Cloud Postage by Grindflow

Endicia API Services and Solutions for Drupal 7

by Grindflow Management LLC

DISCLAIMER: The Grindflow Endicia Cloud API service handles calls to the Endicia Label Server for open-source use.  We provide a framework of Drupal modules modules to developers to deeply integrate our API service into Drupal sites, particularly shopping cart systems; however, code modifications and advanced configurations to the Drupal installation are typically necessary to satisfy most integration needs.

  • Modules are open-source and provided as-is.
  • Bugs or issues should be reported using the Drupal project pages of each module. Patches are encouraged and welcome.
  • A subscription is required to access our API service. Proceeds support service maintenance.
  • Setup support is limited and most setups will require a Drupal developer.
    Contact grindflow for more information

How it works.

At the broadest level, our technology allows you to create an Endicia Label Server account and a subscription to access the proprietary Grindflow Endicia Cloud API, which bridges Endicia label creation capabilities (ELS API) into the open-source realm through Drupal.  At Grindflow Management, we have invested significantly to provide Drupal users the ability to not only access the Endicia Label Server API, but we have also developed a series of modules that can be freely added to your Drupal installation and further customized to your needs.

Who is it for?

Endicia customers seeking to bridge Endicia’s label creation services with a Drupal 7 installation, to include Drupal Commerce.  The installation is complex and requires a Drupal developer – depending on project budget and timelines, we can often provide a developer. We also continue to invest into our Drupal modules with the goal of further building this out as turn-key solution, and while we have bridged the biggest obstacles to this integration, there are integration considerations for each instance. Our postage system is great for merchants using Drupal Commerce or Drupal Ubercart that have a large large volume of orders to fulfill that would like to reduce errors, dramatically streamline shipping operations, and benefit from the USPS rates only available through Endicia.  Our service and modules can be integrated so your order fulfillment can be as it should be: one click creates a USPS shipping label for you to ship an order.  Not all order fulfillment scenarios can be broken down so systematically that label creation is this streamlined, yet the modules here provide the foundation for your shopping cart to give you label creation directly within your store’s order management and it can be customized by your developer to fit your needs.

Setup

Below are the steps to integrate Endicia label creation into your Drupal 7 CMS, Drupal Commerce or Ubercart 3.x installation.

 

Requirements:

  • Drupal 7 Installation
    • Address Field Module
    • Patched Address Field Module – You may need assistance from a Drupal developer. Detailed patching information can be found on our Patching Address Field page and the Endicia module’s project page. Experts, apply this patch (Comment #121).
  • Endicia Label Server (ELS) Account – Our services are not compatible with Endicia Standard or Endicia Premium accounts; you must have a dedicated ELS account with Endicia.
    • Sign-up for ELS account. (Basic is the most common)
    • Once you have created an account, you will need to charge the account with funds for label purchases
  • Grindflow Endicia API access token – provided by Grindflow with our API subscription

Drupal Modules

  1. Install the core Endicia module into your Drupal 7 installation – https://www.drupal.org/project/endicia
    The Endicia module allows you to create postage labels through Endicia API only after you have acquired an API access token by initiating a subscription to the Grindflow Endicia API Service.  Enable the module and configure with your access token.If properly configured, you should now be able to manually create shipping labels.Note: Address Field Module and the associated patch are mandatory prerequisites for this module to function properly.
  2. Install the Endicia for Ubercart or Endicia for Commerce modules, which integrate label creation into the shopping cart systems and utilize the store address, customer shipping address, and product weight information to calculate postage.
  3. Configure advanced settings and customize to your needs.  We’ve provided a few features in our modules such as label presets that allow you to preconfigure frequently used shipping options and we’ve also added settings to allow you to remove shipping classes that you do not use.

Additional Information:

  • If you are interested in utilizing Pay-On-Use Returns, or postage return labels, you will need to contact Endicia and agree to their terms of service before these features can be accessed through your Endicia Label Server (ELS) account.  Custom development may also be required.

Terms of Service

Grindflow Management LLC, in partnership with Endicia, provides postage label printing capabilities that integrate with open-source web applications. A monthly, recurring service fee requires a valid credit card and is required for the use and maintenance of Grindflow Management’s proprietary APIs.

Grindflow Endicia Cloud services require an Endicia Label Server account. Other Endicia Label Server, Endicia, or DaZzle accounts are not compatible with Grindflow Management’s authentication system for reasons of security, resource availability, and additional services provided exclusively by Grindflow Management LLC. If you wish to terminate your Grindflow Endicia Cloud services, please contact us.

Utilization of the Grindflow Management systems requires and implies the acceptance of the following agreements and policies:

Sign up for ELS API Access