DropBox Retirement. C&D Desktop Falls Short (A step Backwards)
As you know you are retiring the DropBox method in June so the alternative that you are offering needs to offer the same service or better. As it stands it’s a step backwards having a Maximum Limit of 50 Labels per batch!
My system includes the weight and service in our orders CSV Batch File and we use the DropBox method so all labels are generated regardless of an order amount being above 50 but the ‘Desktop Versions’ works differently. If above 50 on the Desktop Version it displays a sidebar notification warning that the labels will not be generated! It does continue and still imports all the orders but without the labels generated which means no Data in the Results CSV! Can you please update the Desktop Version to work like DropBox does? I.E. Allow over 50 orders with the desktop version? C & D Web can clearly process a batch with orders over 50 so I see no reason why it wouldn’t handle the same from the Desktop Version. This needs updating before the retirement in June to avoid a step backwards in C&D’s abilities.
It would be great to also offer a choice to ‘Produce & Download the Labels’ to Results Folder ‘or’ just ‘Produce the Labels’. We have no use for the labels once downloaded to the results folder so it would be great to just have a Results CSV File ‘without’ all the PDF Label Files. I would imagine this would speed the process up as well?
Fingers Crossed!
2oolz
shared this idea
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2oolz
commented
Are we going to get a response from the C & D Staff on this?
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2oolz
commented
Hi @Ics19
Yes we have used Print Assist in the past but it would run into issues especially on busy days like Monday. It would Stop printing part way through a batch, restart, stop, start again and so on! Bit of a nightmare really!
Last night I had to ignore the batch page waiting for it to print. I ended up navigating to the orders page, filtered by batch number then hit re-generate labels. It decided to work after that! But navigating back to the batch page still showed a whirly bird icon meaning the PDF's were still being generated!
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Ics19
commented
Thanks for page link 2oolz - now what would it of taken for RM to have just emailed their dropbox integration users to confirm they now had a closure date? Clearly not the ongoing use of their services by their customers.
re your print issues - have you tried the RM 'Print Assist' application? This runs on your workstation/desktop as a service to automatically download any labels and customs notes that you generate (i.e. no need for you to transfer them locally first). Works with any configured printer for the format you've setup to generate the labels in, eg the Zebra label printer or your normal A4 printer etc.
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2oolz
commented
Hi @Ics19
You can find the anouncment here: https://help.parcel.royalmail.com/hc/en-gb/articles/115004894594-How-to-import-orders-with-your-Dropbox-account
I was as shocked as you are because the last message they put out was there would be no changes to current user of DropBox but new integration are being prevented.
The only reason I came across it was because DropBox wasn't working correctly so I was trying to get to the bottom of it and just by chance found that announcement!
I am on my PC now because I have booked tomorrows orders (testing new system) but I have been sat here now 20 minutes waiting for my Label PDF to appear after clicking the print button. If its not the manifest failing its the labels and if its not the labels its DropBox failing! Goes from Bad to Worse!
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Ics19
commented
"retiring the DropBox method in June"
@2oolz - Can you provide a reference to this? This is very concerning if it's that soon, as the API alternative is not fit for purpose going by other posts here. The 'desktop' version is no fall-back for us as our website backend simply uploads orders directly (currently via dropbox, but ideally the API). With all the **** going on with customs at the moment and additional development needed to support the imminent introduction of DDP (& IOSS in July), to pull dropbox support with no qualified alternative is just another kick while we're down.