It usually starts the same way. You launch DTC and things feel controlled, with steady, predictable orders moving cleanly through pick, pack, and ship workflows. Then wholesale starts to grow, retailers place larger orders, and before long your warehouse is handling single-unit shipments and pallet-level orders at the same time, all inside the same operation. […]
Brian Olson
Branded Shipping Experience Tips for Ecommerce
Packaging and shipping present a great opportunity to increase brand visibility and enhance the customer experience. Yet many retailers overlook this opportunity, opting instead for plain unbranded packaging and shipping materials. While the basic criteria when deciding on a packing strategy is obviously to safeguard the product in transit, premium packaging offers a sure-shot way […]
Fulfillment Metrics That Improve Customer Satisfaction
On its busiest days, Amazon fulfills millions of orders to customers located in all corners of the globe. Although Amazon’s founder, Jeff Bezos, doesn’t meet these customers face-to-face, the company has figured out how to achieve high marks for customer satisfaction through its well-planned order fulfillment techniques. Even if you are not as big as […]
Reverse Logistics Tips to Manage Returns Better
Customer returns are an inevitable part of the sales process. While it can be a very cumbersome and less than desirable aspect of your business, the extent to which your company successfully manages the return process will leave customers with a lasting impression on your business that can impact future sales. Recent statistics show 97% […]
Common Logistics Technology Issues and Their Causes
A technology-powered supply chain used to be a bonus intended only for larger enterprises. However, the complexity of the prevailing market conditions and developments in IT have forced the large as well as small- and mid-sized businesses to jump on the bandwagon. Adding Value through Supply Chain Optimization As every industry is forced to re-evaluate […]
4 Keys to a Successful Order Management Process
The entire journey of an order – from the time a customer places it through delivery and post-delivery feedback collection – is referred to as the order management process. A typical order management process flow looks like this: From the above flow, it is evident that there are too many processes and systems at play […]
How to Strengthen Your Supply Chain in a Recession
Recession brings bad news for all, but for the supply chain it can be particularly challenging. Here’s why… During a recession, overall consumption drops precipitously as consumers are unable, or unwilling, to spend. As a result, manufacturers tend to lower operational costs to maintain break-even and/or mitigate losses. With transport and logistics being a larger […]
How to Switch 3PLs Without Downtime
It usually starts the same way. Orders are backing up. Inventory numbers do not match what is on the shelf. Customer service is fielding “where is my order” emails all day. You know you need to switch 3PLs, but one thing stops you. You cannot afford downtime. If orders stop flowing even for a day, you feel […]
Four Things You Should Know About Climate-Controlled Warehousing
Transporting perishable goods like leafy greens and frozen items or other merchandise with a low tolerance for extreme temperature swings from factories or procurement centers to the end customer can be challenging. Ask anyone in the logistics industry if a climate-controlled warehouse is really necessary and they are sure to come back with an astounding […]
How Digital Barcode Reader Technology Improves Supply Chain Logistics
Digital technology is disrupting traditional operations and the effect on supply chain management and warehousing has been significant. Legacy systems such as laser-based scanner technologies are steadily giving way to digital barcode readers which have the capability to capture and decode the barcodes printed on the product into both readable text on the device’s display […]