City Express for ReadyCMS

City Express courier service integration with ReadyCMS

The City Express plugin integrates the City Express courier service (from Serbia) with ReadyCMS. This plugin simplifies your shipping workflow by automating key tasks, reducing manual work, and improving order management.

Key benefits

• Streamlined operations: Automates the dispatch process, reducing manual errors and saving time.
• Enhanced customer experience: Real-time order tracking improves transparency and customer satisfaction.
• Cost efficiency: Reduces manual labor, minimizing operational costs.
• Faster delivery times: Optimizes order processing and shipping to improve customer service.

Features

• Send requests: Easily send package pickup requests to City Express directly from ReadyCMS, simplifying dispatch.
• Cancel requests: Quickly cancel sent requests to maintain flexibility and control over your shipping operations. Cancellation requests are tracked per order, so we avoid duplicate cancellation calls for the same shipment and provide clearer audit trails in the order timeline.
• No duplicate shipment requests: The plugin keeps an internal log of CityExpress requests and prevents the same order from being sent twice by mistake.
• Print stickers: Generate shipping labels directly within ReadyCMS for efficient packaging and dispatch. Every commit and reprint of labels is logged, giving you a better audit trail for printed documents and easier troubleshooting with customer support. 
• Auto-sync of orders (PRO): Automatically synchronize order data and update order statuses in real time, keeping customers informed.
• Additional features (PRO): Advanced options such as automatic order closure, further streamlining of e-commerce management, and reduced manual workload.

The City Express plugin integrates the City Express courier service (based in Serbia) with ReadyCMS. As a classic plugin, it enhances and streamlines workflows by adding crucial functionality.

By reducing the time spent on manual order processing, you save time and liberate resources (by redirecting staff to more vital tasks).

Guide

1. Find the plugin: Go to the plugins page in your ReadyCMS instance and find the City Express plugin.
2. Configure the settings:
• Auto-sync: Enable or disable automatic synchronization of recent shipments.
• When syncing, update orders: Choose whether ReadyCMS should automatically update order statuses based on shipment data. When enabled, delivered or canceled shipments update the corresponding order, while cash-on-delivery orders can also be marked as paid. Select No to record shipment events without changing orders.
• Sync frequency: Select how often ReadyCMS should check City Express for shipment updates.
• Sync limit: Set the maximum number of recent shipments processed during each synchronization. The default is 1,000, and the maximum is 5,000.
• Notification email: Enter the email address that should receive relevant plugin notifications.
• Sender ID: Enter the sender identifier provided by City Express.
• Notification: Select the preferred notification option for shipments.
• Return document: Choose whether to request return documentation for created shipments.
• Auth Token: Enter the authentication token provided for your City Express account.
• Test: Enable testing mode to create future shipments in the City Express test environment. Disable it before processing live shipments.
• Error logging: Enable this option to store technical errors for troubleshooting.
3. Save and activate: Click the Save and activate button. You can now use the courier service from the Order page.
4. Order management: On the Orders page, filter orders ready for delivery by status. Mark all of them and request that the courier service pick up the packages.
5. Print shipping labels: Mark orders, go to Print, generate the shipping labels, and stick them on the packages. (Every commit and reprint of labels is logged.)
6. Status updates: Order status moves to PreparingForCourier only after CityExpress confirms that the shipment was created and that the tracking numbers are stored in a cleaner, normalized format. Pickup requests now update orders to AwaitingCourier and log each pickup per order, making the pickup state easier to track in your back office. When the courier picks up the packages, mark them as Shipped in ReadyCMS.
7. Auto sync (PRO): The PRO version syncs order data in real time, allowing customers to track shipments efficiently.

Important note:
If a package is returned (e.g., the customer didn't receive it), it's best to mark the original order as returned, then duplicate the order to resend the package.
This is because courier service requests are tied to the original order number. The same order number cannot be reused to generate a new shipment request.
Duplicating the order creates a new order number, allowing a fresh courier request with the exact details.

Q1: What is the City Express plugin for ReadyCMS?

A1: The City Express plugin integrates City Express courier services into ReadyCMS, allowing seamless management of shipping processes like package pickups, cancellations, and shipping labels directly from the dashboard.

Q2: How does the plugin improve shipping operations?

A2: The plugin reduces manual errors and speeds up shipping processes by automating shipping tasks like dispatch requests and label printing.

Q3: What are the plugin's key features?

A3: Features include sending package pickup requests, canceling requests, printing shipping labels, and, with the PRO version, auto-sync, and advanced management options.

Q4: Can I cancel a pickup request once it has been sent?

A4: Yes, you can quickly cancel any dispatch request for flexibility in the shipping process.

Q5: What should I do if a package is returned and the customer still wants it?

A5: Mark the original order as returned and create a duplicate of the order. This ensures a new order number is generated. Since courier services are linked to order numbers, resending a package using the same order number will not work.

Q6: How does the PRO version enhance functionality?

A6: The PRO version automatically synchronizes order data, real-time status updates, and automatic order closure to streamline operations.

Q7: How do I set up the plugin in ReadyCMS?

A7: Activate the plugin through the ReadyCMS plugin settings, configure preferences, and start managing City Express shipping directly from your dashboard.

Q8: What are the differences between BASIC and PRO versions?

A8: The BASIC version includes sending requests, canceling requests, and printing labels. The PRO version adds auto-sync and advanced features like automatic order closure.