This is a Level 4 and higher feature.

WebLinks are an important component of on-line shipment processing.  To reach on-line processing, select SHIPPING TOOLS >> ON-LINE SHIPMENT PROCESSING from the Menu Bar at the top of the Main Invoice Screen.

Note: Shipping companies have been changing their websites so quickly that it has been difficult for us to keep up with the changes. They also have been instituting new password protection schemes which prevent Internet Macros from logging in.  Consequently, we have decided to build in a new on-line system whereby the shipping company website is by-passed, and AnyOrder communicates directly with the shipping company's server.  We are working on this for the Level VII program.  We will, however, continue to leave this module in the program since it is workable for a significant number of our users.  Additionally, it is flexible enough that you can make your own changes or create your own macros.

A Weblink is a set of instructions or properties telling AnyOrder how to reach the shipper's website and what data needs to placed on the shipper's on-line form.  WebLinks are selected from the list box on the top left of the Shipment Processing Dialog Box.

To view the properties of a WebLink, click on "View or Modify."

After clicking "View or Modify," the WebLink Properties dialog box appears.  More information on each of the properties is found below:

Short Name for the WebLink. This is the name that shows in the WebLink box on the upper left of the On-line Shipment Processing Dialog Box.  For the name of the WebLink, you'll want to use an abbreviated name for shipper.

URL of the Site. The location of the log-in page to the shipper's website.  To enter this information, it's easiest to start up your browser and go to the log-in location on the shipper's website.  Copy the URL from your browser and paste it in this field.

Login Name. This is the log-in name that you use with the shipper.  If you don't have a log-in name, you'll need to set up an account with the shipper.  At the time you set up an account, you'll establish a log-in name and password.

Password. The log-in password.  Note: AnyOrder hides passwords, but it doesn't encrypt them.  Normally, this is not a problem with shipping company websites.  If, however, you are concerned about the password, you can log-in manually.  To log-in manually, leave the Login and Password fields empty and select the first Start-up Option below.

Start-up options. You have two start-up options.

First Option.  Go to the website. (If I need to log-in, I'll do it manually)

Second Option. Go to the website & log-in automatically by using the following macro _____

The second option requires the name of a macro.  Macros are small programs which log-in or autofill forms.  In the second option, the macro enters the login name and password.  In the third option, the macro logs-in and it takes you to the on-line shipping form and automatically fills out the form.

AnyOrder comes with a number of pre-made macros.  However if you are building a new WebLink for a shipping company not included with AnyOrder, you'll need to create your own macros.  It is possible to create your own macros with the tools included with the program.  Extensive help documentation has been included with Internet Macros, the subsidiary program included in AnyOrder.  More Information: Macros.

You can indicate your default choice among the two options by selecting one of the radio buttons.  The default option can be changed at any time prior to processing directly from the On-line Shipment Processing Dialog Box.   Generally, the most used option is the second option.  If in doubt, it's best to select this option.

Name of export profile to be used with this website. If you create your own macros to process on-line forms, you'll need a data file.  The data file is used by the macro fill in the shipping address and other information on the web form.  The data file is created by AnyOrder just prior to going on-line.  That provides the macro with the latest data for filling in the web form.

If you are building your own WebLink, you'll need to have a data file created.  That's done by the use of an export profile which you can build in AdvancedExport.

For help in developing your own profiles, review the other on-line export profiles that are found in Advanced Export.  You may be able to get by without starting from scratch.  Data used by on-line shipping forms are very similar.  Thus, you may be able to use one of the profiles that come with AnyOrder and tweak it for your purposes.  Advanced Export has a copy feature which allows you to copy a profile.  You can use this feature to copy one of the existing profiles, give it a new name, and make the necessary adjustments so that it works with your shipper.

Once you develop the profile, you'll need to enter the name of the profile in the appropriate blank on the WebLink Properties Dialog Box.  Use the "List" button to select from a list of existing profiles.

Directory for export file (created by the export profile). The export file created by the profile (described above) should always be placed in the C:\AnyOrder\Internet\Datasouces directory.  That's where Internet Macros (the subsidiary program which controls macros and auto-fill functions) expects to find the data file.

AnyOrder will warn you during on-line shipment processing if you have the wrong directory.  A wrong directory error can be triggered if you've done a re-install of the program.  You can also get the error if you use AnyOrder on a network and you change computers.  And you can get the error if you've re-configured Internet Macros.

Make sure that this directory points to C:\AnyOrder\Internet\Datasouces.  Or, if you've specifically reconfigured Internet Macros, indicate the newly reconfigured directory here

Note that the directory found here takes precedence over the directory in the Export Profile.  In other words, for on-line shipment processing, AnyOrder will disregard the directory in the Export profile and use this one instead.

Other On-line Shipment Processing Links:

On-line Shipment Process - General Information

Trouble Shooting On-line Shipment Problems

Macros (Developing YourOwn or Editing Existing Macros)

Macros (How to Turn On Error Checking)

Shipment Form