The Despatch Company eCommerce Integration Setup Guide

This guide explains how to connect your The Despatch Company eCommerce account to Helm, enabling automated order import, real-time inventory synchronisation, centralised fulfilment, and streamlined management so you can run your eCommerce operations alongside other sales channels from one interface.

Last updated 4 months ago

What is The Despatch Company eCommerce

The Despatch Company eCommerce is a fulfilment and logistics solution tailored to online retailers, offering parcel management, courier integration, and end-to-end shipping workflows. Connecting The Despatch Company eCommerce with Helm allows you to automate order processing, push tracking details back to your customers, and keep inventory levels synchronised across all connected sales channels.

PROS ✅

CONS ❌

Access to professional fulfilment services integrated directly into Helm.

Requires valid eCommerce fulfilment account credentials from The Despatch Company.

Centralised management of orders, stock, and despatch notifications.

Orders must comply with the Hub’s data and parcel standards (dimensions, weights, SKUs).

Real-time tracking and carrier updates.

Dispatch timelines and SLAs may vary by courier and must be configured carefully.

Step-by-Step Setup

Step 1 — Start The Despatch Company eCommerce integration in Helm

  1. Log in to your Helm account.

  2. Go to Settings → Sales Channels.

  3. Click Add New Channel, search for The Despatch Company eCommerce, and select Add / Install.

Note:

You will need approved eCommerce fulfilment credentials from The Despatch Company before you can go live.

Step 2: Obtain and Enter Your Credentials

The Despatch Company eCommerce will provide the credentials required for integration. In Helm, fill out the following fields with the details provided:

  • Active – Toggle Is Active to enable the channel.

  • Name – Assign a clear label (e.g., Despatch Company eCommerce).

  • Domain – Enter the full domain or endpoint for your Despatch Company eCommerce account (e.g., https://api.thedespatchcompany.com).

  • Access Token – Paste the secure access token provided by The Despatch Company eCommerce to authorise the integration.

Ensure credentials are copied exactly as provided to avoid connection issues.

Optional configuration tabs include:

Adjust these parameters in accordance with your business protocols.

  • Credentials – Choose any additional configuration settings to tailor the integration to your operational requirements.

  • Settings – Select the warehouse from which goods will be despatched for this integration and select any additional settings you may require.

  • Stock Control – Enable Auto Sync Stock to maintain inventory parity.

  • Brand – Configure your Company Information for this sales channel; by default, details from General Settings will be used.

  • Commercial Invoice – Set up Commercial Invoice Information specific to this channel, or retain those from General Settings.

  • Despatch Emails – Decide whether Helm should transmit order despatch emails with carrier tracking information; configure as required.

  • Feedback Emails – Elect to send order feedback emails; configure accordingly.

🔐 Credentials should match those used to access your Despatch Company eCommerce account.

Step 3: Save and Activate

Click Submit (or Save) to store your credentials.

Helm will test the connection with The Despatch Company eCommerce. Once successful, the channel will activate and begin importing orders, syncing stock, and managing tracking updates automatically.

If issues occur:

  • Double-check your credentials are current and active.

  • Ensure parcel and order data meets eCommerce fulfilment requirements.

  • Confirm courier services and SLAs are set correctly in Helm.

Completion

Your The Despatch Company eCommerce channel is now fully integrated with Helm. Orders will flow seamlessly, stock levels will stay aligned, and your logistics operations will run smoothly across all connected sales channels.