ozpost shipping module

[RodG]

Thanks Rod

Just one thing with the update i have an extra 2 empty boxes under postage delays is this normal..

Thanks again much appreciated.

Click on the 'Remove' button, then the 'Install'.

This will update the database and populate the empty boxes with a couple of new options/features.

Cheers
Rod

[uniqueliving]

Click on the 'Remove' button, then the 'Install'.

This will update the database and populate the empty boxes with a couple of new options/features.

Cheers
Rod

Thanks Rod all fixed

[GAM]

Hi Rod

It's been ages ;-)

I've finally gotten around to updating my AusPost module and discovered your new OzPost module! Very nice. Installed this morning and after a little tweaking and checking I'm now reasonably confidently running it 'live'!!!

Great job!

Note that I've also replaced my previous Fastway module with your OzPost version and like the greater options and satchel quotes which will help a great deal for my NSW store quoting freight to the non-East Coast destinations. I expect some very happy customers with lower satchel pricing.

Anyways, couple of questions...

1. Can we limit minimum Fastway label cost i.e., minimum label cost is Zone 1 - Red? I don't bother purchasing Local or Shorthaul labels and previously forced quotes based on Red label minimum which I use for everything up to Zone 1.

2. Express Post Platinum? I thought I saw it on 2.0.5 but I updated 2.0.6 moments later. Express Post Platinum 500g and 3kg satchels are a great option for me as they have tracking, sign for receipt and express service i.e., Express Registered ;-)

3. Express Post XL... I use their new 5kg Express Post satchel but not sure if this is the same thing to OzPost? OzPost seems to mention 3kg XL...

4. Are satchel dimensions specified somewhere that can be changed? My products are all dimensioned but mostly based on actual dimensions not packaged dimensions. Some larger (longer) items I have may seem like they fit in a satchel based on the specified dimensions but not after packaging or taking into account height factors which reduce maximum length. I want to avoid customers selecting satchel options when one or more products physically cannot fit.

EDIT:
5. Is there a way to limit shipping options to 'tracked' or 'signed' options only for orders with values exceeding a specified amount? E.g., Orders with value >$200 must be shipped via tracked services only.


Many kudos to you again Rod for a great shipping module and for all the effort you put into supporting it and your fellow Zenners.

Cheers
Greig

[RodG]

1. Can we limit minimum Fastway label cost i.e., minimum label cost is Zone 1 - Red? I don't bother purchasing Local or Shorthaul labels and previously forced quotes based on Red label minimum which I use for everything up to Zone 1.

In all seriousness, I wouldn't know one label from another. The Fastway server doesn't make any distinction between them, so the short answer is 'no'.
The longer answer is that it will probably be a trivial task to modify the code so that if the quote is less than some minimum cost it will be reset to a fixed value.

2. Express Post Platinum? I thought I saw it on 2.0.5 but I updated 2.0.6 moments later.

Must've been your imagination.
There's no reason why I *haven't* included Express Post Platinum, other than until now, no one has asked for it.

3. Express Post XL... I use their new 5kg Express Post satchel but not sure if this is the same thing to OzPost? OzPost seems to mention 3kg XL...

The 5kg Express Post XL is now included with the 'pre-paid express satchels' setting as this is now an officially listed and stocked product.

The 3kg XL is listed separately because they are not listed in the current AustPost pricelists and are only available from some outlets.

4. Are satchel dimensions specified somewhere that can be changed?

No. The Satchel dimensions reside on the server and are not user changeable.

However, due to the nature of the satchels what can be fitted into them (by dimension) is somewhat variable and far from an exact science, so if need be I'm happy to tweak the settings.

My products are all dimensioned but mostly based on actual dimensions not packaged dimensions. Some larger (longer) items I have may seem like they fit in a satchel based on the specified dimensions but not after packaging

I follow what you are saying, but the solution is to use packaged dimensions for your products. If I make the satchel dimensions larger than they really are it is going to really mess things up for everyone. Including you.

or taking into account height factors which reduce maximum length.

An allowance has been made for this.

I want to avoid customers selecting satchel options when one or more products physically cannot fit.

As mentioned, this isn't an exact science, and I'd be happy to tweak the figures if you find that this is consistently occurring. However, allowances have been made to take height factors into account, and if anything you should find that the module will err on the side of caution, in that you are more likely to find items will fit, even though the module suggests they won't, rather than the items not fitting and the module suggesting they will.

5. Is there a way to limit shipping options to 'tracked' or 'signed' options only for orders with values exceeding a specified amount? E.g., Orders with value >$200 must be shipped via tracked services only.

No, but as with your question about minimum label costs, it shouldn't be too difficult to hack the code to perform this task.
I can't see me adding it as a feature, mainly on account of the fact that it will require quite a complex user interface for the admin settings (what is the order value, what are the tracked services, are all the tracked services enabled or just some of them, how does the user select them, etc, etc.

By hacking/modifying the code these decisions and preferences can be performed 'as needed' without the overhead of what could be a confusing interface.

Cheers
Rod

[robax]

Hi Rod,

This module is a real treat, thanks for all your work on it.

I've upgraded from the ast Austpost-improved one to OZPost 2.0.5 and that worked out fine. I've got the 2.0.6 release from the thread here and have a couple of questions before I upgrade this time.

1. Do I need to remove the module from the admin, shipping modules page and then install it again there afterwards, or is it sufficient to just overwrite the files?

2. Is there anything special needed to get the TNT part to work? I have a valid account and can sign into the TNT website to get quotes there, but I can't seem to get any result out of the module in ZC. I put my details into the module and enabled the TNT methods, but nothing shows up in the estimator other than the Austpost methods that are also enabled. I'm wondering if it is meant to work in place of the Austpost methods, or can those remain enabled as well?

Thanks heaps for any advice on this.
Regards
Rob

[RodG]

I've got the 2.0.6 release from the thread here and have a couple of questions before I upgrade this time.

1. Do I need to remove the module from the admin, shipping modules page and then install it again there afterwards, or is it sufficient to just overwrite the files?

If upgrading from 2.0.5 to 2.0.6 all you really need to do is overwrite
/includes/modules/shipping/ozpost.php with the new copy, then click on the remove/install buttons from the admin panel (to activate the new features).

2. Is there anything special needed to get the TNT part to work? I have a valid account and can sign into the TNT website to get quotes there,

You probably still need to register for "TNT Online"
http://www.tntexpress.com.au/interac...gistration.asp

Hhmmm... or was it "myTNT"
https://my.tnt.com/myTNT/login/LoginInitial.do

The TNT Site/pages are a real nightmare and I still don't really know what account/login does what. I do know that to register for either service an existing account was required.. Oh, and it also took a few phone calls to TNT before they managed to sort things out from their end for it to work.

but I can't seem to get any result out of the module in ZC. I put my details into the module and enabled the TNT methods, but nothing shows up in the estimator other than the Austpost methods that are also enabled. I'm wondering if it is meant to work in place of the Austpost methods, or can those remain enabled as well?

Enter "11111111" as your TNT account number. This will activate a 'test' account so you can see it working.

This test account number can be discontinued at any time without notice, so don't rely on it in lieu of working out your issue with TNT.

Tip: With TNT enabled, and your login details entered, try enabling the ozpost 'debug' option. It *should* report the reason why the TNT connection failled (as well as lots of other data that probably is of little interest).

Cheers
Rod

[robax]

Excellent, thanks for the tips on upgrading and on TNT.
I'll have another go with the TNT bits tomorrow and update the thread here with the results.
Thanks again
Rob

[robax]

If upgrading from 2.0.5 to 2.0.6 all you really need to do is overwrite
/includes/modules/shipping/ozpost.php with the new copy, then click on the remove/install buttons from the admin panel (to activate the new features).



You probably still need to register for "TNT Online"
http://www.tntexpress.com.au/interac...gistration.asp

Hhmmm... or was it "myTNT"
https://my.tnt.com/myTNT/login/LoginInitial.do

The TNT Site/pages are a real nightmare and I still don't really know what account/login does what. I do know that to register for either service an existing account was required.. Oh, and it also took a few phone calls to TNT before they managed to sort things out from their end for it to work.



Enter "11111111" as your TNT account number. This will activate a 'test' account so you can see it working.

This test account number can be discontinued at any time without notice, so don't rely on it in lieu of working out your issue with TNT.

Tip: With TNT enabled, and your login details entered, try enabling the ozpost 'debug' option. It *should* report the reason why the TNT connection failled (as well as lots of other data that probably is of little interest).

Cheers
Rod

Hi Rod,
I'm following this message up so that you know how it all went. The TNT stuff was a pain to sort out as you had indicated.

I can confirm here that the 'Rated Transit Times' service requires the acount to be created at 'TNT Online' and that it requires a phone call to the CIT Helpdesk on 1300 851 131 for the service be enabled for the account.

That should help others get it happening.

Kind regards,
Rob

[GAM]

In all seriousness, I wouldn't know one label from another. The Fastway server doesn't make any distinction between them, so the short answer is 'no'.
The longer answer is that it will probably be a trivial task to modify the code so that if the quote is less than some minimum cost it will be reset to a fixed value.



Must've been your imagination.
There's no reason why I *haven't* included Express Post Platinum, other than until now, no one has asked for it.




The 5kg Express Post XL is now included with the 'pre-paid express satchels' setting as this is now an officially listed and stocked product.

The 3kg XL is listed separately because they are not listed in the current AustPost pricelists and are only available from some outlets.



No. The Satchel dimensions reside on the server and are not user changeable.

However, due to the nature of the satchels what can be fitted into them (by dimension) is somewhat variable and far from an exact science, so if need be I'm happy to tweak the settings.



I follow what you are saying, but the solution is to use packaged dimensions for your products. If I make the satchel dimensions larger than they really are it is going to really mess things up for everyone. Including you.



An allowance has been made for this.



As mentioned, this isn't an exact science, and I'd be happy to tweak the figures if you find that this is consistently occurring. However, allowances have been made to take height factors into account, and if anything you should find that the module will err on the side of caution, in that you are more likely to find items will fit, even though the module suggests they won't, rather than the items not fitting and the module suggesting they will.



No, but as with your question about minimum label costs, it shouldn't be too difficult to hack the code to perform this task.
I can't see me adding it as a feature, mainly on account of the fact that it will require quite a complex user interface for the admin settings (what is the order value, what are the tracked services, are all the tracked services enabled or just some of them, how does the user select them, etc, etc.

By hacking/modifying the code these decisions and preferences can be performed 'as needed' without the overhead of what could be a confusing interface.

Cheers
Rod

Hi Rod

Thanks for all your answers. Much appreciated and understood.

I don't mind hacking the code. I'm not very skilled but skilled enough to customse the earlier AustPost Improved module to get it working flawlessly for me. Same with the old Fastway module.

Btw, A2 vs A3 Fastway satchels were throwing me in regards to item length vs satchel length. The way it is now, I think the price is the only thing that distinguishes between an A2 or A3 satchel, as 'A2/A3' seems to be specified in both cases.


My wishlist:
1. Assistance with code hacks for Fastway minimum cost.
2. Inclusion of Express Post Platinum
3. Dimensions factor... like 'Tare percent' weight factor. Or assistance to hack code myself.
4. Assistance (point me to the correct file) for modifying Order Confirmation email text and Order History text. I want to include the Fastway Label Colour and/or Satchel Type and Transit days as I use these in dispatch functions to determine best option for my dispatch and for advising transit time when sending out dispatch advices to customers.
5. Assistance with 'Tracked services only for Order Value and PayPal payment method' hacks.

I realise I'm asking a lot and understand if you're not able to offer too much assistance but pointers in the right direction at least would be a great help for me.

Cheers
Greig

[RodG]

Btw, A2 vs A3 Fastway satchels were throwing me in regards to item length vs satchel length. The way it is now, I think the price is the only thing that distinguishes between an A2 or A3 satchel, as 'A2/A3' seems to be specified in both cases.

'A2/A3' is how this text data is returned by the FastWay server, and as you say, price is the only thing that distinguishes them. Almost...

The ozpost server code doesn't change the data from the Fastway server in any way, but it *does* set a 'flag' based on the parcel dimensions, and it indicates this by the weight display (3kg = A2 size , 5kg = A3 size).

If you think it would be less confusing to modify the A2/A3 so that it shows one or the other then I've no problems with doing that.

My wishlist:
1. Assistance with code hacks for Fastway minimum cost.

Around lines 427-432 of ozpost.php you'll see where the checks are made for the FastWay methods.

eg:
case "FWL";
if(in_array("FastWay Labels", $this->allowed_methods)) $handlingFee = MODULE_SHIPPING_OZPOST_FWL_HANDLING ;
break;

Modify this to something like:
case "FWL";
if(in_array("FastWay Labels", $this->allowed_methods)) { $handlingFee = MODULE_SHIPPING_OZPOST_FWL_HANDLING ;

if (($quote->cost > 0) && ($quote->cost < $aa.bb ) ) $quote->cost = "$xx.yy" ;
break;

2. Inclusion of Express Post Platinum

I would've done that already, but I'm helping you with this instead :-)

3. Dimensions factor... like 'Tare percent' weight factor. Or assistance to hack code myself.

Around line 220 you'll see " // save dimensions for display purposes on quote form"

Immediatly before this line you'll see a couple of places where the dimension data gets its 'final' manipulation. Insert any changes you need somewhere inbetween..

eg : $parcelwidth = $parcelwidth+2 ; will add 2cm to the width of the parcel being quoted.

4. Assistance (point me to the correct file) for modifying Order Confirmation email text and Order History text. I want to include the Fastway Label Colour and/or Satchel Type and Transit days as I use these in dispatch functions to determine best option for my dispatch and for advising transit time when sending out dispatch advices to customers.

Sorry, can't help on either. Hmmm, I'm sure the order confirmation emails contained the shipping info by default.
(checks) -- Yup, it all shows in out store ok.
A setting somewhere perhaps?

5. Assistance with 'Tracked services only for Order Value and PayPal payment method' hacks.

Find the lines for methods that you wish to dissallow when order value exceeds you limit: eg:

if(in_array("Regular Parcel", $this->allowed_methods))

Modify such lines to include the checks required: eg:

if(in_array("Regular Parcel", $this->allowed_methods)) && ($order->info['total'] < $xxx.yy )

This test requires both the Regular Parcel as an allowed method to be true AND the value of the order less than the amount specified in order to allow the quote. If either are 'false' - eg, if the total amount exceeds the specified amount then the expression will be 'false' and this method won't be shown.

There are many methods that you will need to disable this way. I suggest you do one at a time, and make regular backups.

Cheers
Rod