Discover key factors to look for in customer reviews throughout your shipping software search
Today, it feels like there are more oversaturated markets than not, including the shipping software market. This can make the task of searching for new shipping software feel comparable to searching for a needle in a haystack. With so many options out there, offering an endless array of features and capabilities, the research process can quickly become overwhelming. Marketing materials and sales pitches can paint a perfect picture, but how can companies distinguish what’s truly the best fit shipping software for their needs versus what appears the shiniest and most attractive?
The answer is customer reviews. These pieces of real-world feedback from actual users offer invaluable insights into the product, cutting through the advertising noise and highlighting what actually matters. By focusing on the key characteristics you’re looking for in your shipping software solution, such as integration, customization, compliance, and support, you can gain a better understanding of whether the solution can meet your business needs or if it just looks good on paper. Let’s dive into why these four factors are crucial when assessing reviews, helping you make a more informed decision and find the right shipping software for your business.
Essential Features to Look for in Shipping Software Reviews
While every business has their own unique needs when it comes to shipping software, there are four key factors that stand out as particularly important when assessing customer reviews: integration, customization, compliance, and support. Positive feedback in these areas is often a strong indicator that the software will deliver the reliability and functionality your business requires.
1. Integration: Ensuring Seamless Compatibility
In order to maintain efficient shipping operations, your shipping software should integrate seamlessly with your existing systems – whether that be an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, warehouse management system (WMS), or e-commerce platforms. A smooth integration between various systems ensures a streamlined flow of data, eliminates time consuming manual data entry, reduces the risk of costly errors, enables business continuity, and much more. Each of these factors help orders move quickly through the shipping process, ensuring businesses maintain their shipping speed and accuracy.
While software demos can showcase integrations with other tools and systems, customer reviews often reveal the true ease of software integration. Positive user feedback typically highlights how quickly and painlessly the software integrates with both existing technology stacks and carrier networks. Users frequently share their experiences with the integration process, noting minimal disruptions, smooth onboarding, and seamless carrier connections. It is also crucial to note mentions of compatibility with specific platforms and carriers, along with how easily the software can adapt to varying shipping requirements, as this can be very telling into the solution’s real-world performance. For businesses considering their options, these reviews are essential for determining whether the software will seamlessly fit into their operations or cause unnecessary complications.
2. Customization: Tailoring the Solution to Fit Your Needs
The modern supply chain world is far past the times of a one-size-fits-all shipping software solution. Each business has its own set of diverse needs, so the ability to customize a shipping solution to specific workflows, processes, and more, is not just a nice-to-have – it’s an essential capability. Positive customer reviews often emphasize the flexibility and customization options that a software provider offers, from adjusting business rules and carrier preferences to personalizing user interfaces. Customization enables shippers to meet their unique requirements without compromising their efficiency or functionality.
Shipping solutions with reviews emphasizing how easily users can configure the software to suit specific business needs provide key insight into the true value of the product. Users often praise shipping software that offers intuitive tools for personalization, such as automated workflows, customizable reporting, and the ability to scale as the business grows. This level of flexibility ensures that businesses can remain agile, adapting to shifting demands and mitigating unforeseen circumstances. For companies in the market for shipping software, customer feedback on customization abilities can be critical in determining if the solution will continue to meet evolving needs or if it will require expensive modifications down the line.
3. Compliance: Staying Ahead of Industry Standards
The shipping and logistics industries involve highly complex regulations and requirements that businesses must comply with to operate. Because of this, it is crucial that compliance with industry standards and regulations are a key consideration when choosing shipping software. Top-tier shipping solutions stay up to date with the latest requirements, helping businesses avoid costly fines and operational disruptions. Consistently meeting compliance standards provides shippers peace of mind, ensuring they’re operating within legal boundaries and minimizing legal risk.
Positive customer feedback often points out the software’s ability to automatically update regulatory changes without having to do it manually. Businesses should look for shipping software with reviews highlighting how well the provider keeps up with evolving regulations such as customs documentation, hazardous materials handling, or sustainability practices. Industry requirements are constantly changing, so your shipping software should also remain adaptable to evolving standards.
4. Support: Reliable Help When You Need It
Even the most prestigious technologies can experience issues, having significant impacts on businesses. That is why reliable customer support is essential when choosing shipping software. Positive customer reviews typically mention the responsiveness and effectiveness of a software provider’s support team, praising quick resolutions to issues when needed. From troubleshooting a technical issue to assisting with integration, having access to a support team who is knowledgeable and responsive ensures businesses can maintain smooth operations without unnecessary downtime.
Happy customers usually mention how easy it is to get in contact with support and the various communication channels available such as phone, email, and live chat. Reviews that highlight the quality of ongoing training and user resources can provide further assurance that the provider is committed to helping businesses succeed. For companies considering different software solutions, feedback on support quality can be a deciding factor, ensuring that assistance is always just a call or click away when it’s needed most.
Meet Varsity Logistics: A Top-Rated Multi-Carrier Shipping Software Solution
When it comes to choosing a shipping software solution, Varsity Logistics stands out as the leading provider of multi-carrier shipping software for both parcel and freight shippers on the IBM i (AS/400) Power Systems. Recognized for its reliability and flexibility, Varsity has earned the trust of businesses across various industries by simplifying shipping complexities and enhancing operational efficiency. With Varsity, businesses can confidently navigate the ever-evolving world of logistics and shipping, knowing they have a comprehensive solution that meets their needs today and scales with them into the future. But don’t just take our word for it, listen to some of the things our customers had to say when it comes to the 4 key considerations.
Integration: Varsity excels in seamless integration with your existing IBM i ERP, WMS, and/or customized-in-house and home-grown systems. With positive customer feedback highlighting the smooth integration process, Varsity ensures that businesses experience minimal disruptions. Its compatibility with all major North American carriers and third-party systems ensures streamlined order fulfillment, reduced operational delays, and access to the best carrier services, helping you maintain satisfied customers.
When asked about Varsity’s biggest advantage (pro), the reviewer stated:
“We have been a customer for as long I have been here (over 18 years) and have always been very happy with the product. [Our biggest] Pro: Full Integration with my VAI S2K ERP system.” – Senior Programmer Analyst, Wholesale Company
Customization: One of Varsity’s greatest strengths is its ability to tailor the shipping software to meet the unique needs of each business. Varsity offers an intuitive, centralized platform that allows users to customize workflows, business rules, reporting features, and more. The flexibility to adjust the shipping solution to specific business processes ensures that companies can improve efficiency and maintain agility as their needs evolve.
“It has everything we need to run the business, and at the same time it’s very flexible in configuration, allowing us to select and use only the modules we need.” – IT Director, Manufacturing
Compliance: In an ever-changing regulatory landscape, staying compliant is a top priority. Varsity Logistics is committed to keeping businesses ahead of industry standards by continually keeping its software up to date to meet evolving regulations. From customs documentation to hazmat shipping and carrier requirements, Varsity ensures that businesses comply with all relevant rules and standards, minimizing risk and preventing costly fines.
“Varsity Logistics has been an integral part of our parcel shipping for over 25 years. Their product along with their professional services team has help us respond to carrier requirements allowing us to focus on other areas of our business.” – Director of Technology, Consumer Goods
Support: Varsity Logistics understands that responsive, expert support is critical to keeping operations running smoothly. That’s why Varsity provides its customers with additional training resources and outstanding customer service, known for its fast response times and knowledgeable assistance. Whether businesses need help with integration, troubleshooting, or optimizing shipping processes, Varsity’s support team is there to help every step of the way.
“We have been a Varsity customer since 2007. During this time, we have had great support and quick response time.” – IT Manager, Transportation
Varsity Logistics is a trusted partner for businesses looking to optimize their shipping operations. Is your business looking for a game-changing shipping solution? Contact Varsity’s team of seasoned shipping experts or schedule a demo to discover how our industry-leading solution can streamline your shipping processes, stay ahead of the competition, and maintain business continuity for future success. Let us show you our solution lives up to our customers’ testimonials.