Batch Tracking task

The Batch Tracking task creates tracking records for processed shipments. Note that only carriers that support the Track function (ID 3) are included (see Carriers List for links to all carrier reference pages).

The records can then be viewed under Tracking History in the View App. The shipment history is: Processed, In Transit or Track Failed, and can be viewed in the [Package History] table in the Transtream database. A shipment with a status of Track Failed can be tracked again immediately.

Tracking logic

A total of 4 requests are sent to carriers in 24 hours (one request every 6 hours). This is for all carriers who support tracking. However, there is no limit on the amount of requests possible.

Requests are cached on a per shipment basis for 6 hours from the time of the last valid response. They are cached owing to the number of free of charge tracking requests that are acceptable to the carriers. API and batch requests are subject to these limits, HTML or human-driven requests are not.

The task requires the following settings to be configured in the Administration App's Data tab, on the All Settings page:

  • Batch Tracking Start Days. The first tracking day. Default is 1. The setting cannot have a value greater than 14; in cases where it exceeds this limit the default is used.
  • Batch Tracking End Days. The last tracking day. Default is 14. The setting cannot have a value greater than 30; in cases where it exceeds this limit the task will use a value of 30.
If Batch Tracking Start Days is configured to a value higher than Batch Tracking End Days, the task will calculate a new value for Batch Tracking End Days by adding 1 to the Batch Tracking Start Days value.

Once configured, the task generates tracking records for all users and accounts.

See Use Task Scheduler for general details on scheduling tasks in Transtream.

Article last edited 15 May 2019