Manual shipping processes can become major bottlenecks, costing valuable time and resources for E-commerce and logistics businesses. They may also cause pressure in the backend to complete orders, manage stocks, and regulate daily operations. For businesses already working in the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central environment, an automated shipping process is not just a luxury—it’s a necessity. That’s where MetaShip comes into play.
MetaShip, a cloud-based packing and shipping solution, integrates with Dynamics 365 Business Central to simplify and accelerate the shipping process—from order packing to carrier selection and label printing. In this blog post, we’ll explore how automated shipping in Business Central works with MetaShip, the key features that set it apart, and why it’s a must-have for any growing business.
Understanding the Need for Shipping Automation
Shipping has evolved dramatically in the last decade. With rising customer expectations for same-day or next-day delivery, companies can no longer rely on outdated, manual methods. Traditional shipping processes typically involve:
- Manually verifying sales orders
- Picking and packing items
- Logging into separate carrier portals to compare rates
- Entering shipping details manually
- Printing labels one by one
- Updating tracking information manually into the ERP or emailing customers
Each of these steps adds time, cost, and potential for error. Multiply that across hundreds of orders, and the inefficiencies become overwhelming.
By embedding automation directly within Business Central, MetaShip eliminates these pain points, creating a seamless, end-to-end shipping process that’s fast, accurate, and scalable.
What is MetaShip?
MetaShip is an advanced shipping automation solution built by MetaOption LLC for companies using Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. It integrates shipping operations with your core ERP functions, making it easier to manage orders, inventory, and carriers from a single platform.
MetaShip supports multiple carriers (such as UPS, FedEx, USPS, DHL, and regional couriers), automates packing and label generation, and synchronizes tracking information with Business Central. It is cloud-based, real-time, and scalable to meet the needs of e-commerce, wholesale, manufacturing, and distribution businesses.
Key Features of MetaShip in Business Central
Let’s dive deeper into the core features that make MetaShip a powerful tool for automated shipping:
1. Effortless Packing and Shipping
MetaShip lets users pick, pack, and ship items with just a few clicks. Users can scan barcodes or select items directly in Business Central to begin packing. The system automatically calculates box sizes and weights, and recommends packaging based on historical data or predefined rules.
2. Multi-Carrier Integration
MetaShip allows real-time rate shopping across multiple carriers. You can compare shipping rates, transit times, and services (e.g., ground vs. overnight) without logging into external portals. This ensures that each shipment is cost-optimized and tailored to customer needs.
3. Label Printing Automation
Once the carrier and shipping service are selected, MetaShip auto-generates and prints shipping labels directly from within Business Central. No more toggling between systems or manually uploading CSV files to carrier websites.
4. Real-Time Tracking and Notifications
MetaShip updates tracking numbers instantly in the Business Central sales order and sends automated shipping confirmation emails to customers. You can also configure alerts for delivery delays or exceptions.
5. Cloud-Based Scalability
As a cloud-native platform, MetaShip offers high availability and scalability. Whether you’re processing 50 or 5,000 orders a day, the system adapts without performance degradation.
6. Seamless Integration with Sales and Inventory
MetaShip syncs directly with Business Central’s sales and inventory modules. As orders are fulfilled, inventory is automatically updated. This real-time synchronization ensures accurate stock levels and helps prevent overselling or delays.
7. Customizable Rules and Workflows
Users can set up rules for default carriers, service types, packaging preferences, and label formats based on customer location, order size, or other criteria. This minimizes manual decision-making and ensures consistency across shipments.
How MetaShip Works Inside Business Central: Step-by-Step
Here’s how a typical automated shipping workflow looks with MetaShip integrated into Business Central:
Step 1: Sales Order Creation
A customer places an order, and a sales order is created in Dynamics 365 Business Central either manually, via EDI, or through an integrated eCommerce platform.
Step 2: Pick and Pack
The warehouse team uses MetaShip’s interface within Business Central to pick items. Packing recommendations are generated based on the order content, and users can override suggestions if needed.
MetaShip allows assigning items to boxes, capturing dimensions and weight, and recording box contents—all within the Business Central interface.
Step 3: Rate Shopping and Carrier Selection
MetaShip instantly fetches shipping rates and transit times from all configured carriers. Users can select the most cost-effective or fastest option, or let the system auto-select based on predefined logic.
Step 4: Shipping Label Generation
Once the shipment is ready, MetaShip generates the carrier-compliant label in real-time. The label can be printed automatically on the assigned printer, reducing delays.
Step 5: Posting and Shipment Confirmation
The sales shipment is posted in Business Central. MetaShip updates the sales order with the tracking number, shipping method, and any additional notes. Customers receive automated notifications with tracking links.
Step 6: Inventory Update and Reporting
Inventory is automatically adjusted in Business Central, ensuring real-time visibility across all locations. Users can generate reports on shipping costs, carrier performance, delivery times, etc.
Benefits of Using MetaShip with Business Central
1. Improved Efficiency and Speed
MetaShip eliminates repetitive manual tasks, allowing teams to process shipments faster with fewer errors.
2. Reduced Shipping Costs
By comparing rates in real-time and applying business rules, companies can make cost-effective shipping decisions automatically.
3. Enhanced Accuracy
From packing to tracking updates, MetaShip reduces human error and ensures data flows consistently across systems.
4. Better Customer Experience
Customers receive timely updates, accurate tracking, and faster deliveries—all of which contribute to a better brand experience.
5. Scalable for Growth
As order volumes grow, MetaShip scales with you. There’s no need for additional tools or staffing to handle increased demand.
6. Full Visibility and Control
Through dashboards, logs, and audit trails, MetaShip provides complete visibility into your shipping operations, helping you analyze performance and refine processes.
Getting Started with MetaShip
If you’re already using Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, integrating MetaShip is straightforward. The solution can be tailored to fit your specific shipping workflows, carrier preferences, and volume needs. MetaOption offers implementation, training, and ongoing support to ensure a smooth transition.
Typical setup includes:
- Integration with your existing carriers
- Configuration of packaging rules
- Training on packing, labeling, and posting workflows
- Printer setup for shipping labels
- Email and tracking template customization
Shipping is no longer a backend function—it’s a critical part of the customer experience. With MetaShip for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, businesses can transform shipping from a cost center into a competitive advantage.
By automating every step—from packing and label generation to carrier selection and tracking—MetaShip empowers companies to scale faster, serve customers better, and operate more efficiently. If you’re ready to take your shipping operations to the next level, MetaShip is the partner you’ve been looking for.
Interested in seeing MetaShip in action?
Contact MetaOption today for a free demo and discover how shipping automation can revolutionize your Business Central environment.