{"id":11874,"date":"2021-03-16T11:33:15","date_gmt":"2021-03-16T18:33:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/michaeljbrumm.com\/dclcorp-phase2\/?p=11874"},"modified":"2021-03-16T11:33:15","modified_gmt":"2021-03-16T18:33:15","slug":"3pl-advanced-technology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/michaeljbrumm.com\/dclcorp-phase2\/blog\/technology\/3pl-advanced-technology\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Your 3PL Should Be Utilizing Advanced Technology"},"content":{"rendered":"

Third-party logistics<\/a>\u00a0providers (3PL) can be an effective strategy for e-commerce companies to more efficiently manage\u00a0supply chain<\/a>\u00a0logistics . In our current lightening-speed age of instant gratification, customers want real-time updates and on-demand package tracking,\u00a0standardized two-day (or less!) shipping<\/a>, and sellers need immediate analytics, data and insights to fulfill the customer needs. The traditional warehouse and transportation service model is not enough to manage those advanced problems anymore.
\nModern 3PLs need to incorporate technology and evolve their processes to keep up. Sellers are more often turning to 3PLs that utilize advanced technology for logistics services to stay on top of growing consumer demands and customer expectations.<\/p>\n

What Advanced Technology Should Your 3PL Have?<\/h2>\n

A 3PL provider with advanced technology has developed solutions to streamline\u00a0shipping<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0order fulfillment<\/a>\u00a0to meet sellers needs, often leveraging state-of-the-art information\u00a0technology tools to do so. In addition to the traditional core competency fulfillment services and logistics operations that 3PLs and other logistics companies offer such as inventory warehousing,\u00a0picking<\/a>, packing, shipping, as well as\u00a0value-added services<\/a>, most 3PL companies offer updated tech tools they are also able to provide software that can integrate data from multiple sources to give both the seller and consumer a complete look into the lifecycle of the\u00a0order fulfillment process<\/a>\u00a0and help with decision-making.<\/p>\n

Using software to link\u00a0fulfillment centers<\/a>\u00a0to retailers, carriers and more, vital information can flow throughout the supply chain and back \u00a0to the seller to help them make efficient operating decisions. This combination of logistics and technology provides a complete end-to-end\u00a0ecommerce fulfillment<\/a>\u00a0solution.<\/p>\n

One of the best examples of a 3PL service\u2019s technology is EDI. EDI stands for electronic data interchange. It is an amalgamation of systems and processes that allows manufacturers the ability to share documents and a variety of transactional information with the vendors, suppliers, and brands that they work with. EDI systems help improve both the speed and accuracy of a manufacturers\u2019 business related documents as they are shared with their various counterparts.<\/p>\n

What is 3PL Order Fulfillment Software?<\/h2>\n

Order fulfillment software is usually a cloud based system that helps a 3PL automate\u00a0supply chain\u00a0management<\/a>,\u00a0inventory management<\/a>, transportation management and\u00a0warehouse management<\/a>, shipping, as well as provide a seller with the ability to track orders and sales. Fulfillment software can integrate with other software systems\u2014like a seller\u2019s \u00a0online storefront\u2014to facilitate a streamlined flow of information.<\/p>\n

Fulfillment software also directly connects to the 3PL\u2019s warehouses and fulfillment systems, allowing for real-time information such as tracking, inventory levels, along with additional valuable information.<\/p>\n

How Does a 3PLs Advanced Technology Help You?<\/h2>\n

Save Time by Automating Processes<\/h3>\n

Instead of manually entering and sending orders to a 3PL every day, fulfillment software can eliminate this step completely for sellers. Since a 3PL\u2019s software technology can integrate directly with online storefronts, the warehouse where products are located is automatically notified as soon as a new order comes in.<\/p>\n

Each order fulfillment step is documented and updated in real-time, so the status of every order as it moves through picking, packing, and shipping, can be easily tracked and viewed by the seller. This unlocks\u00a0supply chain\u00a0visibility<\/a>\u00a0to search for specific orders, enabling the seller to adequately manage their inventory and sales.<\/p>\n

Additionally, fulfillment software integration other steps in the order fulfillment process to be automated as well: reordering inventory, checking product levels, and processing returns. This saves time, and helps get deliveries to customers sooner.<\/p>\n

Drive Down Fulfillment Costs<\/h3>\n

In the fulfillment process, one of the best ways to\u00a0save money is on shipping costs<\/a>. A 3PL will be able to negotiate discounted shipping rates based on its size and volume, but costs can also be reduced by cutting down on the distance that packages have to travel to their destination.<\/p>\n

To allow for this, inventory can be split across many\u00a0fulfillments centers<\/a>\u00a0to ship from warehouses that are the closest to customers. Fulfillment software can use historical data to better guide in strategically\u00a0distributing inventory<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Gain Insights for Data Driven Decisions<\/h3>\n

Using\u00a0advanced metrics<\/a>\u00a0provided by fulfillment software can help to eliminate guesswork when making future decisions for shipping and logistics. Customized metrics, such as revenue of orders shipped by day, sales by channel,\u00a0peak fulfillment times<\/a>, and sales and quantity of orders based on USPS zone, can help a seller make more effective supply chain decisions. Warehouse management systems (WMS) as well as transportation management systems (TMS) can be a boon for any ecommerce business looking for better logistics management<\/p>\n

Over time, by sticking with the same 3PL and fulfillment software, more data is collected which can lead to more informed \u00a0strategic decisions.<\/p>\n

Reduce Errors<\/h3>\n

When manually sending orders from a seller to their 3PL, data entry errors are bound to happen. Even the smallest error \u2014like an address typo or incorrect SKU\u2014can cause huge problems. They can lead to exchanges, replacements, and returns that are time consuming, expensive, and frustrating for customers.<\/p>\n

Having a 3PL that automates this process by integrating systems directly, can cut down on the chances of human error or duplication of orders.<\/p>\n

These connected systems also allow the seller with a transparent look into how their 3PL is performing. By connecting the fulfillment steps and supply chain processes, it is possible to view the accuracy of the 3PL as each step is taken.<\/p>\n

Improve Customer Service<\/h3>\n

A smooth order fulfillment process will keep your customers happy, that\u2019s the very heart of why all of this matters. And fulfillment software can \u00a0help to give a seller the complete picture of the entire process, in order to improve or continue with what is already working.<\/p>\n

Since the 3PL\u2019s technology provides the most up to date information to the seller, any customer inquiries can be answered immediately with accuracy. This enables greater consistency, precision and transparency that can be conveyed to the customer.<\/p>\n

A 3PL with advanced technology can help a seller ensure fast and accurate customer service, which has come to be expected in the current Amazon Prime standard environment. In the absence of technology, same- or two-day delivery would be impossible to execute.<\/p>\n

Bottom Line<\/h2>\n

Working with a 3PL with advanced technology can help save time, drive down costs, reduce errors, improve customer service, as well as give valuable analytical insights that help your business become more efficient and effective<\/p>\n

If you are seeking logistics support we\u2019d love to hear from you. You can read\u00a0DCL\u2019s list of services<\/a>\u00a0to learn more, or check out\u00a0the many companies we work with<\/a>\u00a0to ensure great logistics support.\u00a0Send us a note<\/a>\u00a0to connect about how we can help your company grow.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Third-party logistics\u00a0providers (3PL) can be an effective strategy for e-commerce companies to more efficiently manage\u00a0supply chain\u00a0logistics . In our current lightening-speed age of instant gratification, customers want real-time updates and on-demand package tracking,\u00a0standardized two-day (or less!) shipping, and sellers need immediate analytics, data and insights to fulfill the customer needs. The traditional warehouse and transportation […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[80],"tags":[19,11,6],"class_list":["post-11874","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-technology","tag-fulfillment","tag-fulfillment-software","tag-3pl"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nA 3PL using advanced technology can help grow and support your business - DCL Logistics<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"There are many benefits to working with a 3PL that utilizes advanced technology for your order fulfillment needs.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"A 3PL using advanced technology can help grow and support your business - 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