FedEx Airtable

Project Workflow Overview

This Airtable application centralizes and automates shipping, returns, and inventory management for a shoe-recycling business. Outbound and return shipping labels are generated with a single click and printed automatically using a Zebra Wi-Fi printer. When shipments are received, a photo of the shoes is taken and analyzed by an AI model to count items, identify brands, and assign quality scores, with all data logged directly into Airtable. The platform also tracks environmental impact metrics and label usage, providing a streamlined, scalable solution that replaces the FedEx Desktop Ship API and keeps all operations and reporting managed within a single, scalable, user-friendly system.

1. Outbound Label Creation

• A team member clicks a button in Airtable to generate a FedEx outbound shipping label for a specific partner.
• The label is created through the FedEx API and automatically sent to a Zebra Wi-Fi printer for printing.

2. Return Label Generation

• Return labels are generated for customers to send back boxes of old shoes.
• These labels are created automatically and printed for inclusion in outbound shipments.

3. Shipment Reception and Photo Processing

• When a shipment is received, the package barcode is scanned to retrieve its record in Airtable.
• All shoes from the shipment are laid out, and a photo is taken of the entire batch.
• An AI model processes the photo to:
  • Count the number of shoes in the shipment.
  • Identify the brand of each shoe.
  • Assign a quality score (e.g., new, lightly used, heavily used, or damaged).
• The AI-generated data is automatically updated in Airtable.

4. Manual Verification (Optional)

• Team members review the AI-assigned data for accuracy and make adjustments if needed.
• Final counts, brands, and quality scores are stored in an inventory table within Airtable.

5. Reporting and Monitoring

• Environmental impact reports track metrics like the number of shoes returned, recycled, or reused.
• Label inventory is monitored to track usage and prompt reordering when supplies run low.
• AI performance metrics, such as accuracy and trends, are tracked for insights.

6. All-in-One Airtable Management
This system integrates all operations into Airtable, providing:

• Seamless label creation and automated printing for outbound and return shipments.
• AI-powered inventory logging based on photo analysis.
• Centralized reporting for tracking, inventory, and sustainability metrics.

Key Benefits

• Automation: Reduces manual work by integrating AI and FedEx API workflows.
• Efficiency: Combines shipping, returns, and reporting into a single Airtable application.
• Scalability: Adapts to higher shipment volumes and additional partners.
• Environmental Focus: Tracks and reports on sustainability metrics to support green initiatives.