Do you operate an ecommerce company? If so, then you know firsthand the challenges involved with stocking the inventory you sell to your customers, tracking that inventory, and shipping it out when purchased. 3PL fulfilment services can help mitigate that burden and ensure that you’re able to not only build better customer satisfaction but reduce costs and shipping time while improving inventory accuracy.
What Are 3PL Fulfillment Services?
3PL stands for third party logistics. In essence, you work with a company that specializes in warehousing, fulfillment and logistics services. Essentially, this company has no stake in your own business, and they are not associated with a product manufacturer or supplier, either. They exist to serve your needs, and those of your customers, whether those are consumers or other businesses.
Warehousing and More
One of the most important benefits to your business of 3PL fulfillment services it that you’re able to take advantage of warehouse space without having to build your own, or rent warehouse space on your own. The right company will offer not just a significant amount of square footage, though, but also specialized storage (temperature controlled, for instance), combined with an advanced inventory tracking and packing system that ensures better accuracy and faster pick, pack and ship times to your customers.
In a nutshell, the right 3PL fulfillment services can offer:
- Product storage
- Shipping product to and from the warehouse
- Inventory tracking and control
- Item-specific storage
- Customer order processing
- Real-time order tracking
Import and Export Help
The right 3PL provider will also help ensure that you’re able to improve international importing and exporting, provide vital solutions for clearing customs, , and work with brokerages to handle global logistics.
Of course, not all 3PL fulfillment services are the same. You’ll need to make an informed decision here. Look for a company that offers a state of the art inventory management and order processing system, uses industry-leading inventory software, and can provide you with multichannel solutions that allow your customers to order from any number of channels, and then ensures that your package is shipped via the most expedient method, while still saving money. You should be able to deliver to your customers via UPS, FedEx, DHL, USPS, and more, and the 3PL provider should be able to handle all the details for you, allowing you to focus on growing your business.
