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Picture a packer at Peak Season. A box is in front of them, a product in each hand, and somewhere on a cluttered desk there's a mouse they need to find to confirm the order. They look down. They hunt. They click. Then they do it again. Thousands of times a day.
That moment of friction is small. But it is never just one moment. Multiply it across your entire pack line, across an entire shift, and you are looking at a measurable and largely invisible drag on your total throughput.
Tap-to-Pack is a purpose-built hardware controller designed by ShipHero to eliminate digital friction at the packing station. It connects via USB-C, requires no drivers or additional software, and syncs automatically with the ShipHero WMS packing app. This new system is now available at the ShipHero Store.
Instead of navigating a screen with a keyboard and mouse, packers execute every high-frequency command — such as selecting box sizes, printing labels, finalizing orders, flagging exceptions — with a single physical tap on one of eight programmable buttons.
Key specifications:
Most warehouses are running 2026 operations on 1990s peripheral standards. The keyboard and mouse were designed for spreadsheets and emails, not high-volume fulfillment. When used at a packing station, they create three compounding problems:
The problem is not your people. It is the tools you are asking them to use.
Tap-to-Pack introduces a "Rodent-Free" packing standard: a workflow where the packer's hands stay on the product, their eyes stay on the work, and the software fades into the background.
The device guides the packer through two feedback systems:
ShipHero customers running Tap-to-Pack are already seeing a 90% reduction in on-screen interactions and a significant increase in the number of orders packed per hour, without adding headcount or changing their warehouse layout.
One of the hardest challenges in fulfillment is absorbing volume quickly, especially during Peak Season, when temporary staff need to reach target productivity fast.
Because Tap-to-Pack's interface is physical and intuitive, there is almost nothing to teach. Pick up the product, follow the light, tap the button. New packers can reach target productivity in minutes rather than hours.
The system is also modular:
Whether you are a growing DTC brand or a high-volume 3PL, Tap-to-Pack is designed so your hardware never becomes a ceiling on what your team can do.
Tap-to-Pack is a programmable, industrial-grade hardware controller that connects to the ShipHero WMS and allows warehouse packers to execute packing station commands, such as printing labels, selecting boxes, and completing orders. All with a single physical button press, eliminating the need for a keyboard and mouse.
The device connects via USB-C and syncs automatically with the ShipHero WMS packing app. It is a true plug-and-play solution: no drivers, no background software, and no manual configuration required.
Yes. Buttons are configurable for a range of packing actions, including Print Label, Complete Order, Select Box Size, and the Hospital function, which flags a problematic order and keeps the line moving without stopping to resolve it on screen.
The system is fully modular. Connect up to two additional 8-button hubs to the Main Hub for a total of 24 programmable buttons, supporting even the most complex multi-step packing workflows.
Tap-to-Pack devices require ShipHero Packing App v1.0 or higher. The current release is v1.1.0.
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Imagine running a warehouse where orders are picked quickly, inventory is accurate, and all operations run smoothly without any errors or delays. Thanks to Artificial Intelligence, this can now become a reality with ease.
AI is transforming warehouse management by enhancing efficiency, intelligence, and the ability to meet the rapid demands of today’s eCommerce-driven market.
ShipHero is pioneering this revolution with its AI-powered warehouse solutions, setting new industry benchmarks. This article explores ShipHero’s AI Picking feature, highlighting how it’s transforming warehouse management and enhancing operational efficiency.
The integration of AI technologies, including machine learning, robotics, and predictive analytics, is revolutionizing warehouse operations, driving significant improvements in efficiency, accuracy, and overall performance. These innovations are optimizing processes across various areas, from inventory management to order fulfillment. Below are the key benefits of AI in warehouse management.
A combination of AI technologies is shaping smarter warehouse systems to help revolutionize warehouse management.
ShipHero has taken AI integration to the next level with its AI Picking feature, designed to significantly improve warehouse efficiency. This feature automates the picking process, reducing the reliance on manual labor and enhancing productivity in ways that were once thought impossible.
Let’s dive deeper into how ShipHero’s AI Picking works and the advantages it offers.
AI Picking optimizes warehouse operations in two key ways:
The AI Picking feature delivers a wide range of benefits:
The transformative power of AI extends far beyond just picking. AI is also revolutionizing other aspects of warehouse management, driving improvements in operational efficiency, inventory management, and safety.
AI automates tasks, reducing errors and increasing speed. Automated sorting and real-time inventory tracking ensure accuracy, while real-time monitoring helps managers adapt and ensure timely deliveries.
AI plays a vital role in maintaining accurate inventory levels. By leveraging predictive analytics, AI can forecast demand and optimize stock levels, helping warehouses avoid both stockouts and overstock situations. This leads to better inventory management and fewer disruptions in supply chains.
AI-driven systems can monitor warehouse conditions to ensure safety and compliance with industry regulations. These systems can analyze warehouse data and predict potential hazards before they occur, proactively reducing risks and ensuring a safer working environment.
AI technologies are playing a transformative role in the supply chain and logistics sectors by improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing decision-making.
These intelligent systems effortlessly manage supply chain processes by using data to optimize operations, predict trends, and automate routine tasks. This ultimately reshapes everything, from how goods are moved to stored and delivered.
The future of warehouse management looks promising with greater automation and efficiency, but future warehouse digitization brings challenges, such as high upfront costs and the need for skilled personnel.
AI-powered drones, autonomous robots, and IoT integration are smart warehouse technologies that are revolutionizing warehouse operations. Drones will deliver goods quickly, while robots automate sorting and transportation, thereby reducing the need for manual labor.
IoT and AI integration will enable real-time monitoring and optimization of operations. Smart technology in warehouses is leading to fully automated systems that are faster, scalable, and need minimal human input.
While AI offers immense benefits, businesses must also consider certain challenges. High initial investments in AI technology, data security concerns, and the need for skilled personnel are just a few of the hurdles that must be addressed.
However, with a strategic approach, companies can eliminate the challenges and embrace AI’s full potential to boost accuracy in picking and improve overall warehouse operations.
AI minimizes error by automating tasks like inventory tracking, order picking, and sorting, ensuring greater accuracy and efficiency.
Yes, AI-driven predictive analytics can predict demand, track inventory levels, and improve supply chain efficiency by forecasting needs with greater accuracy to help businesses stay ahead of trends and market fluctuations.
AI solutions are becoming more cost-effective thanks to cloud-based services and subscription pricing models. These options make AI technology more accessible to small businesses, allowing them to take advantage of its benefits without large upfront costs.
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When pallets roll in and loading docks buzz, your warehouse’s receiving process becomes the gatekeeper of inventory accuracy. And if that gate isn’t well-guarded with structure, speed, and oversight, errors slip in.
A mislabeled item here, a damaged shipment there, and suddenly your warehouse faces stock discrepancies, late order fulfillment, or even lost customers.
A warehouse receiving process checklist streamlines receiving operations and ensures compliance across teams, regardless of who’s on shift.
A warehouse receiving process checklist ensures every shipment that enters your facility is properly documented, inspected, and integrated into your inventory system.
Unlike ad hoc or verbal processes, this structured document verifies product condition upon arrival, checks against purchase orders to confirm accuracy, and documents all inspections for future reference.
However, ShipHero’s digital platform already seamlessly integrates this checklist into your system, automating the tracking of goods from the moment they arrive.
Because it captures critical shipment details, a receiving checklist can double as a warehouse audit checklist sample, especially when preparing for performance reviews or inventory audits.
If you’re looking for ways to improve accuracy and accountability, learning how to audit your warehouse with a structured receiving checklist is a great place to start.
Receiving Checklist Sample 1 Â Â Â Â Â
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A well-structured warehouse receiving process checklist is crucial for ensuring accurate and efficient inventory management. Including the mentioned key components helps streamline the process, reduces errors, and enhances overall warehouse performance.
Here’s what you must include in your checklist to maintain control and accountability:
This anchors the entire inspection. By referencing the purchase order (PO) number, warehouse teams can verify the received goods against the original order, ensuring the correct items and quantities are delivered.
Having the supplier’s full details improves accountability. If there’s a delivery issue, this info helps your team evaluate supplier performance and speed up resolution.
Timestamping each delivery helps you review delivery schedules, track shipment delays, and identify potential gaps in receiving coverage.
Here, staff will assess damage or discrepancies, confirm specifications (e.g., size, color), take photos if needed, and record all inspections in case of claims or audits. An effective inventory audit checklist incorporates these inspection protocols to ensure accuracy from the moment goods arrive.
Listing the material name (e.g., product name, SKU, or description) prevents mix-ups during inventory allocation and ensures all items are accounted for. This also helps your Warehouse Management System (WMS) update stock records correctly.
Identifying who delivered and who received the shipment establishes accountability, helps resolve disputes over damaged or missing items, and ensures proper handoff records.
Maintaining proper documentation, such as packing slips, invoices, and bills of lading, facilitates order reconciliation and supports formal audits and record keeping.
A single receiving error often ripples through the entire warehouse. A structured receiving checklist breaks this cycle by establishing clear protocols that coordinate with supply chain operations and create accountability at every step. It drives big improvements in:
This plays out in real operations. A mid-sized clothing retailer had ongoing issues with stock discrepancies during receipt. However, implementing a standardized receiving checklist significantly reduced the number of missing items and stock inaccuracies.
Employees also appreciated having clear instructions to follow, which reduced confusion and helped maintain a smoother workflow during peak delivery periods.
Before drafting your checklist, take a closer look at your existing receiving workflow. Next, identify any inefficiencies and pinpoint areas that could benefit from more structure and consistency.
Choose the data points you’ll need based on your warehouse flow, system integration, and team size. Include only what’s necessary to document key handoff moments.
You can go with paper, but digital formats (via tablets or mobile apps) are easier to scale. Software-based checklists can instantly update records and integrate with your WMS.
Use inventory management platforms or cloud-based tools to build your checklist. For example, ShipHero’s template system allows you to configure fields, set mandatory requirements, and establish workflow rules that guide staff through the receiving process. This makes sure every receiving action is consistent and auditable.
Train staff to make sure every team member follows standardized procedures. This minimizes human error, especially for new or seasonal workers.
Roll out the checklist during a test period. Assign clear roles (e.g., receiver, inspector), gather feedback, and then launch warehouse-wide. Revisit and refine it quarterly to keep up with operational changes.
Your warehouse receiving checklist works even better when paired with these best practices:
Spacing out deliveries helps reduce bottlenecks and allows teams sufficient time to track inventory levels accurately. It also allows for more accurate inspections.
Keep receiving areas clutter-free and near the entrance. This shortens the time it takes to organize storage locations after goods are received.
Invest in equipment such as barcode scanners, conveyors, or forklifts to speed up receiving operations, especially during peak seasons.
Don’t let broken items enter inventory. Flag them, document the issue, and notify procurement so the issue can be escalated quickly.
By leveraging real-time inventory tracking and barcode scanning, you can eliminate the need for manual checklists, ensuring that every received item is accurately logged. ShipHero automates the entire receiving workflow, reducing human errors and speeding up the process.
Customizable receiving workflows allow you to tailor the system to your warehouse’s specific needs, eliminating the need for paper-based checklists. Improve efficiency, accuracy, and consistency, all with ShipHero’s advanced automation tools.
At least annually, or anytime your business introduces a new product line, supplier, or technology upgrades.
Absolutely. Cross-training builds flexibility, enabling teams to cover for absences and maintain efficiency even during peak periods or periods of high turnover.
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One missed check can cost you thousands of dollars. You may have a damaged pallet, a missing fire extinguisher, or a skipped safety step that can put your team at risk.
Warehouse daily checklists serve as a pilot’s pre-flight checklist. Before takeoff, every switch, lever, and system is checked. Why? Because skipping one step can lead to serious problems. The same goes for your warehouse.
Without a solid checklist, you risk delays, missed shipments, or worse, accidents and safety violations. A checklist ensures your team follows the right procedures and nothing falls through the cracks.
Here’s everything you need to include in a warehouse daily checklist, its definition, and templates you could use to get started fast.
A warehouse daily checklist is a structured form that helps warehouse staff systematically inspect, verify, and record essential tasks on a daily basis. It covers all the daily to-dos that keep your warehouse operations running smoothly and safely, such as inventory tracking and forklift inspections.
The warehousing and storage industry reported an injury rate of 4.8 per 100 full-time workers, nearly double the national average of 2.7. Following a daily warehouse checklist ensures the right procedures and safety protocols are followed and nothing important gets missed.
A great warehouse daily checklist supports the safety of your warehouse, reduces errors, and keeps your workflow on point. Here’s how to make a checklist that your warehouse workers will actually use and benefit from.
Every component of your checklist ensures your facility, staff, and inventory remain safe, compliant, and productive.
Common components include:
Instructions should be clear and structured to help your team move through inspections efficiently and consistently.
Your daily warehouse checklist doesn’t have to be very detailed and complicated. It needs to be thorough, practical, and easy to follow.
Here’s how to build a great one:
When your checklist comprehensively details the tasks in a concise manner, it becomes a tool that delivers massive impact. This ensures your warehouse operations run smoothly, safely, and efficiently.
Ready to skip the setup and just get started? Feel free to copy our Warehouse Daily Checklist Template to your Google Docs or Microsoft Word document. It’s accessible, user-friendly, and 100% customizable to your needs.
Simply plug in your specific details, and you’re set. It’s built to save time, support compliance, and help you manage your daily workflow like a pro.
ShipHero’s Warehouse Management System (WMS) boosts warehouse efficiency by automating key processes like inventory tracking, order picking, and shipping. By streamlining these workflows, it reduces manual labor, minimizing errors and delays.
The system’s real-time data updates allow staff to make quick, informed decisions, improving overall productivity. Customizable features enable businesses to adapt ShipHero to their specific operational needs, further enhancing efficiency. With ShipHero, warehouses can achieve faster turnaround times, reduced costs, and improved accuracy.
Review a warehouse daily checklist, weekly, or monthly to maintain accuracy and relevance. Frequent reviews help align the checklist with workflow changes, new safety protocols, or operational updates.
Yes, you can customize a warehouse daily checklist template. Most templates are designed to be modified based on team size, warehouse layout, and operational goals. Customization improves relevance and usability across different warehouse environments.
Yes, basic instruction and simple training on how to use the checklist ensure employees understand how to follow the checklist, report issues, and meet safety or performance standards. Training improves consistency and accountability across shifts.
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There’s a lot more to returns management than placing an item back on the shelf. In fact, returns can often be one of the most expensive and time consuming aspects of fulfillment, and quickly become a point of frustration for paying customers. Â
A comprehensive and efficient returns process, on the other hand, can help maximize your brand’s inventory space and easily recover the lost value of a returned shipment.
Returns management is the process of receiving, storing and reclaiming value from products that are sent back by the customer. It also offers an opportunity to identify the reasons for returns, such as misships, damage or defects.
A disorganized returns process can lead to a cascade of issues throughout your fulfillment center and ultimately impact the customer’s experience. Ramped up holding costs, limited storage space and additional work for your staff can lead to higher prices and warehouse bottlenecks. When aiming to maintain a flexible supply chain, avoiding these issues is crucial.
With so much competition in the fast-paced field of eCommerce, keeping up an optimized returns policy can give your brand the edge it needs to stand out from the crowd. Luckily, recent trends in eCommerce have made implementing the process easier than ever.
One of the overarching goals of modifying your supply chain for optimal returns is to make your delivery process work in reverse. Rather than products moving one way, from warehouse to customer, reverse logistics ensures that products can also move in the opposite direction, from customer to warehouse.
The ultimate goal of reverse logistics is to provide an optimized method for receiving returns and reclaiming as much value as possible. According to Invesp, nearly one third of online orders are returned, compared to in-store purchases which are returned at a rate of 10%. As eCommerce continues to grow in popularity, it’s more important than ever for online retailers to set up a thought-out and optimized approach for a good returns process flow. Â
Let’s take a look at what needs to be prioritized when setting up reverse logistics, and how you can streamline returns management.
An efficient returns management process involves a multifaceted approach both in terms of warehouse operations and customer outreach. With upfront customer communication, proper data capture and an emphasis on quality assurance in the warehouse, setting up a reverse logistics protocol can be much easier.
Cutting down on returns can sometimes be as easy as setting up clear and consistent communication with your customers. The decision to return an item is often because it doesn’t quite meet the expectations they got from the eCommerce store. Without the ability to physically hold or interact with an item before making a purchase, online shoppers rely on eCommerce platforms to tell them exactly what the product looks like and how it works.
By providing a detailed description that includes the item’s dimensions, color and functionality, your customers know exactly what they’re getting and can feel better about making an informed purchasing decision.
Beyond product descriptions, communicating how the returns process works is essential for reverse logistics to function. When a delivery is completed, customers should be made aware of how long they have to make a refundable return and how to get that process started. When a customer decides to send an item back, making them comfortable and confident about the process is a great way to keep them coming back, despite their dissatisfaction with the product.
Building a streamlined returns management process requires you to identify which products are returned most often and why customers are sending them back. Tracking this information is much easier when you have quality warehouse management software, or WMS, in your tool kit.
With all of your incoming and outgoing inventory pushed through a WMS, you’ll have insight into what items are being returned the most and why customers are sending them back. If one item is frequently returned for damages, for example, you can trace those issues back to the source, whether it be the supplier or your own warehouse staff.
The easiest way to manage returns is by working to avoid them altogether. By working to ensure every item that leaves your warehouse is intact and accurate, customers will be much less likely to send the item back. Quality assurance in the warehouse can be tedious, but it’s the best way to ensure customer satisfaction and hold suppliers accountable for products that arrive mishandled or damaged.
Periodic inventory checks or product sampling can help your team spot defects before the item goes up for sale. The durability of some products can’t be determined by just a glance, so random testing of items pulled from the stock is also essential. With a commitment to quality assurance in your inventory management, you can be sure customers are satisfied and knowledgeable about exactly what they’re getting in the mail.
As the eCommerce industry continues to expand, so will the amount of returns sent back to warehouses. For a scaling online store, anticipating and planning for these issues is essential to the brand’s continued success. Streamlined reverse logistics and a proper returns management system can keep your warehouse operations running smoothly while ensuring a satisfying buying experience for your customers.
If you’re looking for a partner to help modernize how your brand handles returns, contact the Software Experts at ShipHero today.
Click HERE to Schedule a Meeting Today
Aaron Rubin, Founder & CEO
‍ShipHero
‍About the author:  Aaron Rubin is the Founder & CEO of ShipHero. He is responsible for planning and executing the overall vision and strategy of the organization. Rubin’s greatest strengths are leadership, change management, strategic planning and a passion for progression. He is known for having his finger on the pulse of ShipHero’s major initiatives, his entrepreneurial spirit, and keen business acumen. His leadership of ShipHero is grounded in providing excellent customer service that drives improved business operations. His passion for ShipHero comes from the culture and his ability to have an impact on the lives of employees, customers, partners, and investors.
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eCommerce might be more popular than ever, but the industry is still relatively young. That means plenty of changes are underway as brands continue adapting to the future of retail.
Recent retail trends have skewed toward making supply chain unpredictability more manageable. Nearly every eCommerce brand has had to navigate surging orders, carrier delays or warehouse bottlenecks in recent years. By implementing new shipping strategies and investing in the latest fulfillment technology, brands have settled into the new normal and are better positioned for the future of retail.
Keeping up with the competition is tricky in a fast-paced market like eCommerce. Major brands have shifted customer expectations to the point that same-day or next-day delivery is thought of as the norm.
Solving this problem might sound expensive, but with a few relatively minor adjustments to your brand’s fulfillment process, you can cut costs while providing a speedy delivery option.
One of the most prominent retail industry trends has been brands prioritizing a flexible supply chain, or the ability to quickly adapt to a changing logistics environment. Traditional warehouses that operated under the same conditions for years before the onset of COVID-19 were caught off guard when the workload for carriers, warehouse staff and product suppliers suddenly changed.
Avoiding these bottlenecks is essential for maintaining a base of happy customers, leading to new strategies in fulfillment. Curb-side pickup, for example, emerged as a means of relieving some of the pressure on warehouse staff by having customers pick up orders from the warehouse or storefront themselves. With a lower output requirement, warehouse workers can maintain a steady output without the threat of overwhelming fulfillment requirements.
An important piece of the flexible supply chain puzzle is technology. Whether it’s wearable tech that tracks warehouse progress, customizable robotics or warehouse management software, retail in 2022 is turning to innovation as a shipping solution.
In a retail environment that can sometimes be volatile, cutting costs and staying efficient is essential. Modern fulfillment software solutions can optimize inventory management, suggest pick and pack strategies and provide real-time carrier rates.
Smart warehouse technologies have also gained momentum as a retail trend in 2022. Modern wearable technology tracks packages throughout a facility, while allowing warehouse staff to complete multiple tasks from a single location. Other tools like automated label printers or intelligent conveyor systems help cut down on the errors that come with the manual picking process, reducing costly misships or product returns.
Social commerce is one of the fastest growing retail channels in 2022, turning Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin into the latest battleground for online retailers.
In addition to opening your products to more potential customers, social media fosters the interactive aspect of your eCommerce store. By interacting with your products online before making a purchase, customers get a deeper connection with your brand. With a level of trust and familiarity between the buyer and seller, customers are able to make informed purchases and are more likely to return in the future.
Let’s take a look at some emerging interactive retail trends that can help provide a rich customer experience.
Livestream shopping is when customers view a live video of someone else interacting with a product before deciding on a purchase. While they’re commonly featured on social media platforms, livestream shopping can be hosted via webinars or direct video calls with customers.
Unboxing videos, for example, are a popular form of livestream marketing where brands send streamers products and have them open the packages live. The audience then gets to see the host’s unfiltered reaction to the item, giving them an authentic review of the product’s pros and cons. By providing a link to the product on the stream’s page, customers can immediately decide whether to place an order.
Livestream shopping can also be utilized to showcase a brick-and-mortar store. Having a host walk through the aisles of a store or warehouse can give customers an idea for what to expect when they show up in-person. If an exciting new line of products comes in, featuring them through an Instagram or Facebook live stream can help drum up interest and advertise what your brand has to offer.
Virtual reality and augmented reality, or VR and AR, is a rising media technology that has a lot of online retail potential. According to Zion Market Research, the augmented reality market is expected to grow to $128 billion by 2028.
The immersive and highly interactive environment that AR provides lends itself to eCommerce. Customers can try on clothing, interact with products or even test drive vehicles with this technology. Ikea was one of the first major brands to adopt augmented reality with their Ikea Place App, which allows customers to view how pieces of furniture would look in their existing  room before making a purchase.
Online retail might be going through significant changes, but that opens up the potential for new and creative strategies that cut costs on fulfillment while generating new customers.
If you’re looking for a partner to help modernize your warehouse and help scale your brand, contact the Software Experts at ShipHero today.
Click HERE to Schedule a Meeting Today
Aaron Rubin, Founder & CEO
‍ShipHero
‍About the author:  Aaron Rubin is the Founder & CEO of ShipHero. He is responsible for planning and executing the overall vision and strategy of the organization. Rubin’s greatest strengths are leadership, change management, strategic planning and a passion for progression. He is known for having his finger on the pulse of ShipHero’s major initiatives, his entrepreneurial spirit, and keen business acumen. His leadership of ShipHero is grounded in providing excellent customer service that drives improved business operations. His passion for ShipHero comes from the culture and his ability to have an impact on the lives of employees, customers, partners, and investors.
The past few years have permanently changed the way customers shop and interact with brands. With so many purchases happening online, brick and mortar storefronts have had to take a fresh look at their role in the retail cycle.
By providing options like BOPIS and employing omnichannel marketing, brands have found a way to leverage their physical storefronts for a better customer experience.
Despite the sudden rise of online shopping, most buying still takes place at physical locations. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, eCommerce only made up roughly 13% of all retail purchases at the height of the pandemic.
Rather than commit fully to one side or the other, brands have adapted their brick-and-mortar locations to work hand-in-hand with online stores. The new prominence of eCommerce can be leveraged and integrated into the shopping experience to create a more convenient buying option for customers. One of the key strategies retailers have employed is the “buy online, pickup in-store” model, or BOPIS.
BOPIS allows customers to make a purchase from their computer or smartphone and set a pickup time that is most convenient for them.
Rather than manage two separate sales avenues, this approach helps integrate digital and real-world retail spaces to support each other. The sudden popularity of BOPIS might have come from necessity, but it has proven advantages for retailers in the long term.
For businesses with an existing brick and mortar location, BOPIS bridges the gap between stores and their digital platforms while providing a competitive advantage. These days, customers expect their online orders to arrive in a matter of days, if not quicker. Most stores can’t guarantee such speedy delivery, and BOPIS provides another avenue for customer convenience.
The ability to offer expedited shipping is challenging from a logistics point of view, but with an established brick-and mortar location, the process can be much easier. By connecting the digital and physical sides of your business, your brand can provide a seamless shopping experience that won’t put additional strain on your shipping process.
Speaking of the shipping process, BOPIS could even reduce the demand on your warehouse staff. Customers that are eager to get their orders quickly might be more inclined to pick up the item themselves.
This could reduce the amount of output required by your warehouse, helping avoid expensive shipping bottlenecks and carrier delays when order activity picks up.
As online orders continue to increase, brick-and-mortar stores can even double as extra inventory space. In an effort to shorten delivery times, some brands have begun converting existing storefront to curb-side-pickup locations. These facilities are redesigned as storage centers that prioritize order fulfillment, rather than in-store shopping.
As inventory shortages continue to pose challenges for eCommerce brands, real-world locations have become extremely valuable for anyone looking to simplify last-mile logistics.
Not only does a BOPIS option make things easier for the customer, but the added incentive to visit a brick and mortar location could boost foot traffic through the store. Â
Getting more customers through the door via BOPIS could lead to additional in-store sales, while fostering a better, real-world connection with customers.
Integrating a pickup option is an important step to take, but it isn’t as easy as adding a button to your online store. Let’s take a look at some of the considerations you should make before you implement this strategy.
One of the major challenges in implementing BOPIS is syncing up online inventory with your actual store. Shoppers expect the products available online to be in-stock at the store nearest to them, so introducing BOPIS without an inventory management strategy could cause confusion down the road.
Merging BOPIS into your retail cycle can be made much easier with a dependable warehouse management software. By getting instant inventory alerts and automating stock updates for your online store, you can be sure your customers are able to make purchases without an issue.
As the owner of a brick-and-mortar location, “pickup in-store” might sound pretty straightforward, but customers won’t be as familiar with your store’s layout. It’s essential to provide customers with instructions on where exactly to go when picking up an order.
By explaining the process at the point of purchase and posting clear signage in the store, you can avoid unnecessary confusion and customer frustration when they choose the BOPIS option.
One of the key strategies brands have adopted to maximize the potential of their brick-and-mortar locations is known as omnichannel. Omnichannel is an approach to marketing that allows customers to access products on any digital platform or on any device in addition to their physical storefronts.
For example, while some eCommerce brands might offer a product on their website only, omnichannel gives customers the chance to find products and complete purchases via social media, smartphone apps, or at the store's physical location. This approach helps foster the connection with customers by providing the option to purchase products in the way that they prefer.
Some might see brick-and-mortar stores as a relic of the past, as eCommerce emerges as the first buying choice for a growing number of customers. However, an established storefront can be a powerful tool when working in conjunction with your digital platforms.
By adapting to the current market and providing options like BOPIS and curb-side pickup, brands can leverage their real-world locations to provide a much more efficient consumer experience.
If you’re looking for a partner to help connect your online store and maximize your brand’s shipping potential, contact the Software Experts at ShipHero today.
Click HERE to Schedule a Meeting Today
Aaron Rubin, Founder & CEO
‍ShipHero
‍About the author:  Aaron Rubin is the Founder & CEO of ShipHero. He is responsible for planning and executing the overall vision and strategy of the organization. Rubin’s greatest strengths are leadership, change management, strategic planning and a passion for progression. He is known for having his finger on the pulse of ShipHero’s major initiatives, his entrepreneurial spirit, and keen business acumen. His leadership of ShipHero is grounded in providing excellent customer service that drives improved business operations. His passion for ShipHero comes from the culture and his ability to have an impact on the lives of employees, customers, partners, and investors.
ShipBob is an industry-leading third-party order fulfillment company. It delivers scalable services to startups and small and midsize businesses (SMBs) with affordable pricing, no monthly minimum, and a wide warehouse network to keep your shipping spend low.
However, ShipBob’s drawbacks may make it a less-than-perfect fit for certain businesses—including Amazon sellers, those with oversized or high-maintenance goods, and those seeking high levels of customer support. The company also received an influx of negative reviews recently, which may cause business owners to explore other options.
We evaluated dozens of providers to find the best ShipBob competitors for outsourcing fulfillment.
The holidays are right around the corner, which means online shopping is once again set to spike, reminding eCommerce brands of the importance of inventory management.
Keeping customers happy during peak season is essential for long term success, and inventory management has quickly become a major hurdle standing in the way of that goal. Over-stocking unsold items, unexpected supply shortages and surging online orders can easily set you back and leave potential customers with no choice but to shop elsewhere.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common causes of inventory frustration during peak season and what strategies can help make Q4 a little easier to navigate.
One of the root causes of inventory shortage is the scarcity of actual shelving space. Before peak season comes around, it’s important to understand your existing warehouse capacity and how an increase in orders could impact your product’s availability. Warehouse space is in high demand. Even during the slower shipping season, eCommerce brands have struggled to find adequate storage space for their products.
As this demand increases, so will the cost of reserving space. Even if you end up selling more during peak season, those gains could be offset by rising operational costs.
One of the toughest challenges of peak season is the ability to accurately forecast the amount of stock you’ll need to keep orders flowing. Due to the recent spike in online shopping, brands can generally anticipate an increase in warehouse output. Predicting exactly how much additional stock will be needed, however, can be much more difficult.
Accurate demand forecasting can be a major advantage during peak season. When it comes to inventory management, a clear idea of storage needs can help avoid problems like overstock and depletion. Before this year’s peak shipping season arrives, it’s a good idea to have a system in place that leverages data from previous years and gauges the amount of stock you’ll need to keep customers satisfied.
One solution that has worked for some brands with inventory management issues has been on-demand warehousing. On-demand warehousing allows companies to temporarily rent excess inventory space to store products as needed.
While this strategy can help secure additional storage space, you might sacrifice some degree of visibility and control over how your products are shipped. The companies that provide the additional inventory space usually don’t complete the fulfillment process themselves. That step is outsourced to a 3PL, which could potentially leave you in the dark about the status of your orders.
On-demand warehousing 3PLs negotiate on your behalf with warehouses in their network to find the most efficient and cost effective storage solution for your brand. With the supply chain continuing to cause unexpected shipping interruptions, this gives you a flexible and customized inventory management strategy.
Rather than expand their inventory storage space, some brands have opted to leverage their existing warehouse by employing just in time inventory management.
Just in time inventory management, or JIT, is a strategy that involves importing goods to the warehouse as they are needed, minimizing some of the constraints of limited storage space. If an order is canceled, or certain products don’t meet the expected demand, those unwanted products won’t sit around the warehouse taking up valuable shelf space.
JIT can help make shipping more efficient, but it does open you up to some amount of risk if the day-to-day fulfillment process runs off track. A successful JIT strategy relies on accurate order forecasting, reliable suppliers and adequate staff training to keep the fulfillment cycle running smoothly. If a supplier falls behind and can’t get your products to the warehouse on time, you’ll be out of stock and unable to fulfill orders.
One of the most important tools to have on hand when peak season rolls around is data. Finding new efficiency opportunities and storage solutions is much easier with the ability to track all the facets of how your warehouse operates. The right warehouse management software can recommend slotting strategies and anticipate inventory shortages long before they impact the customer.
If you’re outsourcing your fulfillment with a 3PL, visibility is key. Traditional warehouses might not be equipped to provide real-time updates on inventory levels, so you’ll need a fulfillment partner that’s up to the task.
With the assurance of automatic updates from your fulfillment service provider, you can head into Q4 with full knowledge of when to replenish your stock.
Inventory management might be a challenge, but that doesn’t mean it has to hold back your eCommerce brand. With the right strategy, warehouse tools and 3PLs on your side, peak shipping season can be a profitable success.
If you're looking for a shipping partner to help optimize your approach to inventory management, contact the Fulfillment Experts at ShipHero today.
Click HERE to Schedule a Meeting Today
Prior to COVID-19, brands built their fulfillment operations with the assumption that the status quo would last forever. Simply setting up a warehouse, working with a carrier and employing a well trained staff was enough to maintain timely delivery of products without much need to change.
If you’re reading this article, you probably know that assumption was wrong. Supply chain volatility, for better or worse, is now the norm. Traditional warehouses and their rigid processes no longer have what it takes to help brands thrive, driving warehouse operators to rethink how successful fulfillment can be possible under these new conditions.
While there is no single cure to every brand’s shipping struggles, many companies have adopted the overarching strategy of supply chain flexibility.
Supply chain flexibility refers to a fulfillment team's ability to rapidly respond and adapt to a changing supply chain environment. One of the biggest lessons learned throughout Covid-19 is that traditional warehouses were not equipped to handle the influx of orders or shipping bottlenecks that quickly became part of everyday life. Responding to new levels of customer demand, raw-material requirements or limited staff bandwidth can seem impossible when the same warehouse processes have carried on for years without adjustment.
With the goal of supply chain flexibility and agility in mind, brands of all sizes have been busy rethinking how they can best serve their customers without the benefit of predictability or stability on their side. To overcome this hurdle, and to ensure warehouses are prepped for any future surprises, new warehouse technologies are being utilized to anticipate erratic market conditions.
Every brand’s fulfillment requirements are a little different, and supply chain solutions that work for one company can look vastly different than the solutions of another.
Rather than finding a single tool or strategy that cures warehouse issues across the board, companies have tended to embrace a mix of tools that make day-to-day shipping a little less of a headache. Automated pick and pack systems, wearable technology and superior warehouse management software have risen to a new level of prominence as supply chain flexibility becomes more of a priority.
One way warehouses have minimized the physical demand on their staff is by investing in automated pick and pack systems, such as conveyor belts or collaborative robotics.
Conveyor systems, an affordable automation option, can really speed up the shipping process. Instead of walking to the item and then back to the packing station, your products can be automatically sent to the station of your choice. While this is a common practice in fulfillment centers, the large footprint and infrastructure requirements make conveyor systems less than ideal when aiming for a flexible supply chain.
Collaborative robots, on the other hand, provide a picking solution that can be altered at a much lower cost. Rather than spread out across the warehouse floor, these wheeled machines can be customized and instructed where to go and what to pick. If changes need to be made to the warehouse, collaborative robots are easy to reprogram and change.
The manual picking process is where a lot of mistakes can happen. These automation tools take the possibility of human error out of the equation, meaning no mis-ships and a happier pool of customers. With the superior reliability that comes with these adjustments, you’ll be able to guarantee order accuracy while saving money on correcting expensive returns.
Wearable technology in the warehouse has been around for a while, but never to the advanced level that we see today. Mobile label printing, smartphones and data capturing devices have removed the need for warehouse staff to be in a single location in order to stay connected and efficient. Now, workers can flow throughout the warehouse, completing multiple fulfillment tasks while on the move.
In a supply chain environment that demands flexibility, incorporating wearable technology can enhance the way your staff ships packages without changing much about the warehouse itself.
According to foodlogistics.com, integrating wearable technology doesn’t usually mean you’ll have to make changes to your warehouse’s layout. These tools can be highly customizable and can be programmed to fit most working environments.
However, some aspects of how you do fulfillment, such as data capture and software integrations, might need to be adjusted. Before deciding to move forward with these tools, it's important to get a clear understanding of how it can fit into your existing processes and whether it’s compatible with the tools you already have.
Modern warehouse management software can do a lot more than just help keep you organized. Quality inventory management, data capture and seamless multi-tool integrations are now required for a better shipping experience, and the right WMS can help your brand get there.
A sophisticated WMS goes a long way when it comes to supply chain flexibility. For example, when a product’s demand spikes, a WMS can provide recommendations on optimal storage strategies and updated replenishment timelines so that you’re never caught off guard. Understanding how your customers behave and interact with your online store can also reveal new and efficient delivery options.
By integrating your online store, your carriers and any other online tools to a WMS, you’ll be able to drastically improve your ability to leverage data and open up money saving opportunities.
The supply chain might be a bit unpredictable at the moment, but by taking the steps to ensure your fulfillment center is adaptable, your brand can stay competitive despite abrupt changes.
With new developments in automation, wearable technology and warehouse management software, supply chain flexibility is attainable without making expensive changes to your warehouse.
If you're looking for an agile fulfillment partner to help modernize your brand’s delivery process, contact the Fulfillment Experts at ShipHero today.
Click HERE to Schedule a Meeting Today
Order fulfillment is a multi-stage process that involves picking, packing, processing and shipping a customer’s orders. There are many moving parts in order fulfillment, and any hitches can result in customer complaints. Fortunately, there are many best practices and proven tips for operating your 3PL business.
One of the best ways for clients to manage their inventory and order fulfillment process is to hire a third-party logistics company. 3PL companies provide access to 3PL logistics software that helps you oversee your work and automate many tedious parts of the order fulfillment process.
Keep reading to learn more about third-party logistics software and what to consider when shopping for one.
A 3PL warehouse management system is software that assists in a company’s logistics operations. Some of its key features include:
3PL software for small businesses comes with many benefits. Here are some of the reasons why you should use 3PL software for small businesses:
3PL software can track orders, generate invoices and process payments automatically, reducing the time needed to do these often lengthy tasks. In addition to saving time, automating these tasks means you don’t have to pay for additional data entry clerks, reducing your operational costs.
Manual data entry and processing are prone to errors, especially if the information passes through many people. 3PL software automates the process to prevent costly mistakes and human error.
Different companies have different needs, which is why 3PL software is highly customizable. You can modify the features according to client requirements and scale up by adding extra features as your company grows.
3PL software comes with reporting tools that give you insights into inventory, staff performance and other key company information. These reports help you make better decisions based on accurate real-time data.
The success of your logistics business is largely determined by client satisfaction. Today, customers expect their orders to arrive as soon as possible, and they also want to track their orders during the entire shipping process.
For small businesses, these operations can often be managed in-house but for larger businesses, outsourcing the order fulfillment process to a third-party logistics provider is the best way to ensure accuracy and efficiency for high-volume supply chain operations.
The benefits of using 3PL software include the following:
3PL software saves logistics providers and their clients a lot of time through various task automations and process integrations. 3PL software can track orders, handle payments automatically and save reports and invoices in one place rather than spread it across multiple databases.
eCommerce platform integrations with 3PL software, such as Shopify and Amazon, automatically capture orders and add the information right into your database.
3PL software’s numerous automations reduce costs for logistics providers because they pay less for data entry clerks. In turn, these cost savings mean lower shipping costs for clients.
When different stages of the order fulfillment process are handled manually, there is a risk of error at each stage and when data passes from one stage to the next. 3PL software automatically stores and processes all the data to prevent costly human errors.
The beauty of 3PL software is that it can be customized and scaled to suit the needs of individual clients. This makes for no-hassle transitions if your company adds inventory, opens a new distribution center or enters another market.
3PL software reports the entire supply chain activity from production to shipping. This means you can see what’s happening in any part of the business at any time.
Trusting a 3PL to handle your entire supply chain is not easy. Fortunately, 3PL software like ShipHero lifts the weight off your shoulders by providing full visibility into logistics performance and current inventory to ensure everything is going as it should be.
3PL software can track orders and payments from beginning to end, which means that your customers can track shipments in real-time and easily make returns. 3PL software also makes it possible to offer expedited shipping options like same-day and two-day shipping.
3PL software offers end-to-end order tracking, allowing customers to track all deliveries in real time. This software also ensures your same-day and two-day shipments arrive on time by routing last-mile deliveries from the nearest fulfillment centers to the customer.
Every business is unique, so using 3PL software may make more sense for some companies than others. If you’re considering moving to third-party logistics, keep reading to find out what to keep in mind when shopping for 3PL software solutions.
Working with third-party logistics companies means the client is handing over the entire order fulfillment process to somebody else. Making the wrong choice could cost your company money in the long run. If things go poorly, you might lose clients, which could cause your business to suffer.
When looking for the best 3PL software, here’s what to search for:
Your 3PL provider of choice should have the best technology at their disposal. The most advanced third-party logistics software can save you a lot of money and reduce errors through automation.
Most businesses outsource to a 3PL company because they’ve grown too large for an in-house logistics department. If you plan to work with growing companies, choose 3PL software that can scale with their business.
Logistics businesses need to obey certain rules and regulations about product packaging and labeling. Good 3PL software will help you fulfill these requirements and prevent issues in the future.
There may be several 3PL software users in a single company because each division needs real-time access to the data stored there. Good 3PL software should offer multiple user accounts so people from different divisions can log into the app simultaneously.
A common feature in most 3PL technology solutions, billing functions ensure that invoices are paid out properly. This type of software automates putaway, receiving, storage and shipping so that the charges for these services are always accurate and on time.
Many clients work with 3PL providers, so they don’t have to pay for logistics software. To give your clients the best value and service, get 3PL software with affordable prices and advanced features.
There are many 3PL software choices on the market, and they cater to different needs. If you’re planning to become a 3PL provider, research what kind of logistics software your potential clients prefer and match your software to the client’s needs.
The benefits of 3PL software are undeniable. Whether you are a 3PL provider looking to streamline and automate your processes or a company looking to hand over control of order fulfillment, 3PL software solutions are the key to improving speed, accuracy and customer satisfaction.
When choosing 3PL software, consider a variety of options. A standalone warehouse management system may be adequate if you simply want to manage the day-to-day operations of your supply chain process more efficiently – instead, you should optimize all aspects of your supply chain beyond simple warehousing. If improved billing and reporting systems are your primary concern, an ERP-based product might be best.
The key to finding the best 3PL software is to take the time to examine your company’s needs and find a software solution to meet them. Don’t forget to include the option for customization and scalability as well.
To choose the best 3PL software platform, you need to research what your clients need and find the software that fulfills these requirements at a reasonable cost.
Warehouse management system software is used by many companies, from manufacturers to food and beverage brands.
The key criteria for selecting 3PL providers and 3PL software are:
By: Maggie M. Barnett, Esq., COO at ShipHeroLanded cost is perhaps the most immovable of all eCommerce prices. Expenses like shipping, taxes, duty/import fees all must be paid and all impact brands’ bottom line. It all adds up to make a $5 pair of shoes $70 in the store. Any chance eCommerce brands shipping from Canada have to move the needle on landed cost has to be considered. That’s where Section 321 comes in. While it’s not a new law to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a recent increase from $200 USD per person per day to $800 USD per person per day has completely changed the equation for ShipHero’s Fulfillment clients and other eCommerce brands shipping from Canada.
Let’s start with a quick explanation. Section 321 allows individual consumers to buy and ship up to $800 USD/per day from Canada to the United States. And it allows the items to be imported and shipped with NO duty fees (taxes). What this means for eCommerce brands is that their goods ship - duty-free - to U.S. consumers as long as individual orders total $800 USD/day or less. Section 321 works if importing goods from Canada into the United States. Because of ShipHero’s late-2021 acquisition of warehouses in Canada, ShipHero Fulfillment is now offering Section 321 from Canada.
Section 321 has allowed ShipHero Fulfillment to leverage our newly expanded presence in Canada. With new options like zone skipping, we’re further exploring how to get products across the border and to consumers quickly.One concern of brands is that importing goods to Canada will lead to shipping delays and poor customer service. However, there is almost no lag time between receiving goods in Canada versus receiving them in the United States.
There’s no room for delay. Whether your products are accepted into the U.S. or Canada, the time to receive them and put them away in the warehouse is the same. Why not send your goods just a little bit further north and go duty free?
The real cost savings for brands doesn’t actually come from Section 321, but as a benefit from importing goods to Canada. Canada has generous Free Trade Agreements and offers all brands that import foreign products to Canada the ability to enroll in duty deferral or duty drawback programs.These programs either waive or reimburse the duty fee a brand has to pay to import their goods.What kind of money are we really talking about? Here’s an example:Import to Canada
Imagine how the savings add up once you start importing 100 pairs of shoes or 500. While the duty rate for shoes is 18%, rates on other products can range as high as 20-25%. This type of savings is almost unheard of and it directly impacts your brand’s bottom line.
So, here’s the best part for eCommerce brands, large and small, that want to adopt the Section 321 model - ShipHero Fulfillment does all the work. Our team works with clients to establish the best duty elimination or duty drawback program for them and that’s it. We make the process simple to set up.We also work with brands to get their products from Canadian ports to our warehouses in Toronto and Vancouver.Not only do brands get the outstanding client service they’re used to, but now, ShipHero Fulfillment is helping to directly impact their revenue by making it easier to import and ship products duty free.Global shipping options and dependency will continue to evolve as brands look for cheaper and more efficient ways to do business. Section 321 with ShipHero Fulfillment Canada is the first step in this new global shipping chain. If you’re new to ShipHero Fulfillment, please schedule a meeting today with our experts to learn more about how we can help you get your orders picked, packed and delivered with our fulfillment service. No setup fees, simply pay as you go. ShipHero works to ensure that organizations invest in the solutions that match their needs, to improve productivity, revenue and success.Click HERE to Schedule a Meeting TodayMaggie M. Barnett, Esq., COOAbout the author: Maggie M. Barnett, Esq., is the COO of ShipHero. She is responsible for planning and executing the overall operational, legal, managerial and administrative procedures, reporting structures and operational controls of the organization. Barnett’s greatest strengths are leadership, risk mitigation, change management and a passion for business transformation. She is known for her expertise in delivering operational excellence and an ability to provide guidance and mitigating risk. Her leadership of ShipHero is grounded in a servant mentality, always doing the right thing for our stakeholders. Her passion for ShipHero comes from the ability to drive operational excellence throughout the organization impacting the lives of our employees, customers, and partners.Follow Maggie on Twitter&LinkedIn.Disclaimer: This post is solely for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Programs are regulated and approved by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and are subject to change.
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By: Aaron Rubin, Founder & CEO at ShipHero
Getting eCommerce products from the warehouse to the customer has become more difficult than ever. With supply chain disruptions and a sudden rise in online orders, eCommerce entrepreneurs are seeking ways to optimize their delivery processes that allow for heightened visibility and better standards of control over their inventory.
To achieve this streamlined version of shipping, some brands have brought their fulfillment operations in-house. While this can grant you more control over your products and how they’re shipped, it does come with its own costs and some degree of risk. Let’s take a look at what in-house fulfillment entails and how to know your brand is ready to meet the challenge.
In-house fulfillment means all facets of the eCommerce shipping process are handled internally, without the help of a third party. By switching your brand to an in-house fulfillment approach, you’ll be responsible for packaging, labeling and mailing products, as well as tracking the order and keeping your customers updated on its progress.
When you’re still trying to get your business off the ground, paying a 3PL to handle your shipping can ease the financial burden associated with fulfillment, but after a while, you might see more value in having control over the process.
Before you decide to take this step, let’s look at a few considerations you should make to guarantee in-house fulfillment success.
Most 3PLs and full service fulfillment providers have a standardized process for packaging and shipping their products. If your brand comes with complex packaging requirements, or if your products are especially fragile, managing fulfillment yourself might be a good idea.
This way, you can rest assured that customers receive their orders intact, with the appropriate packaging that provides the intended brand experience.
A relatively low order volume makes it much easier to handle some aspects of fulfillment, like inventory management, on your own. Depending on the size of your warehouse and the available bandwidth of your staff, it might not be worth paying a 3PL to take control of your shipping.
However, if you’re looking to expand your product line or customer base, in-house fulfillment might not be sustainable. As your sales numbers increase, so will the amount of space, inventory and labor required to make a shipment. If you’re anticipating growth, paying for a full service fulfillment provider might be the best way to help your eCommerce brand scale.
With major retailers like Amazon setting the standard for eCommerce delivery, you’ll want to make sure your fulfillment operations can keep up with customer expectations. These days, buyers expect their package to arrive within a week or less. If you can’t fulfill these orders within that time frame, it might be time to start looking for a reliable 3PL.
However, if your warehouse is located in an urban area, close to where your customers live, quick delivery becomes much more feasible. Additionally, close proximity to your customers means you can offer other fulfillment options, like in-store or curbside pickup.
Before you move fulfillment in-house, it’s important to ensure that your brand is ready to take on the challenge. Even if the process seems optimal at the initial stages, changes in sales, technology and the supply chain can expose new issues that have the potential to impact your bottom line.
3PLs and larger fulfillment service providers are able to navigate these changes by employing a well-trained staff and utilizing scalable warehouse management software. Putting together the right team and resource pool can make the process much easier.
In-house fulfillment might seem like the best way forward, but it’s important to consider a variety of risk factors before diving in. Sure, cutting out a 3PL and handling fulfillment yourself can give you more control over the process, but doing that work yourself comes with additional costs that you’ll need to be sure you can afford.
Depending on the size of your eCommerce brand, you might need to rent additional space to store your products. Not only can renting a warehouse be expensive, but you’ll run the risk of locking yourself into a lease that could hinder your brand’s growth.
For example, if sales continue to do well, you may eventually need even more space than your rented warehouse can accommodate. Without extra room to grow, providing consistent and reliable delivery to an expanding range of customers will be a challenge.
Another major expense for in-house fulfillment is the cost of additional labor. If your eCommerce brand is doing well, your existing workforce might not have the bandwidth to move high-volume shipments day after day. Committing to in-house fulfillment also means you and your employees would have less time to manage other essential aspects of an eCommerce brand, such as marketing and sales.
With a 3PL, on the other hand, additional resources can be committed to your shipments as the business begins to grow, without piling on to your team’s existing workload.
An efficient in-house fulfillment process requires high-quality warehouse management software. In today’s eCommerce environment, simple spreadsheets and paper-based procedures just don’t cut it.
Customers expect detailed delivery updates, which requires thorough inventory management, pricing information and an efficient warehouse. All these features of fulfillment can be handled and enhanced with the right software.
While in-house fulfillment might seem like a great option right now, it’s important to remember how quickly that can change. Even positive changes like a sudden increase in sales can cause trouble for eCommerce brands that use in-house fulfillment with a finite amount of storage space and labor.
To get the most out of your in-house fulfillment process, it’s essential to find resources that are ready to scale along with your brand. ShipHero’s warehouse management software could provide the flexible and customizable solution you need.
If you're looking for a partner to help your eCommerce scale to new heights, contact the Software Experts at ShipHero today.
Click HERE to Schedule a Meeting Today
Aaron Rubin, Founder & CEO
‍ShipHero
‍About the author:  Aaron Rubin is the Founder & CEO of ShipHero. He is responsible for planning and executing the overall vision and strategy of the organization. Rubin’s greatest strengths are leadership, change management, strategic planning and a passion for progression. He is known for having his finger on the pulse of ShipHero’s major initiatives, his entrepreneurial spirit, and keen business acumen. His leadership of ShipHero is grounded in providing excellent customer service that drives improved business operations. His passion for ShipHero comes from the culture and his ability to have an impact on the lives of employees, customers, partners, and investors.
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