How to Use a Fulfillment Services Warehouse

Fulfillment Services – How to Use a Fulfillment Services Warehouse

Businesses save money by using warehouses and fulfillment services. Fulfillment service  warehouses are services provided by a fulfillment services company that helps warehouse and distribute a company’s products. By outsourcing warehousing, shipping and delivery of products, business can focus time and resources on other aspects of their business including marketing and sales. Fulfillment services and warehouses usually include storing, selecting, packaging, labeling and shipping products directly to the customer on behalf of the company. Fast order-handling and shipping is a vital factor in repeat business.

Companies can concentrate more time on growing their business by outsourcingfulfillment services to a courier. Courier fulfillment services are experts that represent your business. They are able to give those services more attention than you can in many cases. It’s easy to learn how to outsource fulfillment services to a courier.

If your company does decide to go with warehousing, choose fulfillment services warehousing that is located near your customers or is centrally located. Large companies may consider using more than one regional fulfillment services warehouse to reduce shipping times. Consider cost, reliability and scalability when selecting a fulfillment services warehouse.

ONCE THIS IS DONE YOU COMPANY SHOULD SHIP INVENTORY TO A FULFILLMENT SERVICES WAREHOUSE. FULFILLMENT SERVICES CAN SEND BRANDED PACKING SLIPS, BROCHURES, SALES CATALOGS AND OTHER ITEMS TO BE INCLUDED WITH ORDERS AND SHIPPED TO CUSTOMERS. WHEN SENDING AN ORDER TO FULFILLMENT SERVICES, INCLUDE A DETAILED PACKING LIST AND ANY INSTRUCTIONS FOR PACKAGING AND SELECTING PRODUCTS FOR THE ORDER FULFILLMENT.

Set up order notification and tracking systems. Tracking systems allow both the company and the customers to track orders. Order notification is often done automatically when an order is placed online using software or a website from  fulfillment services. Some fulfillment services offer a customizable website store for customers to place orders. Orders are then directly received by the warehouse fulfillment service. Other services require the business to email orders or enter them individually into the system.

When you find suitable fulfillment services, send order notifications and shipment requests to them as orders are placed, along with any additional guidelines to fulfill customer orders. Once an order is placed, your fulfillment services will pick the product from the shelf, package it, label it, and give it to the shipper or carrier.

In order to make sure you went with the right fulfillment services, view reports and get customer feedback on order accuracy and on-time delivery. If there are any problems report them to your fulfillment services company. Check your inventory status and make sure your fulfillment services have enough product to restock inventory at the warehouse. This will help your company keep up-to-date on inventory to avoid products’ being back-ordered.

Next, do cost to benefit analysis. Look at the fulfillment services that you are thinking about outsourcing. Compare what it costs to do them in house to what the cost is to do them outside. You may think that you need to outsource, but find that you would be spending more money.  It all depends on if the discounts passed on by the fulfillment services to your company pay for the fulfillment services in the long run.

Another option is to search for the best fulfillment services contractor. Search the Internet for complaints or compliments related to the contractor you are considering. Look at their websites and contact their customer service. Your aim is to find the best quality at the best cost.

Gather information about what you could outsource, then determine which service will be outsourced. Get a good estimate of how many orders you are going to process through these services. Chances are you are doing this during a business upswing, when you need temporary help.

When finding fulfillment services you have to know your geographic restrictions. Get a national or international company to do your fulfillment services if your business serves a large market. Get regional fulfillment services if you only operate regionally.

Select the vendor. Call or fill out on online contact form. The latter leaves details about your business to help the vendor tailor their service to your needs. Review any contract document for the fulfillment service company to sign, and review any contract that you are required to sign. Choose the vendor that you are going to work with, and negotiate a price and service agreement.

Fulfillment warehousing service companies typically specialize in different kinds of products. Many fulfillment services warehousing companies provide additional services such as kit assembly. Scheduling a warehouse facility tour before selecting a fulfillment service provides an opportunity to see how the service works. Inquire about total costs, rush orders, product returns, and shipping confirmations. Create a written contract or agreement with all the fees, costs, liability information, scheduling and service terms included.

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