Hi, Paul! Based on or former mutual client and my other experience:
* XSI, nice as it was, is not being supported in S/4 HANA so far as I know - but I think the functionality is still there. not recommended
* SAP's parcel functionality in TM is very good but there is no out-of-the box allowance for forms (labels) and any DG processing or other integration with parcel providers. Plus no integration with EWM if you need that.
* you can go with a 3rd party provider as you remember, there are a few very good alternatives out there, depends on whether they have REALLY updated their solution for S/4 HANA or whether they still only support ECC. The approach as you may remember used some on-premise hardware with integration to multiple parcel providers. Maybe some of these providers have since gone to web services or cloud architecture, don't know.
* I had a recent client use a 3rd party provider with a cloud architecture: their EWM system called the provider using custom code, all via XML. In the end it worked pretty well but a lot of development work required. And the provider did not guarantee 99% uptime. Try shipping something when their system crashes - ugh.
* as you may know the big parcel service providers all provide their own web services and API's to allow "direct" integration to their services. Still some development required but this may be quicker. Of course then you are "married" to this single provider
* and as you well know any integration with a 3rd party means that you are married to that 3rd party. It is presumed that the 3rd party has online access to all of the major parcel service providers PLUS maybe a bunch of LTL and maybe even FTL rating services. This is a relationship that must be explored carefully. But in the end this is my recommended approach.
* finally any parcel solution must be evaluated from multiple business perspectives. Warehouse / EWM may be the most obvious (scan HU, generate parcel label, apply, ship) but also TM for strategically determining mode such as Parcel vs LTL etc. But don't forget SD: lots of companies wish for online parcel rating integration with their sales orders. Along with all of the service level options of who chooses Express, signature required, Saturday delivery, you name it. Does Customer Service choose this? Or does the customer (like Amazon) dictate? The SD approach may also depend on who is paying the freight bill: shipper or customer.
Hope all this helps. I'm sure I'm forgetting a few things. Contact me directly if you like.
Mac McLarin
Bluesky
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