Real-time shipment tracking updates to customers

Purpose

1.1. Deliver automatic, real-time shipment tracking updates to customers for every dispatched order, including status, estimated delivery, and location.
1.2. Minimize manual communication, increase transparency, and enhance customer experience by providing live logistics information throughout the shipping lifecycle.
1.3. Integrate shipment-status data from carriers directly to customer-specific notification channels (SMS, Email, WhatsApp, etc.).
1.4. Aggregate multiple shipment providers into a unified tracking communication system, ensuring customers are always informed.

Trigger Conditions

2.1. A new shipment is created or dispatched in the order management system.
2.2. Status of a shipment (dispatched, in transit, delayed, out for delivery, delivered) changes in the logistics provider's system.
2.3. Carrier or 3PL posts a webhook or API update regarding shipment status.
2.4. Scheduled batch job polling carrier APIs detects a new status change.

Platform Variants

3.1. Twilio SMS
• Feature: Messages API – Configure webhook to send SMS for each shipment status update.
• Sample: POST /2010-04-01/Accounts/{AccountSid}/Messages.json with dynamic To/Body.

3.2. SendGrid
• Feature: Mail Send API – Automated transactional emails triggered from shipment events.
• Sample: POST /v3/mail/send with JSON payload including shipment details.

3.3. WhatsApp Business API
• Feature: Messages endpoint – Send template notifications for status updates to customers’ WhatsApp numbers.
• Sample: POST /v1/messages with shipment fields.

3.4. Slack
• Feature: Incoming Webhooks – Push tracking updates to dedicated customer/vendor Slack channels.
• Sample: JSON payload with attachment containing shipment info.

3.5. Microsoft Teams
• Feature: Webhook Connector – Deliver messages to Teams channels for internal logistics updates.
• Sample: POST JSON card messages to Teams connector url.

3.6. Shopify
• Feature: Order Fulfillment API – Update order timelines with carrier-tracking info and customer notifications.
• Sample: POST /admin/api/2023-04/orders/{order_id}/fulfillments.json

3.7. Shippo
• Feature: Tracking Status Webhook – Subscribe endpoint to auto-receive carrier status and send to notifications.
• Sample: Webhook URL registering for status events.

3.8. AfterShip
• Feature: Trackings API – Monitor and fetch real-time status, push updates to communication channels.
• Sample: GET /trackings/{carrier}/{tracking_number}

3.9. FedEx
• Feature: Track API – Poll shipment status; notify customer on major event (out for delivery/delivered).
• Sample: POST /track/v1/trackingnumbers

3.10. UPS
• Feature: Tracking API – Real-time milestones; use webhook triggers or pull status for automation.
• Sample: GET /track/v1/details/{trackingNumber}

3.11. DHL Express
• Feature: TrackShipment API – Real-time updates, forward key events to customers automatically.
• Sample: GET /track/shipments?trackingNumber={number}

3.12. Zoho CRM
• Feature: Workflow Rules – Update contact records with shipment status and send CRM-based alerts.
• Sample: Trigger function on shipment status field change.

3.13. Salesforce
• Feature: Process Builder/Flow – Listen for shipment updates, auto-send email/SMS using integrated communication add-ons.
• Sample: Flow triggers message based on custom object updates.

3.14. Mailgun
• Feature: Messages API – Transactional email notifications with shipment event details.
• Sample: POST /v3/{domain}/messages

3.15. HubSpot
• Feature: Workflow Automation – Trigger emails or notifications when shipment status field updates.
• Sample: Workflow with shipment tracking property.

3.16. Klaviyo
• Feature: Flow Triggers – Automate email/SMS when connected e-commerce order status changes.
• Sample: Trigger on custom shipment status metric.

3.17. Zendesk
• Feature: Triggers – Notify customers or agents on support tickets when shipment updates received.
• Sample: Automation fires when shipment field is populated.

3.18. Google Chat
• Feature: Incoming Webhook – Post shipment status messages to operation channels.
• Sample: POST JSON message with shipment summary.

3.19. Zapier
• Feature: Multi-action Zaps – Chain carrier/tracking triggers to multiple notification apps.
• Sample: Trigger on webhook, send SMS and email steps.

3.20. Microsoft Power Automate
• Feature: Automated Flow – Connect carrier APIs with CRM/email/SMS for shipment triggers.
• Sample: Flow listens for shipment record update and syncs across channels.

3.21. Meta Messenger Platform
• Feature: Send API – Push shipment status as Messenger notifications to customer accounts.
• Sample: POST /me/messages

3.22. ActiveCampaign
• Feature: Automation Recipes – Trigger campaign messages or CRM tasks when shipment progresses.
• Sample: Condition based on custom order/tracking field.

3.23. Webhooks Custom
• Feature: Outbound HTTP POST – Any tracking event broadcasts shipment info to target notification microservices.
• Sample: POST /customer/notify with status payload.

Benefits

4.1. Drastically reduces “Where is my order?” inquiries by proactively informing customers at every step.
4.2. Increases customer trust and satisfaction with full supply chain visibility.
4.3. Automates manual communication, minimizing staff intervention and human error.
4.4. Accelerates issue resolution by surfacing delays or exceptions instantly.
4.5. Scales effortlessly as shipping volume grows or new carriers are added.
4.6. Centralizes logistics communications, ensuring consistent messaging across channels.