eCommerce to Warehouse
eCommerce – how it can work to your advantage
COVID19 has taught us all that we really can do things differently.
Many of our clients are rethinking their distribution channels and concentrating on an eCommerce mindset, rather than direct to store (DTS) as many stores no longer operate as they once did. With the rapid turnaround required, the shift has been truly challenging.
Businesses previously sending pallets of stock around the country to stores are now selling direct to the public or providing drop-shipping type services for their retailers. Sales are usually via an eCommerce website, but the challenge lies in accommodating and implementing the logistics after the sale. Many business owners do not want to be spending time working on this part of their enterprise because it takes them away from what they do best. Why not engage an experienced professional team to take care of it?
A 3PL solution makes good sense
This is where a third-party logistics (3PL) operator becomes a crucial and integral partner. Promtel has the technology to allow you to plug your eCommerce site into the vast functionality of its Warehouse Management System (WMS). The WMS manages your inventory, stock replenishments, expiry dates, batch codes, order picking, packing and shipping.
Your trusted 3PL can pick, pack and send your orders according to your specifications. The 3PL has established relationships with various carriers. They offer you their experience when choosing the best way to get your goods to your customers.
Mind the gap
Promtel began work with IT professionals to solve the integration of website-to-warehouse black hole well before COVID19 suddenly changed everything. We wanted to provide a professional WMS service that worked hand in hand with a top end retail eCommerce solution. We identified the gap in the logistics and IT cycle and have worked hard to close it.
Identifying the danger zone
The process of turning a website order into a fully picked, packed, ready-to-ship parcel using the most cost-effective process has been the logistics and IT danger zone for many businesses.
Promtel’s IT partners have developed API integration with eCommerce platforms (Shopify, Magento and BigCommerce) including initial set up and testing, live freight rates (Shopify only) and integrated tracking information. You have peace of mind and you don’t have to worry about skills shortages, training and redundancy.
How does it work?
In simple terms this is how it works:
- Your stock is housed in Promtel’s warehouse
- Each stock keeping unit (SKU) or product has a location, ready for picking. You can view your inventory online and download reports in real time
- You have an eCommerce website, eg Shopify
- Your customer orders and pays for it using your web-based online store
- Our integrated software captures the order details in the back end of your website
- Secure integrated software pushes the order details to the WMS
- Our staff, using RF scanning, pick, pack and ship your order
- Our WMS pushes the completed consignment information securely back to your website
- Your branded communication from your website with shipping, consignment number and tracking details is sent to your customer
Adapting to the changes
Changes are happening quickly and universally. Outsourcing this aspect of your supply chain is not only a good idea, but, according to KPMG, enterprises’ operations strategy is increasingly at odds with reality – particularly balancing cost savings and strategic investment priorities. In plain English – it is not always cheaper or better to do things in-house, especially when it involves people being taken away from their core tasks to do jobs that they didn’t sign up for. Also, the high cost of gaining and maintaining your own space and infrastructure to store your stock and process your orders can be out of reach financially.