UPS is introducing a series of shipping enhancements aimed at SME customers, including new pickup management tools, faster label creation and expanded mobile app capabilities.
The rollout includes a new online dashboard for managing pickups with real-time status updates, a faster and more customizable shipment creation experience on UPS.com, and a redesigned mobile app that integrates with The UPS Store.
“We know small-business owners are masters at juggling priorities, but a complicated shipping process shouldn’t be one of them,” said Matt Guffey, UPS chief commercial and strategy officer. “UPS gives customers one less thing to worry about, with tools designed to save time, reduce complexity and help businesses stay focused on serving customers and growing.”
The new pickup dashboard allows customers to schedule, manage and track pickups in one place, with real-time notifications. UPS has also updated how customers manage Smart Pickups, letting them request, confirm or cancel pickups based on actual shipping needs. Because Smart Pickups occur only on days shipments are ready, UPS says businesses can save up to 50% compared with the cost of a daily pickup.
On UPS.com, label creation has been consolidated into a single-screen shipping experience that combines shipment details and service options. Customers can also import order information directly from shopping carts and major online marketplaces, while shipping label templates aim to reduce repetitive data entry.
The redesigned UPS mobile app allows customers to create labels, schedule pickups, track shipments and manage shipping activity from their devices, including scanning a tracking number for instant shipment visibility without manual entry. The app also integrates with more than 5,500 The UPS Store locations across the US, allowing customers to create labels digitally and print them at a convenient location. Labels printed through The UPS Store are RFID enabled, providing near-real-time tracking from the moment a package enters the UPS network.
“Whether a business ships a few packages a week or hundreds a day, UPS is committed to creating the best customer experience in the industry,” Guffey said.
In related news, DHL eCommerce to acquire Venipak, expanding into the Baltic region
