Order Fulfillment: 5 Tips For Successful Outsourcing (Tip 2)

Order Fulfillment is not easy. The second tip for successful outsourcing is: learning how to recognize the differences.

Order Fulfillment

In our last blog article, we introduced our 5-part series offering tips for successful fulfillment outsourcing. We set the stage by discussing the importance of knowing yourself first – why you want to outsource order fulfillment, and what you expect to achieve from that. Now that you know what you want and need, it’s time to look for an order fulfillment partner.

To be successful, you cannot merely go online and click on any company you see. Well, you could. But order fulfillment companies are not all the same. They can vary tremendously, in the services they offer and the quality of their work.

Tip #2: Learn to recognize the differences

Order fulfillment is a complex process, and it has to function like the proverbial well-oiled machine in order to be successful. You want a partner that has the know-how and tools to take your orders and keep them moving swiftly and accurately until they reach the customer’s door. That’s a lot to ask. Some retailers just want to “git ‘er done” at the least cost possible. If that’s you, look for a company that offers only the basics.

We’re guessing, though, that your standards are higher that.

Perhaps far higher, because your products are very high quality and your customers expect an exceptional ordering experience from your brand. In this case, look for a fulfillment company that has:

• State-of-the-art facilities. The equipment a company uses, and how it’s configured, affects the speed and reliability of order fulfillment. It can also affect your cost, especially when it comes to weighing and labeling your packages.
• Fully integrated systems that tie it all together smoothly. Efficiency and accuracy depend on technology that streamlines inventory and order management as well as automation that aids picking and packing. But beware companies that rely on technology too heavily. It takes human eyes to detect some details that machines can’t “see,” and these details can make the difference between a successful customer experience and failure.
• Operations that are co-located. Internal communication can be a crucial factor in ensuring your orders are processed properly and as quickly as possible. Even with the latest technology at hand, sometimes it’s faster and simpler to take a few steps to ask a question or see a product for yourself. Co-location eliminates inventory movement delays as well as communication snafus.

An order fulfillment partner willing to invest in top-notch facilities and systems is investing in your fulfillment needs and your customers’ satisfaction. You want a partner that can do the work, to your specifications. But you want one who cares, too.

In part 3 of our series on successful order fulfillment outsourcing, we’ll look at the human side of the equation.