Royal Mail has launched a new package shipping and tracking platform to allow e-commerce retailers to improve the integration between their IT systems and Royal Mail software. The new Shipping and Tracking Application Programming Interface (API) is available to all Royal Mail corporate account customers. The free API will allow online retailers and other package customers to benefit from "better package handling", including the ability to track usage and personalize reports, Royal Mail said. Customers will be able to track the progress of their shipments, check the tracking status of an item, and retrieve their shipment's tracking history. Nick Landon, managing director of Royal Mail Parcels, said: “Our shipping and tracking API will enable e-commerce retailers to improve and accelerate the integration between their IT systems and Royal Mail. The new API offers the potential for better parcel handling. " Corporate customers who do not wish to use an API integration can use Royal Mail's Despatch Manager Online system, which is also free and requires no system development, just a Royal Mail account and login.