Wondering how to choose the best logistics company and warehouse for your business? Find out scalability, innovation, and more factors to consider.

How to Choose the Best Logistics Company and Warehouse

A productive, cost-efficient, and problem-free logistics partner is one of the cornerstones of a successful business. Your supply chain partner needs to understand your needs while taking shape according to your business, making the whole logistics process much smoother. If you are searching for a logistics partner and are wondering about its value for your supply chain management system, you can look at this article.

The desire for growth is the ultimate goal of every business; however, what matters the most is to be as efficient as possible while downgrading costs to the minimum. One of the essential features that a good logistics partner should provide is the ability to scale operations. For this reason, finding a logistics company with customers of all sizes and working in coordination with it will make it easier for you to get successful results in the face of the problems that your business experiences every day.

Logistics may seem away from technology if we think of it as the transportation of goods. Yet, this is certainly not the case. A decent logistics company should use technology at its maximum capacity in each of the operations it provides. Doing this can reduce the time and effort spent on an operation, thereby making their partners gain an advantage over their competitors.

Comprehensive Warehousing, Logistics, and Transport Options

Options and alternatives can create unique opportunities within a supply chain network. Whether you work with an asset-based or non-asset-based logistics partner, you need to work with a logistics company that offers a wide range of storage and transportation options in logistics operations. Since conducting a successful logistics operation may create unexpected problems along the way, you need alternative ways to fix these unpredicted problems with ease.

The sudden disappearance of your logistics partner can have a devastating impact on both your business and your customers. Finding a logistics company with a stable financial history will mitigate the potential for your logistics provider to fail, thereby minimizing your losses.

Therefore, you need to evaluate your options carefully before making any decisions about your logistics partner. Choosing the cheapest option may not provide the necessary guarantee to run your business with the success needed.

If you are looking for a good logistics company, you should carefully examine its sectoral references. Large sectoral companies with whom it has worked for a long time will help you to have a great idea about the performance of the logistics company you will work with. The supply chain developments and applications it has made for its large-scale references will set a great example in the logistics operations it will carry out for you in the future.

Whether you have a goods-oriented, service-oriented, retail-oriented, or e-commerce business, we are aware that choosing the best logistics company is a complicated process. At this point, we can be the logistics partner you are looking for, thanks to our technological power, scalability ability, and industrial references.

We exhibit successful and perfect examples in logistics operations such as SONY Turkey and Tupperware. Moreover, we are Turkey's most technological logistics company with our working culture and 4564% growth rate. Today, you can start working with OPLOG, one of the Best E-Commerce Logistics Companies. We will be happy to lighten your load.

Partnering with OPLOG, you can take care of all your sales channels quickly with one logistics partner, one inventory, and one e-logistics system. So, boost your sales and maximize product distribution by consulting an OPLOG fulfillment expert.

Discover how our customer Woohoobox increased their sales and grew with OPLOG.

Read to understand what a 4PL provider is, why it matters for your eCommerce business and how to choose the best 4PL service tailored to your needs.

How 4PL Companies Can Improve Your eCommerce Business?

So, your eCommerce brand is experiencing growth, with a large volume of sales across different locations. Vendors request your products regularly, and customers flood into outlets to buy these off the shelves. 

Your revenue is growing, as well as your customer base. There’s always the imminent thought of maintaining the growth path and ensuring customer satisfaction, often hampered by the supply chain process. 

Supply chain processes play a huge part in the success of your retail brand. Choosing a supply chain partner is crucial to the continuity of your business growth and profitability. 

While Third-Party Logistics (3PL) partners are common and do enough to keep the supply chain processes of medium-sized businesses running efficiently, business growth comes with the demand for 4PL services. 

The thing is, Utilizing 3PL services is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses, as they take over certain aspects of your supply chain management, freeing up your efforts to focus on sales, marketing, and product development. This will empower your business to grow at a steady and sustainable pace. 

With 4PL, your business has grown beyond the 3PL stage, and you are looking for experts with insights to manage your supply chain operations, including all 3PL services like receiving, warehousing, packing, shipping, returns, and reverse logistics. 

This article will discuss how 4PL companies can improve your eCommerce business. 

How 4PL services can improve your eCommerce business

A 4PL provider is like a superman of supply chain management who can do it all: plan, execute, monitor, and optimize. They don’t just handle the nitty-gritty details of transportation, warehousing, and distribution like a 3PL does.  

They also oversee the entire supply chain network, including other 3PLs, and make sure everything runs smoothly and efficiently. A 4PL provider is not just a service provider but a strategic partner who takes full responsibility and accountability for your supply chain performance.

Fourth-party logistics, also known as 4PL, is a supply chain management model in which a business outsources all its supply chain processes and management to an external service provider.

Did you know?

The main objective is to optimize the entire supply chain for maximum efficiency.

Key difference between 3PL and 4PL is the level of involvement. While a 3PL handles specific logistical functions like transportation and warehousing, a 4PL operates more strategically.

Key takeaways

4PL companies play a crucial role in the supply chain, as they have a broader responsibility than 3PL companies and are more accountable for helping businesses achieve their strategic goals. Partnering with a 4PL company offers significant benefits, including: 

Outsourcing your supply chain management to a 4PL provider frees up valuable time and resources to focus on your core competencies and product development. This allows you to stay competitive and continuously improve your products and services. Additionally, relying on 4PL experts to manage your supply chain can help you avoid common pitfalls and ensure that your supply chain is efficient, cost-effective, and reliable. Outsourcing your supply chain management can be a smart business move that allows you to streamline your operations and achieve tremendous success. 

Managing transportation activities across the supply chain can be complex and challenging. Fortunately, 4PL offers a solution that can streamline and simplify logistics operations. With a single point of contact and accountability, you can leave the transportation management to the experts and focus on your core business activities. The dedicated team at 4PL will take care of all your transportation needs, ensuring reliable and efficient service that will give you peace of mind, knowing that your shipments are in good hands. This level of support can help optimize your supply chain, reduce costs, and increase customer satisfaction. 

With their deep industry knowledge and vast network of suppliers, a 4PL provider can help you find the best deals, negotiate favorable terms, and manage risk more effectively. 

4PL providers offer advanced analytics and data insights, enabling you to make more informed decisions and drive continuous improvement across your supply chain. By leveraging the latest technology and tools, they can optimize your operations, reduce waste, and improve overall efficiency.

If you're running an eCommerce business, you know that logistics can be a real headache. With so many moving parts involved in getting your products from A to B, 4PL services provide the proper delivery of business efficiency. 

Not only does your 4PL partner take care of the nitty-gritty details of shipping and handling, but they also free up your time to focus on building your brand reputation to stay top of mind. 

The magic of 4PL services lies in their ability to simplify and streamline the logistics operations of your eCommerce venture. They achieve this by deftly managing and blending various service providers' resources, skills, and technologies into a harmonious symphony. 

Think of a 4PL service as your logistics maestro – a one-stop contact and responsible party for all the transportation tasks woven throughout your supply chain. This single point of contact removes the headache and knotty task of juggling multiple vendors. With a 4PL, your logistics game becomes a smooth and seamless affair.

Fourth-party logistics (4PL) service offers a comprehensive solution that grants you access to cutting-edge technology platforms. 

These platforms are tailor-made to optimize logistics and transportation functions. By entrusting these functions to a 4PL service provider, you unlock the treasure trove of expertise and experience, smoothing supply chain operations and amplifying overall efficiency. 

With a tech-enhanced platform like OPLOG One, you can access real-time data and analytics that empower you with insights for strategic decisions and continuous process improvements.  

Get in Touch With Our Fulfillment Experts

By leveraging the expertise and technology of a 4PL provider, you can gain greater visibility into the market and get access to real-time data insights that can help you make more informed decisions regarding procurement and order fulfillment. 

In addition to market transparency, a 4PL service can help optimize processes and reduce supply chain waste, ultimately leading to lower operational costs.  

By centralizing logistics operations, you can also reduce order cycle times and improve delivery times, which can positively impact customer satisfaction. 

4PL service is a valuable tool to help your eCommerce business achieve greater efficiency, reduce costs, and deliver a better customer experience.

Dealing with lots of different vendors can be overwhelming. However, with the help of a 4PL, you can take the burden off your shoulders. A 4PL can manage all your vendors across the supply chain, including procurement, transportation, warehousing, IT, and distribution. 

Your 4PL will take care of everything, from ensuring that you have all the necessary packing materials to ensuring that your shipments are delivered to the appropriate recipients promptly and efficiently. 

The 4PL provider works with all vendors involved in making this happen and will be involved in the vendor evaluation and onboarding process from the beginning. This ensures that the right systems, metrics, and procedures are in place with each vendor.

Because your growing business serves customers across different geographical zones, the supply chain process becomes increasingly complex and uncertain. To tackle this challenge, a 4PL service provider can be a helpful partner. 

A 4PL provider has extensive experience in supply chain processes. This assists you in adapting to market and customer demands. Irrespective of the season, you can effectively manage surges and dips in demand without losing sleep.

Many eCommerce enterprises are deeply concerned about the visibility of their supply chain. Unfortunately, existing platforms often fail to provide the level of visibility that businesses require. As a result, many supply chain executives are actively seeking new technological solutions that can better meet their needs. 

If you're hesitant about investing in new technology, consider enlisting the help of a Fourth-Party Logistics (4PL) service. They can aid you in developing and putting into action cloud-based systems that serve as information hubs, gathering data from both internal and external sources. Once these systems are up and running, they provide valuable insights into every aspect of your supply chain. 

This holistic, end-to-end supply chain visibility paves the way for real-time tracking of your shipping containers. It grants you the power to know the precise location of your shipments at any given moment, ultimately fostering enhanced customer service.

Selecting the right Fourth-Party Logistics (4PL) provider can be a game-changer. A well-suited 4PL partner catalyzes growth by harmonizing your supply chain, elevating your customer experience, and allowing you to focus on your core strengths. Remember to assess their industry experience, technological capabilities, flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with your business goals. 

Working with a 4PL provider like OPLOG streamlines your supply chain operations, enhances your customer experience, and ultimately gives you a competitive edge in the eCommerce marketplace. So, take the time to find the right partner and enjoy the benefits of a more efficient and effective logistics operation.

An eCommerce fulfillment center processes orders through smart warehousing systems. Read more on how to choose an eCommerce center for your business.

What is an eCommerce Fulfillment Center?

In online retail, speed is crucial. Customers expect their orders to be delivered quickly, with 41% hoping to receive their purchases within 24 hours. To meet these expectations, your eCommerce business needs a fast and efficient way to get products to customers. This is where eCommerce fulfillment helps by managing and speeding up the order process.

In this guide, you'll learn about eCommerce fulfillment, how the centers work, and the key factors to consider when choosing one for your business.

eCommerce fulfillment is the process of picking, packing, and delivering orders to customers who make online purchases. It involves a wide range of tasks to ensure this process is completed quickly and to the customer’s satisfaction.

An eCommerce fulfillment center is the facility where the fulfillment process takes place. It acts as a hub where products are temporarily stored before they are picked, packaged, and shipped to customers. These centers use advanced technology and systems to manage inventory and ensure efficient order fulfillment.

eCommerce fulfillment centers follow a systematic process to handle orders efficiently. Here’s how this process works:

Step 1: Stock Arrives at Fulfillment Center

The process begins when your inventory arrives at the center. Products are unloaded, checked for quality, labeled, and then stored in designated areas within the warehouse. This ensures that each item is easily accessible when needed.

When a customer makes a purchase on your eCommerce website, the order is immediately placed into the center’s system. This system integrates with your online store to automatically receive order details. For example, if a customer buys a summer dress, their order information, such as product type, size, and shipping address, is sent to the fulfillment center in real time.

Once the order is received, the center’s system locates the product in the warehouse. A worker is then directed to pick the item from its specific location.

The summer dress is taken to the packing area, where it is carefully folded and placed in branded or unbranded packaging, depending on your needs. Protective materials are added to ensure the dress remains in perfect condition during transit. The package is then sealed and labeled with the customer’s shipping details.

The packaged order then is handed over to a shipping carrier. The fulfillment provider selects the best shipping option based on factors like delivery speed and cost. The customer is provided with a tracking number, allowing them to monitor the progress of their order. The shipping carrier then delivers the package to the customer’s doorstep, completing the eCommerce fulfillment process.

What To Look for When Choosing an eCommerce Fulfillment Center

Choosing the right eCommerce fulfillment center is crucial for keeping your customers happy. The quality of service you provide will depend heavily on the center you partner with.

Here are a few key factors to consider to ensure a successful partnership:

The location of the center will directly impact the delivery speed to your customers. You need to choose a center that is situated near your target customer base. For example, if you sell fly fishing accessories and receive the majority of your online purchases from customers based in Scotland, then the center should be based in or near Scotland.

If you have a global customer base, consider using multiple fulfillment centers strategically located around the world. This can help reduce shipping times and costs for international orders. Partnering with a fulfillment provider that has a global network can significantly enhance your delivery efficiency.

A good eCommerce fulfillment center should seamlessly integrate with your sales channels, whether it's your website, Amazon, eBay, or other marketplaces. This integration ensures that orders from all your channels are processed efficiently. It also ensures that inventory levels are accurately updated in real time, preventing overselling and stockouts.

When choosing an eCommerce fulfillment center, look for advanced technology that enhances efficiency and accuracy. Key features include a robust warehouse management system (WMS) that tracks inventory in real time and integrates seamlessly with your sales platforms. The center should also have automation tools for picking and packing processes, as they speed up operations and reduce errors.

Data analytics is another essential aspect. The fulfillment center should provide advanced analytics to offer insights into order trends and performance. These insights help you make informed decisions and optimize your logistics strategy.

Whether you are a B2B or B2C eCommerce business will impact which fulfillment center you choose. For B2B businesses, fulfillment centers need to handle larger order volumes and more complex logistics, such as bulk shipping and custom packaging. They must also manage detailed inventory tracking and provide reliable delivery schedules to meet business clients' needs.

For B2C businesses, fulfillment centers should focus on processing a high volume of smaller orders quickly and accurately. They need efficient picking and packing processes and the ability to handle returns smoothly. Fast and reliable shipping options are also essential to meet customer expectations for timely deliveries.

Certain facilities are capable of handling both B2B and B2C needs. These centers offer flexible services that can adapt to different order types and volumes. Partnering with a versatile fulfillment center can be beneficial if your business serves both markets or plans to expand in the future.

The center you choose needs to offer excellent support to both you and your customers. They should provide dedicated account managers to help with any operational issues and ensure smooth communication. They should also offer real-time tracking and reporting so you can monitor your inventory and order status at any time.

For your customers, the center should offer reliable and responsive support services. This includes timely updates on order status, accurate tracking information, and easy handling of returns and exchanges. Good customer support from the fulfillment center ensures that your customers have a positive shopping experience, which can lead to repeat business and positive reviews.

At OPLOG, we specialize in offering eCommerce fulfillment services tailored to your business needs. Our fulfillment centers are strategically located to ensure fast and efficient order delivery across the UK and beyond. With our advanced technology and automation, we streamline order processing, ensuring accuracy and speed at every step.

We provide seamless multi-channel integration, keeping your inventory synchronized across all sales platforms. Our dedicated account managers and exceptional customer support team are always ready to assist, ensuring smooth operations and high customer satisfaction. Whether you’re in B2B or B2C, we guarantee an optimized service for your business.

What is an Ecommerce Fulfillment Center?

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Cycle count helps manage inventory accuracy, offering periodic auditing of stock without a full inventory count.

Cycle Counting in Inventory Management | OPLOG

A cycle count is an inventory management technique used to regularly audit a subset of items within a business's inventory.

A cycle count is an inventory management technique used to regularly audit a subset of items within a business's inventory.  

Unlike a full-scale physical inventory count (also known as a "wall-to-wall" count) where all items are counted at once, a cycle count focuses on counting a specific group of items on a predetermined schedule, often on a rotating basis. The goal of cycle counting is to maintain accurate inventory records and identify discrepancies between recorded quantities and actual stock levels. 

Businesses use cycle counting to ensure that recorded inventory is accurate, reducing the risk of stockouts and financial losses. Regular audits identify discrepancies, aiding in risk management, and contributing to operational efficiency. Insights gained from cycle counts support compliance, customer satisfaction, and data-driven decision-making. 

Cycle count

What is cycle count?

What is cycle count used for?