Benefits of Using an Ecommerce Fulfillment Center
Ecommerce fulfillment is the act of getting orders from a Web shop (or Web site) and selecting, mailing, and delivery them to individual buyers around the world. Ecommerce fulfillment providers act as the go-between for the Web shop owners and the customers, supplying them with products and services and handling all aspects of order processing from creation to shipping. The products and services are selected based on the specific requirements of the clients. There are many ecommerce fulfillment services available online and in some instances specialty services may be available. Below are some of the common services available:
Warehouse Management - This is one of the main services that warehouse management companies provide. In this service they manage warehouses based on several different levels of accountability. They monitor the loading and unloading of goods from trucks, monitor stock levels, and monitor deliveries. An ecommerce fulfillment center can handle a wide variety of goods including perishable food items, medical supplies, sporting goods, and other large and heavy items.
Stock Storage and Logistics - Ecommerce fulfillment centers also handle the storing and logistics of inventory. This includes creating and storing warehouse lists, storing materials and supplies, labeling and packaging supplies, and maintaining inventory levels. They ensure that stocks are available when needed and they perform routine reorder fulfillment. Warehousing providers are fully aware of the fluctuating market for materials and supplies and are able to make recommendations regarding how much of each item should be purchased at any given time. They are also capable of providing budget guidance and warehousing programs for their clients.
Self-Service Software - Certain software vendors allow their customers to take advantage of ecommerce fulfillment costs by using their software for their own self-fulfillment. These software programs allow users to fill out online forms and to retrieve and print their orders on their own. Some programs even allow the user to print direct deposit receipts and bar code labels directly from their websites. This provides ecommerce businesses with additional ways to increase their inventory, without having to store the items, money, and labor money. Other types of software include barcode software that allows businesses to track inventory, sales tax data, and payroll functions directly from a computer terminal.
Ecommerce fulfillment software is often a component of an overall ecommerce fulfillment service. It is important for ecommerce fulfillment services providers to be experienced and reputable in their field. Some companies combine warehouse management with online catalog services, while others focus only on storing inventory or managing physical products. Regardless of which method an ecommerce fulfillment center chooses to implement, they must be able to provide a comprehensive service that meets the unique needs of each client.
Warehouse Capacity and Pick and Pack capabilities - Every warehouse should have enough capacity to pick and pack each order that comes through its door. The amount of space available for these operations varies greatly depending on what products are being stocked. If there is not enough space to store all of the products that an ecommerce fulfillment services provider needs to pick and pack, the customers won't be able to place orders for those products. Likewise, if an order needs to be placed and picked at the same time, that company may not have enough warehouse space to process an order and pick it up simultaneously. Pick and pack is very important to customers who place orders online, so it's important for a company with experience to be able to fulfill those orders in a timely manner.
Ecommerce fulfillment companies should also provide a complete solution for inventory control. Many online businesses expect that once an order is placed, that the customer will receive a notification in the mail to pick the product and/or item(s). Most ecommerce fulfillment providers are capable of maintaining an inventory using barcode technology to track by category and location, but some businesses prefer a fully automated inventory management system that will include live inventory and shipping status reporting.
If you're ready to take your business online, and want to avoid common pitfalls such as not having a back-up plan, high costs of purchasing pre-owned products, and poor on-time delivery, then an onsite ecommerce fulfillment center may be just what you need. Fulfillment centers should offer fast turn-around times, excellent customer service, an easy to use website, inventory tracking, and a wide variety of products and services. By choosing to purchase from a reputable ecommerce fulfillment company, your business will enjoy a great deal of benefits, including increased profitability. Choose an experienced provider who will meet customer expectations by providing products and services that you can fully control.