FedEx

X-Cart has two shipping modules for obtaining shipping rates from FedEx. One of the modules provides integration with FedEx Rate Tools solution, the other one provides integration with FedEx Ship Manager Direct solution. Your store can use just one FedEx solution at a time, so you need to decide which of the two modules you will use.

The module providing integration with FedEx Rate Tools solution has been present in X-Cart for some time now and is well-known to our regular clients. It is notable for being table-based (not truly a 'real-time' solution): it does not contact FedEx server every time a customer needs a shipping quote; instead, it allows you to obtain CSV-formatted shipping rate tables from FedEx. These tables are stored in your store, and, as need arises, the module draws shipping rates from there. This way, the module provides an adequate shipping cost estimation to your customers in most cases; however, to keep it adequate, you need to update your FedEx tables often enough.

The module providing integration with FedEx Ship Manager Direct solution has been available in X-Cart from the version 4.1.5. Unlike FedEx Rate Tools, it is a truly real-time solution: it sends a request for a shipping quote to FedEx server whenever a customer selects or changes a shipping method on checkout. This way the module always provides your customers with the most up-to-date shipping rates. To be able to use this solution, you need to complete end-user certification with FedEx. Instructions for completing the certification are available at http://www.x-cart.com/articles/fedex_shipping_rates.html.

To set up shipping cost calculation for FedEx using one of X-Cart's FedEx modules, follow these steps:

If you haven't yet done so, provide your own company address in the 'General settings->Company options' section. Make sure you provide this address correctly - it will be submitted to the real-time shipping calculator as the origin address for all shipments from your store and thus will affect the shipping rates.

a)	In your store's administration back-end, go to the 'General settings->Shipping options' section.

b)	On the 'General settings->Shipping options' page, select the check box 'Real-time shipping calculation'. Unselect the check box 'If selected, use Intershipper calculation services...'.

c)	Use the 'FedEx account details' subsection of 'General settings->Shipping options' page to provide the required information.

a)	Go to the 'Shipping methods' section of your store's administration back-end (Management menu->Shipping methods).

b)	Find FedEx in the list of real-time shipping methods and click the Options >> link opposite it. A dialog box with FedEx options opens.

Depending on the integration method currently selected, the 'Integration method' line at the top of the 'FedEx options' dialog box will say either 'FedEx Rate Tools' or 'FedEx Ship Manager Direct'. If the currently selected integration method is the one you are going to use, just leave it be. If, however, you need a different integration method, change the currently selected method using the Modify button next to the method name (re-select the integration method and click on Apply).

1.	From the drop-down box 'Company type', select FedEx Ground, FedEx Express or both.

2.	From the drop-down box 'Packaging', select the type of packaging you wish to use.

3.	Adjust the drop-down box 'Ship to Residence' (If you set it to Yes, the FedEx Home Delivery method will be available).

4.	Set the fuel surcharges. This is important to get the correct rates. You can find the most current fuel surcharges here:http://www.fedex.com/us/services/fuelsurcharge.html. Keep these settings up to date, as they change frequently.

After the options have been adjusted, obtain rate data from FedEx and import into your store:

3.	In the window that will be opened, click the button Download rates to download the rate tables archive file.

Use your favorite archiver program to uncompress the archive and put the resulting files into the folder on your server that is specified in the 'Server path to files' parameter (by default - /shipping/FedEx). Please note that if you have already performed this operation before, this folder already contains your old files with FedEx rate tables - these need to be replaced by the files from the uncompressed archive.

5.	To import the rate tables that you have placed in the 'Server path to files' folder into X-Cart, click the Import button.

If the import was successful, you should see a date of import for each method, as well as an import date and Origin Zip Code. If you do not see this information, the import was NOT successful and the real-time rates will not work!

Before you can enable FedEx Ship Manager Direct, you need to obtain a meter number from FedEx. X-Cart can obtain this number for you. For that, it will need you to provide your FedEx account number (by this time you should have provided it on the 'General settings->Shipping options' page) and to complete the form on the 'FedEx options' page (Fields marked by asterisks are required):

Provided that the information you entered is correct, after clicking the button Get the FedEx meter number, you should be able to see the next section of 'FedEx options' - with your meter number displayed at its top:

Now specify the options that will be used for getting shipping rates from FedEx:

1.	From the drop-down box 'Carrier type', select FedEx Ground, FedEx Express or both.

2.	From the drop-down boxes 'Packaging (FedEx Express)' and 'Packaging (FedEx Ground)', select the types of packaging you wish to use for FedEx Express and FedEx Ground.