by logisticsplus | Jun 25, 2018 | News
Keeping up with the growth of e-commerce can be a difficult and daunting task. In fact, experts predict that retail will evolve more over the next few years than it has over the past 50 years. The significant growth of e-commerce has caused companies to change the way they fulfill orders. It’s now more important than ever to have modernized warehouses and fulfillment centers that correspond with the surging demand of e-commerce.
Meeting the Demand for E-Commerce
- One of the biggest changes affecting warehousing and fulfillment is the rise of e-commerce. Fast and reliable shipping expectations force companies to move more individual parcels through the warehouse quicker than old warehousing and fulfillment centers were designed to accommodate. Warehouses that were designed before e-commerce existed aren’t properly set up to fulfill huge amounts of direct-to-consumer orders. Modern warehouses and fulfillment centers must constantly monitor the information received from online shopping channels in order to adapt and succeed.
Adapting to New Technology
- While customer service and supply chain visibility requirements continue to gain traction, it’s crucial for warehouses and fulfillment centers to implement an up-to-date warehouse management system (WMS). Due to the high volume of products and limited capacities for warehouses, products may become lost or damaged, leaving the customer wondering where their product is located. This is where a warehouse management system can help. WMS technology provides customers with complete, real-time status of products entering or leaving one of its warehouses or distribution centers. Adding a warehouse management system is a giant step towards modernizing warehouses and fulfillment centers.
Does Modernizing My Warehouses and Fulfillment Centers make sense?
- Before taking the giant leap towards a fully modernized warehouse or fulfillment center, ask yourself the following:
- How will this impact my warehouse finances?
- How easy will it be to implement a warehouse management system (WMS)?
- How will this affect day-to-day working habits?
- How quickly can a modernized warehouse or fulfillment center become functional?
- Will my warehouse be able to fulfill through all of my selling channels (e.g., direct, website, Amazon, etc.)?
If it makes sense for your business to modernize warehouses and fulfillment centers, then don’t think twice. E-commerce is still in its beginning stages and will continue to grow and prosper for the foreseeable future. For any additional questions regarding warehousing or fulfillment, click below and our team of experts will get back to you promptly.
by logisticsplus | Jun 8, 2018 | News
Companies that sell through Amazon must contemplate whether it makes sense to use Fulfillment By Amazon (FBA) services or consider third-party warehousing alternatives to FBA. When making this important business decision, it is crucial that companies understand the benefits of third-party logistics (3PL) while recognizing some of the potential downfalls associated with FBA. Here are a few issues that Amazon retailers face, and ways that 3PL companies such as Logistics Plus can help:
- Issue: Costly warehousing and fulfillment options where the prices can change monthly
- Cause: Due to the decreasing space at Amazon fulfillment and warehousing centers, the costs continue to increase and fluctuate by month. Between the months of January-September and October-December, Amazon retailers can expect about a 245% increase in monthly storage prices.
- Logistics Plus Solution: By offering complementary, but lower-priced FBA-related services, Logistics Plus can provide more flexibility with packaging and warehousing, along with predictable and stable pricing all year long (see examples below). We can also help address sellers needs for omnichannel fulfillment strategies.
- Issue: Supply chain visibility and unknown locations of products.
- Cause: Due to the high volume of products and limited capacities of FBA warehouses, products may become lost or damaged, leaving the customer wondering where their product is located or being held. When Amazon struggles to offer this valuable information to their customers, this can often lead to a frustrating experience.
- Logistics Plus Solution: Logistics Plus is able to track and locate products much easier because it is much smaller and more nimble than Amazon; and Logistics Plus warehouse management system (WMS) technology provides customers with complete, real-time status of products entering or leaving one of its warehouses (we support both LIFO and FIFO inventory systems).
- Issue: Customer service communication and cooperation.
- Cause: Due to the amount of retailers selling on Amazon, the customer service responses can often be delayed. Buyers and sellers tend to have multiple questions to make sure they know exactly what Amazon is doing with their orders. Working through these questions, a retailer can often expect a significant amount of time on hold, often without final resolution.
- Logistics Plus Solution: By employing an efficient and cooperative call center solution, Logistics Plus will tend to every customer’s needs. Whether it is a quote on your next import or a simple question regarding the status of your inventory, Logistics Plus will provides answers quickly.
If you’re a retailer that sells on Amazon and you’re contemplating third-party warehousing alternatives to FBA, then contact Logistics Plus. As an endorsed member of the Amazon Global Selling Solutions Provider Network, we know Amazon and we know Amazon sellers well.
by logisticsplus | May 25, 2018 | News
Logistics Plus Fulfillment Solutions (LPFS) has opened a new fulfillment center in Dallas, TX. We now have three primary ecommerce fulfillment centers located in Olean, NY, Ontario, CA, and now, Dallas, TX. Logistics Plus can manage your inventory and provide nationwide Amazon FBA prep and storage, direct fulfillment, and omnichannel fulfillment solutions at any or all of these facilities. We can also provide call center services and returns management.
by logisticsplus | Apr 4, 2018 | News
Here is a short video presentation in follow-up to the Logistics Plus outsourced fulfillment article that recently appeared exclusively on the Inbound Logistics magazine website (for those of us too busy, or lazy, to read it ?).
You have questions. We have answers. Contact us today!
by logisticsplus | Mar 12, 2018 | News
Logistics Plus fulfillment director, Patrick Randolph, was featured on last week Friday’s airing of Business Spotlight on WPSE AM 1450/FM 107.1 Radio. Business Spotlight is a 30-minute program airing Fridays at noon. Each segment focuses on a business or organization that is making an impact across the region.
In this new segment, Patrick discusses the Logistics Plus acquisition of Lynx Fulfillment last November, the new Logistics Plus Fulfillment Solutions division, eCommerce, Amazon, and more! You can listen to a replay of the interview on the Logistics Plus YouTube Channel below.
