4 Reasons Why You Need to Hire E-Commerce Fulfillment Services in India

Fulfillment companies provide every support your brand requires to satisfy your customers. They take care of inventory management, order completion, and even the transportation details. The benefits of hiring ecommerce fulfillment services India are many.

Outsourcing Inventory Management: Managing the inventory is no mean feat. From the second a manufactured product enters the storage facility; it becomes a part of the inventory. It takes time and effort to handle the inventory properly, and the 3PL service providers in India take this job off your hands. Implementing the right management tools ensures that nothing goes unaccounted for and the deliveries are made on time, at the correct locations. 

Transportation Handling: Proper transportation is exceptionally crucial for any logistics fulfillment company. The routes taken by the vehicles, the time required for the items to reach their destination, and the efficiency with which all this is done affect the success of the parent company. Ecommerce fulfillment services India provide you with the support you need to ensure that your manufactured products are always right on time. This, in fact, is one of the biggest advantages of hiring a 3rd party logistics agency.

The IT Aspect: In the era of digitization, information is the key. With the right software tools, you get an edge over your competitors. The management software systems implemented by the logistics fulfillment companies can be a massive help in this context. From capable management to the timely completion of deliveries, the management software system can be the fairy Godmother you need. 

Storage: Storage facilities comprise a significant section of your annual budget. However, with the 3PL solutions, you do not need to pay an extra dime for the warehousing of your finished products. These organizations usually have their own storage spaces that come fully furnished with proper storage units, including diverse shelves, movable trolleys, and even automated systems that save you time, energy, and financial resources. 

How Does a Warehouse Differ from A Fulfillment Logistics Company

In the modern era, most financial transactions are done online. In such a situation, ecommerce fulfillment agencies play a huge role in how your online orders are completed. Terms like inventory, warehousing, and fulfillment services have already become a part of the everyday vocabulary. However, there are two very intrinsic differences between a warehouse and a fulfillment logistics company.

Wondering what they are? Read on to get a better understanding.

Storage: The number one crucial difference lies in the time period for which the finished product is stored at the facility. A fulfillment logistics company stores the goods for a maximum of thirty days before they are dispatched or shipped off. On the other hand, a warehouse is a long-term storage alternative. Unlike conventional fulfillment services, the warehouse has a definite storage unit and systems that ensure your manufactured items are properly stored and do not undergo any damage during this time period. While the same is applicable for 3PL fulfillment centers, the duration of the product center staying there is really short compared to a warehouse. 

Operational Functions: The other point of difference will be the operations that go on inside a warehouse and an order fulfillment center. While the terms are often used interchangeably, they have vastly different functional requirements. While a 3pl company oversees all functions of the parent company, from the acquisition of raw materials to their delivery at the correct address. A warehouse, on the other hand, oversees the storage of the goods before they are moved to a different facility for further completion of the order. The area of work is much larger for a fulfillment logistics company when compared to that of a warehousing establishment. 

 

So now that you know the two key differences between a fulfillment center and a warehouse, the only thing you need to do is see which services will be the most beneficial for your company. 

Three Logistical Improvements Made Possible By 3PL solutions

3rd party solutions are what link the parent company to its loyal client base. Though most of the big companies already have their own team of experts to take care of all the logistical aspects of the order fulfillment services, having a third-party logistics agency can help in multiple sectors. They not only take care of warehousing and storage but also ensures that the finished goods are successfully delivered to the correct address. Wondering how? Well, read on to discover the logistical functions where a 3PL solution can be a total game changer,

Transportation: Be it raw material acquisition or moving the finished product from the warehouse to the dispatching location, transportation plays a key role in all the order fulfillment services. With a specially trained team and highly advanced software tool, you can ensure that there will be no glitches as your manufactured items move from one location to the other. The right kind of vehicle is also an important factor that the best logistics fulfillment company take care of so that you can focus on more important matters at hand.

Information: In the era of computerization, information is the biggest resource. Order tracking, billing, and packaging are only a few sectors where you need real-time data for the smooth completion of order fulfillment services. The 3PL solutions offer plenty of help in that sector. Their trained software management systems keep track of the financial transaction, inventory movement, and even the proper storage of all the goods in the warehouse. 

Warehousing: Though many are unaware, how the manufactured goods are warehoused can be a huge deal in any logistics fulfillment company. The efficiency of inventory management, order pick and pack, shipping, and dispatch are directly connected with the warehousing of the products. With a 3Pl organization to help, your team of professionals can ensure better warehouse management and improved client satisfaction in return. 

The Five Steps Followed by An Order Fulfillment Company in the USA

As the customer we hardly know the intricate details of e-commerce and online orders. In reality, the top order fulfillment companies have to go through a bunch of procedures to accurately deliver your ordered items.

Here are the five important stages of successful order completion.

Inventory reception: The first step is receiving the inventory. Goods come in bulk from different locations. Inspecting and updating the inventories coming in on the internal database is an important function of the order fulfillment services. 

Storing of the incoming inventory: Once the goods are received, and their movements are recorded, the next step is to properly store the inventory. Most of the items that go into storage are those that are meant for immediate sales. Depending on the date of shipping, the inventories are categorized and sent to long or short-term storage facilities. 

Processing the orders: Simply storing the inventories is not enough. The fulfillment centers process the orders based on customer demands. This sorting is essential for the following steps as it is one of the most time-consuming functions of order fulfillment companies USA.

Order Picking and packing: The job of the order picking team is to single out the items from the storage and prepare them to be packed before shipping. The picking is heavily dependent on the chronology of the orders that are to be packed. The more futuristic fulfillment agencies often use robots and automated systems for the completion of order picking and packing. 

Order Shipping and Delivery: Once the orders are picked and packed, they are sent to a transportation organization that then transports the order to the final destination. In most cases, the shipping and carrier companies deliver the order in two consecutive steps. The order is taken to another storage unit, which is dispatched for delivery. 

How Are Fulfillment Centers Different from Warehousing Units?

Two factors that play a major role in the flourishing of E-Commerce are our warehouse and fulfillment centers. Fulfilment warehouse USA improves your company’s efficiency by taking care of the entire order fulfillment process. Though the 3PL companies in the US offer fulfillment as well as distribution services, the common notion is that they are synonymous. There are some classic differences between a warehousing unit and a fulfillment center. Essentially, both buildings are used for storing the manufactured products before shipping them out. However, there are some fine distinguishing factors.

Read on to find out how fulfillment centers differ from warehouses.

Purpose: The very first point of difference between centers of order fullfillment USA, and warehouse is their fundamental purpose. During the transportation of the products, there are times when you need a change of transport. Warehouses are where your goods are kept during the stop gaps. In that sense, the warehouse functions as the chief hub of transit. On the other hand, fulfillment centers are specifically designed to store the finished items before their ultimate shipping. Besides storage, a fulfillment center also serves other purposes. 

Operations: The primary operations of a warehouse include shifting the stocked items from one location to the other, inside the building and managing the inventory of the business. They are filled with shelves and storage units. The workers organize, sort, and manage the stored items in the order of their pickup. A fulfillment center operates on multiple levels. They deal with how the order is transported to the site of shipping, and order tracking, and their job ends only after the successful delivery of the order at the recipient’s address. 

Orders:  A warehouse usually caters to wholesale retailers. Bulk orders that are meant for retailers and other such outlets are their primary concern. Fulfillment centers entertain both B2B as well as B2C orders. While B2B orders are those that are shipped to the distributors and wholesalers, B2C orders refer to those that are delivered directly to the location of your individual customers.

Why Are Soft Skills So Important for E-Commerce Fulfillment Companies?

 3rd party logistics companies basically bridge the gap between you and your clients. They are the ones who take care of adequately storing the manufactured goods, the order pickups, and their packaging, as well as the delivery of the order at the right address. There are a number of different features that are responsible for the success and failure of your e-commerce fulfillment companies. However. That being said, there is nothing more critical than the communicative and interactive skills of the employees working at the order fulfillment centers in India. Wondering why? Read on to find out how soft skills and your client and customer experience can make or break or fulfillment center.

Customer Satisfaction: At the end of the day, every commercial venture sets out to prove its efficiency to its customers. Without proper communication, they will never know how well-groomed your company is. The delivery services directly contact them while dropping off their order products. Your customers often expect their deliveries according to their schedules and availability. If you want your 3rd party logistics company to flourish, you must ensure the delivery guy knows exactly how to communicate with the buyers concerned. 

Attracting More Clients: Your clients are essentially big companies with their own manufacturing units. They are usually looking for ecommerce fulfillment companies that offer them the facilities they require. In such a situation, convincing them that your fulfillment center will be their best choice is a tough job. However, with the right communication skills, your chances of attracting more clients are higher than ever. The easiest way to pool in more clients is by establishing your supremacy as an order fulfillment agency. With the right skills, your employees will have no difficulty in impressing the clients and getting the job. 

Intra-management: Ecommerce fulfillment companies need to interact and keep each other posted about every occurrence within the system. It’s only when your staff members can clearly communicate with each other and be on the same page that you can do your work efficiently and keep both your clients and customers satisfied. 

The Three Different Software Management Systems For 3PL Service Providers in India

 Ecommerce fulfillment services India, as well as across all the other nations, is the number one requirement in an online transaction. Once the order has been placed, the customers really do not know about the technical details of what goes on behind the curtains. But with software management tools implemented in some of the best 3PL service providers in India, getting your orders delivered right at your doorstep has become infinitely more manageable. 

Standalone Warehouse Management Systems: The smoothness of the warehousing has been magnified by Warehouse Management Software Systems or WMS for short. You can customize the software to suit your warehousing issues, depending on the size of your company. Though most of the features on this website can be personalized, one fact remains unchanged. This technical tool allows you to store your goods better, get better inventory management, and smarter order pick-ups and packaging. 

Enterprise Resource Planning Systems: This software has many benefits. Not only do they increase your efficiency at the micro fulfillment centers in India, but they also improve customer service and integrate all the different processes that play a key role in getting the orders delivered. The Enterprise Resource Planning software system allows easy access to all the employees to avail of the databases and ensures the smooth functioning of the organization. An ERP accounts for better communication and understanding within the corporation, that in turn helps in providing the best services to the clients as well as the customers. 

Integrated Supply Chain Management Systems: An Integrated Supply Chain Management system or an SCM controls every aspect of the process, right from the acquisition of the raw materials to their manufacturer and final delivery of the said product. Resource planning and execution, demand and supply management, and inventory management are only a few features of this software system applied by the leading e-commerce fulfillment centers in India.

Why Michigan Is the Home to Some of The Top Order Fulfillment Companies

The Great Lake State of Michigan is the home to some of the top order fulfillment companies in the United States of America. Fulfillment centers and three-part logistics services are integral parts of any business organization. Especially now, when most brands have online stores and outlets, warehousing and fulfillment USA holds significant importance for the success of a business organization. Owing to the strategic location, the 3pl companies in Michigan have established themselves as some of the best names in this sector. If you are wondering what makes Michigan such a popular location, here are three reasons why that’s the case.

Proximity To the Main Transportation Hubs: Transportation is one of the most crucial aspects of supply chain management and order fulfillment. Michigan houses a bunch of international airports like the Delta County Airport and the Bishop International Airport, along with great interconnection roads and railways that make this state ideal for warehousing and logistics. The Detroit Wayne County Port caters to different types of imports and exports, especially heavy goods. 

An Expanding Market: With an average of 2% increase annually, Michigan has a fast-growing population that makes up for a great market. Your customers are your top priority, and the closer your 3pl partner is to them, the better it is. Being close to such a vital asset means that you can complete the process of order delivery and not much time is lost during order picking and shipping. 

Bidirectional Scalability: The professionals here are adept in handling the market and equipped with some of the best technical tools to provide you with bidirectional scalability. This means that they not only calculate and apprehend the market fluctuations but also alert you about restocking and inventory controls. The advancement in technology and the introduction of management software systems have been a massive help in this context. 

Factors you need to consider before you choose a 3PLCompany

3PL shipping companies contribute to a company’s profits majorly. They bridge the gap between the parent's brands and their customers by providing efficient inventory management and fast order completion. They are essential for the success of your business and even more so if you have online stores as well. Here’s a list of the factors that you need to consider before you a 3pl solutions for your company. 

The Location: The location of the 3PL shipping companies matters the most. It should be close to the chief market and within close proximity to the nearest airports, ports, railways, and roads. The location of the 3PL company directly affects transportation and order management, which in turn affects your business. A chief portion of the overall costs occur due to the logistics of your business, and where your 3PL centres are located can be of significant advantage.

The Technological Benefits: In the era of global digitisation, supply chain software systems that the 3PL companies in Michigan implement are amazing. Warehousing, storage, shipping, and order fulfillment are some of the attributes that advanced technology tackles. The software systems are swift to optimize inventory management and provide real-time data related to the same. Most importantly, the tools used by Third-party logistics services support you to a great extent during business fluctuations. They can estimate the alliterations and helps you plan ahead. 

The Management of Tax and Regulations: No operation can work smoothly unless you are well acquainted with the industry's laws, regulations, and taxation process. In fact, how well your 3PL center understands these aspects can prove to be vital for your company. The risk of running into penalties increases if there is a lack of awareness regarding the business's functioning. So do your research before you choose a 3PL partner for your company. 

How can small and medium eCommerce Brands in India Deliver Fast

Small and medium eCommerce brands often struggle when it comes to fast delivery. Well, we have the answer to it.

The Indian eCommerce industry is on an exceptional growth trajectory, especially since the surge in digital adoption after the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. It is estimated that the eCommerce sector is likely to reach USD 111.40 billion by 2025 from USD 46.20 billion in 2020, which indicates an annual growth of 19.24%. Retail experts foresee grocery to become one of the key pillars of growth predicted to reach USD 18.2 billion in 2024 from the USD 1.9 billion in 2019, expanding at a CAGR of 57%. In fact, the Indian online retail market is estimated to reach the USD 350 billion by 2030 from the current market, amounting to the USD 45 to 50 billion.

At the India Internet Day 2021, organized by TIE Delhi NCR, experts said that the number of online shoppers is expected to reach about 500-600 from 150 million shoppers in CY-2020. In recent years India has seen exponential digital advancement from the increase of smartphone purchases to the 5G rollout in the pipeline. According to the latest research, shipments of smartphones grew by 82% YoY to reach over 33 million units in Q2, 2021.

So, this massive growth in the eCommerce sector has encouraged many small and medium businesses or retailers to come forward in the market and start selling their products online. However, to survive and grow, they need to overcome the cut-throat competition and excel in their processes and operations to escape getting replaced by the eCommerce giants.

With the massive increase in the number of online shoppers, there is a significant rise in the competition among eCommerce retailers. Apart from this, there is also a major shift in consumer behavior and their expectations. Currently, one of the major demands of consumers is faster delivery and more delivery options. You also need to ensure that every order is delivered on time, every time. Let’s see what smaller and medium eCommerce retailers require for faster delivery to retain and grow their customer base:

Efficient Inventory Management. One of the most crucial steps towards faster order fulfillment is to manage inventory efficiently. It’s essential to be on top of the current market trends, follow demand forecasting and analysis as accurately as possible. To compete with the eCommerce giants, you need to have advanced tracking tools in place to monitor your inventory and provide real-time insight. You can also set up an automated inventory management workflow to focus on the other aspects of the business, such as customer service, fraud prevention, and merchandising.

Fulfillment Outsourcing. To thrive in this highly competitive market and expand your eCommerce retail brand, managing all the nuances of logistics operations with your in-house team is difficult. In that case, you need a dedicated team of logistics experts that might not be cost-effective until your turnover reaches a certain level. Once you outsource this crucial business function, you get enough time and resources to focus on your products and the other aspects of the business.

Regulatory compliance. Logistics providers handling food and grocery products need to comply with some food and grocery-related stringent rules and regulations of the country. Some guidelines laid down for refrigerated fulfillment have to be followed, or your business might face legal issues.

Selecting the Right 3PL Partner. The right 3PL partner can make or break your brand reputation, especially if there is an order fulfillment issue. The selection becomes a crucial process as it might risk your customer satisfaction. After all, your customers know your brand and not the 3PL. Some of the critical factors that you should evaluate carefully are the following:

Ensure that they understand your vision and align their operations to help you achieve your goals.

Verify their technological and infrastructural capability to help grow your business.

Check how adaptive they are in scalability to cater to the ever-changing needs of a high-demand eCommerce business.

Make sure to validate their return management system as it is crucial to maintain your customer satisfaction and be on top of the game.

Review the expertise, knowledge, experience of their team carefully for you to trust them with an essential function of your business as logistics.

Here comes XPDEL, a US-based high-tech provider of fulfillment and logistics services, serving you now in India as well. In a fiercely competitive market like India, where eCommerce giants are rapidly replacing retail and small businesses, XPDEL is on a mission to help smaller retailers succeed with eCommerce. Empowered with a strong network and advanced technological and infrastructural capability, we bring growth solutions to help you succeed. We solve your inventory, order fulfillment, and logistics needs by providing a complete solution from the order through delivery. Our live tracking and visibility result in an exceptional customer experience.

Conclusion:

In the end, it is a smart choice for you to partner with a 3PL provider to overcome competition and expand your business. However, selecting the right 3PL partner is quite crucial because, at the end of the day, it’s your reputation that is at stake. Hence, we urge you to weigh all the pros and cons of each 3PL service provider and then make a data-driven, informed decision to select the right partner to win the game. Beat the competition and get going!

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