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What is a Packing Slip and What to Include in Packing Slips for Shipping? [+Packing Slip Template Along With Benefits in 2024]

In an increasingly digital world, more and more physical items are becoming obsolete by the second. eCommerce has enabled items to be ordered and paid for entirely online, while receiving the products is the only tangible interaction a customer has with the entire process. Thus, it makes sense that the last instances of physical relics are still present on the package itself, including the box, return label, packaging material, and packing slip. The packing slip is especially important if multiple products are ordered and shipped within the same consignment to the same destination, as it contains a summary of all the ordered items, along with important information about each, such as their SKU number, weight, dimensions, product descriptions, pricing and more. This enables customers to identify exactly what they bought and verify whether all the items are present or not. In this blog, we will unpack, pun not intended, the nuances of packing slips for shipping, including the definition, benefits, differences with other documents, and details it should consist of. What is a Packing Slip? Packing Slip Template A packing slip is a document that provides details about the contents of the package or shipment. It is usually embedded along with the items being shipped and is included inside or attached to the exterior of the package. The objective of a packing slip is to ensure that the recipient of the package is able to easily identify and verify that the items they have received match the ones they ordered. Packing slips are commonly used by businesses that sell and ship physical products to customers. They can also be used for internal inventory management and tracking purposes. The information included in a packing slip can differ based on the specific requirements of the sender and recipient. However, most packing slips for shipping typically include the following information: Order or invoice numberItem descriptions, including quantities, sizes and coloursShipping and billing addressesContact information for the sender and recipientAny special instructions or notes [contactus_lilgoodness] Benefits of Packing Slips for Shipping in 2023 Verifies the Items to be Delivered Source eCommerce is a complex web of various processes that ultimately seeks to ensure that the correct items are successfully delivered to the customer. Oftentimes, warehouse staff can be overwhelmed or confused by the sheer amount of products that are present in a warehouse and identifying the correct ones to be placed in a shipment can be a complicated task. However, since packing slips for shipping contain all the important details about each product within the consignment, including their SKU number, name, dimensions and more, it makes the job of locating them in a storage facility that much easier. This enables fewer mishaps while locating all the items in a specific order and ensures that it is packaged and dispatched correctly. Enables Tracking of Split Shipments Source Sometimes, a single order needs to be split into multiple consignments due to certain factors, like weight, lack of storage space on the transit vehicle, items needing to be shipped to multiple destinations and more. This is done under split shipments and it can create heaps of confusion for the staff involved in the transportation of multiple shipments of the same order. Because packing slips for shipping contain all the information necessary to identify each product, the contents of every parcel can easily be verified by both your company’s staff and the customer, regardless of when they are shipped or received, resulting in a seamless experience all-round. Helps Identify Desecrated Items Source Damage can sometimes occur during transit, regardless of how well they are packaged. This can occur due to mishandling of the shipment, improper protection being enforced, or other unwanted circumstances. However, because the packing slip indicates the contents of the shipped container, it makes it easy to identify which items have been damaged so that a return can be initiated for those specific goods and a refund can be set in motion. Additionally, if an entire parcel has been damaged, the entire value can be calculated based on the packing slip and the next steps can be done accordingly. Confirms the Receipt of All Ordered Goods Source Because packing slips for shipping are a physical record of the important details of all items shipped in a particular parcel, they can be used to verify that all the relevant items have been included. Similarly, it can also help identify if any item is missing so that it can be instantly replaced or re-shipped. Therefore, including a packing slip allows for peace of mind for both the buyer and seller because it makes the entire delivery process more transparent and can correct any inaccuracies immediately. Allows for Seamless Customs Clearance Source If your company sells goods internationally, they will have to pass through customs in the country they are being sent to. Different countries have varying degrees of complexity involved in customs clearance. However, a packing slip can act as a means for customs authorities to check the value and contents of a particular shipment, although a separate commercial shipping invoice that includes similar information as the packing slip but in more detail, would also need to be included. Packing Slip vs Shipping Label vs Invoice: Key Differences [table id=65 /] 7 Important Details That a Packing Slip Should Contain General Delivery Information Similar to an invoice, fundamental information, such as the purchase order number, delivery address and any issues with the item during transit, is helpful for filing purposes. Of course, shipping providers use the shipping label by default but a packing slip can be a valuable fallback in case there are problems during transportation. This helps both the shipping company and the customer identify important information pertaining to the order and can help ease any confusion. List of All the Products To ensure they are receiving all the items they paid for, many buyers use the packing slip to compare the products they receive to the list of what they ordered. Although they can also refer to their confirmation email, some people might find it more convenient to have a packing slip on hand. It is also more useful to use the packing slip to identify the contents of the parcel, rather than look at each individual box and label, which aids in saving time and effort, leading to a better overall unboxing experience. List of Unavailable Goods If it is applicable, it is important to list down any and every item that was ordered but could not be delivered for whatever reason. These products should be listed on the packing slip along with the invoice so they can be reordered. It is pretty uncommon for there to be no communication between the time the order is confirmed and when it is dispatched. However, if it somehow does occur, it will be made very apparent by including a list of the out-of-stock items that were not currently available during the shipping of the order. Number of Units of Each Item The product name or SKU number is insufficient to check the quantity of every individual product from a packing slip because many customers order more than one unit of a particular item. If numerous units of the same item are ordered, a quantity column can help shorten the list so that the packing slip does not go on for multiple pages. It also provides clarification to staff while identifying and packaging products, as well as to customers when they are trying to verify if every item has been received. SKU Numbers of Every Product Customers may not understand what SKUs or UPCs signify but every seller assigns these numbers to their products and use them to keep track of their inventory. It is what the vendor will use to identify the source of a problem if you need to get in touch with them. It also aids in being able to monitor various shipments as they move through different phases of the supply chain and ultimately results in the smooth delivery of every order. Slip Number In order to make sure the correct order was shipped and received, shippers and purchasers can compare the PO number and the slip number, based on how many reference numbers the order consists of. This helps in removing any confusion and ensures that the right order is delivered to the relevant customer, negating the need for returns and addressing customer complaints about the wrong order being received. Contact Information Providing relevant contact information is a must. This ensures that customers can contact your support team in case they have any query, issue or anything else that needs to be addressed on priority. Additionally, you can also provide the addresses of your offices so that customers will not be kept in the dark in terms of getting things sorted on the off-chance that something goes wrong. It will ensure that they have a good experience and can increase the possibility of them making repeat purchases in the future. Conclusion: Leverage the Use of Packing Slips With WareIQ Packing slips for shipping are a supremely important component of the eCommerce delivery process. It allows both sellers and their customers to verify that all the ordered products have been successfully shipped and if not, the un-delivered or damaged products can be easily identified and the returns or refund procedures can be instantly initiated. This helps to provide transparency and increases trust among customers that even if something happens to go wrong, it can be corrected immediately. Since they provide all the information needed to verify the contents of a parcel, customers can simply glance at it to confirm the received items as opposed to looking at the details of each product one by one. If you want to provide a seamless fulfillment experience to your customers, WareIQ is the solution for you. WareIQ has emerged as one of the best 3PL fulfillment solutions in the country. We enhance your eCommerce operations by giving you access to the most advanced technology in the industry, such as a custom WMS software, automated inventory management procedures and more. In terms of packaging and delivery, we can assist in the following ways: Packing Slips We help your business provide packing slips to ensure that both you and your customers can seamlessly verify the contents of every parcel. Branded Tracking We provide branded order tracking pages that can be customized to include any information you want and also be designed according to your tastes. Customizable Packaging We have personalized and custom packaging facilities that can be tailored to your requirements so you can highlight your brand. Choice of Shipping Partners We provide you with a choice of the best shipping carrier facility in the country and automatically assign the fastest and cheapest option for every order. Returns Management We take care of the entire reverse logistics process while also providing safeguards such as an RTO Shield that protects your business from the adverse effects of returns. Packing Slip: FAQs When should a packing slip be included in a shipment?A packing slip should be included in a shipment whenever physical items are being sent to a recipient. This could include orders from an online store, items being returned or shipments to suppliers or customers. Should a packing slip be included in a gift shipment?It is not always necessary to include a packing slip in a gift shipment, as the recipient may not need the information provided. However, it can be helpful to include a gift receipt or a note with the sender's contact information. How should a packing slip be attached to a shipment?A packing slip can be included inside the package, attached to the outside of the package or placed in an envelope that is attached to the outside of the package. Who generally prepares a packing slip?The packing slip is typically prepared by the business or organization that is sending the shipment. How long should a business keep copies of packing slips?A business should keep copies of packing slips for a period of time that is consistent with its record-keeping policies and any applicable laws and regulations. This could range from a few months to several years, depending on the nature of the business and the requirements in its industry.

February 16, 2023

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Return Labels for eCommerce: Definition, Importance, Types and 3 Easy Steps to Make Returns Address Labels in 2024

In the modern, hyper-competitive world of eCommerce, it is the duty of sellers to provide the most seamless and intuitive experience to customers, not only in terms of purchasing a product but also in returning it. Returns can occur for a wide swathe of reasons, some of which result from negligence in packaging, damage to products while they are in transit, shipping orders to the wrong address, and more. Additionally, due to the requirement of most companies to have flexible return policies to encourage purchases, customers can also initiate returns on a whim because they had a change of heart, experience buyer’s remorse, or found a cheaper alternative elsewhere. Regardless of the reason, ensuring that your customers can return the received items back to their origin in the easiest possible will have positive implications for your business. It will reduce costs, prevent goods from being held up in unwanted locations, impede them from being perpetually stuck in transit, and can help you retrieve the product successfully. In this blog, we will take a look at the ins and outs of return labels for eCommerce, including their definition, importance, fabrication, methods, types, and more. What are Return Labels? Return labels are pre-printed shipping labels that allow customers to return products to a retailer or manufacturer by typically including the address of the company the items were purchased from and other important information. These labels are generally included with the original shipment and contain the necessary information and instructions for returning the item, such as the return address, tracking number, and any relevant codes or other guidelines. Return labels make the process of returning products easier and more convenient for customers, and they also help retailers and manufacturers manage the returns process more efficiently, resulting in less risk and lower costs. Importance of Including Return Shipping Labels Involves Very Few Financial Resources Source Return labels typically do not require huge financial investments. A return shipping label included in the package also won't cost your company anything if the consumer never uses it, aside from wasting paper. On the flip side, providing an easy method to return goods in addition to having a flexible return policy could persuade customers to send back goods even if they only have a minor defect and it can inspire them to change their mind even if there isn’t anything wrong with products. However, that is a risk that could pay off in the long run, especially as your business starts to expand and more items are sold. Requires Only Limited Effort From Customers Source Returns are an inevitability in eCommerce, especially since companies are encouraged to provide an easy means for customers to return items to avoid offending them and generating negative feedback and criticism. Providing return shipping labels right in the box enables customers to easily and quickly return an item for whatever reason, as soon as they determine that they don’t want it. Conversely, if there were no return labels that specified your company’s address or contact information, they would need to get in touch with you, label the product and ship it themselves, increasing costs and the likelihood of damage occurring due to negligence. Ensures Goods are Returned Securely and Swiftly Source We’ve already established that return labels reduce the amount of time and effort needed by the customer to return a product, hence improving customer experience. Additionally, it ensures that your goods will always wind up at the correct address, rather than to an unknowing person elsewhere, who may just decide to keep their free parcel. A situation like this can have multiple implications for your business, in addition to the general expenses associated with returns. The customer who originally returned it will want a refund and the product may also be misplaced perpetually or take much more time and effort to retrieve. Suggested Read: 12 Most Common eCommerce Customer Pain Points Enables the Lowest-Cost Return Option to be Used Source By ensuring that you provide customers with all the details and instructions they need to successfully return a product to your company, you can choose the cheapest possible method and shipping company to conduct the task. If a customer were to undertake this operation on their own, they could choose an unnecessarily expensive shipping option in a bid to just get done with the task and get their money back - an expense you would later be saddled with. To avoid the additional expenses and confusion associated with this, you can simply include return labels in the box. Limits the Risk of Mishaps or Damage From Occurring Source As discussed above, customers generally would not be aware of how to return a product and may just choose an option that isn’t suited to the type of product that needs to be transported. To avoid the risk of your products getting damaged or stolen, it is best that you take the initiative of providing return labels so that your customers would simply need to follow the instructions that are mentioned. This will ensure that your products are returned safely and securely, and you can resell them or make other uses of them. 3 Easy Steps to Make Your Own Return Labels in 2023 Step 1: Pick a Shipping Carrier and Mailing Option Return labels consist of all the information that customers would need to successfully transport the products back to you. The first detail to specify is the shipping carrier facility you have chosen, along with the mailing category that the product would fall into. This would help the customer understand which shipping company they would need to use to ship the product back. Step 2: Specify the Desired Address After you have provided the details of the shipping carrier and mailing category you have chosen, you need to specify the accurate receiving address that you would want the product to be shipped to. You need to ensure that every detail is correct and that the location is able to receive returned items at any time, regardless of whether it is an office, warehouse or distribution center address. Step 3: Pay the Postage Fees The last step you would need to do is to pay the postage fees for returning the product to your desired location. This would negate any additional effort or payment from the customer and will ensure that they can simply return the item. Doing this will ensure that their entire interaction with your company is seamless and will leave them with a positive impression so that they will have a higher possibility of purchasing from you again. 2 Main Methods Used to Provide Return Labels for eCommerce Embedding the Return Label Within the Parcel Using this method, the return label is ideally enclosed within the cargo when the shipment is sent out to be delivered for the first time. This is the easiest and most user-friendly way to provide return shipping labels to your customers. With this approach, if the consumer ever decides to return the item, they won't need to worry about any of the hassles associated with shipping returned goods. It saves both you and your client time and effort while also safeguarding the product from potential damage and negligence. Enabling Consumers to Undertake Printing the Return Labels Using this method, your company’s website can be used to deliver this service to customers for added seamlessness and functionality. The website could offer a return label template that customers could use to create as many return labels as they need from their own homes. In addition, you could also encourage the consumer to inform you that they want to return an item before emailing them the return label. Before returning a package, the client can download, print and affix the label. However, this method takes significantly more time and resources, and offers less convenience for both parties. Types of Printers Employed to Create Return Labels Inkjet Printers Inkjet printers use liquid ink cartridges to recreate an image on a paper surface. They are often used for printing high-quality images and graphics but can also be used to print text and barcodes. Inkjet printers are typically lower in cost than laser printers but the cost of ink cartridges can add up over time. If you plan on including return shipping labels along with all your packages, the recurring expenses associated with inkjet printers may disqualify them from being your go-to option when it comes to label printing. Laser Printers Laser printers use toner cartridges to print a particular image on paper. They are often faster and more efficient than inkjet printers, and can produce high-quality text and barcodes. Laser printers are generally more expensive than inkjet printers but the cost per page is often lower. They are commonly found in workplaces and households in current times, and they are able to print on any page you feed them. Naturally, these traits make them affordable and user-friendly in the long run. However, keep in mind that they can print only one label at a time. Thermal Printers Thermal printers use heat to transfer ink onto paper. They are often used in industrial settings and are well-suited for printing barcodes and various types of labels. Thermal printers are generally faster than inkjet and laser printers but may not be suitable for printing high-quality images or graphics. They generally don't employ a ribbon for printing. Instead, they use a chemical layer that is heated to activate the production of printed images. On the downside, they produce labels that don't last very long, especially with exposure to UV light. Additionally, labels printed on other printers are more vivid and crisp than on thermal printers. Conclusion: Provide Return Labels for Seamless Returns With WareIQ Due to the nature of the current eCommerce landscape, customers expect retailers to have highly flexible return policies for a hassle-free experience. Oftentimes, this affects their purchasing decisions because they want to be able to return an item easily if it is damaged, it isn’t what they expected or they simply had a change of mind. Because returns are such a common occurrence, it would be beneficial for your own business to provide the easiest possible method for customers to transport items and for you to receive them. Shipping packages with return labels in the box is an easy and cost-effective way of accomplishing this. It requires little effort from both parties while significantly improving the efficiency with which goods are returned. If you want to provide return labels along with every package, along with other value-added services, WareIQ should be your go-to option. WareIQ is one of India’s leading eCommerce fulfillment solutions. With a whole hose of various fulfillment services, we enable you to up your retail game and provide your customers with a positive experience that they will not forget. Additionally, we offer multiple returns facilities and safeguards that will improve returns management across the board. Some of them are listed below: Return Labels We provide label-printing services in-house, so you can include return labels in every package. Reverse Logistics We are successfully running as a leading reverse logistics company in India and can completely take care of your entire reverse logistics procedure and ensure your goods are inspected and transported back to your storage facility safely and securely. Branded Tracking We provide branded tracking pages that can be customized for both order delivery and returns, so you can always monitor the status of every package. Customizable Packaging We provide custom packaging facilities that can protect your goods in transit while also ensuring that your customers have an enhanced unboxing experience. RTO Shield We help protect your business from the negative impacts of returns by insuring and safeguarding your products and reducing RTO costs. Return Labels for eCommerce: FAQs What information is typically included on a return label?A return label typically includes the following information:- Return address- Tracking number- Shipping carrier details- Relevant codes- Instructions Do customers have to pay for return labels?Whether or not customers have to pay for return labels depends on the retailer or manufacturer's policies. Some offer free return labels, while others require customers to pay for the return shipping. Can return labels be customized?Return labels can often be customized with a company's branding or other relevant information. However, this depends on the extent of the services offered by your 3PL partner or in-house label printing services. Can return labels be used for international returns?Return labels can be used for international returns but customers should check with the retailer or manufacturer to confirm their policy and any associated fees. What should customers do if they lose their return label?If customers lose their return label, they should contact the retailer or manufacturer to request a new one or get all the information that the return label provided.

February 15, 2023

What is a Carrier Facility? Status of Packages at Carrier Facility, Offerings of Top Carriers Facilities Like Fedex, Delhivery, Blue Dart, Amazon etc. [2024]

The process of order fulfillment is extremely complex. With millions of packages, raw materials and consignments being transported back and forth to various destinations, there is a high possibility of damaging errors being committed if things aren’t planned properly. You may assume that once an order is located, packaged and dispatched from your own warehouse, it will be transported directly to its relevant customer. However, in most instances, that isn’t really the case. Most packages end up in what is known as a carrier facility, from where it is picked up and will ultimately reach their final destination. These facilities enable packages moving to the same city or nearby locations to be consolidated and stored until they are finally picked up by the last-mile delivery partner. Hence, they play an important role in the order fulfillment process. In this blog, we will take a look at the ins and outs of the workings of a carrier facility, their importance, real-world examples, the different package statuses to be familiar with, and how WareIQ can help. What is a Carrier Facility? A carrier facility is a type of distribution hub that is designed to handle and store various types of cargo. This can include packages, containers, and machinery, among other items. The facility is equipped with the necessary infrastructure, equipment, and personnel to support the efficient handling and movement of goods from one location to another. Typically, a carrier facility includes a large storage area where items can be stored temporarily, as well as loading docks for easy access and transfer of goods. The facility may also include specialised equipment for handling different types of cargo, such as cranes for lifting heavy containers or conveyor systems for sorting packages. In addition to storage and handling, many carrier facilities offer additional services such as packing and unpacking, labeling and customs clearance. This can help streamline the transportation process and ensure that items reach their final destination quickly and efficiently. It is important to note that carrier facilities must adhere to strict safety and security standards in order to guarantee the protection of the goods stored and handled on-site. This may include the use of surveillance systems, secure access controls and other measures to prevent theft, damage or loss of goods. [contactus_uth] Importance of Tracking Shipments in Real-Time Streamlines the Distribution Process Source You can determine how long it will take a shipment to arrive at its destination by constantly tracking it and maintaining reports on each singular shipment. Using this information, you can work retroactively to plan your procurement and production timetables, shipping dates, and other logistics-related details to make sure the supply chain runs more smoothly and efficiently. This will help reduce time, reduce logistics costs, and effort in ensuring goods reach their destinations as per schedule. Averts Order Delays Source You can identify any problems and bottlenecks early on and take prompt corrective action by constantly knowing the status of every consignment and whether everything is going to plan. For instance, you can take proactive measures and ship a replacement if a product appears to be lost en route rather than waiting for the client to notice and then get in touch. The timely and accurate delivery of packages, as well as keeping customers informed and satisfied, depend on this kind of responsiveness. Hence, your entire business’s reputation will be improved in the eyes of existing and prospective customers. Rectifies Potential Mishaps Source Maintaining quality from your eCommerce fulfillment center to the customer's doorstep requires real-time order tracking facilities for both parties. You can pinpoint where any damage takes place while products are in transit and hold the responsible party accountable by tracking the delivery at every turn. Additionally, this makes it simpler to spot evidence of negligence, dishonesty and subpar service. As a result, you will be more equipped to decide whether to stick with your current business partners or choose a different one. Boosts Client Satisfaction Source Your customers will have a much more stellar experience with your company with the implementation of real-time tracking. This will help you increase logistical efficiency, maintain your schedule and prevent damage to products while in transit. Customers adore and demand a smooth delivery process with consistent tracking and order updates. As a result, when your brand can competently provide all those services, customers are more likely to make more purchases and promote your company to others. Features and Services of Prominent Carrier Facilities of India and the US in 2023 General Outlook A carrier facility is a large, multi-level warehouse used to store and manage packages for delivery. Some of the largest shipping companies in the world, such as Amazon, FedEx, UPS and USPS provide carrier facilities as part of their global shipping and distribution services. These facilities are generally strategically located near major transportation hubs to ensure that packages can be quickly and efficiently transported to customers. Read more about companies providing courier services from India to the US here. The buildings are typically large, ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of square feet and are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, such as automated conveyor systems, barcode scanners and robots, to help manage the flow of packages seamlessly and effectively. The extent of the services offered by a carrier facility can vary between companies. We will take a look at each company’s carrier facility offerings below. [table id=64 /] What Does Various Status of Packages at a Carrier Facility Mean (Q&A)? Parcel Has Arrived at the Carrier Facility This status indicates that a carrier facility has received the shipment. If the package needs to make numerous stops, this status may simply indicate that the parcel has finished a particular section of an overall longer-lasting journey. It may also indicate that the package is currently at a facility in close proximity to its final destination. Parcel Has Been Dispatched From the Carrier Facility This status indicates that the parcel has just left the carrier facility and is currently in transit to its next location. The destination of the product will depend on where it is in the shipping process. Whether it is going to another carrier facility or the doorstep of the consumer will depend on the nature of the order and its destination. Parcel is Currently Being Processed at the Carrier Facility This status indicates that the package has been delivered to the carrier's facility and is presently being scanned and processed in preparation for transportation to its next location, whether that is another storage facility or directly to the customer’s location. Parcel is Delayed at the Carrier Facility This status indicates that the package's journey to the next location has been somewhat delayed by a specified timeframe. This frequently occurs as a result of bottlenecks in the carrier facility caused by a backlog of parcels or a lack of delivery trucks and personnel, usually resulting from seasonal pressures and enhanced demand. Suggested Read: Detail Guide on Fulfillment Status? Conclusion: Up Your Order Fulfillment Game With WareIQ Carrier facilities act as a transitionary space for products being transported from your company’s warehouse to the destination of the customer that ordered it. As your business starts to grow and scale its offerings, having an efficient carrier facility will become even more important as the number of packages and orders you need to deal with will skyrocket. Thus, in order to maintain effectiveness, ensure that mishaps and confusion do not occur and constantly keep customers in the loop, opting for a competent carrier facility is a must. It will make sure that regardless of the number of packages, the accuracy and success rates of your delivery process do not falter. One way to get access to the best carrier facilities on the market is to partner with a 3PL company like WareIQ. WareIQ is one of India’s leading eCommerce fulfillment providers. Our fulfillment solutions take advantage of the use of advanced technology at every step, ensuring that you and your customers will have the best possible experience. Some of the services that make us one of the best options in the country when it comes to order fulfillment are listed below: Partnership With 20-Plus Shipping Carriers We have partnered with the most revered names in the shipping industry, such as FedEx, BlueDart and more, to ensure your packages will always be delivered securely and on time. Smart Courier Allocator We have an ML-based courier allocator that automatically assigns the fastest and most cost-effective option for every order. Nationwide Storage Network We have a vast network of fulfillment centers, dark stores and carrier facilities that are located in every region of the country. Smart Inventory Placement We provide inventory placement recommendations to ensure your products are always stored in close proximity to your customers and areas of high demand. Branded Tracking Facilities We offer branded tracking facilities where every component of the tracking page can be customised to fit your liking so you can include information about whatever you want to convey to your customers. Carrier Facility: FAQs What are the types of carrier facilities?There are various types of carrier facilities. Some of them are listed below:- Freight terminals for the storage and handling of goods and cargo- Fleet maintenance facilities for the repair and maintenance of vehicles- Logistics centers for the coordination and management of shipments- Warehouse facilities for the storage of products What services do carrier facilities provide?Carrier facilities can provide a range of services, including:- Loading and unloading of goods and cargo- Vehicle and equipment maintenance- Inventory management and storage- Shipment tracking and monitoring- Freight forwarding and brokerage services Can individuals use carrier facilities?Yes, individuals can use carrier facilities for storage, shipping and other logistics-related services. Many carrier facilities offer a range of services for both businesses and individuals. What factors should be considered when choosing a carrier facility?When choosing a carrier facility, some factors to consider include:- Location and accessibility- Services offered- Security and safety measures- Cost and pricing structures- Reputation and reliability of the facility What safety measures are in place at carrier facilities?The specific safety measures in place at carrier facilities can vary. Some common measures include:- Security cameras and surveillance systems- Controlled access to the facility- Fire suppression systems and emergency response planning- Regular safety inspections and audits What does the term "parcel arrived at the carrier facility" indicate?"Parcel arrived at carrier facility" is a tracking status message used by shipping carriers to indicate that a package has arrived at one of their processing centers. This message typically means that the package is in transit and will soon be sorted, processed, and dispatched for delivery.It is important to note that the delivery time can vary based on the carrier's routing schedule, the destination of the package, and the shipping service that was chosen. It is also possible for the package to remain at the carrier facility for a period of time before it is sent out for delivery, depending on the volume of packages being processed and the carrier's operational procedures. How long does a package stay at the Blue Dart facility?The amount of time a package stays at a BlueDart facility can vary depending on several factors such as the volume of packages being processed, the destination of the package, and the shipping service that was chosen. On average, a package may stay at a BlueDart facility for a few hours to a couple of days.However, it is important to note that delivery times are not guaranteed by shipping carriers and can be impacted by unexpected events such as inclement weather, natural disasters, and other unforeseen circumstances. If you are concerned about the delivery time of a specific package, it is best to contact BlueDart customer service for more information.

February 11, 2023

Delhivery vs Blue Dart vs WareIQ: 10 Key Differences to Help You Pick the Best eCommerce Logistics and Courier Services Partner in 2024

Are you an eCommerce retailer trying to make the choice between partnering with a company that specializes in shipping and distribution or eCommerce fulfillment? If so, you need to understand the primary differences between them, which is what we'll help you with by comparing Delhivery vs BlueDart vs WareIQ. While both these types of 3PL fulfillment companies share many things in common, such as giving retailers like yourself the option to offload various fulfillment processes to an external associate, there are also stark contrasts and significant disparities in the type of services they offer, the extent of their fulfillment networks, their prime objectives and much more. eCommerce Shipping and logistics companies mainly tackle specific services pertaining to eCommerce shipping, such as providing a choice of multiple shipping carriers, providing shipping software to manage and track all your packages, integrations with all your partners, and more. However, they generally lack storage and inventory management capabilities, something that eCommerce fulfillment companies provide. In addition to this, eCommerce fulfillment companies also may provide all the shipping-related facilities that dedicated shipping companies offer. Thus, it is necessary to identify your own objectives and pick an option accordingly. In this blog, we will be comparing and contrasting some of the most renowned 3PL shipping and fulfillment companies in the country - Delhivery vs Blue Dart vs WareIQ - and help make this decision a little easier by going through all their features and services in detail. Before talking about the differences in Bluedart vs Delhivery vs WareIQ, let's first discuss them one by one. Introduction to WareIQ Source WareIQ is an eCommerce fulfillment company that was founded in Bangalore in 2019. It offers a vast array of services encompassing requirements across the entire spectrum of eCommerce, such as order fulfillment, product storage, inventory management, online integrations, shipping aggregation, last-mile delivery, returns management, and much more. In addition to the aforementioned features, the company offers unique, value-added services, such as an app store, an in-built WMS, shipping & trust badges, flexible payment plans, and more. This makes it the perfect option for retailers that are looking for an all-in-one solution to tackle any requirement and challenges that may come their way. The company also provides excellent scalability to be able to adjust to expanding operations and order volumes in the future. Some of WareIQ’s stand-out features that make it an excellent choice between Delhivery vs BlueDart vs WareIQ are listed below: It provides a pan-India storage network consisting of fulfillment centers and dark stores and offers smart inventory placement recommendations to help you store your inventory in close proximity to customers and transport facilities.It has an in-house WMS that is able to monitor and provide real-time updates regarding inventory level and order-related data, across storage locations and online selling platforms.It can integrate with 20-plus eCommerce marketplaces, such as selling on Amazon, sell on eBay, sell on Flipkart, and more, in addition to online website-building platforms, such as Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and more.It provides returns management which includes handling the entire reverse logistics procedure, providing an RTO Shield to offset the negative impact caused by returns, reducing RTO cost, and offering insurance for every product.It provides partnerships with more than 12 of the biggest shipping carriers in the region, which enables reliable, ultra-fast same-day and next-day delivery and always assigns the swiftest and most cost-saving option for every order. Suggested Read: Shipkaro vs Shiprocket vs Wareiq: Ultimate Comparison for 2024 [contactus_lilgoodness] Introduction to Delhivery Source Delhivery is a 2011-founded, Gurgaon-based company that specialises in shipping and logistics, and offers a variety of services that help improve the supply chain, including order fulfillment, online integrations, and warehouse facilities. The company's major objective is to deliver dependable infrastructure that improves the general day-to-day operations of eCommerce. It accomplishes this by utilizing technology to cover more than 18,000 pin codes, providing round-the-clock customer assistance, having an expansive system of fulfillment facilities, and doing a whole lot more. This has made it one of the more popular solutions for eCommerce shipping and a preferred distribution partner in the country and its vast expertise in engineering and technological solutions only reiterates this sentiment. Some of Delhivery’s stand-out features that make it an excellent choice between Delhivery vs BlueDart vs WareIQ are listed below: It offers international B2C and B2B fulfillment and shipping services to numerous nations using companies like DHL and FedEx.It provides a broad network of fulfillment and storage infrastructure, including direct delivery facilities, sorting facilities, shipping gateways, and fulfillment facilities.It offers returns management in order to lessen the harm and delays brought on by returns.It offers 2 to 4-day delivery options for high-mileage orders across the nation in addition to same-day and next-day delivery for traditional orders.It offers year-round, 24/7 online customer service for all inquiries, which makes resolving any problems or delays incredibly easy and quick. Suggested Read: List of Top 10 Warehousing Companies in Delhi NCR Introduction to Blue Dart Source Blue Dart Express Limited is an Indian courier and logistics that was established in 1983, making it one of the oldest continually-operating shipping companies in the country. Its current headquarters are in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The company is one of the largest and most experienced Indian eCommerce fulfillment suppliers, serving more than 35,000 operational pin codes within the country in addition to operating in more than 220 other countries, worldwide. They offer a variety of standard eCommerce services, as well as some unique features like letting customers select their desired delivery date and time by selecting schedules and time slots. Additionally, it provides an API that can provide specialised services like automatic proof-of-delivery updates, impermeable packaging, and much more. Some of Blue Dart’s stand-out features that make it an excellent choice between Delhivery vs BlueDart vs WareIQ are listed below: It accepts the most widely-used payment services, which makes the payment process as easy and seamless as possible.It offers both domestic and international distribution facilities, which can be valuable if you sell your products abroad or are looking to penetrate foreign markets.It can deliver products on specific dates that were determined in advance, which reduces the risk of RTOs and non-acceptance of orders.It provides value-added services, such as weather-resistant packaging, for additional peace of mind during transit.It was established when India won its first cricket world cup, giving it almost 40 years of valuable experience in the industry. Similar Post: Vamaship vs Shiprocket vs Wareiq Delhivery vs Blue Dart vs WareIQ: 10 Key Disparities Between Their Services and Facilities in 2024 Are you still confused about which one to choose from BlueDart vs Delhivery vs WareIQ? Core Offering WareIQ: WareIQ’s main product is its fulfillment services which are powered by advanced technology and backed by a large infrastructure network. Some of these services are order fulfillment, inventory management, SKU storage, custom WMS software, eCommerce order tracking, shipping aggregation, last-mile delivery, and much more.Delhivery: Delhivery is known as a shipping and 3PL logistics provider. Their primary services relate to freight aggregation and distribution. However, the business also offers various fulfillment services, including returns management and a network of fulfillment centers. BlueDart: BlueDart was initially pioneered before the onset of eCommerce and is primarily regarded for its shipping and distribution services, both in India and abroad. In relation to its shipping services, it offers multiple value-added facilities, such as weather-resistant packaging and scheduled delivery. Customer Onboarding Time WareIQ: WareIQ provides a detailed customer onboarding process that takes just 7 days from start to finish.Delhivery: Delhivery offers instant customer onboarding as the only thing required is to signup and you can start shipping products immediately.BlueDart: BlueDart does not offer dedicated customer onboarding facilities. Pricing WareIQ: WareIQ offers benefits including no minimum order restrictions and the option to only select the services you require, in addition to flexible and transparent pricing options. The business also offers a variety of options internally, including a personalised WMS and a selection of shipping carriers, negating the need to search for these features elsewhere.Delhivery: No sign-up fees or monthly memberships are only a couple of the benefits of Delhivery's price structure. Instead, the business bases its fees on the size and weight of each order and customers can calculate their payments using an internal price calculator.BlueDart: BlueDart’s prices are based upon metrics such as the distance of the destination, weight and dimensions of the package, and space required in transit. The company offers pricing tools to identify what the price will be based on the above criteria. Technological Features WareIQ: By utilising cutting-edge technology, WareIQ aims to set itself apart from its rivals. This goal is supported by features like an app store, a unique WMS, real-time inventory alerts, integrations with various eCommerce platforms, branded tracking, automated resupply triggers, and much more.Delhivery: A number of cutting-edge technology capabilities are also used by Delhivery, including multi-platform integrations, intelligent inventory placement, document management, real-time order monitoring, and many more.BlueDart: BlueDart provides multiple useful technological features, such as a pricing tool to know how much you’d be spending to ship an order, scheduled delivery, a custom API that is utilised for many features, and much more. App Store WareIQ: A user-friendly and well-designed app store is offered by WareIQ which has an intentionally similar layout to conventional app stores like the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Numerous apps exist that increase the productivity of several operations, including customer feedback, shipping badges and branded tracking.Delhivery: Delhivery does not provide an app store to offer support for any 1st or 3rd-party apps.BlueDart: BlueDart also does not have an app store or offer any app support. Services Offered WareIQ: Order fulfillment, inventory storage, inventory management, last-mile delivery, distribution facilities, a unique WMS, an in-house app store, branded tracking, shipping badges, custom packing services, and many more significant eCommerce requirements are all addressed by WareIQ.Delhivery: Delhivery provides a comprehensive range of logistics and fulfillment facilities, including transportation, order tracking, specialised transit facilities, a nationwide warehouse network, no monthly subscriptions, and much more. These services are available both domestically and internationally.BlueDart: BlueDart offers many services, most of which are centered around shipping and logistics. Some of these features include both international and domestic shipping, scheduled delivery, a price calculator, order tracking, weather-proof packaging, and much more. Integrations WareIQ: WareIQ's custom WMS is compatible with a wide range of online marketplaces, including Amazon, Flipkart, Nykaa, and more. Additionally, it integrates with tools for creating websites, including Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento.Delhivery: Delhivery offers integrations with most shipping companies, such as BlueDart, DHL, FedEx, and more, as well as eCommerce selling platforms, such as Amazon, Flipkart, and more. BlueDart: BlueDart offers multiple business integration tools, such as InternetDart, ShopTrack, PackTrack, MobileDart, and more. However, it cannot integrate directly with eCommerce selling platforms. Unique Selling Point (USP) WareIQ: The distinctive feature of WareIQ's solutions is its extensive use of technology to address various eCommerce requirements and issues. In practically every area of its business operations, including inventory management, order fulfillment, SKU storage, reverse logistics, and order tracking, the company uses cutting-edge technology.Delhivery: Delhivery offers several fulfillment-centric services, including a network of fulfillment centers and order tracking, in addition to providing shipping aggregation options for both domestic and international distribution.BlueDart: BlueDart is one of India’s oldest and most experienced shipping companies. It is also utilized by most 3PL fulfillment companies as a shipping partner due to its reputation for efficient and quick shipping services. Customised Packaging WareIQ: With the customized packaging facilities offered by WareIQ, sellers can customize every aspect of the unwrapping experience, including the brand logo, size, design, and materials, to their tastes.Delhivery: Delhivery provides custom packaging facilities where many aspects of the package can be personalised according to the preferences of retailers.BlueDart: BlueDart offers weather-resistant packaging using specialised materials but does not offer customizable packaging. Cold Storage Facilities WareIQ: WareIQ provides cold storage provisions in many fulfillment centers in its overall network.Delhivery: Delhivery provides cold storage facilities and other temperature-varying facilities in its warehouses.BlueDart: BlueDart offers temperature-controlled facilities in its transit infrastructure.S Suggested Read: Shiprocket vs WareIQ vs Delhivery: Which is Better? Delhivery vs Blue Dart vs WareIQ: Which is the Best eCommerce Logistics & Shipping Solution? [table id=59 /] Hope, this made you clear about which one to choose in BlueDart VS Delhivery VS WareIQ. Conclusion: Why You Should Consider WareIQ as Your First Choice Among Blue Dart vs Delhivery vs WareIQ If Looking for an eCommerce Last Mile Delivery Partner in 2024? Choosing the appropriate fulfillment company is in the best interests of your business and its future. When we talk about the best then choosing between BlueDart VS Delhivery VS WareIQ, could be a task.It can be the determining factor as to whether customers have a positive delivery experience and choose to purchase from your brand again versus them having a negative experience, riddled with delays and damaged goods. While some companies, such as BlueDart offers mainly shipping and logistics services, others, such as Delhivery and WareIQ, also offer storage facilities to ensure that your products are always secure and ready to be dispatched. While Delhivery & Blue Dart's core operations are mostly last-mile delivery or courier service, WareIQ acts as a courier aggregator where the clients have the option to choose from an extensive list of national and hyperlocal courier partners for last mile delivery services. WareIQ goes the extra mile to provide end-to-end fulfillment services starting from warehousing, tech platform, last mile delivery, post-purchase experience, and engagement, etc. It ensures that you are able to offer the ultimate and highest-end features and services to your customers. From a custom WMS, an in-house app store, and more, WareIQ provides common-sense solutions to a wide range of complex requirements and that is why we recommend you partner with us if you need a long-lasting and reliable fulfillment partner. So, you should definitely consider WareIQ as your first choice If looking for an eCommerce delivery partner among bluedart vs delhivery vs WareIQ in the coming year, 2024. WareIQ is an eCommerce fulfillment company that uses technology as its mantra to provide access to advanced facilities to a wide range of online sellers. Some of the key features are listed below: We provide a SaaS platform for AI-enabled inventory management that prevents understocking and overstocking situations and keeps your inventory at its optimum levels.We offer reverse logistics assistance and have an RTO Shield that protects every product from the potential damage brought on by returns.We provide many custom packaging options, where you can alter every aspect of the container to suit your preferences, including the branding, the materials used, the design and more.We try to understand online consumer behavior and provide a dedicated set of customer service staff that are experts and work around the clock to quickly address client inquiries.We enable you to choose and pay for the services you need, and you can always upgrade or amend your plans in response to changing circumstances because we don't have a minimum order requirement. Suggested Read: Which is Better: Wareiq vs Clickpost vs Shiprocket Blue Dart vs Delhivery vs WareIQ: FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) When and where was BlueDart founded?BlueDart was founded in 1983 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Does BlueDart provide storage facilities?No, BlueDart does not offer its own storage facilities. You can only use it to ship products from your existing storage locations. Does Delhivery provide storage facilities?Yes, Delhivery has an expansive network of fulfillment centers, distribution hubs and warehouses. Which logistics partner to choose for eCommerce and D2C among Delhivery, Blue Dart, and WareIQ in 2024?If you are looking for end-to-end fulfillment solutions, then WareIQ is the best choice compared to Delhivery and Blue Dart. If you are looking for only courier service, then Delhivery and Blue Dart might offer better rates for delivering to specific locations. But with WareIQ acting as a courier or shipping aggregator, you get access to all the major national and hyperlocal delivery companies and choose your shipping partners for various locations as per your choice. What are the top differences between Delhivery and Blue Dart?Delhivery Since launching its logistics operation in 2011, Delhivery has become one of the leading e-commerce courier services. More than 10,000 customers in India are served by Delhivery, 75% of them are significant eCommerce companies. This is as a result of the extensive range of services this business provides. It is frequently praised for offering effective COD courier service and reverse logistics services.However, its main focus is on offering a range of express delivery choices, including on-demand, same-day, and next-day delivery. Businesses may manage shipping exceptions, cancel orders, display accurate EDDs, and automate the creation of shipping labels with the Delhivery API interface.Blue DartOne of the greatest courier services for online businesses is Blue Dart, a global carrier that has been operating as a top courier service provider since 1983. They provide a variety of service-bundling payment options. More than 35,000 pin codes in India and more than 220 countries are accessible with Blue Dart.These services include time-based/slot-based delivery, automated proof-of-delivery on order fulfillment, weather-resistant order packing, COD delivery, and express delivery. By using live order monitoring, the Blue Dart Tracking API enables e-commerce businesses to monitor their incoming and departing shipments. It keeps a strict eye on product returns, unsuccessful deliveries, and order delays.

February 10, 2023

Top 10 Fastest & Affordable eCommerce Courier Services in India in 2024

In the age of eCommerce retail expansion, what is highly critical for any company's success is the delivery experience of its customers. Consumers are willing to abandon a product from their cart if the shipping exceeds a week. Thus, every seller must ensure not only that they have the most efficient shipping experience for the consumer, but also the most cost-effective one. With India rising as a leading country for the online selling industry, the reach of various eCommerce delivery services and logistics companies has expanded. It is critical for any best courier service for ecommerce in India to guarantee that their orders are delivered on time and in good condition. In addition, they must guarantee that their transportation costs do not cut into their profit margins. eCommerce entrepreneurs are constantly in search of economical and competent shipping services in order to satisfy delivery dates. Finding an eCommerce delivery provider with the best success rate and reasonable cost might be difficult. Multiple courier partners are required to accommodate expanding customer demand, given the recent development in online retail and e-commerce firms. As more sectors shift to web-based platforms, distribution requirements become more complex. What are eCommerce Courier Services? The terms eCommerce courier services and fulfillment services are quite interchangeable in the present scenario, even though they were used to denote delivery experiences that are slightly different from each other. Courier services for online businesses provide a delivery experience of small packages from the seller's location to the end user's doorstep, across several pin codes. In some cases, courier companies also cater to reverse logistics. [contactus_gynoveda] What are the Factors to Keep in Mind while Choosing eCommerce Courier Services? Every manufacturer must choose which of the many available courier companies to partner with for their E-commerce courier services. This decision is bound to have long-term implications on the seller and their customer service. What should you think about before choosing a provider of shipping services in India when you first start integrating with courier partners? Orders may be placed in droves, but only order fulfilment and customer satisfaction may be used to determine success. After an order is placed, a new logistics system kicks into high gear to guarantee the delivery arrives at its final destination by sea, road, or air. From the time a product leaves a warehouse until it reaches the customer's hands, several elements come into play, including the product's safety in transportation, the route utilised for distribution, and the time required for delivery. Having reliable courier partners who provide faster shipment choices may dramatically improve the client experience. India's eCommerce boom has led to the growth and emergence of several courier companies that cater to traditional businesses and households. Sellers should bear the following points in mind when picking eCommerce courier companies to partner with: Serviceability Every seller's goal is to obtain the maximum scope that their product can reach. Thus, partnering with eCommerce courier companies that provide pan-India network coverage, should be the priority of every seller. This feature ensures that their product can reach the maximum customer base possible. Serviceability is the fundamental criterion that all top courier companies in India must meet. Serviceability is concerned with two basic questions. Does this courier service deliver to the locations specified by your company? Can it manage the number of orders that your company receives on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis? Freight Cost The simple rule of any business is that the revenue must be more than the total incurred costs. While this may sound simple, the leakage of capital through unchecked expenses can be the deciding factor between a profitable new business or one that operates at a loss. Logistics within India can be cost-intensive due to differences in fuel prices, geographical landscapes, and overhead costs such as vehicle maintenance. Therefore, some areas may face delays due to poorer road connectivity. Delivery Speed 41% of consumers are willing to pay extra for same-day delivery. Therefore, sellers risk losing out to their competitors if online courier services don't have flexible and efficient delivery systems that provide sellers with the advantage they seek. In this era of 10-minute, same day, and next day deliveries, any delay will mitigate a customer's ability to be satisfied and give positive feedback. Keep reading on to know about the fastest courier service companies in detail here. Insurance and Security In these uncertain times, sellers need to ensure that their shipment reaches the destination intact and without any damage. Certain pin codes within the nation tend to have a deteriorated law and order situation. Consequently, courier companies must ensure that they handle a seller's products with the required level of security. Businesses must ideally opt for eCommerce courier companies that take responsibility for any damages that may occur to their products. RTO Returns have now become an integral part of the eCommerce shopping experience. Certain products such as clothing, see the maximum number of returns compared to other goods. Hence, a seller must appoint eCommerce courier services that can guarantee a smooth reverse logistics process so that the product will safely return to the seller. Manufacturers can look into the RTO percentage of courier companies to measure how successful their return percentage is. What are the Benefits of Partnering with eCommerce Courier Services? eCommerce courier service companies should not be seen as just logistical partners. Sellers must understand that the advantages that courier companies extend are beyond just the handling of the operational matters and reducing logistics costs. These benefits may not be tangible, but their impact is immense towards enabling a company's growth, ensuring that it can either work towards being profitable or retaining and even increasing its profitability. The characteristics of the finest courier for ecommerce in India should give you a good sense of what you're losing out on if you don't work with a courier service firm. Many of your present tasks will be relieved by a shipping carrier, giving you more time to focus on production, marketing, and selling. The finest courier service will also offer superior delivery services and allow you to share live order tracking notifications with your consumers by phone, email, and WhatsApp.Another less-publicized advantage of courier for e commerce is that they make your logistics operations far less expensive than in-house choices. This is due to economies of scale, which allow larger 3PLs to transport more things concurrently while saving money. The following are some of the benefits that eCommerce courier services extend to sellers who partner with them: Increased Network Cover Established courier companies have a solid infrastructure built up over decades. This has helped them to achieve an unmatchable pan-India network that any emerging eCommerce company would take years to rival. To give you a more realistic example, the difference between partnering and not partnering with eCommerce courier services is similar to attending a job interview versus conducting a job interview - All the cards are held by you. Being Cost-Effective Last mile delivery can easily constitute 40-70% of the entire shipment cost for a seller. This is entirely due to the capital investment, operational costs, and maintenance fees that fulfillment and online courier service companies in India must undertake. Costs of this magnitude and frequency can swell up the liabilities side of balance sheets, proving disastrous for companies. From the time a product leaves a warehouse until it reaches the customer's hands, several elements come into play, including the product's safety in transportation, the route utilised for distribution, and the time required for delivery. Having reliable courier partners who provide faster shipment choices may dramatically improve the client experience.From the time a product leaves a warehouse until it reaches the customer's hands, several elements come into play, including the product's safety in transportation, the route utilised for distribution, and the time required for delivery. Having reliable courier partners who provide faster shipment choices may dramatically improve the client experience. Best Courier services in India use economies of scale to consolidate the orders from multiple sellers for a particular geographical location. This strategy brings down the marginal cost for each seller and additional products. Branding and Packaging Upgrades Courier services for Ecommerce ensure that all packaging needs are handled with the utmost care. Being associated with courier services for online businesses that provide value add-on services through branded shipping such as personalised packaging, adds to the brand value of the seller itself. In today's competitive market, every company wants to assure good, hassle-free Courier Services for eCommerce in order to develop its business. With over 100 Courier Services for eCommerce enterprises in India, the procedure has grown more complicated. This is due to their claim to be India's top courier services for eCommerce. With the constant expansion of the eCommerce business over the last decade, the number of courier services in India that deliver customer-requested products on time has increased dramatically. Cutting-Edge Technology eCommerce courier services are far from small-scale firms. The importance of the supply chain and fulfillment cycle has been realised, enabling many courier companies in India to turn into unicorns. With this heavy influx of capital, courier companies are investing heavily – not just into building infrastructure but also into adapting to the latest and most efficient technologies in the industry. The end-user can witness these upgrades first hand – a simple sign on a sheet of paper has transformed into using tablets for signatures and photo recognition. All these factors create a better customer experience. Professional Help Courier companies have an established standard protocol for warehouse management, namely, handling goods from the seller's warehouse to the customer's home. These measures take into account the various adverse situations that the company could experience during delivery. By planning ahead, eCommerce courier services can react accordingly using the appropriate contingency procedures and decide the right course of action. They are carried out after conducting various risk assessment studies and using the company personnel's expertise. Sellers may find it challenging to cater to all the possible roadblocks in the shipment journey. As such, partnering with courier services providers, provide them with some much-needed professional help, advice, and assurance during the most crucial leg of the fulfillment cycle. Affordable and Fastest Top 10 Courier Services for eCommerce Shipping in India in 2024 There are various options for delivery services for eCommerce. To finalise this unique list for eCommerce commercial companies, a delivery company in India uses essential criteria such as Delivery Range & Capacity, Cargo Weight, Shipping Costs, Fast Delivery of Goods, RTO Percentage, Cash on Delivery, Courier Delivery Proof, and Security. CourierServiceablePincodesShippingChargesCOD FacilityReverse PickupWareIQ30,000+As per weight✔️✔️Blue Dart17,677As per weight✔️✔️Ecom Express17,000+As per weight✔️✔️DTDC11,400As per weight✔️✔️FedEx19,000As per weight✔️✔️DHL220+CountriesAs per weight✔️✔️Gati19,000As per weight✔️✔️Shipway29000+As per weight✔️✔️Xpressbess29,000+As per weight✔️✔️Delhivery17,500As per weight✔️✔️ WareIQ Source Courier NameWareIQHeadquartersBengaluru, Karnataka, IndiaFounderHarsh VaidyaYear of Establishment2019IndustryFulfillment Services and Shipping PlatformWebsitehttps://wareiq.com/ Founded in 2019, WareIQ is one of India's leading and fastest eCommerce courier services and shipping aggregators and has partnered with all the major national and hyperlocal courier companies in the country. It has a customer base of 300+ brands in India alone, in just over 3 years. WareIQ offers a simple and convenient onboarding process, guaranteed same-day/next-day delivery, and no minimum order quantity requirements. It is one of the best courier services for eCommerce in India. More importantly, the Y-combinator-backed shipping aggregator provides a transparent pricing policy and strict safety procedures. It also prides itself on being one of the few order fulfillment tech businesses in the world. WareIQ's fulfillment platform helps eCommerce companies Select From the Best Courier Service in India to Optimize Logistics. Courier Allocation: For each shipment select the best shipping partner. Optimize your logistics operations with speed, cost and reliability.Control Tower: Track shipments in real-time. Collaborate at the shipping level with your courier partner, predict anomalies, catch delivery failures and overcome escalations.Optimize Fulfillment / Shipping KPIs: Make supply chain decisions backed by data – which distribution center to add to optimize cost/order, speed & RTOs. WareIQ stands out as the best courier service in India for eCommerce for the following reasons: WareIQ Indian parcel service offers competitive rates by negotiating the best terms with its shipping partners. Its timely and efficient deliveries boost the sellers’ customer satisfaction percentage, growing their sales in the process. It relies on data-driven decisions to ensure fewer delays and issues in the shipment process.Ware IQ has a strategically located, nationwide network of warehouses and fulfillment centers. As such, it can offer a full range of logistical services in a short amount of time.It can cater to all your eCommerce fulfillment-related needs under one roof with a centralised platform. Its versatile NDR report dashboard lowers processing time by an impressive 12 hours, decreasing RTO by 10%.WareIQ RUSH is one of the company’s many offerings that guarantee same-day delivery. Hence, by choosing WareIQ, you undoubtedly choose the best courier service in India. Blue Dart Source Courier NameBlue DartHeadquartersMumbai, MaharashtraFounderTushar Jani, Khushroo Dubash and Clyde CooperYear of Establishment1983IndustryLogisticsWebsitehttps://www.bluedart.com/ One of the biggest names amongst Indian courier services in the country, Blue Dart has nearly 40 years of experience in shipping and logistics. Within India, Blue Dart covers more than 35,000 pin codes. It has been DHL’s official partner since 2002, with the two providing a formidable land and road transport infrastructure. It is yet again, a good option among the best eCommerce courier services in India. Blue Dart offers a wide range of services, such as early morning deliveries and temperature-controlled logistics (TCL) solutions. It also provides value-added services like cash-on-delivery, waterproof packaging, and automated reports. Sellers must note that their charges may seem higher than other competitors owing to their service record and their existing pan-India network. Ecom Express Source Courier NameEcom ExpressHeadquartersGurugram, HaryanaFounderT. A. Krishnan, Manju Dhawan, K. Satyanarayana and Late. Sanjeev SaxenaYear of Establishment2012IndustryIndian logistics and distributionWebsitehttps://ecomexpress.in/company/ Ecom Express, based in Gurugram, was founded in 2012 and is a relative newcomer to the eCommerce courier service market. Regardless, it is seen as a viable option for consumers seeking both shipping and logistics services. Ecom Express has demonstrated enormous promise in a short time, transforming into one of the top courier services for eCommerce for retail firms today. It is a trusted partner to its customers, ensuring the safest, most economical, and most dependable pick-up and delivery in India. This courier company is appropriate for users who intend to use a combination of logistics for delivery purposes. Its prices are reasonable, and its service quality and reaction time have shown great promise. It is one of the top eCommerce courier services in India because of these qualities. It does, however, come with a lot of room for expansion. Ecom Express covers over 27,000 pin codes and 2600 cities across India. It provides additional security and monitoring services during storage and transit. For this reason, it is a popular choice for eCommerce enterprises that handle high-value commodities like jewels.Sellers can avail of a broad range of courier services, including express delivery and doorstep quality checks (QC) for returned items. They also guarantees that deliveries will be completed within 72 hours, both to consumers and to items returning to the origin warehouse. DTDC Source Courier NameDTDCHeadquartersBangalore, KarnatakaFounderSubhasish ChakrabortyYear of Establishment1990IndustryCourierWebsitehttps://www.dtdc.in/ DTDC is one of the most popular eCommerce courier service providers in the country. It has been in the courier service business since 1990 and has a network of more than 10,000 pin codes dispersed across the country. Also, they are among the top providers of courier services from India to USA. Hence, it is another one among the best eCommerce courier services in India. The courier company uses a state-of-the-art Management Information System (MIS) that keeps track of bulk parcels for seamless pick-up and delivery through fulfillment status facilities. Their value-added services comprise cash-on-delivery and a custom shipping process for imported and special goods. Although DTDC originated in India, it has grown to the point that it now provides services to over 240 nations. It assists your brand with Indian as well as international courier shipments at a lower cost than other market competitors, thanks to its global reach. In terms of services and prices, it may not be a viable solution for small businesses due to compromises on the number of facilities to focus more on its core offerings. Related Article: Top 10 Courier Services From India to USA for Online and Offline Sellers FedEx Source Courier NameFedExHeadquartersMemphis, Tennessee, United StatesFounderFrederick W. SmithYear of Establishment1971IndustryE-commerceServicesTransportationWebsitewww.fedex.com FedEx is another top-rated and low-cost eCommerce courier services provider for online enterprises. Established in 1973, it has close to 50 years of valuable experience in handling and shipping a wide range of products. It offers nationwide and worldwide shipping services that include door-to-door pick-up and delivery. This courier company is committed to excellence, making it a worthy logistics partner for your eCommerce enterprise. They provide courier services from India to USA. FedEx comes with flexible delivery options and allows sellers to have their packages held at a secure location until it is ready to be sent out. It also allows customers to monitor their parcels in real-time. Additionally, clients can change the location of their shipments even if they are out for delivery, improving customer experiences with your business. The FedEx API documentation also makes it easy to manage returns, create shipping labels, and track performance.FedEx provides outstanding delivery service at reasonable prices in the places where it operates. Although it offers the fastest delivery speed and service, it only covers a fraction of the pin codes covered by other eCommerce courier services. Thus, it may not be a reliable candidate for eCommerce companies that aim to rely entirely on it and no other courier companies for logistics. DHL Source Courier NameDHLHeadquartersBonn, GermanyFounderAdrian Dalsey, Larry Hillblom, Robert LynnYear of Establishment1969IndustryCourierWebsitehttps://www.dhl.com Another prominent international eCommerce Courier services provider in India is DHL (Dalsey, Hillblom, and Lynn). Its globally controlled and well-connected network of distribution centers enables it to effectively optimise supply chain solutions to increase order fulfillment throughout 220+ countries. DHL is trustworthy and readily available to meet the requirements of any eCommerce platform. It is another considerable option among the best eCommerce courier services in India. The shipping giant covers over 26,000 pin codes across the country, allowing eCommerce sellers to successfully tap into the Indian market.Another critical factor to consider when choosing DHL is its environment-friendly practices. This courier company maintains a high standard when it comes to decreasing wastage in the delivery process, making a sincere effort to reduce each company's environmental footprint. The only caveat is that DHL’s courier fees within India are slightly higher than those charged by other local carriers. However, when it comes to worldwide coverage, there aren't many reputable options that can rival this company. DHL eCommerce, a branch dedicated solely to eCommerce enterprises, is also available. It is dedicated to offering a smooth worldwide eCommerce delivery service that includes accurate transit schedules and customs clearances. Gati Source Courier NameGatiHeadquartersHyderabad, Telangana, IndiaFounderMahendra Kumar AgarwalYear of Establishment1989IndustryLogisticsSupply chain managementWebsitehttps://www.gati.com/ Gati, based in Hyderabad, is another well-known eCommerce Indian courier services provider that aims for total customer satisfaction. Founded in 1989, Gati has expanded at a rapid pace over the decades to serve over 19,000 pin codes within India. Also, they are the leading experts in providing eCommerce courier services from India to USA. This eCommerce courier company promises better reach and business growth by delivering to 735 of the 739 different districts in the country.Gati strives to meet the shipping and courier needs of small business owners, offering some of the most affordable courier services in India. It provides a diverse range of express delivery options and warehousing solutions, enabling customisable pick-ups from locations. Shipway Source Courier NameShipwayHeadquartersGurgaon, HaryanaFounderVikas Garg, Gaurav GuptaYear of Establishment2015Industryshipment and package tracking softwareWebsitehttps://experience.shipway.com/ Shipway is a newcomer that specialises in offering dependable and affordable shipping services to eCommerce businesses. They allows you to focus on business operations, ensuring that your customers receive the finest shopping experience. Shipway has already partnered with 30+ eCommerce couriers. It currently provides an end-to-end shipping automation solution for fulfillment and logistics to over 12,000 eCommerce retailers. You can also check Top 10 Shipway Alternatives for eCommerce Retailers in 2024 Xpressbees Source Courier NameXpressbeesHeadquartersPune, MaharashtraFounderAmitava Saha, Supam MaheshwariYear of Establishment2015IndustryLogisticsWebsitehttps://www.xpressbees.com/ Xpressbees, best known for its speedy and affordable parcel service, is one of India's fastest courier services providers. As Xpressbees' logistics partner, you may offer your customers same-day and next-day courier services, as well as reverse logistics for return orders. These services allow eCommerce vendors to deliver a positive customer experience and boost their business performance. It is a unique options among the top eCommerce courier services in India. It caters to the end-to-end fulfillment needs of sellers and covers 13000+ pin codes, 100+ hubs and service centers.They are seasoned professionals, providing tech-based solutions for courier service requirements.It has state-of-the-art logistics centers spread across the country. Delhivery Source Courier NameDelhiveryHeadquartersGurgaon, Haryana, IndiaFounderSahil BaruaYear of Establishment2011IndustryLogisticsWebsitehttps://www.delhivery.com/ Delhivery, since its inception, has successfully fulfilled over 1 billion orders across India. Their aim is to build an efficient operations model for business, through a combination of world-class infrastructure, cutting-edge engineering, and technology capabilities, and logistics operations of the highest quality. It is one of India’s largest and most popular courier companies that is also homegrown. It offers end-to-end fulfillment solutions and serves over 17,000 pin codes and 175 cities.It offers features such as sending tracking details to customers through SMS and provides same-day/next-day delivery options.It provides multiple payment options at the time of delivery. That's it. Hope the list of top 10 ecommerce courier services would be helpful for you and for your business. Conclusion: How WareIQ can Help with Your Need for eCommerce Courier Services in India in 2024? WareIQ stands apart from the rest as one of the best possible fastest and affordable Courier services in India for businesses of every size and domain. Sellers looking for a reliable and cost-effective eCommerce courier service provider can choose Ware IQ for the following attributes: Access to WareIQ’s strong nationwide network of fulfillment centers, micro-fulfillment centers & urban dark stores near their customersAccess to all major national & hyperlocal last-mile couriers at discounted rates for making same/next day deliveries possibleEasy integration across multiple online platforms & marketplaces enhancing multi-channel sellingHorizontal marketplaces: Flipkart, Amazon etc.Vertical marketplaces: Nykaa, Myntra etc.D2C platforms: Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce etc.Social commerce platforms: BikayiAccess to a superior centralised tech platform for eCommerce operationsML-based prediction engine for efficient fulfillment warehouse network design & smart inventory placementCentralised platform for core fulfillment & shipping operationsPost-shipping apps for delightful experience & zero to minimum supply chain leakages (Branded tracking page with smart marketing placements; Trigger-based updates & smart communication platform) WareIQ has customised offerings for merchants experiencing different order volumes as well as having different delivery speed expectations. WareIQ is probably one of the very few fulfillment tech companies in the world that have same-day delivery service for their customers under their product “WareIQ RUSH”. WareIQ’s next day delivery and same-day delivery services are helping eCommerce businesses set new standards with respect to setting customer expectations and fulfilling them with high efficacy. At the same time, WareIQ customers realise significant cost savings and wider reach due to better negotiations with shipping partners, strategically placed warehouses, economies of scale and scope in eCommerce warehousing and data-driven decision making. [signup] Ecommerce Courier Services India FAQs Which are the best courier services in India? • WareIQ - It acts a courier aggregator & has partnerships with all the major national & hyperlocal • courier partners in India • Blue Dart • Ecom Express • DTDC • FedEx • DHL • Gati • Shipway • Xpressbees • Delhivery How much do eCommerce courier services in India charge?Depending on the receiver's address and the weight of the product, most of these courier services provide logistics convenience to over 45000 pins across the country and charge anywhere between INR 60-180 per kilogram for a parcel delivery. How is the delivery cost calculated?Calculate fuel and maintenance costs, yearly depreciation, registration, and any other expenditures incurred during an operational year, such as parking fees. To get a base vehicle operating cost per delivery, multiply this figure by the average number of deliveries your business does per year. Which is better: WareIQ or Clickpost?WareIQ is a better option since it acts as a shipping/courier aggregator with partnership with all the major shipping service providers/ last mile delivery companies. It’s core business is providing fulfillment services to ecommerce businesses. Hence, it also has a nationwide network of fulfillment centers in all major metros & 30 other cities that helps you store your inventory closer to your customers for faster delivery & for managing returns making the process of shipment easy. WareIQ’s fulfillment platform/WMS provides easy integrations with 20+ marketplace/ online platforms. What are the tips to find the right courier services companies in India? • Make sure to check if courier partners are available for immediate pick-ups and deliveries. • Check if they have limitations on size and weight • Do they provide proof of delivery • Do they provide cost to value • Do they provide package insurance How WareIQ deliver its couriers in 1-2 days? • Sellers send their stocks to WareIQ Regional Distribution center • WareIQ Intelligently places inventory across its network of 20+ FCs and connects it to right courier network • WareIQ picks, packs & ships orders across the online/offline channels • WareIq provides solutions across every touchpoints - both forward & reverse logistics Which is the best eCommerce courier service for electronic items in india?WareIQ emerges as the premier choice for electronic item shipments in India, offering specialized handling and secure deliveries. With WareIQ, experience not just reliability, but a tailored approach that ensures your electronic goods reach their destination seamlessly.Which eCommerce courier service provides the cheapest shipping for small business india?Look no further for the most economical shipping solution for small businesses in India than WareIQ. With competitive rates and a focus on small business needs, WareIQ stands out as the go-to eCommerce courier service, ensuring affordability without compromising on quality.

February 10, 2023

Top 10 Best Cash on Delivery (COD) Courier Services Companies in India

The advent of the internet and eCommerce has been ground-shattering. Gone are the days when you needed to physically go to a store and buy a product you wanted. Not only can you order whatever type of commodity from whichever brand you want but you can also choose from a variety of payment methods. Due to the highly competitive nature of the industry, the introduction of a new technology that becomes pervasive can spread like wildfire, with other competitors also needing to adopt it to remain relevant and garner the attention of customers. This goes for convenience features, such as ultra-fast delivery, eCommerce order tracking, a pleasant unboxing experience, and more, as well as functional features, like offering a variety of payment options so that customers can choose their preferred alternative. While multiple innovative payment methods, such as UPI and online bank transfers, have completely changed the way we are able to conduct online transactions, a large portion of people in the country are still hesitant to rely completely on the internet, especially for something that involves their hard-earned money. Customers still prefer COD courier services as an option. They are often willing to sacrifice the convenience of paying with a single tap or OTP for the security of physically handing over cash once they have received their order in person. Thus, companies need to take this into consideration and offer a cash on delivery courier service as a choice to their customers, so they do not risk losing out on potential purchases. In this blog, we will give you all the information you need about COD courier services and list the top 10 options currently available. What is a Cash on Delivery Courier Service? Cash-on-delivery or COD courier service is the last mile delivery service that offers the option of cash-on delivery to customers while they are placing an order. This involves only receiving the entire payment once the order has been delivered to the customer at their doorstep. As a result of this, many uncertainties arise as to whether customers will accept the order, pay the amount in full, initiate an RTO, and other inconveniences. With online payments, the ball is usually in the seller’s court as they have already received the payment so the onus is on the customer to be available to collect it at the date and time that is mentioned on the order tracking page. However, with a cash-on-delivery courier service, orders are shipped with the hopes that all parties will hold their end of the bargain, which provides additional risks to sellers and can affect their profit margins if something doesn’t go according to plan. Therefore, most COD delivery courier services have certain fail-safes in play to negate any of these occurrences, such as COD reconciliation, proof-of-delivery reports, returns management, and more. These solutions enhance the ability of firms to offer COD courier services and help customers participate in the eCommerce purchasing process, that might not be entirely immersed in all the latest facilities offered by the internet. [contactus_lilgoodness] Top 10 Best COD - Cash on Delivery Courier Services Companies in India in 2024 A table of the 10 Best & Cheapest cash on delivery shipping companies in 2024 is mentioned below. RankCompanyCoverageDelivery SpeedPrimary Industry1.WareIQ27,000+ pin codesSame-day/Next-dayeCommerce2.EkartNationwideSame-day/Next-dayeCommerce3.Delhivery17,000+ pin codesSame-day/Next-dayLogistics4.Fedx220+ territories2 to 3 business daysTransportation5.Gati19,800+ pin codesSame-day/2-3 daysLogistics6.Xpressbees13,000+ pin codesSame-day/Next-dayLogistics7.DTDC14,000+ pin codes3-7 business daysLogistics8.Shadowfax7,000+ pin codesHyperlocal Hyperlocal9.Ecom Express27,000+ pin codes1-3 business dayseCommerce10.BlueDart17,677+ pin codesVariesTransportation WareIQ Source WareIQ is a technology-based eCommerce fulfillment company that debuted its services in 2019 in Bangalore, Karnataka, the startup capital of India. The company offers multiple eCommerce services, such as order fulfillment, an in-built WMS, a choice of shipping providers, an app store and much more. It also includes highly flexible pricing policies and accepts most payment options, including COD. To protect your orders from any undesirable situations, it includes features, such as COD verification, COD reconciliation and an RTO Shield that completely handles returns management and protects your products from the harsh impacts brought on by returns. All the facilities, technology and flexibility it offers make it one of the best COD courier services in the country. Looking for Courier Service Partners to Deliver from India to USA? Check it now. Ekart Source Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Bangalore, Karnataka, Ekart is an Instakart-operated logistics partner that is owned by eCommerce giant Flipkart. They send out over 1.5 million packages each month to almost 4,000 pin codes all across the nation. For some regions, the Ekart Logistics API allows both one-day and same-day delivery. They started offering COD courier services through Flipkart and now have almost ten years of expertise managing COD orders and assisting eCommerce companies with cash on delivery reconciliation. It imposes some of the most competitive rates in the industry. Delhivery Source Delhivery was founded in 2011 and is currently based in Gurgaon, Haryana. More than 13,000 pin codes in 175 cities are covered by the company. Delhivery offers services and the guarantee that your merchandise will reach safely and undamaged, lowering the likelihood of a failed delivery. On the downside, their cash on delivery service for ecommerce can take longer than prepaid deliveries. You need to enable developer access to the Delhivery API for quick integration. If you're an online seller searching for an all-inclusive shipping, tracking and cash on delivery service, Delhivery could be the option for you. FedEx Source FedEx is an American multinational logistics and distribution behemoth that was founded in 1971 in Arkansas and is currently based in Memphis, Tennessee, The company provides delivery services for more than 6,000 pin codes that are incredibly dependable and practical. However, they exclusively provide COD courier services to eCommerce businesses that fit within specific categories. Although it may be challenging due to the service's complicated terms and conditions, FedEx is among the best cash on delivery service providers to work with if you receive a lot of pre-paid orders. To support COD orders for all land, air and sea cargo, you simply need to create a FedEx account after you have integrated with the FedEx API. Gati Source Another well-regarded cash on delivery courier service in India is Gati, which offers its services in more than 5,000 pin codes. The company, along with others on this list, was founded before the popularity of the internet, in 1989 and is currently based in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Along with their helpful customer support team, GATI uses a cutting-edge fleet of well-trained specialists to ensure prompt and effective delivery, which is a big benefit for any courier partner providing COD courier services. For orders that require handling cash, they impose an extra charge. Xpressbees Source One of the best eCommerce shipping and logistics companies in the country, XpressBees focuses on providing specialised services, such as same-day and next-day delivery. The company was pioneered in 2015 and is currently based in Pune, Maharashtra. If you get a lot of cash on delivery orders, XpressBees is one of the best COD courier services because they also provide many COD-focused facilities and have an efficient reverse logistics platform. The company services more than 2,000 cities and towns and has more than 3,000 offices scattered across the country. DTDC Source Despite serving a narrower, more well-defined variety of delivery requirements, DTDC is among the most well-regarded and experienced shipping and COD delivery services. The company was founded way back in 1983 and has its current head office in Bangalore. With the assistance of a well-established system of 12,000 offices around the nation, they provide some of the most affordable prices in the industry. Even at the most remote last-mile locations, you can reach clients using the DTDC API interface even though it necessitates longer wait times for customers to receive their orders. An additional limitation is there are only a few pin codes for which their cash on delivery courier service is available. Shadowfax Source Over 7000 pin codes are served by Shadowfax, one of India's top third-party logistics service providers. They have more than 150,000 delivery partners in their network. The company was founded in 2015 and is currently based in Bangalore. ShadowFax takes cash on delivery to the next level by offering doorstep delivery for a diverse range of business sectors, which can be paid for using cash or UPI payments. With more than 500,000 orders each day, Shadowfax is well-equipped to speed up the entire COD reconciliation process. Additionally, it provides features, such as in-transit storage, first-mile delivery, and last-mile delivery. Ecom Express Source Ecom Express, a leader in end-to-end logistics, serves more than 27,000 pin codes across more than 2500 cities in India. The company was started in 2012 and it currently has its head offices in Gurgaon, Haryana. They offer reverse logistics services as well as a whole slew of fulfillment services, such as express delivery and 24/7 customer support. Additionally, they provide doorstep quality checks and 72-hour pick-up and delivery services, which helps lower the frequency of canceled COD orders. It covers 27,000-plus pin codes across the country and implements advanced security measures for every order. BlueDart Source BlueDart was founded in 1983 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, which is where its current headquarters are located. More than 35,000 venues, both domestically and abroad, are served by BlueDart. Their duration-bound services offer quick and reliable delivery that is made possible by the regular approvals they go through. They have pre-meditated rates depending on the weight of the shipment. With a well-defined structure in use for COD orders, the BlueDart API can manage larger, higher-value orders. The payment must be transferred from the receiver to your account before an order is marked as successful. How to Choose the Best Cash on Delivery service provider for eCommerce Business? Shipment Status Monitoring Partnering with a cash on delivery shipping company that gives you a comprehensive platform to keep track of the status of all your shipments is a must. This is especially important for COD orders, where the stakes are even higher because you haven’t made any money on the product while it is in transit and hasn’t yet been accepted by the customer. It also clearly lays out orders that have been successfully delivered, orders that are pending delivery, orders that haven’t yet been paid for, and more. This aids your accounting department in ascertaining any disparities between income received in relation to orders that have been dispatched. Efficient shipment status monitoring is hence an important point to consider while choosing a cash on delivery service provider. Integrations With Shipping Carriers and Online Selling Channels Being able to integrate the important order and inventory-related information from all your shipping carriers and across all the eCommerce marketplaces you sell your products on is a must. This enables you to have access to all your data in one location so you can track and analyse important metrics and pinpoint areas of success and those that need improving. This also leads to more efficiency as you can get real-time updates whenever a notable event occurs. Additionally, important services, such as COD reconciliation, NDR reports, reverse logistics, and more can also be accessed and monitored from the same dashboard. Integration is therefore, a key-point for a good COD service provider. Dedicated Customer Support Having a responsive customer support team can be beneficial to both you and your customers. If an issue arises relating to an order, they can simply contact the customer to make them aware of the issue and the revised ETA, to ensure that they don’t end up canceling the order because they are unaware of where it is, while also keeping you in the loop. Competent customer service can be responsible for reduced RTO requests, higher rates of successfully delivered orders, increased customer satisfaction, higher profit margins, and an overall, more efficiently-run company. Good customer support is a prominent factor for customers while deciding the best cash of delivery courier service, in India. NDR Management NDR stands for Non-Delivery Report and they play a vital role in eCommerce fulfillment, regardless if it is cash on delivery order or not. Since cash on delivery opens the door to more risky situations occurring, they become even more pronounced on orders with this payment option. Having a detailed NDR management system in place can help you identify trends as to why certain orders aren’t being successfully delivered, which will help you shortlist whether it is the product itself, the fulfillment partner, the type of customers, a specific location, and more. This will aid in eventually removing these inefficiencies and improve your rate of successfully delivered orders. Cash on Delivery Fulfillment This, of course, is the crowning feature that you should look for while partnering with a cash on delivery shipping company. Ensure that the company you want to partner with has a variety of cash on delivery options and has flexible policies relating to delays, returns, or any other unforeseen circumstance that can hinder your ability to deliver the product to its relevant customer and ensure that the payment is received from them. Some companies are more diverse than others when it comes to the scope of services they offer so go through each one and select an option that is right for you. Conclusion: Why You Should Pick WareIQ to be Your Cash on Delivery Shipping Company For Fulfilling Online Orders in 2024? While many people enjoy the perks of being able to purchase a product online with just a few taps, an equally large number still views online transactions with suspicion. They do not want to upload their important payment-related information onto online selling platforms, regardless of how many disclaimers they give that it is secure. Instead, they prefer to be physically present to receive their orders and only pay for them once that occurs. As long as there is a large enough segment of the population that prefers to pay with cash, offering cash on delivery as a payment option is of critical importance if you want to capitalise on every purchase. While it does enable risky encounters, most COD courier services provide measures to prevent them from transpiring. However, some offer a more comprehensive and complete list of services than others, so it is important to discern which ones are important to you and choose one that fits your requirements. If you need a cash on delivery service that also consists of multiple other eCommerce facilities, WareIQ fits the bill. WareIQ is an eCommerce fulfillment company that provides multiple payment and delivery options, including COD. We also provide security measures, such as NDR management, returns management, order tracking, customer support and more, to ensure that your orders are delivered on time and you receive your dues for every purchase. Some of the other services you can take advantage of are listed below: A nationwide network of fulfillment centers and dark storesSmart inventory placementIntegrations with more than 20 online marketplace and website buildersA partnership with more than 12 shipping companiesSmart courier allocationA custom WMSAn app storeInventory managementBranded order trackingCustomizable packaging Cash on Delivery Courier Services: FAQs Why is it necessary to provide cash on delivery services?A large chunk of the population in India still prefers to opt for COD or cash on delivery while purchasing online. So, it is beneficial for retailers to provide multiple payment options instead of risking losing out on a potential purchase. What is COD reconciliation?The term COD reconciliation describes the process of reconciling one's billing records to reflect all COD orders. The payment for a COD order is obtained by the carrier after processing and delivery. When a number of cash on delivery orders are completed and your company receives multiple collected payments, the orders can be closed. Do all 3PL fulfillment companies offer COD delivery?No, not all 3PL companies offer the support and facilities needed for COD orders. While choosing a fulfillment company, make sure they offer COD services if that is something you need. A few companies that provide COD services are Indiapost, WareIQ, ClickPost etc. Does WareIQ provide cash-on-delivery shipping services and assistance in returns management on the failure of delivery on COD orders?Yes, WareIQ provides COD courier services for all its eCommerce clients for 29000+ pincodes across India, through partnerships with all the leading national and hyperlocal courier companies. WareIQ not only takes care of the entire reverse logistics procedure but also provides an RTO Shield, that protects your products from the adverse implications of returns, which is very common during COD orders. Is there a fee for using COD services?Yes, there is often a fee for using cash-on-delivery (COD) services in India. The amount of the fee varies depending on the courier company, pincode or location of delivery, the weight of the shipment, and the total value of the order. Which is the best cod - cash on delivery courier service provider in India?Some of the popular COD courier service providers in India include Blue Dart, DTDC, India Post, and FedEx. These last mile delivery companies enable eCommerce companies to sell online using Cash on Delivery (COD) as a payment mode, which is the preferred payment modes for majority of Indian population. Which courier services provide cash on delivery?at is FAQ?Top courier services offering Cash on Delivery (COD) in India include WareIQ, Ekart, Delhivery, FedEx, Gati, Xpressbees, DTDC, Shadowfax, Ecom Express, and BlueDart. Check out the full blog for in-depth insights on their services. What are common cash on delivery problems?Cash on Delivery (COD) may face issues like delayed payments, return complexities, and tracking challenges. The blog delves into solutions and tips for a seamless COD experience in e-commerce. What is FAQ?Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. What is FAQ?Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

February 10, 2023

ClickPost vs Shiprocket vs WareIQ: The Ultimate Comparison to Help Simplify Your 3PL Fulfillment Company Decision in 2024

Choosing an eCommerce fulfillment company can be one of the hardest and most important decisions you will have to make as an eCommerce retailer. The benefits 3PL companies provide to budding sellers are exponential as they provide assistance in closing the gap to larger, more experienced, and financially-abled companies in terms of fulfillment, features, and technology. By ensuring that every seller that partners with them have these resources, they have enabled every seller to be successful, as long as they have a good product and are targeting the right audience. Gone are the days when local sellers had to sit idle while large firms acquired chunks of their market. However, not all 3PLs offer the exact same feature set. Some focus on shipping aggregation, while others provide services that encompass the entire array of eCommerce fulfillment processes. In this blog, we will compare 3 of the best fulfillment companies in the current day - ClickPost vs Shiprocket vs WareIQ - so you can handily choose one that fits the bill and your requirements. Let’s get started. About WareIQ Source Since WareIQ’s inception in 2019, the company has steadily emerged as one of the leading fulfillment options in India. Currently headquartered in Bangalore, a city known for its technology and start-up-friendly environment, WareIQ has used its own technological prowess to inspire innovative solutions to a wide range of eCommerce requirements. The company provides every eCommerce-related service under the sun, such as order fulfillment, inventory storage, warehouse management, shipping aggregation, last-mile delivery, and much more. Additionally, it offers advanced software solutions in-house, such as a custom WMS and online app store, so you don’t need to purchase these items additionally from an external source. It also offers extremely cost-effective and transparent pricing along with no minimum order requirements and the ability to add or remove features from your plan. Some notable points that should make you consider WareIQ among the ClickPost vs Shiprocket vs WareIQ are listed below: It has connections with more than 12 of the region's largest shipping companies, allowing for dependable, ultra-fast same-day and next-day delivery, and always designates the quickest and most cost-effective alternative for every purchase.It consists of an internal WMS that can track inventory levels and order-related data and generate real-time alerts across storage facilities and B2C, b2b eCommerce marketplaces.It offers an RTO Shield to lessen the impact of returns and provides insurance for each product, in addition to managing the complete reverse logistics process.It can interact with more than 20 online selling platforms, including Amazon, eBay, Flipkart and others, in addition to website builders like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento.It offers intelligent inventory placement and a nationwide storage network comprising of fulfillment centers and dark stores to assist you in keeping your inventory close to customers and transportation hubs. [contactus_lilgoodness] About ClickPost Source ClickPost is a fulfillment and 3PL logistics company that is primarily known for offering a comprehensive technology platform that simplifies and speeds up the ability for eCommerce companies to integrate with online selling platforms and shipping carriers so that they can access all their important information pertaining to orders, fulfillment, and shipping in one place. The company was pioneered in 2015 and is currently headquartered in Gurgaon, Haryana. It offers integrations with industry-leading 120-plus shipping carriers, in addition to features such as a smart courier allocator, branded order tracking, automated real-time updates via email, Whatsapp and SMS to customers, seamless management of delays, and much more. Its current daily order volume sits at more than 10 million shipments. Some notable points that should make you consider ClickPost among the ClickPost vs Shiprocket vs WareIQ are listed below: It can integrate with more than 120 shipping carriers which enables you to monitor all your shipping data in a centralized location.It can send automated alerts to customers whenever an important event occurs, such as when an order moves to a new phase in the delivery process or if it has reached the same city as the customer.It provides a tool to automate the management of any unforeseen circumstances that could cause a disruption in the supply chain and provides the quickest and easiest solution to offset it.It provides complete returns management to help reduce the negative implications of returns.It has a Shopify app that can enhance the functionality of selling on Shopify. About Shiprocket Source Shiprocket is a shipping aggregation company in India that is one of the most experienced and best-regarded in the industry. The company currently has an order volume of more than 200,000 packages a day and operates in over 200 countries worldwide. It was founded in Delhi in 2012, where it is currently headquartered. As a shipping aggregator, its key services include automating several logistics shipping eCommerce operations, consolidating shipping services to provide customers with a more easy selection, and integrating with various eCommerce platforms. It also offers retailers other services such as cost estimation, which allows them to understand ahead of time how much money they will spend overall and order management across many selling platforms. Some notable points that should make you consider Shiprocket among the ClickPost vs Shiprocket vs WareIQ are listed below: It provides a comprehensive platform to track and analyse critical order-related data, allowing you to swiftly assess your rates of success and spot areas that require revision.It provides additional services such as shipping label printing, order insurance and much more. This makes it one of the most comprehensive shipping platforms available today.It provides access to key data about your inventory levels and orders via a unified dashboard and also integrates with a variety of eCommerce marketplaces.It gives you the option of selecting up to 17 shipping carriers, and its intuitive UI allows you to manage and aggregate your order and logistical data across all of them.It offers a custom shipping rate calculator to help you choose which distributor is offering the best and most affordable service for each purchase depending on variables such as product attributes, distance, and more. ClickPost vs Shiprocket vs WareIQ: Key Variations in Their Set of Services ClickPost vs Shiprocket vs WareIQ: Core Offering WareIQ: WareIQ's primary offering is eCommerce fulfillment that leverages its technology-based offerings such as online integrations, an ML-powered predictive engine for intelligent inventory placement, a custom WMS that can track and provide real-time updates across online marketplaces and storage locations, and connectivity to nationwide fulfillment facilities and last-mile delivery partners.ClickPost: ClickPost’s central objective is to make use of advanced technology to seamlessly consolidate important data, across online selling platforms and shipping carriers, in one easily-accessible dashboard. To make this possible, the company offers a variety of online, storefront and WMS integrations.Shiprocket: Shiprocket's core service is shipping aggregation, which primarily consists of grouping many shipping firms in an organised manner so that their clients can make a proactive choice. To help with this, the company employs an AI-powered recommendation engine. Shiprocket's major goal is to make speedy and efficient delivery available to a big audience at a low cost. ClickPost vs Shiprocket vs WareIQ: Customer Onboarding Time WareIQ: It takes just 7 days for the entire customer onboarding process to be completed.ClickPost: ClickPost does offer dedicated customer onboarding facilities but does not specify a duration.Shiprocket: Shiprocket claims to offer quick customer onboarding but does not explicitly mention a timeline. ClickPost vs Shiprocket vs WareIQ: Pricing WareIQ: WareIQ offers lower pricing than its competitors, as well as cost-effective features such as billing per usage and no additional down payments, as well as customers not needing to additonal money on 3rd-party WMS and shipping software because it provides in-house solutions for these specific purposes.ClickPost: ClickPost charges its user a base amount to be paid on a monthly basis and imposes additional fees for every feature that is used. This can make subscription plans quite expensive once all the costs are added up.Shiprocket: Shiprocket's base subscription is ₹20 per 500 grams of merchandise, with other payment options available. In addition, you can add specific services that you require to your membership. ClickPost vs Shiprocket vs WareIQ: Technological Features WareIQ: WareIQ aspires to be known for its technology platform in addition to being a fulfillment provider, It offers technologically advanced services, such as an in-house WMS, comprehensive order monitoring software with SMS, Whatsapp, and email updates, a control center with a dashboard view so that users can monitor and analyse key performance metrics, automated restocking triggers and much more.ClickPost: ClickPost utilises technology in many different aspects of its portfolio, such as being able to integrate with multiple online platforms and shipping companies, integrated order tracking, a Shopify app, and much more.Shiprocket: Shiprocket provides its customers with an NDR control, AI-powered suggestion engine, SMS order alerts, order tracking, automated distribution sites, and many other key technologies. ClickPost vs Shiprocket vs WareIQ: App Store WareIQ: WareIQ offers a well-designed, intuitive and easy-to-navigate app store with a full suite of downloadable apps to improve the fulfillment experience of sellers and their customers by unifying branded tracking solutions, recommendations to enhance optimization in various areas, order alerts, shipping badges, prompting customer feedback and much more, in a single location.ClickPost: ClickPost has its own Shopify app and other apps to manage various functions but do not have an entire catalogue consolidated together in an app store.Shiprocket: Shiprocket provides API integrations and has first-party apps. However, it does not specifically offer an app store or support for 3rd-party apps. ClickPost vs Shiprocket vs WareIQ: Services Offered WareIQ: WareIQ provides services for many different business functions, such as B2B and B2C fulfillment, FBA preparatory facilities, Nykaa fulfillment, Flipkart preparation, custom packaging, an in-house WMS, a pan-India distribution network, ultra-fast delivery, inventory management, branded tracking and much more.ClickPost: ClickPost offers technology-related features, such as integrations with multiple selling platforms and shipping companies, consolidated shipping services, returns management, NDR support, order tracking, COD reconciliation and much more.Shiprocket: Shiprocket offers packing services, prepaid COD, no order thresholds, no monthly charges, API connections, and a variety of other services in addition to its shipping aggregation services. ClickPost vs Shiprocket vs WareIQ: Integrations WareIQ: In addition to numerous well-known B2C and B2B markets like Flipkart, Amazon and eBay, WareIQ also provides WMS integrations to web-building platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce and more. This enables customers to manage inventory, keep track of orders, and migrate and export order and inventory data across several platforms without any issues.ClickPost: ClickPost offers different types of integrations, such as with shipping providers like FedEx and DHL; with WMS providers, such as NetSuite and Increff and with digital storefronts, such as Shopify and Magento.Shiprocket: To properly track and gather order data in one location, Shiprocket can be integrated with the majority of the main eCommerce selling platforms, including eBay, Amazon, Shopify and more. ClickPost vs Shiprocket vs WareIQ: Unique Selling Point (USP) WareIQ: In order to provide solutions at every level of the supply chain, WareIQ offers a full-stack technology platform. Customers can choose the exact services they need, starting with warehousing, packing, inventory management, order tracking, shipping and everything in the middle.ClickPost: ClickPost uses technology to give sellers access to all their prime information in a simple and seamless way. The company offers multiple integrations in addition to most post-order fulfillment services.Shiprocket: The key selling point of Shiprocket is its shipping aggregation services, which are easily accessible to eCommerce sellers in bulk at reasonable pricing and make use of cutting-edge technology. ClickPost vs Shiprocket vs WareIQ: Customised Packaging WareIQ: WareIQ offers sellers the utility of customised packaging where each element of the unboxing experience, such as brand logo, design, size and materials can be tailored according to their preferences.ClickPost: ClickPost does not provide customizable packaging options.Shiprocket: Shiprocket does offer bespoke packaging where different parcel elements can be tailored according to the customer’s requirements. ClickPost vs Shiprocket vs WareIQ: Cold Storage Facilities WareIQ: WareIQ offers cold storage facilities in several of its fulfillment center locations that span the entirety of its network.ClickPost: ClickPost does not provide cold storage facilities.Shiprocket: Cold storage facilities are offered by Shiprocket in specific warehouses. ClickPost vs Shiprocket vs WareIQ: Feature Comparison Table [Updated 2024] [table id=61 /] Related Article: Which is Better: Ecourierz vs Shiprocket vs WareIQ Conclusion: Why Should WareIQ be Your Go-To Option for Fulfillment Among ClickPost vs Shiprocket vs WareIQ in 2024? Choosing an appropriate eCommerce fulfillment company that reflects the values of your business and encompasses all the requirements you have can have majorly positive implications regarding customer perception and satisfaction when they purchase from your company. To do this, you need to chalk out what your goals are, how you plan to achieve them, what services you should prioritize from your 3PL partner, and what your available financial resources are to take the plunge. The choice between ClickPost vs Shiprocket vs WareIQ is a difficult one because each company specializes in different aspects of eCommerce. Shiprocket is mainly a shipping aggregator that can help you up your shipping game. ClickPost offers cutting-edge technology and integrations, and WareIQ offers a seamless blend of both, with shipping aggregation services and its own suite of advanced technological solutions, and everything in between. That is why it receives our pick for the best fulfillment company out of the bunch. If you need access to a vast amount of eCommerce services and a company that offers terrific scalability, look no further than WareIQ. WareIQ is an eCommerce fulfillment that specialises in every eCommerce activity that you can think of. Some of our primary services are listed below: Branded Packaging: We provide custom packaging services that can be adapted to your needs.App Store: We provide a complete, well-optimized app store with a diverse range of apps.Inventory Storage: You can store your merchandise anywhere you need it with our pan-India network of dark stores and fulfillment facilities.Shipping Badges: Similarly to Prime, we allow you to add shipping badges that provide delivery estimations on your online listing pages.Returns Management: We handle returns and shield you from any negative repercussions associated with them.Branded Order Tracking: We offer branded order tracking so that any information you want to highlight can be added to your order tracking pages.Collaborations with Shipping Companies: We collaborate with more than 12 courier companies and automatically assign the optimal alternative for each order.Marketplace Integrations: We can connect over 20 online selling platforms and web-building platforms, including Amazon, Magento, eBay and more.Inventory Management: We have a custom WMS that can automate a variety of functions and provide real-time updates.Ultra-Fast Fulfillment: We provide same-day and next-day delivery alternatives that are both speedy and dependable. Suggested Read: Shipkaro vs Shiprocket vs Wareiq: Ultimate Comparison ClickPost vs Shiprocket vs WareIQ: FAQs When and where was ClickPost founded?ClickPost was founded in 2015 in Gurgaon, Haryana. Does ClickPost offer a nationwide network of fulfillment centers?No, ClickPost does not offer its own network of fulfillment centers or any storage solutions. What is shipping aggregation?Shipping aggregation is the amalgamation of multiple shipping companies in an easy-to-view way to make comparing their pricing and features as easy as possible so as to help customers make an informed decision as to which company they should go with. Does ClickPost have an app store?No, ClickPost does not have an in-house app store. It does have a Shopify app and can integrate with various 3-party platforms. Does WareIQ provide returns management?Yes, WareIQ not only provides returns management but also has an RTO Shield that can protect your business and products from the hassle and financial damage that can occur while dealing with returns.

February 10, 2023

eCommerce Fulfillment 101: A Detailed Guide to eCommerce Fulfillment Processes, Costs, Challenges, Types, and Factors to Select a Fulfillment Partner For Your eCommerce Business in 2024

The number of people who are opting to shop online as opposed to the more traditional way of shopping at traditional brick-and-mortar stores has skyrocketed. It is in the best interest of eCommerce fulfillment companies and online retailers to have a system in place that gives customers the ability to keep track of orders every step of the way until it is delivered to the correct location. This also enables both sellers and buyers to know if each process has gone smoothly and can follow the outline set by this process. Read further to know about what is eCommerce fulfillment and all about the eCommerce marketplace fulfillment process. What is eCommerce Fulfillment? eCommerce fulfillment refers to the process that begins when the customer places the order and that ends with the product being delivered to the customer’s address. This involves order management, picking, packing, sorting, storage, inventory management, transportation, post-order tracking, and managing returns. eCommerce fulfillment service companies provide sellers with the most efficient and cost-effective way of transporting the goods from the Sellers’ fulfillment service company’s warehouse to the customer. It basically comprises the post-order placement experience of the customer. Thus, the fulfillment stage is integral to both the B2B market and B2C segments and the entire eCommerce industry. [contactus_uth] How Does eCommerce Fulfillment Work? eCommerce fulfillment is more of an umbrella word to include the various stages and actions undertaken to deliver a package. It is not limited to just picking and sorting a product from the warehouse shelf. The process can be justified by breaking it down into the following components. 6 Processes that are involved in eCommerce fulfillment are mentioned below: Inventory Management Source No or low stock or high inventory costs due to excessive inventory can cause huge losses for a seller. Thus, inventory management and accurate inventory forecasting are crucial to maintaining adequate inventory, no matter what kind of fulfillment model is employed. Storage/Warehousing The warehouse layout, the ideal aisle width, and other minute details like the availability of cold storage facility, forecasting order volumes & labor demand, etc affect the entire picking, packing & shipping process and count towards the overall fulfillment duration. Also read shopify fulfillment. Order Management Inventory and Warehouse Management must be in sync to ensure that a customer does not place an order for an out-of-stock product. Thus, order management does not include just receiving an order; it also involves coordination with the warehouse management team to ensure the customer orders a product in stock. Picking, Sorting, and Packing Source This phrase determines how fast the product is ready to be shipped. Numerous models are prepared to ensure that the picking process can be made more efficient. Many warehouses use completely automated processes to reduce time spent picking, sorting & packing in order to improve efficiency. Logistics/Shipping This covers the entire first-mile delivery to last-mile delivery and involves 3PL fulfillment companies with expertise in providing logistical solutions. This phase of the eCommerce fulfillment cycle depends on multiple external factors, and thus, the term “AGWWP (All goes well, weather permitting)” is commonly used here. This stage ensures the product's safe delivery to the customer’s doorstep without damage. Returns Certain product categories, such as clothing, account for a very high return percentage (75%). Thus, ensuring the product is returned intact from the customer to the seller is crucial. This phase of the eCommerce fulfillment cycle is important for sellers, especially as they require the product to be received back in the best condition with no further damage and can be resold after repairs to another customer who has placed the same order. 3 of the Most Common Misconceptions Regarding eCommerce Fulfillment Services Like any industry, the eCommerce fulfillment services industry also struggles with common misconceptions held by those not so well associated with the industry. Some of these misconceptions are: The Cheapest Way is Self-Fulfillment Smaller sellers, generally with less than 50 orders per month, can afford to spend time packing, going to the courier service, and getting it posted, and may find self-fulfillment more cost-effective. But as the business expands, this could eat up the seller's crucial time, which could be utilised for more important aspects such as preparing a growth plan. Even for bigger players with an established business set-up, capital investment (leasing of new land, setting up warehouses) and maintenance costs (labour costs, machinery costs) can tremendously affect the business’s balance sheet. Fulfillment is Just Warehousing It is often assumed that fulfillment refers to just the storage of goods and their dispatch from the warehouse. On the contrary, eCommerce warehousing is a subpart of fulfillment, and eCommerce fulfillment is an end-to-end process that involves storage and distribution. It also means efficiently picking the product and shipping it to the customer most efficiently and cost-effectively. Fulfillment Centers in Rural / Tier 2 or 3 Cities are Better or Closer to the Seller’s Business Location While the land costs may seem cheaper, most of the customer base still exists in metro and tier 1 cities. Thus, over time, the seller will have to pay more in shipping charges to cover the distance from the warehouse to the bulk of customers. What are the Various Challenges in eCommerce Fulfillment? eCommerce fulfillment endures significant challenges and issues, primarily due to the involvement of multiple stakeholders and parties in the entire process. These issues lead to additional costs incurred by the eCommerce fulfillment service company and the sellers. Some of the challenges in eCommerce fulfillment faced are listed below: Returns Returns continue to be one of the biggest challenges faced by eCommerce fulfillment services, as it involves capital investment into establishing a reverse supply chain and ensuring the product reaches back to the seller without any damage. Information Inaccuracy A wrong address, or a wrong pin code, is often realized in the last-mile delivery phase of the supply chain, leading to irreversible delays and costs. Because of this wrong information, inaccuracy can occur at any stage, be it during order placement or while sorting, and it is realised only during the last-mile delivery stages. Last-mile delivery software can help better manage this process. Inventory Management Issues Inventory Management is every seller’s most common issue, be it choosing between the Newsvendor Model, the Economic Order Quantity (EOQ), the Continuous Review (ROP), or the Periodic Review. The lack of appropriate forecasting leads to significant inventory management issues at the beginning of the supply chain, which travels down, eventually causing the Bullwhip Effect. Related Article: Inventory Management in Supply Chain Delays During Pre-Shipping In some supply chains where the Push-Pull boundary is extremely high up in the chain, delays during the pre-shipping stage, caused by processing and producing the order, put added pressure on eCommerce fulfillment services companies to fulfill the order within the promised time. This is often seen with customizable products. Exceptions These exceptions can often occur from natural disasters to a massive container ship blocking the Suez Canal. Despite the best preparations by the largest eCommerce fulfillment companies, there is sometimes no getting around such situations, which eventually lead to delays or damages. Read more on delivery exceptions. How to Calculate Fulfillment Costs for eCommerce Business? You must account for all of the costs connected with storing, packing, and shipping consumers' orders when figuring up fulfillment costs. A few things to consider for calculating fulfillment costs are provided below. Asses the Storage Requirements for Inventory Take into account the number of orders you receive as well as the size and nature of the things you offer. This will enable you to estimate the amount of warehouse space you'll require as well as the price of renting or leasing that space. Determine the Order Picking and Packing Costs Take into account the time and resources or manpower cost needed to prepare orders for delivery, including the price of consumables like labels and packaging materials. Determine the Shipping and Handling Costs Take into account the price of mailing or shipping labels, supplies used for packaging, and courier fees. Additionally, you might want to think about providing your clients with other delivery options, such as expedited or international shipping, and account for the added costs related to these options. Determine the Cost of Managing Returns and Exchanges Consider the cost of processing and managing returns and exchanges, including labor, materials, pickup, and any restocking fees. To calculate the total fulfillment cost for a specific order, you can add up the costs for each of these categories. For example, if your warehousing and storage costs per order are INR 100, your picking and packing costs per order are INR 50, and your shipping and handling costs per order are INR 25, the total fulfillment cost for the order would be INR 175. It is important to regularly review and update your fulfillment costs to ensure that you are accurately accounting for all relevant expenses and that your pricing is competitive. 5 Main Benefits of eCommerce Fulfillment eCommerce fulfillment service companies are specialized companies that understand the industry and cater to the needs of both sellers and buyers. Thus, they provide an efficient and cost-effective service to the seller and enhance the end customer's consumer experience. With 38% of online shoppers willing to abandon a package if it takes longer than expected, sellers cannot afford to lose sales because of undertaking self-fulfillment. Some of the benefits of eCommerce Fulfillment are listed below: Enhanced Customer Satisfaction eCommerce fulfillment services have established infrastructure and supply chains and ensure that the customers get their products on time and in the best condition. With 33% of customers leaving after the very first bad experience and 16% of customers willing to pay higher for a better customer service experience, it is prudent for any seller to ensure they can uphold their service promise to the customer. Reduced Delivery Times Warehouses and fulfillment centers of eCommerce fulfillment services companies are spread nationwide. With the inventory stored across these warehouses, the time taken for the product to reach any customer nationwide is reduced drastically compared to having it shipped from the seller’s location. Optimized Inventory Management The importance of inventory management is something that few are aware of, and its repercussions can lead to a product’s failure. eCommerce fulfillment services provide sellers with the power to remotely manage their inventory while providing insights to them through the data collected. Thus, designing the best inventory management system for their product optimizes the shipping process for eCommerce and the storage within the warehouse for which the sellers have to pay. Improved Branding and Packaging Personalized branding and packaging is a feature of eCommerce Fulfilment that sets it apart from regular order processing and helps boost customer satisfaction by providing them with a personalized feeling. Effective Returns Management Ensures effective returns management, with certain product categories that have high returns, eCommerce Fulfilment services help cater to them and ensure a smoother overall process from the time the customer raises the return request to the product reaching back to the seller. The 3 Different Types of eCommerce Fulfillment Models eCommerce fulfillment can be carried out in multiple ways as there is no single fixed method. This is primarily due to the difference in products, inventory, and customer requirements. The 3 most commonly utilized models are listed below: Self Fulfillment The seller manages the entire fulfillment process, which starts from receiving the order, storing it on their premises, packing it, and also ensuring its transportation through established courier services. It is suitable for businesses that have just started out with a handful of orders per month. 3PL Fulfillment 3PL (Third Party) fulfillment services companies cater to sellers who outsource their fulfillment needs. 3PL fulfillment companies cater to the end-to-end service requirements of the seller by providing access to the company’s established warehouses, logistics and supply chain, and inventory management system. 3PL fulfillment companies use economies of scale by catering to multiple sellers. Thus, these companies spread the cost amongst all, proving cost-effective for each seller, both in the B2B fulfillment and B2C domains. Dropshipping In the dropshipping model, the seller does not hold any inventory, and the product is shipped directly from the seller’s manufacturer or wholesaler. Although ideal for sellers starting out, it provides no inventory management solution. Read the blog on dropshipping vs order fulfillment to know which fulfillment model is right for your online business. Differences among the three types of eCommerce fulfillment The 3 eCommerce Fulfilment models can be confusing for new and small businesses to figure out. Thus, in the table mentioned below, the salient features of each model have been mentioned for Sellers to make an informed decision. [table id=1 /] Suggested Read: What is Hybrid Fulfillment? How to Choose an eCommerce Fulfillment Provider that is Right for Your Business in 2024? Who is going to be the fulfillment company for my business? This is a question that comes to every seller’s mind and is probably one of the most important decisions that a seller has to make. Some points that should be kept in mind before taking this decision are listed below: Shipping Speed In this era of 10-minute hyperlocal delivery, it is crucial to partner with an eCommerce fulfillment service provider that keeps the seller one step ahead of the competition. Read how to increase shipping speed. Warehouse Location With eCommerce gaining confidence in Tier 2 and 3 cities, it is important that warehouses have a nationwide network to fulfill the needs of the expanding customer base. Shared Ideologies Synergy in ideology is a critical aspect that can be overlooked and realised much later after it is too late. For example, a seller dealing in organic products, who ensures that the backend supply chain is sustainable, would also want to ensure that the eCommerce fulfillment service provider is making efforts towards sustainable usage of transport for the logistics aspect and also in the warehouses. Order Fulfillment Software Data plays a crucial role in optimising the fulfillment process, along with software that understands the data generated from the orders. It is crucial that the software is easily integrated with the Seller’s order processing and data handling software. The use of AI and ML should be considered a norm in this software. Small business order fulfillment services are very important for smaller retailers. Transparency and Visibility Sellers must have full access to the details of their products at any stage in the order fulfillment process, especially during the shipping phase. This service should be extended to the customer as well because such services are now considered amongst the most basic aspects of the eCommerce fulfillment service process. Scalability The eCommerce fulfillment service provider must be able to handle demand surges as well as the fall in demand without causing significant losses to the seller by using appropriate forecasting demand methods. This ensures to the seller that the service provider is prepared for most of the events that can be faced during a demand cycle. Packaging and Branding eCommerce fulfillment service providers are known to provide customized packaging and branding options to sellers for their products. This adds to the overall customer experience and increases the customer’s trust and want for the seller’s product. Certifications The eCommerce fulfillment service provider should never compromise on quality, and a good verification of that is the company's qualifications. Customer Support The fulfillment service provider should have efficient customer support facilities that can quickly resolve issues. How Can eCommerce Fulfillment Contribute to the Success of Your Online Business? eCommerce fulfillment services in India provide the catapult that is needed by every product, regardless of how amazing it is. Some important numbers that every seller must remember are: 38% of shoppers will cancel a delivery if the delivery partner takes more than a week to deliver73.6% of consumers believe that delivery is the most crucial part of the eCommerce shopping experience94% of consumers blame the seller for poor delivery From the above numbers, it is evident how much the consumer is influenced by the delivery experience and also how the consumer believes that the seller is to blame for late delivery. Thus, it is extremely important for sellers to ensure that they team up with an eCommerce fulfillment services provider that propels them in order to expand their business in the eCommerce industry. Sammy Gibson’s idea of custom neon signs was a success because he managed to boost his sales through an eCommerce fulfillment services provider and deliver his products all the way to America and Canada, from Australia. Should You Outsource Your eCommerce Fulfillment? 5 Benefits of Doing it eCommerce fulfillment can often be a challenge for smaller businesses that don't have access to advanced software solutions or enough resources to provide features such as ultra-fast delivery and discounted shipping. Outsourcing eCommerce fulfillment service requirements to 3PL companies can take away a tremendous burden for these sellers, who are now able to focus on more central business activities. Here are some of the main benefits of outsourcing eCommerce fulfillment: Ability to Focus on Core Business Activities Order fulfillment often takes up a lot of time for both small and big businesses alike. The difference is that big companies have multiple teams focusing on different tasks while small businesses may have to rely on a few members to take care of a variety of processes. Fortunately, if they partner with a 3PL, they can offload the entire fulfillment process which frees up time to focus on core activities of the business such as marketing, running promotional offers, expanding their product range, and enhancing existing products. Access to Lower Shipping Costs Businesses that do not have a large number of orders to fulfill every month are often the victims of the highest shipping costs as they cannot take advantage of bulk shipping discounts. However, 3PL companies often partner with multiple shipping aggregators and offer a choice between them. Additionally, companies like WareIQ automatically assign the courier service that will deliver particular orders in the shortest amount of time and at the lowest shipping rates, enabling retailers to significantly reduce their shipping expenditures. Ability to Provide Faster Shipping Next-day, same-day, and even 10-minute delivery are becoming commonplace so it is in every retailer's best interests to provide the fastest possible shipping. While this may be hard to tackle on their own, when they partner with 3PL companies, they instantly get access to ultra-fast shipping at cost-effective rates that are guaranteed to have a positive impact on them and their customers. Access to Advanced Software 3PL companies are often equipped with highly advanced software systems that sellers would not have access to if they fulfilled orders on their own. When they choose to partner with these 3PL companies, they can take advantage of features such as automated reorder triggers, integrations across selling platforms, intelligent suggestions for placement of inventory based on areas of high demand, inventory management, and much more. Provision of Order Tracking Facilities Order tracking is a must if sellers want to keep their customers constantly updated and satisfied about the fact that the order is on its way. Some 3PLs not only provide generic order tracking facilities but companies like WareIQ offer customizable branded tracking pages that can be customized with a whole host of information that is guaranteed to keep your customer delighted and informed. How Can WareIQ be the Best eCommerce Fulfillment Partner for Your Business? Today, the coronavirus pandemic has further accelerated the already growing e-commerce economy since 2020, and customer demand is only expected to rise. The growing demand has led to supply chain management becoming more complex than ever before. However, what hasn’t changed is the customer’s expectation of fast, Amazon-like, delivery. Customers don’t want to wait for orders to reach them within 5-15 working days, instead by default, they end up comparing all shipping options to Amazon and expect their orders to reach them within 2 working days. Evidently, e-commerce stores that don’t offer this will lose customers to Amazon. To survive and remain competitive e-commerce businesses have to ‘deliver’ on this expectation. WareIQ is an end-to-end solution for eCommerce fulfillment that allows you to ship 90% of your orders across India in 1 day – just like Amazon. Also read about beauty fulfillment. WareIQ's technology prioritizes speed and scale to give you complete control over your eCommerce logistics and offer Amazon-like delivery to your customers. WareIQ unifies all your logistics operations into one platform so you can manage everything in one place – from inventory via InventoryLogIQ, orders, and warehousing, to shipping, delivery, and returns. No more wasted resources and fragmented data from a hundred different tools. 6 ways in which WareIQ helps e-commerce & DTC brands ace their logistics game: Faster reach & reduced delivery times: WareIQ allows you to reach a larger audience in a shorter period of time with storage facilities spread across India and closer to your demand centers. Our smart inventory placement ensures that your demand centers are well-stocked and enables efficient & prompt delivery. As per reports, 61% of consumers are willing to pay more for 1-day shipping speed and 40% of customers prefer to shop from stores that offer 2-day shipping. We help you evolve from a 5-15 day delivery system to the same day/next day Amazon-like delivery system and are already helping 100+ other brands in India to do so. Reduced overhead costs: WareIQ’s customers save resources that are typically spent on establishing infrastructure. We offer you the flexibility to store inventory in several or one fulfillment centers as per your business needs. Our team’s expertise in logistics and our extensive warehousing network across India enables greater influence during negotiations, resulting in volume discounts for our clients. Expert support: Given the vastness of the logistics involved we provide the expertise needed to improve and advance your supply chain for India’s ever-changing-commerce environment. It is difficult to foresee and accommodate the internal expertise required across functions and geographical regions – that’s where we come in. Our teams support your day-to-day on-ground operations along with other requirements such as transport documentation, import and export licenses, compliances, and economic regulations. Rich insights: WareIQ’s tech platform leverages real-time data to enable your organisation to predict demand. With this data, you can make wise data-driven decisions promptly thereby reducing costly delays and enabling supply chain efficiencies frequently.Scalability: When there is a surge in demand, your enterprise can upscale quickly, similarly, in the case of a slack, downscaling is effortless. Our pay-as-you-go model allows simplified and flexible scalability. There are no redundant investments or under-utilised resources. With the world evolving as it is, scalability has proved itself to be the make-or-break factor for a large number of e-commerce businesses.Improved customer satisfaction: As discussed earlier, the success of your e-commerce business not only depends on your product quality but also on the time it takes to reach your customer. With WareIQ’s real-time data and prompt response times, you can ensure timely deliveries and greater brand reliability. This translates to satisfied customers — the most crucial success metric for DTC brands in a competitive space like India. [signup] Ecommerce Fulfillment FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) What is a fulfillment service?A fulfillment service is a company that handles the storage, packing, and shipping of orders on behalf of an eCommerce business. For example, a small e-commerce business that sells handmade jewelry may use a fulfillment service to store and manage its inventory, pick and pack orders, and ship them to customers. This allows the business to focus on other aspects of its operations, such as marketing and customer service, while still being able to efficiently fulfill orders. What do you mean by eCommerce fulfillment partner?A fulfillment partner is a 3PL or 4PL logistics service provider who offers inventory, order processing, and shipping services, and delivers orders to the end customers. What is the role of a fulfillment partner?Fulfillment partners will be responsible for offloading stock deliveries, processing work orders, locating products and packaging orders for dispatch. They also operate and will train your staff on how to use warehouse equipment like forklifts, cherry pickers, and pallet jacks. How much does eCommerce fulfillment cost?The cost of e-commerce fulfillment can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the size and complexity of the orders, the distance they need to be shipped, and the services included. For example, a small e-commerce business that sells small, lightweight items and ships within the same country may pay a few rupees per order for fulfillment services. A larger business that sells heavier or more complex items and ships internationally may pay more. Sometimes eCommerce fulfillment can also charge additional fees for services such as returns processing or expedited shipping. It is important to shop around and compare different eCommerce fulfillment services to find the one that best meets the needs of your business at a cost that is reasonable. What are common eCommerce fulfillment options?Some common types of eCommerce fulfillment are:• In-house fulfillment• Third-party fulfillment• Fulfillment by Amazon• Multi-channel eCommerce fulfillment How do I handle returns and exchanges in e-commerce fulfillment?To handle returns and exchanges in e-commerce fulfillment, you will need to have a clear return/exchange policy in place and communicate it to your customers. You should also set up a system for processing returns and exchanges, which may involve creating a return/exchange form that customers can fill out and including instructions for how to return or exchange items. To learn more check returns management. How do I track and monitor my eCommerce fulfillment orders?To track and monitor your eCommerce fulfillment orders, you can use the tracking information provided by your fulfillment service or carrier. Check eCommerce order tracking for details. Are there any affordable eCommerce fulfillment options for small businesses in India?Yes, there are affordable e-commerce fulfillment options for small businesses in India. Here are a few options to consider:i) Third-party logistics (3PL) providers: Many 3PL providers like WareIQ offer fulfillment services at a lower cost than some larger fulfillment centers. They may be a good option for small businesses that need a more comprehensive solution.ii) Online marketplaces: Some online marketplaces, such as Amazon and Flipkart, offer fulfillment services for a fee. This can be a convenient option for small businesses that sell products through these platforms.iii) Self-fulfillment: Some small businesses choose to fulfill orders themselves, either by storing and packing orders in-house or by using a small warehouse or storage unit. This can be a cost-effective option if you have a small product line and don't need a lot of storage space.By carefully considering your fulfillment needs and shopping around for the best options, you may be able to find affordable fulfillment solutions for your small business in India. Read the blog on the top 10 fulfillment companies for small businesses to find your perfect 3PL fulfillment partner.

February 10, 2023

What is eCommerce Warehousing? Definition, Types, Benefits, and Main Factors to be Considered While Selecting Warehouses in 2024

Warehousing plays a pivotal role in traditional enterprises’ functioning. Every eCommerce warehousing supply chain should focus on key factors like location, layout, inventory management, and variety served among others in order to help the organization win over customers on the basis of the cost of the item, quantity, quality, etc. Modern eCommerce firms are no different from traditional organizations in certain regards. It is just that they require a completely different warehousing strategy to meet their customer’s expectations. As per IBEF, India became the eighth-largest market for e-commerce in 2020 with a turnover of over $50 billion, with 19,000+ eCommerce companies, just trailing France but a position ahead of Canada. The industry has leased approximately 4 million square feet of warehouse space, and the top two leaders, Flipkart and Amazon alone, preside over a quarter of the market share. It is also estimated that India will see approximately 7 million square feet of urban logistics space demand in its urban centers by 2024. The stats state that we’re headed for growth in the warehousing and storage sector as companies have started expanding their operations and are looking to diversify their supply chain strategy. Notably, not all companies have the same type of requirement for warehousing, and to understand the nuances, we need to get a better understanding of what eCommerce warehousing actually is. What is eCommerce Warehousing? eCommerce warehousing is the process where the inventory/goods, specifically sold on online channels are stored in traditional warehouses. Just like ordinary warehouses, the critical functions of eCommerce warehouses also include receiving, storing, packing, and shipping. If we look at an eCommerce organization in its infancy, people tend to operate out of their homes. It is manageable to use it as both the receiving and shipping point, while other rooms can be used to carry out the storage and picking functions. It helps save costs and is easier to manage if it is just the family running the organization. This strategy will not last if there is a slight uptick in demand. The minute it picks up the scale, priorities naturally change for such organizations. Depending on the retailer’s strategy, the storage, packing, and shipping methods vary to provide faster fulfillment and to ensure that there is always a stock of in-demand products. Some processes in warehousing and storage in commerce include: Tracking of employee and labour attendanceReceiving goods in the warehousePassing quality checks (if required)Management of inventory (layout, stock keeping, safety stock, and replenishment levels)Picking and packing of orders (based on demand)Shipping/outward bound and reverse logistics. You can read more about Warehouse Management here. [contactus_uth] What are the 8 Different Types of eCommerce Warehousing? Like any other asset of an organization, warehousing can be owned, rented, or shared. Apart from ownership, warehouses are also classified based on their capabilities. Depending upon the warehouse’s cost, usage, functionalities or facilities and the value an organization intends to derive from eCommerce warehousing, it can choose any of the following warehouse types: Public Warehouses Source Public warehouses are a form of warehousing and storage places that are owned by the government but are managed by private entities. They are very affordable and accessible for early-stage eCommerce organizations to store their inventory. They are typically charged for storage and transactions. Government Warehouses Government warehouses are a form of eCommerce warehousing that is owned and managed by the government directly. Common examples of government warehouses are shipping ports and railway courier stations found in harbours and railway stations across India. They are highly affordable, but if the business is unable to pay on time, the government has the right to seize the warehouse and get its dues by selling the inventory of the company. Private Warehouses Large organizations or retailers where eCommerce warehousing requirements are critical, tend to own private warehouses. They are a costlier option as the organization will start incurring warehousing acquisition costs (owning or renting), administration costs such as payments for staff, and securities and running costs such as infrastructure management like water, electricity, etc. eCommerce warehousing owned by giants like Amazon, Flipkart, etc., are examples of private warehouses. Cooperative Warehouses eCommerce warehousing where different businesses come together and use a shared warehouse space is called cooperative warehouses. Companies jointly own this space, and each pays a share of the rent based on their utilized area. Such businesses can either be from the same industry such as an entire village’s farmers owning a warehouse during harvest season or from different industries such as a large-scale construction project with multiple partners. Each one stores its inventory in the warehouse. Even businesses outside the joint ownership contract can place their goods in the warehouse but are usually charged a higher price. Bonded Warehouses Source Bonded warehouses are a form of eCommerce warehousing that is typically used in cross-border trading. Importers can safely store their goods in bonded warehouses provided by the authorities either for shorter or longer durations before the items are cleared by customs. Importers also use these warehouses to store things until they find a buyer and then start the customs clearance paperwork. Smart Warehouses Source Smart warehouses are a form of eCommerce warehousing that is based on the functionalities present in the warehouse. These warehouses are called “smart” because they are usually integrated with cutting-edge technology like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, robotics, etc. This helps the team track and manage inventory in a more efficient way. Fulfillment Centers Fulfillment centers are sometimes also called Distribution Service Centers. Unlike traditional warehouses, the inventory is usually not stored in fulfillment centers for more than a day. They are used in the downstream supply chain (towards end consumers), where these centers can break up multiple shipments and then pick and pack logistics as per specific customer orders. Consolidated Warehouses Another technique of eCommerce warehousing that traditional firms follow, is leasing a consolidated warehouse, either for bulking together source orders to be delivered to different customers or for bulking together customer orders from various sources. In the first case, it acts as a collection center, and in the second case, it essentially serves as a fulfillment center. Still, the inventory might be stored in consolidated warehouses for more than a day. While the first five types differentiate eCommerce warehousing based on ownership, the last three types of warehousing describe their capabilities and functionalities. Apart from the eight common types, some warehouses have cold storage capabilities, and they are found among businesses dealing with fresh produce, meat, and the processed food industry. How to Maximize Efficiency While Using eCommerce Warehousing? Maximizing the capabilities of eCommerce Warehousing (private, public or cooperative) is common among eCommerce companies that have a decent number of orders being processed daily. In such cases, eCommerce companies should possess the appropriate warehouse area and maximize their efficiency to be competitive. This can be done in the following ways: Network Design It is important to note that a company’s eCommerce warehousing and storage network design plays a crucial role in determining its supply chain efficiency and customer satisfaction. Companies need to decide the number of warehouses along with their location. They can opt for them to either be closer to the source or destination. Notably, as we keep increasing the number of warehouses, transportation costs might decrease, but warehousing costs increase. Apart from the warehouse location, other factors that contribute to network design are transportation policies, practices, modes, service times, costs, taxes, cash flows, and a proper P&L calculation to determine its efficiency. Warehouse Layout Once the number and location of the warehouse have been decided, the eCommerce company needs to determine the size and the layout of the warehouse. This plays a crucial role when organizations try to maximize the efficiency of the warehouse. There are three significant warehouse layouts designs that 3PL companies follow: U-Shaped Warehouse LayoutI-Shaped Warehouse LayoutL-Shaped Warehouse Layout Although a U-shaped warehouse is the most common layout, factors that influence picking a suitable eCommerce warehousing layout include: The number and location of receiving and shipping docks within the warehouse.The Storage and size that is required, along with the designated picking and packing areas.The amount of space that employees can access and move around. Depending upon overall objectives, processes involved, and the warehouse blueprint that has been finalized, some companies tend to process as high as 1.5 tons in 100 square feet. In contrast, others can hardly process 150 kilograms in 100 square feet (considering tonnage processed per 100 square feet as a metric). Inventory Management It is necessary to ensure that there’s a good amount of inventory stored in the warehouses so that customers get their orders on time. Overstocking should be avoided, which increases eCommerce warehousing costs and inventory carrying prices. Although manufacturing organizations strive to be just in time, it is necessary for eCommerce warehouses to store products based on necessity. By analyzing how products are stored within the warehouse and the movement of goods in and out of the warehouse, it is possible to state that it has a well-developed system. Some standard methods used by warehouse managers for inventory analysis include; ABC analysis: Stocks are ranked based on the highest amount of revenue and margins to the lowest amount of revenue.VED analysis: Items are classified as vital, essential, and desirable.FSN analysis: Inventory is classified as fast, slow and non-moving Apart from those mentioned above, other techniques include HML and SDE analysis, which are standard in eCommerce warehousing with raw material inventory for manufacturing. These items are classified as high, medium, and low cost, based on FIFO or LIFO inventory cost accounting, or as scarce, difficult, and readily available, based on availability. Warehouse Management Systems Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) provides end-to-end solutions, from employee attendance to final dispatches, so definitely a boon for eCommerce warehouse management. Warehouse management systems are in sync with the warehouse design. The layout, picking and packing, and labour and dock management processes are done smoothly and on time. Warehouse management systems can also vary widely in complexity. Smaller organizations tend to stick to essential hard-copy documents or spreadsheet files to track the storage and movement of inventory. However, as smaller businesses grow to become medium-sized businesses or enterprise companies, it would be beneficial for them to have sophisticated WMS software. These warehouse managing systems could either be a part of the enterprise resource planning systems (ERP) or standalone WMS systems integrated with ERP for record maintenance purposes. When deciding to own a warehouse, some companies build their warehouse management system from scratch to accommodate all the required configurations, while others implement existing software programs, customized for different use cases. Having a warehouse managing system will only help the organization maximize efficiency while using eCommerce warehousing. WareIQ Fulfillment Centers What are the Benefits of eCommerce Warehousing and Storage? eCommerce Warehousing has unique capabilities that enable the best service to eCommerce companies. This is mainly due to the differing priorities between traditional and eCommerce companies. Some obvious benefits include: Single Item Picking Traditional companies’ warehouses are typically planned to cater to bulk orders. Bulk orders could either be a single large appliance or multiple smaller items. For example, in a retail supermarket chain, the warehouses are used to process large replenishments of orders for the actual supermarket. They usually tend to be a whole truckload of items to serve different outlets across the region. The end customer buys the final item, which is either a single product or an entire cart of groceries. In the case of eCommerce warehousing, we skip the retail outlet part and enable the customer to order directly from the warehouse. Customers can order an item as small as a box that can be shipped from across the nation. Faster Delivery One of the biggest advantages for eCommerce companies has been the speed of delivery promised to customers. Thanks to eCommerce warehousing companies, same-day delivery has now become a norm. We have also seen companies slowly trying to capture the instantaneous delivery market were promised delivery times are as low as 10 minutes. All of these have been made possible by eCommerce warehousing, which looks at factors right from the network design of fulfillment centers to the way operations are planned within the dark store models for faster picking and delivery. Read our blog on shipping aggregators to better understand how they can complement warehousing facilities to enhance your fulfillment services to your customers. Inventory Tracking Some pain points of traditional warehouses include missing, damaged, or wrong item cases and all of this arises due to a lack of proper inventory tracking mechanisms. Some warehouses still tend to operate with pen-and-paper processes, which results in a lot of manual errors. In the case of eCommerce warehousing, they are usually led by technology. This enables them to track every aspect of inventory management which reduces manual errors to a great extent and some services also provide fulfillment status services to both the retailer and customer. Moreover, the orders are tracked at the customer level, and customer feedback is immediately mapped to the order to take corrective and preventive actions in case of any errors. eCommerce Warehousing With a 3PL: How Does it Make Your Life Easier in 2024? 3PL companies often provide features and facilities in their warehouses that companies simply could not obtain on their own without spending a significant amount of capital in doing the research and implementing the technology. It is always easier for eCommerce companies to partner with a 3PL so that they can take advantage of the wide range of benefits on offer. Additionally, these services are often very cost-effective because 3PL companies do their best to win over customers from the competition by gaining their attention with attractive pricing. Some of the reasons that eCommerce companies should opt for eCommerce warehousing with a 3PL company are: Access to advanced technology such as WMSAbility to automate multiple important warehouse processesMitigation of errors and accidentsUse of smart inventory placement to strategically place inventoryAccess to cheaper and more transparent pricingReduction in time and effort in order fulfillmentAccess to ultra-fast deliveryChoice of a variety of shipping aggregatorsAccess to multiple warehouses and fulfillment centers across the countrySpecialised features such as cold storage and climate-control facilities 6 Main Factors to Consider while Selecting an eCommerce Warehousing Service The choice of which eCommerce warehousing service is right for your business is determined by many factors such as ownership, network design, cost, and service levels. If the company plans to own the warehouse, network design comes into the picture. The number of warehouses relates to the appropriate level of service for the clients. For example, if there is only a single warehouse for the whole country, it will have a negative impact on the delivery timelines of goods to the customer. In the case of owning the warehouse, it also becomes a tedious task to strategize ways for efficient management while scaling the organization. In most cases, retailers partner with warehousing organizations that already have the necessary infrastructure to support scale. Here are the best practices for selecting an eCommerce warehousing service; Count of Warehouses The number of warehouses possessed by the eCommerce warehousing service and their locations plays an essential role in determining viability. eCommerce companies need to be clear on where they want the warehouses to be located to maintain a steady supply of goods and maintain customer relationships. Capacity of Warehouses eCommerce warehousing services have a defined capacity. It is always essential to understand the companies’ capabilities and ensure it aligns with the eCommerce warehousing service before deciding to partner with them. Capability of Warehouses eCommerce warehousing capabilities broadly include faster shipping times, better inventory management, tracking capabilities, transport partnerships, cold storage facilities, technological advancement and much more. Cost of Warehouses Even though the costs of maintaining a warehouse do not fall directly under eCommerce companies now, they need to consider other expenses like storage cost per day, the transaction cost for shipping, etc. Client Base of Warehouses The existing client base of eCommerce warehousing services speaks volumes about their capabilities and offerings. It is easier to evaluate them based on customer reviews. Communication of Warehouses Communication serves two purposes. In the case of newer warehousing and storage services that are entering the market, it is difficult to evaluate them based on their clientele, as they have fewer clients that can speak on behalf of the eCommerce Warehousing service that they have partnered with. During such situations, the timely communication practised by its operators plays a crucial role in determining their services. Also, expecting accurate analytics such as reports of inventory stored and on-time deliveries is vital for eCommerce businesses to measure the performance of their supply chain. Most eCommerce storage and warehousing services give clear ideas about their services and work as partners to enable the growth of their partner organizations. The eCommerce companies need to pick and choose the right fulfillment partner and scale from there. Read our blog on logistics costs to get an idea of what expenses an eCommerce retailer incurs and how to mitigate them. Conclusion: Why is eCommerce Warehousing Right for Your Business? The frequency of emergence of online retailers is the result of multiple benefits that come with operating on the virtual market. One of these is the lack of necessity to own a warehouse as eCommerce warehousing requirements can be offloaded to dedicated companies. Furthermore, firms try to operate by the Just-in-Time system that envisages possessing the least amount of warehouse stocks. Attempts to restrict them are associated with the desire to reduce costs; however, there are no possibility to eliminate them. The flow of material goods within the framework of the logistics chain is not constant but first and foremost results from restrictions on geography and time. Hence, although owning a warehouse is not necessary in the case of an online shop, availing its surface area as a temporary place for storing goods appears to be an intrinsic process in the servicing of the eCommerce supply chain. These days, most online sellers opt to partner with fulfillment companies to ease the requirements of their business which helps them in eCommerce warehousing. These fulfillment centers not only provide warehousing services, but also assist with branded shipping, eCommerce logistics, and a lot more during both pre and post-sale of any products. WareIQ can step in to empower businesses to flourish online. WareIQ is a top player in the eCommerce fulfillment services space for some of the most reputed brands in India. WareIQ enables same-day delivery and next day delivery – an Amazon Prime-like experience for eCommerce players by storing inventory closer to the end customers. WareIQ optimises delivery speed & costs through a nationwide network of fulfillment centers, micro-fulfillment centers & urban dark stores. It empowers online & D2C brands to sell faster, sell everywhere & sell more by providing easy integrations to 20+ online marketplaces/platforms. With world-class WMS functionalities, WareIQ handles the entire range of intricate operations in the eCommerce fulfillment process, ranging from Inbound Operations such as scanning and quality check, through 100% accurate Pick and Pack, to Inventory Management across all channels. WareIQ’s next day delivery and same-day delivery services are helping eCommerce businesses set new standards with respect to setting customer expectations and fulfilling them with high efficacy. Also read warehouse vs fulfillment center. At the same time, WareIQ customers realise significant cost savings and wider reach due to better negotiations with shipping partners, strategically placed warehouses, economies of scale and scope in warehousing, and data-driven decision making. [signup] eCommerce Warehousing: FAQs What is eCommerce warehousing and how does it work? The storage of physical items before they are sold online is referred to as eCommerce warehousing. Warehousing entails not just storing products safely and securely but also keeping track of where they are, when they arrived, how long they've been in stock and the quantity available at any particular time. Does eCommerce involve warehousing?In an eCommerce business, warehousing plays a vital role. It does not matter if your business is big or small, you will always need to keep your inventory safe and secure in storage and that is what warehouses are for. Warehousing vs Distribution Center. What is the difference?Warehousing is a place where you only store the inventory. On the contrary, distribution center stores products, distributes them and ships them to the final consumer. How many types of warehouses are there?There are many types of warehouses but 6 of the most common have been listed below:• Distribution Centers.• Public Warehouses.• Private Warehouses.• Bonded Warehouses.• Climate-Controlled Warehouses.• Smart Warehouses. How to set up an eCommerce warehousing and storage center?• First, finalize how much space you require• Note down all the essential warehouse equipment you need• Figure out ways to automate processes that need to be repeated• Optimize pick paths• Establish warehouse guidelines• Upskill and train your staff• Choose the right Warehouse Management Software What are the advantages of using an eCommerce warehousing service?There are several advantages of using an e-commerce warehousing service:i) Cost savings: Warehousing services can often provide cost savings compared to maintaining your own warehouse. This can include savings on rent, utilities, and other overhead costs.ii) Flexibility: Warehousing services can offer flexibility in terms of the size and location of the warehouse, as well as the duration of the contract. This can be useful if your business experiences seasonal fluctuations in demand.iii) Improved efficiency: Warehousing services can often provide more efficient and accurate inventory management, as well as faster order fulfillment. This can help improve customer satisfaction and reduce the risk of errors.iv) Scalability: Warehousing services can be scaled up or down to meet changing business needs. This can be useful if your business experiences rapid growth or if you need to reduce your warehouse space.v) Expertise: Warehousing services often have experienced staff who are trained in inventory management and other logistics tasks. This can be useful if you do not have the necessary expertise in-house.By using an e-commerce warehousing service, you can focus on other aspects of your business while still being able to efficiently manage your inventory and fulfill orders. Does WareIQ provide eCommerce warehousing?Yes, WareIQ has a network of warehouses, fulfillment centers, micro-fulfillment centers and urban dark stores across India that allows eCommerce businesses to store inventory closer to their customers & reach them faster.

February 10, 2023

10 Best WMS Softwares (Warehouse Management System Softwares) Along With Pricing and Reviews for WMS Solutions in India in 2024

Have you ever thought about the complexity that a selling platform like Amazon, Flipkart, eBay etc. faces while selling products? Billions of items, millions of buyers, and thousands of variety of warehouses, employees, and machines. Because of the sheer scale, it is extremely difficult to manually manage all these processes. This is where WMS software can play a big part in increasing efficiency and mitigating errors. In the last 4 to 5 years, WMS software has emerged as a multitasking tool for industries. You may know about the Internet of Things (IoT) which has made eCommerce warehousing and inventory relatively easy to manage. If you are an online seller that is willing to sell across multiple channels for growing your business in the virtual internet market, you need to choose WMS software to run things smoothly. What is a WMS (Warehouse Management System) Software? Warehouse Management System (WMS) Software is a new-era software solution used by eCommerce businesses to manage their entire inventory and supply chain fulfillment operations from the warehouse distribution centers to the store shelf/warehouse. When the inventory levels and workload are higher than what can be handled manually with spreadsheets, WMS solutions are employed by enterprises to meet the unique customer demand requirements of their supply chain and distribution channel. It assists warehouses and fulfillment centers in planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling by utilizing the available resources to move and store materials into, within, and out of a warehouse. It also aids employees in the movement and storage of materials in and around the warehouses. WMS software is used to keep track of warehouse activities from the moment products are delivered to the moment they leave. Inventory management, picking processes, and auditing are among these operations. The solution aids in the reduction of lengthy paperwork involved as well as the reduction of human errors caused by storage processes and manual picking. As a result, you will save time, which will increase staff productivity, and efficiency and lower operational expenses. [contactus_lilgoodness] What are the Features of WMS Solutions? Inventory Management and Analysis Many of the top WMS solutions include capabilities that enable businesses to gather data from warehouse operations. Companies benefit greatly from real-time tracking, especially when it comes to inventory management. This allows you to check your inventory levels in real-time, so you'll always know whether you're running out of anything or have too much stock in hand. Other tools may filter data for KPI analysis, emphasizing areas where improvements are needed. Warehouse management software determines what is happening in a warehouse and where attention is required. Collecting high-quality data assists decision-makers in determining whether or not to make changes to important business processes, as well as in planning for the future. Accurate and effective inventory tracking is one of the key advantages of RFID-integrated WMS. Individual items or entire pallets can have RFID (radio-frequency identification) tags affixed to them, and RFID scanners can automatically read the tags. Without the need for manual scanning or data entry, this enables warehouse employees to track the location and movement of inventory rapidly and accurately. Tracking and Forecasting This feature helps to increase customer satisfaction. A buyer before placing an order, checks the serviceability of their location and when it will be delivered. After placing an order, they get an estimated time of arrival (ETA) and can keep track of their order shipment. Sellers also track the order and can identify and correct any delays that crop up. Due to the WMS's ability to detect differences between the physical inventory and the digital record, RFID-integrated WMS can also aid in minimizing the chances of mistakes and inconsistencies in the warehouse. In addition to improving order tracking, RFID tags are used to trigger automated putaway and replenishment of SKUs, reducing the time and effort required for these tasks. Order and Fulfillment Management One of the primary WMS software functions is order and fulfillment services process optimization. WMS solutions help to improve order management by regulating the movement of a product through your warehouse. Users can utilize reorder features to automatically order components or products that need to be replenished on a regular basis. Some WMS solutions give users access to carrier networks, which can help them expedite branded shipping. Warehouse managers can eliminate time-consuming human input chores as automation integration becomes more common. Incorporating robotics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning into WMS systems can significantly improve efficiency and speed. Picking robots can locate and move things without requiring workers to run back and forth between product and shipping regions. Transportation Management Though transportation management can be considered a different category in and of itself, WMS software frequently includes transport management system (TMS) functions. As an integral aspect of supply chain management, TMS software can directly affect and improve warehouse management. If you require transport management facilities, consider seeking a WMS software that includes it. Labor Management WMS solutions aid warehouse managers in monitoring worker performance through the use of key performance indicators. With this approach, workers who are doing poorly, as well as those who are performing amicably, can be readily identified. Warehouse Management System Software consisting of labor management can help identify your employees, keep track of their schedules, and assign duties to them. Employees can clock in and out using simple pins or fingerprints that keep track of their log-in and log-out time. What Businesses Would Be Best Suited for Warehouse Management Software? WMS software is enabled with several facilities and gets updated and becomes smarter day by day. It is used in many industries to make their tasks easier and automated. These days, every company is using it according to their business size and complications. It can be customized for various types and sizes of businesses. Some industries use WMS solutions on a very high scale to efficiently run warehouse management processes. Some of them are listed below: Manufacturing Source Manufacturing industries have complicated warehouse requirements which makes WMS software an important tool for them. They deal in several types of products, materials and packages of varying sizes, volumes, rates, etc. Also, these items have different manufacturing timelines which needs to be segregated into pre-existing goods and newly created goods, and WMS solutions help to ease the process. Wholesale Distribution Source WMS software helps wholesalers to manage their complex supply chain and maximize accuracy. It allows them to utilize inventory space with exact quality deployment, fulfill orders faster, and manage multiple warehouses, combining cross-docking and advanced picking features. Consumer Goods and Retail Source You can observe that these days, there are multiple grocery stores that have a daily shortage of inventory and have hundreds/thousands of orders to fulfill across one city or in multiple cities. This complex management, if handled by humans, will increase time usage and have higher chances of inaccuracy. WMS solutions make it simple, and smooth and utilize resources at their highest level of efficiency. Third-Party(3PL) Logistics Companies Source Warehousing is a crucial operational function for a 3PL because its business is to manage the eCommerce logistics and orders of its partners. As a result, a 3PL always uses advanced WMS solutions. Most WMS suppliers provide packages tailored to the complicated structure of a 3PL warehouse, which must keep a multitude of items, owners, vendors, and order systems, distinct and working. As they are in the business of eCommerce fulfillment, they use technology according to their partners’ needs, work models, and functionality by giving them personalized service. The 3PL can deliver reports and metrics of their sales, orders, inventory, etc, using WMS software. Customers can also manage data by generating customer-specific dashboards. Hospitals and Health Care Source This industry does not have a large inventory or a huge number of orders to fulfill although there are several factors like special storage conditions, a limited shelf life, requirement for 100% accuracy, ultra-fast delivery etc. and if any mistakes occur, it could result in the loss of lives. Here a single piece/item can affect the reputation of a seller, manufacturer and any person related to it. What are the Benefits of WMS Software Solutions? Optimizes Space and Lowers Operating Expenses Warehouse Management System Software utilizes the floor space and reduces the amount of empty space. Through technology, it optimizes the area and the dimensions of products that are kept there. It keeps track of every item’s entry and exit and the actual space left in the warehouse. Material rotation can also be aided by WMS solutions, whether through First-In, First-Out (FIFO), Last-In, First-Out (LIFO), or First-Expired, First-Out (FEFO) procedures. The WMS software can assist with any rotation rule that is desired. LIFO allows for the most efficient utilization of space and mobility. Product quality can be maintained by using FIFO or FEFO to keep products from expiring in the warehouse. Increases Visibility of Inventory Warehouse Management Software enables sellers to have an exact count and check inventory levels. It shows in real time, the product count, colour, size, holding period, etc. Features in WMS software to calculate the MOQ and EOQ can help sellers to predict when they will be short of inventory so that they can reorder again with the minimum inventory cost. Increases the Effectiveness of Labor A big or a small business should always take care of the utilization of its resources in the best possible way. The WMS software helps you gauge the potential of your workforce, keep them involved in the right direction and evaluate them on a day-to-today basis and throughout working hours. Optimizes the Supply Chain The WMS software can suggest the nearest warehouse to either the manufacturing unit or areas of high demand if a seller is using multiple warehouses. It optimizes and tells the seller about cross shipments to reduce logistics cost and timing. This helps in segregating the product batch right from picking and packing to the last mile delivery option. A better supply chain will give a more personalized touch to the buyer at the same time. Auditing of Internal Automation You as a businessman always need to keep auditing your business and also compare it with others or yourself in different periods. Due to lack of time and resources, you may do it once in a while but with WMS solutions, you can easily do a holistic audit of your business regardless if it is tangible or intangible. 10 Best WMS Software for eCommerce Warehouse Management in India [Updated March 2024] WareIQUnicommerceIncreffNetSuite WMS (Oracle)Fishbowl Inventory3PL Warehouse ManagerVin eRetail WMS (Vinculum)QuickBooks Commerce (formerly TradeGecko)SAPTECSYS WMS WareIQ Source WareIQ empowers eCommerce businesses with fulfillment centers near customers and tools to maintain control over inventory, orders, and pre & post fulfillment, in a single platform. It is led by experts that are experienced in working with eCommerce giants. It provides insights on the right network design & inventory placement to improve inventory returns and increase regional fulfillment share. WareIQ’s WMS software offers a 360-degree Analytics Engine for Business Growth. Data shows that brands that partnered with WareIQ surged tenfold annually in terms of order volume growth. It has been possible because of smart inventory planning with high-end technology using AI, ML, and IoT. With the extended version of WMS software, sellers can manage high-volume warehouse operations with integrated complex supply chain logistics and keep eye on all the warehouse KPIs. It also helps in their warehousing and distribution processes, delivering high levels of efficiency, control, and visibility. Key Features of WareIQ: Easy integration across multiple online platforms & marketplacesML-based prediction engine for efficient warehouse network design & smart inventory placementCentralised platform for core fulfillment & shipping operationsBranded TrackingRTO ShieldBest Courier Partners to Optimize LogisticsCustomer FeedbackShipping BadgesScan-based GRN to assure 100% accuracy Pricing Sign Up Now with WareIQ to know the platform pricing to accelerate the sales of your eCommerce business. WareIQ's WMS is a part of their unified fulfillment tech platform where you can efficiently manage warehouse operations, orders, inventory levels etc from a single platform. WareIQ offers the best price and services to its clients when compared to other WMSs available in the market which don't provide a unified experience. Unicommerce Source Unicommerce's advanced WMS software recognizes the dynamism necessary in a warehouse solution, whereas conventional warehouse management software merely handles the stock location and stock level of commodities in a warehouse. Unicommerce helps you: Centralize the critical functions that are required in omnichannel retail situationsMaintain healthy stock levels and ensures location-allocation in numerous warehouse sitesManage 6000+ warehousesAutomate purchase management while tracking and routing shipments. Pricing Unicommerce has 3 pricing plans as per business type: Standard: Suitable for micro-businesses with a minimal need for automationProfessional: Suitable for companies in the growth phase looking to improve their operating capabilitiesEnterprise: Suitable for enterprises looking for a WMS with full-fledged features Pricing isn't transparent on the website and you would have to book a call with their sales team to know the exact price. Unicommerce's pricing plans are based on various factors like no. of SKUs, returns management, user roles, payment reconciliation methods, customer/API integration, vendor management capabilities etc. Increff Source Increff is a simple and efficient web-based multi-channel order fulfillment and WMS software. It’s WMS solutions provides a single view of inventory across all marketplaces and seamless management of orders. Increff provides the following services: Handles manpowerEasy OperationsBuilt for scale100% scan based with unpaid principal balance integration for complete trackingMulti-system integrationSingle window for end-to-end operationsWMS deployed remotely in less than 7 days Pricing Increff's pricing is not mentioned on their website. However, as per Capterra, Increff's pricing model is usage-based and payment frequency is per month. NetSuite WMS (Oracle) Source Industry-leading methods such as mobile RF barcode scanning, specified strategies for storing items, job management, last mile delivery management, return authorization receipts and inventory cycle count plans are all part of the NetSuite WMS software solution. If you rely on spreadsheets to manage hundreds of SKUs across numerous sites, warehouse management may soon become a laborious, messy, and wasteful operation. A few of the benefits are listed below: NetSuite WMS eliminates manual processesIt helps you to minimize logistics costsTracks the entry of goods, the movement of workers inside the warehouse, and their exit in real-timeScan barcodes using a mobile device to simplify entering dataMakes the best use of available space and choose the best storage options with easeIncreases opportunistic multi-order picking and pick path efficiencyReduces wrong selections and inaccurate fulfilment by validating the data Pricing On its website, Oracle NetSuite doesn't provide a list of fixed prices. It varies depending on the product configuration that your business chooses, the add-on modules needed, the number of users overall, the length of the contract, and the requirements unique to your industry. As per Business News Daily, prices for Netsuite WMS start at $99 for a monthly subscription, but the total price will depend on the solution you want. Implementation of Oracle NetSuite WMS has even higher charges with costs going up to a few thousands of dollars. Fishbowl Inventory Source With Fishbowl Inventory's WMS, you can get complete visibility into your production and warehouse activities, simplify interconnections, and expand your company - in weeks, not months. It has a unified platform to manage manufacturing, warehousing, and inventory processes. When you order new products, Fishbowl’s WMS immediately generates a Purchase Order and bills it to QuickBooks. A few features are listed below: Ability to scan things into your warehouse with a wireless mobile deviceEnables you to store them in their designated location in your warehouseAllows you to create several work orders and bills of materials for complex jobsEnables you to choose things from your shelf, pack them and ship them to the customer when a sales order is received.After the transaction, Fishbowl sends an invoice to QuickBooks, which is updated with all the financial information. Pricing As per Fishbowl Inventory's website, there are 3 pricing plans as per the product features you choose. Go (coming soon)DriveAdvanced Various product features listed on the pricing plans are monthly/annual billing, warehouse management, inventory management, integrations, payment processing, dedicated account manager etc. 3PL Warehouse Manager Source 3PL Warehouse Manager’s entire staff is dedicated to developing supply chain WMS software based on the best practices of 3rd party logistics, with over a decade of experience working with top-performing 3PL facilities. One of the most popular cloud-based WMS solutions, 3PL Warehouse Manager makes it simple for warehouses to manage inventory, automate regular processes and provide total visibility to their clients. Some features are: The WMS system swiftly transforms paper-based 3PLs into service leadersAllows operations to be done more efficientlyIs trusted by over 1,500 3PL warehouses to help them build their businesses. Vin eRetail WMS (Vinculum) Source Vin eRetail delivers a one-stop solution to all of your marketplace listing-related difficulties through its WMS software. It allows users to digitally upload catalogs i.e helping in catalog management for numerous marketplaces by providing import templates tailored to each portal's needs. It provides the following services: Category-specific templates for uploading all product-related information to a single siteUser-friendly; helps users to view each item and its details and choose which marketplaces to list the item onPreparation to upload templates particular to each marketplace Their basic plan includes these features: Maintenance of master data with cloud storage7 possibilities for real-time payment and inventory reconciliationAnalytics dashboard for salesGST-compliant reportsReport on a monthly business analysisConsultation on dispute resolutionChat and email help Pricing As per their pricing page, Vinculum has an elastic pricing model that has 2 types of plans which are further divided into tiers. Vin Reco Past: This plan has a one time past reconciliation of 17,999 INR. In this plan, you receive a package of scenario-based reconciliation reports for the previous months (recoverable and non-recoverable leakages identified). Various payment and inventory scenarios are included in this plan.Subscription Plans: This plan is further divided into 3 tiers. It can be billed monthly or annually, in which you save 10% if billed annually.Vin Reco Express: Starts at 7,499 INRVin Reco Professional: Starts at 17,999 INRVin Reco Enterprise: Starts at 29,999 INR QuickBooks Commerce (formerly TradeGecko) Source It is a powerful eCommerce platform for multiple channels and wholesale businesses specializing in B2B sales models. It offers: Multiple inventory control and tracking featuresSeamless integration with Amazon, Shopify, Magento, ShipStation, WooCommerce, etc.Forecasts demand and generates purchase ordersCustomer insights, forecasting and reportsMultiple catalogs options and price lists with individual discount options Pricing There are a total of 4 plans available for QuickBooks Commerce, and based on your needs, you may choose to pay annually or monthly. You will receive a small discount for making annual payments, typically up to 20% off your subscription. An annual purchase is typically a wise decision if you don't mind being bound into the same program for a time. The plans are mentioned below: Founder: Starts are USD 39$ per monthLite: Starts are USD 79$ per monthSmall Business: Starts are USD 199$ per monthBusiness: Starts are USD 599$ per month The fact that each QuickBooks Commerce pricing plan includes a free trial is another crucial point to keep in mind. You can evaluate the services that QuickBooks Commerce can offer throughout the 14-day free trial period before spending any additional money. Source SAP Source SAP has flexible WMS software where a seller can manage a high volume of goods and run agile operations with digitized and accelerated warehouse processes. Its key features are: On-premise and cloud deployments Comprehensive WMS solutionsFully integrated quality, production and track-to-trace processesReal-time control of warehouse automation equipment Pricing SAP EWM for SAP S/4HANA Cloud's pricing is communicated on request. It isn't available on their website. They also have a disclaimer on their pricing page that "pricing information is subject to change and should not be considered an offer by SAP or its affiliates." Users can also ask for add-ons features for the WMS whose pricing might further increase. The benefits of those add ons are: SAP S/4HANA enterprise warehouse management via cloud deploymentrunning with a variety of corporate management systemsMost rapid time to value for new implementationsIntegrated warehousing solutionProcesses for quality, production, and tracking are completely interwoven TECSYS WMS Source Tecsys is a global supply chain solutions provider. It is growing with industry-leading services and tools to achieve operational greatness. It was incorporated in 1983 with its headquarters in Montreal, Canada. It has 600+ customers. It features a cloud-based system, the best system for medium and large organizations. It’s WMS software has received the Technology Innovation Leadership Award. Some of its features are: The streamlined inbound and outbound flow of InventoryWarehouse resource optimizationOpen and flexible automation connectorsEasy deployment and onboardingControl in transportation managementFIFO and batch control Pricing According to the kind and scale of the warehouse(s) to be handled, Tecsys WMS is a standard programme with three standard settings for webshops, wholesalers, and 3PLs, respectively. Pricing hasn't been mentioned explicitly on the website. However, various parameters considered in pricing are mentioned below: License/Subscription Cost: On-premise or cloud-based SaaSMaintenance CostImplementation/Installation CostData Migration/Change Management CostRecurring/Renewal Costs Conclusion: Why is WareIQ’s WMS the best Warehouse Management Software for eCommerce Fulfillment in 2024? After getting in-depth knowledge about WMS software and its functionality, you as a seller are at the point to choose your partner for warehouse management to get all the benefits and services and achieve growth in your business. It not only reduces the need for resources but also utilizes them to keep their performance on track, guiding them to work accurately. For such tasks, WareIQ has user-friendly Warehouse Management Software. Its WMS is customized and created for eCommerce businesses so that they can perform all warehouse-related tasks in a single location which reduces complexity. WareIQ acts as an aggregator for all businesses of all sizes and provides multiple benefits to its partners. Apart from the mandatory benefits that come under WMS software, it provides extra real-time features to their customers that help them in growing their business. A few of the unique benefits are: A single platform for multi-channel sales fulfillmentSmart picking and packaging servicesRTO Shield to reduce RTO expensesSmart MOQ & EOQ calculators for smart warehouses and multiple warehousesSmart inventory management WareIQ is one of India’s leading and fastest-growing full-stack eCommerce fulfillment companies that offers a variety best fulfillment services from same-day and next-day delivery, shipping badges, RTO Shield, state-of-the-art technological solutions such as our custom WMS and our intuitive, well-designed app store. We can take care of your brand's entire fulfillment requirements and ensure that you and your customers get the best order fulfillment in the country and have a hassle-free experience and raise satisfaction levels to new heights. [signup] WMS Software FAQs What are the common features people look for in a WMS software?People often look for the following features in a WMS software: Inventory Management, Order Management, Barcode Scanning, Real-time Inventory Tracking, Automated Data Collection, Warehouse Design and Optimization, Shipping and Receiving, and Reporting and Analytics. What are the compatibility requirements people look for in WMS software?People often look for WMS software that is compatible with their existing systems, such as ERP and e-commerce platforms, as well as any mobile devices and barcode scanning equipment used in the warehouse. What are the main benefits of WMS?By monitoring work processes at multiple levels, raising productivity and increasing asset utilization, the WMS will improve a company's operational efficiency for both labor and physical space. Inventory control is aided by WMS automation, which enhances accuracy, output, and speed. Which WMS software is best for warehouse management in 2024?Top 10 Best Warehouse Management Software Systems (WMS) In 20241. WareIQ2. Unicommerce3. Increff4. NetSuite WMS - Oracle5. Fishbowl Inventory6. 3PL Warehouse Manager7. Vin ERetail WMS - Vinculum8. QuickBooks Commerce (formerly TradeGecko)9. SAP10. TECSYS WMS What are the different types of WMS systems?Standalone systems, ERP modules, cloud-based systems, and supply-chain modules are the most popular forms of WMS. They all have different benefits for different warehouse needs. How is WMS pricing typically structured?Warehouse management software (WMS) is typically priced in one of two ways: as a one-time license fee or as a subscription-based service.i) One-time license fee: In this type of licensing scheme, the company just has to pay a single up-front cost to obtain the software. This charge might also cover the price of ongoing assistance, training, and implementation. The company is in charge of maintaining the software and handling any changes or upgrades.ii) Subscription-based service: A firm uses this pricing plan to access the software by paying a recurring cost, typically on a monthly or annual basis. The cost of hosting, upkeep, upgrades, and support may be included in the fee. Since the software is often offered as a cloud-based service, the company is relieved of the responsibility of installing and maintaining it on its own servers. How is WMS software usually deployed?Warehouse management software (WMS) can be deployed either on-premises or as a cloud-based service.i) On-premise model: In this WMS deployement model, the company's own servers and IT infrastructure are used to install and run the program. The company is in charge of the software's upkeep and updates, as well as supplying the infrastructure and hardware required to support it. Businesses that have the internal IT resources and know-how to operate the program, as well as a critical requirement for modification or integration with other on-premises systems, may find that on-premises deployment is a smart alternative.ii) Cloud-based SaaS model: In this method of WMS deployment, the business receives the software through a web browser that is delivered as a service over the internet. The vendor hosts and maintains the software, and the company is charged a subscription fee to utilize it. Businesses that need the flexibility to scale their use of the program up or down as necessary or who wish to reduce their IT infrastructure and maintenance costs may find that cloud-based deployment is a smart alternative.

February 10, 2023

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