Unit Editions

Challenge

Before our integration with a Logistics platform, Unit Editions faced:

• High dependence on pre-orders
  Titles often sold out before they were printed, requiring precise control over pre-order fulfilment.
  
• Inconsistent shipping cost accuracy
  Remote-area surcharges and courier-specific fees were frequently missed by Shopify.
  
• Manual fulfilment bottlenecks
  EP-GL had to manually check orders, weights, and availability, slowing down dispatch.
  
• Mixed order complications
  Customers often purchased multiple books with different stock statuses, adding complexity to fulfilment.
  
• Stock accuracy risks
  Limited print runs meant Shopify had to be updated frequently and precisely.

The team needed a robust, highly dependable system that ensured flawless fulfilment every time.

Solution

We implemented a customised version of our advanced Shopify integration platform, purpose-built for Unit Editions’ premium publishing model.

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1. Real-Time Shipping Cost Calculator for International Customers

Unit Editions ship to graphic designers, students, and collectors worldwide. Many delivery destinations fall within courier remote zones.

Our custom app resolves this by:

• Querying DHL/FedEx live for every checkout
• Including all surcharges, remote-area fees, fuel adjustments, and other variables
• Presenting customers with transparent, accurate pricing
• Ensuring Unit Editions never absorbs avoidable courier fees

This process removed a major cost leakage for the business.

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2. Automated Order Processing With Intelligent Workflows

Every day, the system synchronises with Shopify to:

• Download newly placed orders
• Separate in-stock orders from pre-orders
• Generate courier labels automatically for all ready-to-ship titles
• Queue pre-orders into structured batches until stock arrives
• Handle missing items, partial stock arrivals, and multi-SKU orders

The platform is specifically configured for small-batch limited editions, ensuring the right customer receives the right copy, at the right time, with minimal manual involvement.

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3. Continuous, Accurate Stock Updates Back to Shopify

Stock accuracy is critical for Unit Editions because once a book is sold out, it cannot be reprinted without significant cost.

Our integration:

• Pushes live stock figures after each fulfilment cycle
• Updates pre-order statuses
• Deactivates products immediately when supply is exhausted
• Prevents overselling during high-demand periods

This gives customers confidence and preserves the integrity of limited releases.

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Results

The implementation delivered a step change in operational efficiency:

• Accurate, reliable shipping prices for every order
• Smooth handling of limited print runs and pre-orders
• Massively reduced fulfilment workload at EP-GL
• Near elimination of manual data entry or order sorting
• Improved customer experience due to clearer shipping information and faster dispatch
• Full operational visibility, enabling Unit Editions to plan releases more confidently