Is your order fulfillment process ready to handle a surge in online orders efficiently? Order fulfillment is crucial for a business to succeed in online commerce, better known as the e-commerce industry.
It is nowadays one of the most rapidly growing industries globally, and also one with higher expectations from customers when it comes to fast processing of their orders and delivery of their products.
Ensuring your order fulfillment is executed efficiently will help you boost not only your online sales and customer satisfaction but also your logistics operations across the supply chain, saving you resources, money, time, and headaches.
Let’s take a deeper look at the factors and steps in the order fulfillment process and how our team, at EP Logistics, can help you optimize your order fulfillment strategy in no time.
The order fulfillment process: Key steps
Order fulfillment comprises different steps, each playing an important role along the supply chain. It starts from the moment a customer places an order and ends once they have received their items at their doorstep, including any return in case it is needed.
Order processing
Once an order is placed by a customer, the order has to be processed. During order processing, your management system is in charge of verifying that the ordered items are in stock.
Proper inventory management goes in hand with order fulfillment as it is essential to be aware of inventory levels at all times to prevent stock-outs, resulting in cancellations due to unavailability or delays.
At EP Logistics, we handle order processing quickly and accurately, with the use of our advanced systems to ensure your customers receive their correct items and enjoy an on-time delivery.
Our order fulfillment service, combined with our customizable warehousing services, inventory management, and integration of real-time technologies that give you visibility over your stock levels and shipments, give you peace of mind knowing your orders are being handled by professionals.
Picking and packing
The next step is to have the items ordered retrieved from the inventory storage, properly packed, and prepared with a packing slip for shipping to ensure the customer receives everything accurately and in good condition.
With our inventory management systems, you can rely on our seamless picking and packing process. We also offer you reliable and fully customizable warehousing services, for you to enjoy optimal storing inventory solutions that help you speed up your fulfillment.
Shipping
Now that the order has been processed, items picked and packed, and the shipping slip printed out, items need to start their journey toward the customer.
It is important to choose the best shipping method based on the products you are dealing with and the distances they are traveling so that your business can minimize shipping costs and focus on improving delivery times that meet customer expectations.
Whether you need domestic or international shipping, at EP Logistics, we have you covered. We work within a large network of carriers offering you cost-effective and reliable road freight, air freight, and ocean freight.
Returns processing
This involves retrieving the items returned, inspecting them, and determining if they will be restocked, refurbished, or disposed of.
Returns processing also ensures replacements or refunds are handled promptly. Managing returns efficiently provides your customers with good customer service and boosts your customer loyalty.
Our e-commerce fulfillment services, at EP Logistics, include the management of your reverse logistics. We handle your returns proficiently to ensure a well-managed shipping process that improves your customer satisfaction and boosts your reputation.
Types of Order Fulfillment Models
There are different order fulfillment options you can choose from depending on the needs of your business:
In-house Fulfillment
This is when your business handles every step of the order fulfillment process on its own. You are in charge of managing and storing inventory, the pick-pack and ship process, and all other operations. This gives you full control over the operations but also requires a lot of resources including workforce and infrastructure.
Third-party Fulfillment
One of the most popular fulfillment options consists of outsourcing your fulfillment services to a third-party provider like EP Logistics.
This brings many benefits since working with an experienced provider will save you time, and resources and overall help you reduce costs with more efficient processes and careful planning.
When you work with us, your business gains access to our proven expertise and a vast network of warehousing, freight, technology systems, real-time tracking, and even custom brokerage if you’re doing business internationally. All our solutions are combined to ensure the ultimate satisfaction of your customer and a good positioning of your brand.
Dropshipping
The last fulfillment option is also very popular, especially among online businesses. This method consists of the manufacturer sending the items directly to the customer on behalf of your business.
This means they take care of the pick packing and shipping and eliminate the need for your business to use a warehouse for storage as well as managing inventory storage and stock levels.
Outsourcing fulfillment services to EP Logistics
Your order fulfillment can be improved when you are working with a trusted partner like EP Logistics. Here’s how we help you streamline your order fulfillment strategy and enhance all your supply chain management:
Expertise and Technology:
Choosing us as your fulfillment partner brings over 20 years of proven experience. The technology and systems we use with our services, let you manage your inventory levels, shipments, and orders in real-time.
Our systems also allow you to adapt and plan to stay prepared for high seasons and any changes or fluctuations in the market and demand.
Strategic Locations and Scalability:
At EP Logistics, we also have warehouses that are strategically located both in Mexico and the U.S. to make your storage, delivery, and transportation easier and faster.
Our network gives you access to great prices and reliable carriers for quicker shipping and transportation so that you can always meet your customers’ expectations and ensure they enjoy fast, reliable delivery.
Reduced Costs and Improved Customer Service:
Another great advantage of working with us is that we focus on helping you reduce costs whenever and wherever possible. We do this by ensuring your processes are planned, your routes strategically planned and your storage and inventory properly managed to reduce errors and unnecessary sudden costs.
We also implement advanced technologies with all our services to give you a more competitive advantage and control of what is happening with your items at the different stages of the supply chain.
From order processing to shipping and returns, we help you meet your customer expectations, improve your customer service, and optimize your order fulfillment strategy.
Get in touch and let us become the partner that transforms your Logistics and helps you thrive in the online world of retail.
