Integrating Quickbooks and Shipping (Endicia) with ZC

[MnDel]

I posted about trying to achieve integration on a Mac 9 months ago, but with zero replies I have concluded that I must first switch my Macbook over to Windows - (Parallels, Windows 8, and QB Pro for about $400) so I have started a 'new thread' focused on what that hopefully opens up.

Here’s the only choices as I see them at this time if i switch to Windows, but none seem great, I would sure appreciate other folk's experience trying to integrate accounting and shipping with ZC before I plunk down the big bucks.

ZC to Endicia only - Numinix @ $75 a year
QB to Endicia only - Teapplix @ $30 a month
ZC to QB only - QBI @ $225
ZC to QB & Endicia - Atandra T-Hub @ $650
ZC to QB Cloud (no Endicia?) - Wegbility Ecc $29 month
ZC to QB Pro & Endicia - Wegbility Ecc $50 month
ZC to QB & Endicia - Super Manager $600

Any I have missed? Corrections? Experiences?
thanks! Del

[mc12345678]

The only thing at the moment I have to offer is that, I am not so sure that the OS platform matters so much as the software to be integrated... QB has a plugin integrater which does not appear to be OS dependent. ZC is written in php and can export data as programmed/needed...

I believe I may have seen that 9 month old post, but because the free supportted QB plugin became too advanced to be maintained free of charge at about the time I was in a position to try using it, I personally never had such a plugin successfully installed/functional, so can offer very little additional guidance on useful plugins/vendors, but in a way hope that whatever additional software has or will be purchased meets your needs.

[MnDel]

Since I have found no archived threads about “ Integration of ZC, Accounting, & Shipping ” - Perhaps I am barking up the wrong tree? I thought it would be a central concern to most Zenners.
We are a family business, I make the stuff, my wife ships it out, about 1400 packages a year. We’ve heard of a fellow with a similar business (but who’s with Joomla-Virtuemart) who has a seamlessly integrated system from cart to accounting to shipping. Sounds to me like what all of us need - are there really no Zenner’s out there who have tried the various systems? or combinations such as QBI + Numinix?
What else should I be exploring instead?
Perhaps I am on the wrong sub-forum?
Thanks! Del

[RixStix]

ZC to USPS (Endicia or Stamps.com) via ShipStation
ZC to USPS (Express 1) via ShipStation
ZC to Fedex via ShipStation
ZC to UPS via ShipStation
ZC to DHL via ShipStation
Minimal SS account $25/month
FWIW, Stamps.com acquired ShipStation a few month ago.

ZC to QB can't answer but past experience is that exporting POS DB to QB of any sort was iffy at best. Things may be different nowdays.
Not an issue for us because we use ZC to keep the invoice/sales details and just enter a single, total manual invoice per month into QB for each payment type.
That method also removes any compatability issues with QB version and/or ZC version changes.

[MnDel]

Rix, this is the kind of reply I have been hoping for.
Could you please expand on what you meant by:
"we use ZC to keep the invoice/sales details and just enter a single, total manual invoice per month into QB for each payment type."
Is this a straight forward operation from ZC or?
I have yet to operate our cart, (am waiting to get all our ducks in a row), so am not familiar with exporting data that QB could understand..
I will consider SS over just Endicia if the extra $10 a month will open communication with ZC
Del

[RixStix]

Could you please expand on what you meant by:
"we use ZC to keep the invoice/sales details and just enter a single, total manual invoice per month into QB for each payment type."
Is this a straight forward operation from ZC or?

only you and your accountant can determine the QB setup and processes that works for your situation and depends upon the level of detail your and your accountant need within QB. There is a difference between need and require; sometimes required is much more detail than actually needed.

This is not an automated process but works for our needs.
We use the data from our PayPal Monthly Financial Summary to make entries into QuickBooks for the monthly totals.
We use the data from our Credit Card Merchant account statement to make entries similar to the PayPal entries.

ie: QB: Customer: Enter Sales Receipt as a single payment attributed to PPcustomer depending upon QB setup. If there are taxable and nontaxable sales, we break that out into 2 line items within the receipt.

With ShipStation, for USPS shipping, both Endicia and Express1 USPS accounts are recommended. Express1 USPS rates are slightly less expensive for domestic FR classes than Endicia but Express1 can't be used for other services or international. SS insurance is much less than USPS insurance but you have option for using either.