So, how exactly do we optimize our supply chain management to account for the pandemic’s supply chain squeeze?
Improve E-Fulfillment: Outsource Your Product Fulfillment
They say no man is an island, and the same applies for the best businesses. Instead of trying to tackle every specific task without support, smart and efficient businesses leverage the support of subject experts to create efficiencies.
In this case, working with a third-party product fulfillment provider can take a lot of stress out of the upcoming holiday season in the midst of a supply chain crunch.
That’s because third-party logistics providers are often able to manage supply lines better, have more storage facilities that are better positioned to reach customers fast, have backups and contingencies to account for the unexpected, and so much more.
In other words, a third-party fulfillment support provider bases its entire business model on being able to deliver efficient fulfillment services even in the most adverse circumstances. Take the stress off your shoulders and leverage the expertise available. When you outsource product fulfillment, you can not only better meet customer expectations, but also free yourself up to focus on growing your business.
Fix Reverse Logistics: Outsource Your Returns Management
Aside from delivering goods with outsourced product fulfillment, you can also outsource returns management to further unburden your business.
Returns are a natural (if bothersome) part of any e-commerce business. Customers expect this and, in fact, will likely demand it before ordering from your business. That said, you can minimize the time, effort, and money it costs you to manage returns.
How? By outsourcing returns management to third-party providers that can more ably handle the returns and, if possible, get those products prepped to again be shipped out, reducing waste, and maximizing your margins.
Make Customers Happy: Manage Customer Expectations
Aside from improving your supply chain management with the above two suggestions, you can also help your business by managing customer expectations.
That simply means ensuring that they understand there’s a pandemic-related slowdown that may lengthen deliver times.
It’s better to give your customers realistic expectations than upset regulars while also facing increased costs from anger-fueled cancellations and reputational damage.
Supply Chain Management That Is Up to the Task
Get all your supply chain management needs handled by APS Fulfillment, Inc.
As a premier fulfillment center with state-of-the-art warehouse management software (WMS), we make inventory management and goods tracking easy. We’ll also support your business and automate the warehousing, prepping, shipping, picking, and packing of your orders!
There are a wide range of benefits to working with a third-party logistics company that uses the best-quality software systems to manage your warehouses. With APS Fulfillment’s real-time processing, we can confirm your order, have it picked and packed, and shipped with one of our trusted partners, in just 24 hours.
Get in touch with us and one of our consultants will tailor a fulfillment plan designed to grow your business. Book a consultation by calling (954) 582-7450 or email [email protected].
Also read: The Role of Supply-Chain Management in e-Commerce
