The average online shopper receives 33 packages in just one year, with each package costing the business money and an awful lot of time.  This is where e-commerce fulfilment services can help. From the point of order to the customer receiving their item, a service can be provided so that you can just concentrate on your business.

What can e-fulfilment services offer me?

Inbound scheduling:

E-fulfilment services can unload and inspect your stock on arrival and check and receive it onto a warehouse system.  This way all goods are cross-referenced against the paperwork and if there are any anomalies, these will be noted and paperwork changed.

Upon being entered into the warehouse system, each item of stock will be allocated a space that corresponds with the item, making items being sent out as easy and mistake-free as possible.

E-fulfilment services can also take care of returns management through stock status, this ensures that all returns are processed quickly and efficiently and your stock levels are updated correctly.

Different storage options:

E-fulfilment companies will normally offer businesses a variety of solutions when it comes to storage.  The most common one’s are as follows:

• Single user-these are for large, normally blue chip companies who require their own dedicated facilities.
• Multi-user-this is the most common storage option for small and medium businesses.
• Overspill-this is temporary storage used for peak times i.e. Christmas.
• Bonded goods-this is customs warehousing for the storage of dutiable dry goods.

Storage can often be paid for on a pay as you go basis making it easier for businesses as you can avoid overheads.

Stock management:

Stock management is perhaps one of the most important services that an e-commerce fulfilment company can offer to other businesses.  These services can include:

• Stock rotation, status and batch control
• Cyclical counting
• Year end stock take
• Accurate checking programme

Each of these options will allow you to have the most accurate and up to date information possible, helping you to make successful business decisions.

Pick and Pack services:

E-fulfilment companies can take receipt of an order, pick the right product and package it carefully, quickly and effectively.

It will then be despatched at the correct time to the correct place.  Real time updates are also available allowing businesses to keep track of exactly where orders are.

Delivery services:

Different delivery options are available depending on your circumstances.  If you have items that need to be delivered with the same day, this can be arranged.  Or perhaps you’d be happy just with economy delivery, this can be organised, too.

Extra’s:

There are plenty of other services that e-commerce fulfilment companies can offer such as:

• Product assembly
• Point of sale
• Quality control
• Document storage
• Re-labelling
• Re-boxing
• Call centre support

For an ecommerce fulfilment company who can provide all of the above and more, take a look at 3p Logistics.