows retailers to pre-set courier selection criteria, such as weight, value, destination, or delivery speed. This ensures the right courier is automatically chosen without manual intervention.
Can shipping management software integrate with warehouse management systems?
Yes. Integration with WMS enables seamless order fulfilment, accurate stock handling, and efficient picking and packing processes, reducing errors and speeding up dispatch.
How does shipping management software improve collaboration between teams?
It provides shared visibility across logistics, finance, IT, marketing, and operations teams. This reduces silos, improves communication, and ensures everyone has access to accurate shipping data.
Does shipping management software support enterprise-level SLAs?
Yes. Platforms help retailers meet delivery SLAs by monitoring courier performance, flagging risks, and automatically choosing alternatives when delays occur. This protects customer satisfaction and contracts.
Can CFOs use shipping management software to forecast costs?
Yes. Detailed historical data and predictive analytics allow CFOs and controllers to forecast shipping costs, track budget variance, and make strategic decisions on pricing and courier contracts.
How does shipping management software support transformation projects?
It plays a key role in digital transformation by automating manual processes, modernising logistics workflows, and integrating data across systems. This accelerates efficiency and scalability.
How does shipping management software reduce IT overheads?
Cloud-based shipping solutions reduce the need for custom integrations and in-house systems. They are updated automatically and supported externally, lowering IT maintenance costs and complexity.
What role does shipping management software play in compliance?
It ensures compliance with carrier requirements, customs regulations, VAT rules, and data privacy. Automated documentation reduces risk of fines, delays, and non-compliance penalties.
How do founders and CEOs benefit from shipping management software?
Founders and CEOs benefit from improved margins, operational resilience, customer satisfaction, and scalability. Shipping software supports strategic growth while reducing operational risk.
How does shipping management software help with seasonal peaks?
By supporting multiple couriers and automated rules, retailers can manage higher volumes during peak seasons without delays. This prevents bottlenecks and protects customer experience during busy periods.
Does shipping management software support freight as well as parcels?
Yes. Many enterprise platforms support freight alongside parcel delivery, enabling businesses to manage all shipping requirements in one system.
How does shipping management software future-proof logistics operations?
By providing scalable, flexible integrations and automation, shipping software ensures retailers can adapt quickly to new couriers, regulations, sales channels, and customer expectations.
How should retailers choose the right shipping management software?
Retailers should consider integrations, scalability, courier coverage, automation features, analytics, support, and pricing. It is critical to align software capabilities with business goals, growth plans, and customer expectations.
Explore Scurri Connect
Our shipping management software Scurri Connect retailers, 3PLs and marketplaces seamlessly connect all aspects of the order, shipping, and delivery process through one central platform.