E-Fulfilment in logistics

E-Fulfilment as the final process step in e-commerce

The e-commerce industry has enjoyed growing popularity not only since Corona. Instead of relying on brick-and-mortar retail in the cities, an ever larger majority is shopping digitally. This change also poses a major challenge for logistics. Outsourcing fulfilment processes can be a sensible, if not necessary, option for companies in this context. It depends on whether they cannot do this themselves because they lack time, staff or other resources. Furthermore, outsourcing and using an external fulfilment service provider offers the opportunity to focus on core processes instead of also having to take care of e-commerce processing.

E-Fulfilment in warehouse logistics and contract logistics

It is the final process step in e-commerce. It includes aspects such as storage, compilation, collection, packaging and delivery to the customer. Not least due to offers such as same-day delivery, this area of logistics has changed noticeably. E-Fulfilment goes beyond the simple logistical process. It also includes commercial processes such as the acceptance and processing of orders as well as invoicing.

E-Fulfilment outsourcing and the added value for companies

For online retailers and performing businesses, outsourcing e-fulfilment creates a significant saving in effort and associated resources. As a result, companies manage to minimise their error rate and enable a continuously functioning implementation. This enables you to react flexibly to changes in your workload. By knowing all essential data such as product price, type of packaging, item court or size, our partners are able to offer e-fulfilment as a service for you. For example, external fulfilment companies replenish the warehouses of eBay, Amazon, Etsy and Shopify, among others. They pick and pack the products and take care of the delivery to the customer.

For whom is e-fulfilment worthwhile

Evaluating the effectiveness of picking and upstream processes such as receiving, warehousing, warehouse logistics and contract logistics, and returns plays a critical role in assessing a fulfilment and warehouse management system. Another important performance indicator that should be monitored is goods-in efficiency, i.e. the volume of goods received by each warehouse worker per hour. In the decision-making process on whether outsourcing the fulfilment process is worthwhile for a company. - i.e. in the make-or-buy decision. Further, a factor in the decision is how much budget the company has available, then whether to outsource all or part of the processes.

Prices of e-fulfilment - determinants

In the following, we present in a little more detail what the price of e-fulfilment specifically depends on and what is important:

1) Location and time window

The further away the delivery location, the higher the delivery costs. Furthermore, the requirements for delivery speed must be taken into account. Since same-day delivery is often desired nowadays, this also places higher demands on delivery speed. This in turn can lead to greatly increased costs for delivery. Added to this are the time requirements. While delivery within a week is usually possible, 48-hour time slots or next-day deliveries become much more expensive.

2) Scope of delivery and goods

In order for the products to be sent on to the customer after receipt of the order, the goods must first be delivered. Additional services, such as checking the goods received and special delivery requirements, are also provided for you in e-fulfilment.

3) Packaging and shipping

The e-fulfilment process also includes the entire handling of shipping. Furthermore, personalisation or special protection of the shipping item may be desired and result in a corresponding surcharge.

4) Service for the customer

Other services that are required at the end of the shipping process, such as support and service, can also be outsourced. Returns management can also be taken over by our service providers if required.

5) Size and structure

Depending on the size of the goods to be stored, more or less space is required. The more space required, the higher the respective storage costs.

We would be happy to support you with our partners in making e-fulfilment efficient and cost-effective. Together with our service providers, we will create a service package that is precisely tailored to your needs. We are happy to advise and support you in all aspects of e-fulfilment in the warehouse sector. If you are looking for the right service provider, you are sure to find what you are looking for at LAGERflaeche.de.