Parcel Tracking in the VOC  

Why are shipments not showing up in the VOC for a specific carrier?    

Potential Reason: If a shipment was not successfully initialized to project44, it will not be visible within the VOC.   

Solution: Verify shipment was created. If the shipment was not correctly initialized, add shipment again.   

Can I delete a parcel shipment in the VOC?  

No, you cannot delete a parcel shipment in the VOC. You can, however, delete a parcel shipment with the following API: DELETE: Delete an existing parcel shipment using the unique system id.  

How do I add parcel carriers to my network?  

See the section Managing Capacity Providers in the VOC in the project44 Parcel Product & Services User Guide for more information on how to add, update, and manage carriers in the VOC. If you do not have all of the required information needed to add the carrier, you can use dummy credentials until you have the information you need.  

Parcel Tracking with project44 API  

How do I initialize tracking on a parcel shipment?  

To initiate tracking, submit a POST: Initialize parcel shipment for tracking request.  

When should I submit the POST to create my shipment?    

This can be done at any time before shipment starts. If a shipment is created after the first appointment window has ended, we will start tracking the shipment immediately and may not be able to retrieve any historical details.   

Do I need a shipment identifier in order to create a shipment?   

Yes, parcel tracking currently only accepts a tracking number (TRACKING_NUMBER) as a valid shipment identifier. The shipment will not track until the correct tracking number is applied.  

What fields are required when to initiate tracking for a parcel shipment?    

You will need the shipment tracking number and the capacity provider account group code, or the code for the requested capacity provider account that was used for authentication with the capacity provider's API, to initiate tracking.  

How often are you retrieving updates?     

While the project44 tracking job is running for a particular carrier and reference number, project44 will continually check the carrier's API for status updates. The interval to check the carrier's system is every 15-30 minutes. Once the carrier response has been processed into the project44 system, it's available to be pushed or pulled to the customer's TMS.  

How often is ETA calculated?   

project44 continually checks the capacity provider's system every 15-30 minutes. If there is an update for the ETA calculated by the capacity provider, you can PULL the tracking update by using GET requests or have the information PUSHed to your TMS as it becomes available.  

How is ETA calculated?  

ETAs for parcel shipments are provided by the capacity provider.  

When trying to retrieve a status update, do I have to use the project44 ID?   

Yes, you will need the project44-generated ID to PULL a status update using the GET: Get the status of a parcel shipment using the unique system id endpoint. The project44-generated id for the shipment will always be returned in the shipment initialization confirmation.  

If I go the PUSH tracking route, how often will you PUSH me status updates?   

A push will occur if any of these 3 conditions are met:    

1. Timestamp changes    
2. Shipment location changes    
3. Shipment status changes    

With PUSH tracking, is whole history PUSHed out?    

The whole history is not PUSHed out. The PUSH update will have both the recent and statusUpdates sections. To retrieve the whole shipment history in a shipment update, set the includeFullHistory parameter to TRUE in the GET request.  

Can I receive all tracking updates through email notifications?   

No. In order to receive all tracking updates, a webhook must be configured. Email notifications are reserved for specific events only.   

Why isn’t my shipment tracking?  

Potential reason: If the tracking number entered to the POST endpoint does not match the shipment’s tracking number, the shipment will not track.  

Solution: Make sure tracking number is correct.  

What is the ID returned in a tracking initialization response and should I store it?    

This is the project44-generated id for the shipment. This may not be provided when creating a shipment, but it will always be returned in the shipment confirmation. Make sure to store this ID because it may be used in subsequent API calls to reference a shipment (I.e. DELETE and GET requests for parcel shipments).  

How do you confirm delivery of my freight?    

The shipment status code should read “COMPLETED,” and the latest status should verify if the vehicle has reached the final stop for the shipment.  

How do I set up a webhook?  

To set up a webhook, use the PUT: Add or update webhook where shipment tracking updates are posted endpoint. The URL to which a POST request will be made with the content of the status update for a specific parcel shipment is required. For more details, see PUT: Add or update webhook where shipment tracking updates are posted section in the project44 API Documentation.  

Can I make updates to parcel shipments?  

No, can delete and reinitialize. Not providing stop-level information, therefore do not need make updates to stop information or appointment window information or anything like that.  

How long is a parcel shipment tracked for?  

Start tracking immediately from POST. Tracking stops once the shipment has been delivered, and the shipment status is “COMPLETED.”  

How frequently does project44 provide updates?  

project44 will send shipment updates as soon as new information on the shipment’s status becomes available.  

Why is the location not displaying for a shipment?  

If the city and state of the shipment’s location is not provided by the carrier, project44 will not display it as we do not have that information.  

Why are there pings in the VOC but not my TMS? (Or vice versa)  

Potential Reasons:   

• The webhook was set up incorrectly – this would explain seeing shipment information in the VOC and not in TMS.   
• There is an issue with the project44 system.   

Solution: For either of these situations, escalate the issue to project44 for support.  

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