This is an exciting time. Your online sales are through the roof and your merchandise is flying off the shelves. It is exactly what you dreamed of when you started your online business. If you are living this dream, it may be time for you to consider outsourcing your order fulfillment process in pursuit of perfect order fulfillment. Choosing the right fulfillment partner for your business will help to make sure things stay under control, and your customers continue to receive the superior service they have come to expect from you.
According to the Supply Chain Council the formula for perfect order fulfillment is orders ‘delivered to the right place, with the right product, at the right time, in the right condition, in the right package, in the right quantity, with the right documentation, to the right customer, with the correct invoice.’ The quest for perfect order fulfillment may seem a dismaying task; but in spite of the challenges, high rates of order fulfillment are possible. But, how do you choose the best fulfillment company for your business? Let’s discuss some points you should consider when choosing a fulfillment partner for your business.
Flexible Product Ordering
In today’s competitive market, flexible order fulfillment services are vital. A flexible fulfillment provider will be capable of receiving orders directly from your customer via phone, fax, web order, or Internet. Flexibility will help to improve customer service, which in turn serves to strengthen your bottom line. The right fulfillment partner for you will make it easy for your customers to place orders from any place and at any time.
Customized Packaging Solutions
The package you ship your product in is more than just a box. In fact, according to market research, one-third of consumer decision-making is based on packaging. Custom packaging solutions will help to entice potential customers and anchor the loyalty of existing ones while saving your company valuable time and money. Your merchandise will have a more polished and professional appearance, giving your product (and your brand) a competitive edge. The fulfillment partner you choose should offer smart packaging solutions to help amplify your brand message.
EDI Compliance
What Is EDI? EDI, or the Electronic Data Interchange system, is the computer-to-computer exchange of information between two or more parties. Businesses rely on EDI for a quick and seamless interchange of documents between clients and themselves, with no paperwork or tedious manual labor needed.
EDI compliance is important. It ensures that your electronic data, such as purchase orders and sales orders will be transmitted in a manner that is understood by another company’s EDI compliant software. This allows for simple and straightforward communication between separate software programs and creates faster processing. It is also significantly less expensive than exchanging paper documents. Much less labor time is involved and, providing the initial data is correct, it will generate fewer errors. EDI compliance is essential to your companies’ perfect order fulfillment, so make sure any fulfillment partner you consider is EDI compliant.
Location, Location, Location
Location has a much greater bearing on your operating costs and service to your clients than you might realize. Easy access to manufacturing facilities, suppliers and shipping ports, is affected by location. To minimize shipping costs and improve transit times your fulfillment partner should be as centrally located as possible.
A fulfillment company that is located near shipping ports will allow your company faster and cheaper receipt of inbound freight. And if your distribution partner is located near major distribution hubs, packages will move more swiftly through the supply chain. Remember, orders that are delivered promptly translate into happy customers.
The intricacies of an extensive supply chain can make the odds against perfect order fulfillment seem overwhelming. If you are unsure of how to find the best fulfillment center for your business JIT Services can lead you in the right direction. We have solutions for all of your order fulfillment needs. Call today to consult with one of our fulfillment experts.