# Onboarding

## Sending Data to parcelLab

For us to track your deliveries, you need to send us the information of each and every parcel. You can do that by calling our API, sending us .csv, .json, or .xml files, or including parcelLab on BCC of your dispatch confirmation. The details on how to access our system can be found in our documentation on the data integration methods that can be used to send and receive order and tracking data with parcelLab.

{% content-ref url="platform/data-integration" %}
[data-integration](https://docs.parcellab.com/docs/platform/data-integration)
{% endcontent-ref %}

To create trackings and orders to enable us to communicate with your customers, you will need to send us the following:

* Delivery information
* Any order and customer information

For more details about our data model and all possible fields, see our data model documentation for [API v4 Enhanced](https://app.gitbook.com/s/ew6OnyRUe6InzC96WnMr/data-elements/data-model) (new integrations) and [API v2 LTS](https://app.gitbook.com/s/m5MUhYrMmT0cei4QdxGn/data-elements/data-model) (existing integrations only).

A good reference payload looks like this:

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Order API v4 Enhanced" %}

```json
{
    "account": 1234567,
    "order_number": "PCL-1235",
    "reference": "REF-1234",
    "client_key": "1234",
    "destination_country_iso3": "DEU",
    "recipient_name": "Max Mustermann",
    "shipping_address": {
        "first_name": "Max",
        "last_name": "Mustermann",
        "city": "Berlin",
        "country_iso3": "DEU",
        "region_code": "BY",
        "postal_code": "12345",
        "address_line": "Kapellenweg 2"
    },
    "delivery_method": "Standard",
    "recipient_email": "max@mustermann.de",
    "articles_order": [
        {
            "line_item_id": "57",
            "quantity": 1,
            "article_name": "Trendy White Cotton Sneakers"
            "color": "White",
            "size": "9",
            "sku": "AP-SH-TWC-2315"
        }
    ],
    "mutations": [
        {
            "type": "add_tracking",
            "tracking": {
                "tracking_number": "PCLX-123123",
                "courier": "pclx",
                "articles": [
                    {
                        "line_item_id": "57",
                        "quantity": 1,
                        "article_name": "Trendy White Cotton Sneakers",
                        "color": "White",
                        "size": "9",
                        "sku": "AP-SH-TWC-2315"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ]
}
```

{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Order API v2 LTS" %}

```json
{
    "courier": "ups",
    "tracking_number": "1Z00PL161200000001",
    "orderNo": "ORD-123",
    "recipient": "parcelLab Gmbh, Julian Krenge",
    "recipient_notification": "Julian",
    "street": "Kapellenweg 6",
    "zip_code": "81371",
    "city": "München",
    "destination_country_iso3": "DEU",
    "email": "support@parcellab.com"
}
```

{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

## Setting Up Communications

Once the data is in our system, we take care of the rest by doing the following:

* Track deliveries
* Identify and record relevant updates
* Send communications to your customers through various channels (for example: email, SMS, and in-app push notifications)

Use the following resources to see further information on how you can set up your communications:

* Customize your communications to deliver a personalized experience for your customers at each stage of the delivery journey.

{% content-ref url="engage/messages-and-journeys" %}
[messages-and-journeys](https://docs.parcellab.com/docs/engage/messages-and-journeys)
{% endcontent-ref %}

* Build a branded experience by creating your own <code class="expression">space.vars.Product\_OrderStatus</code> within your shop to provide key order updates for your customers and drive traffic back to your online shop.&#x20;

{% content-ref url="engage/order-status-page" %}
[order-status-page](https://docs.parcellab.com/docs/engage/order-status-page)
{% endcontent-ref %}

* Check out our carrier integrations (parcelLab can integrate with any carriers you are using) to find the best option for you and we'll take it from there with superb carrier data quality to track deliveries and communicate delivery status updates.

{% content-ref url="platform/carrier-integrations" %}
[carrier-integrations](https://docs.parcellab.com/docs/platform/carrier-integrations)
{% endcontent-ref %}

For more details about the status codes that are mapped to each tracking update, see our [status model documentation](https://app.gitbook.com/s/ew6OnyRUe6InzC96WnMr/data-elements/lifecycle-model/status-model).

## Next Steps

Explore the following topics to support and optimize your post-purchase experience:

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><i class="fa-link">:link:</i> <strong>Get Connected</strong></td><td>Explore our API v4 reference to easily send your order data and track shipments.</td><td><a href="https://app.gitbook.com/s/ew6OnyRUe6InzC96WnMr/getting-started/api-reference">API Reference</a></td></tr><tr><td><i class="fa-users">:users:</i> <strong>Set Up your Team</strong></td><td>Add team members to your organization and assign permissions in the App.</td><td><a href="onboarding/user-management">user-management</a></td></tr><tr><td><i class="fa-basket-shopping">:basket-shopping:</i> <strong>Manage Customer Orders</strong></td><td>Find all tracking details and communications in the App.</td><td><a href="engage/customer-service">customer-service</a></td></tr><tr><td><i class="fa-chart-line-up">:chart-line-up:</i> <strong>Track your Performance</strong></td><td>Use our in-built analytics to gain valuable insights into your data.</td><td><a href="platform/overview">overview</a></td></tr><tr><td><i class="fa-arrows-rotate-reverse">:arrows-rotate-reverse:</i> <strong>Enable Seamless Returns</strong></td><td>Provide a streamlined returns process with our digital returns portal.</td><td><a href="retain/returns-portal">returns-portal</a></td></tr><tr><td><i class="fa-plug">:plug:</i> <strong>Install Integrations</strong></td><td>Extend your workflow with our supported integrations.</td><td><a href="platform/app-store">app-store</a></td></tr></tbody></table>