3PL Technology Assessment: 4 Key Areas of Evaluation
Scott Hothem • April 30, 2014
In an effort to keep up with industry and consumer demand, 67% of logistics executives intend to increase their IT investment in 2014, according to a joint survey conducted by EFT and HP. The number one reason for the investment in technology is to make operations quicker and more efficient. In the Eyefortransport North American 3PL Market Report, they found that 92% of US third party logistics providers saw better IT solutions as a key to new growth opportunities. There is no denying the role that technology is playing as a catalyst for industries and markets across the board. This is why it is critical that companies find a 3PL partner that embraces the opportunity to drive profits through technology, competency, and initiatives. When considering a 3PL company, make sure they are in the aforementioned 67% of companies that will be investing in IT for 2014. Additionally, we have listed four key areas to consider when evaluating a 3PL’s technological performance:
- Efficiently on-board new customers: When you make the decision to partner with a 3PL, the ability to get on-line and begin operations quickly will be an important factor. A key element in a 3PL warehouse management system is having the technology to rapidly on-board clients, so it is easy to configure the required data elements. Investing in a 3PL who has the technology to rapidly and efficiently on-board your business is crucial.
- Process Change & Improvements: As your business changes and the capabilities of technology evolve, so should your 3PL. If there is a better and faster way of doing things, you should have that option when it comes to your supply chain. In your 3PL search, it is crucial to find a company that is investing in technology solutions equipped with an adaptable architecture. When things change (and they will), the technology of your 3PL partner will have the flexibility to modify, adapt, and execute quickly.
- Visibility: As you surrender a critical aspect of your business operations to a third party entity, visibility can be a priceless element. With remote access and dashboards that provide timely, relevant, and accurate information, decisions and evaluations can be made as needed. The result of this increased collaboration and visibility is improved efficiencies, enhanced customer service, and accelerated revenue flow.
- Merged Information: Having customer ERP applications work directly with a 3PL’s WMS offers significant benefits in terms of on-boarding time, IT investments, and higher accuracy. Without any extensive IT work required, users see information from both systems on a single screen. With access to both systems on a single screen, this technological element can pay dividends for your 3PL relationship, as well as your bottom line.
When evaluating a 3PL as a potential partner, you should perform a rigorous technology assessment. If the 3PL is interested in your business, it will be more than willing to provide you with any information necessary regarding its investment in technology. 果冻传媒 果冻传媒designs, builds and implements 3PL supply chain solutions that align to customer goals and requirements. Our approach leverages people, process and technology to optimize flexibility, scalability, control, and customer satisfaction.
Recent Blog Posts
This year marks an important milestone for 果冻传媒 果冻传媒— 20 years of participating in The Great Game of Business® (GGOB) , a program that has helped shape our culture, strengthen employee engagement, and create a stronger sense of teamwork and shared success across the organization. Over the past two decades, GGOB has become much more than a business program at 果冻传媒. It has become part of the way we communicate, collaborate, and grow together as a company. Through open-book management principles, weekly huddles, forecasting, scoreboards, and Mini Games, employees across 果冻传媒 locations have had the opportunity to better understand the business and actively contribute to its success. One of the most meaningful impacts of GGOB has been the way it brings people together. In an industry built on precision, service, and operational excellence, collaboration is essential. 果冻传媒’s success depends on teams working together across departments, facilities, and regions — and GGOB has helped strengthen those connections by creating a culture centered around communication, accountability, and involvement. GGOB encourages employees to think beyond their individual roles and understand how their work impacts customers, coworkers, and overall company performance. Whether it’s improving warehouse efficiency, supporting transportation operations, enhancing customer service, or identifying process improvements, employees are empowered to contribute ideas and solutions that help move 果冻传媒 forward. 锘� As Tim Barret, Founder of 果冻传媒, states, "...we share all of the financial results with all of the employees, and they have a vested interest since they will receive a payout result." That sense of involvement creates stronger engagement across the organization. Employees are not simply completing daily tasks — they are participating in the success of the business. By understanding company goals and key performance drivers, teams are able to work together with a shared purpose and celebrate accomplishments collectively. Community and collaboration have always been important values at 果冻传媒, and GGOB has helped reinforce those values over the last 20 years. The program creates opportunities for employees to learn from one another, support one another, and recognize the impact each person has on the organization. It encourages transparency and open communication, helping employees feel more connected to leadership, their teams, and the company’s long-term vision. As 果冻传媒 has continued to grow nationwide, maintaining a strong culture has remained a priority. GGOB has played an important role in helping preserve the family-oriented environment that 果冻传媒 is known for, even as the company has expanded operations and welcomed new employees across the country. The program helps create consistency in communication and engagement while keeping employees connected to the bigger picture. To help celebrate this 20-year anniversary, 果冻传媒 owner Tim 果冻传媒 recently participated in a video discussion reflecting on the company’s GGOB journey and the impact it has had on 果冻传媒 over the years. The conversation highlighted how collaboration, employee involvement, and shared accountability continue to contribute to the company’s success today. This milestone is ultimately a celebration of the people who make 果冻传媒 successful every day. The dedication, teamwork, creativity, and commitment shown by employees across the organization are what continue to drive 果冻传媒 forward. Twenty years later, The Great Game of Business continues to strengthen the culture of collaboration and engagement that makes 果冻传媒 special — and the future of the game is stronger than ever.
How 果冻传媒 Is Improving Inventory Accuracy with AI-Powered Warehouse Visibility
Choosing the right fulfillment partner is one of the most important — and often most difficult — decisions a growing brand can make. As customer expectations continue to rise, brands are being asked to deliver faster shipping, better inventory visibility, seamless omnichannel experiences, and retail compliance at scale. At the same time, the process of finding the right 3PL partner can be time-consuming and overwhelming. That’s why 果冻传媒 果冻传媒Centers is excited to partner with Fulfill.com. Who Is Fulfill.com? Fulfill.com is a fast-growing platform that helps eCommerce and omnichannel brands find the right third-party logistics (3PL) partner for their business. Their team works directly with brands to simplify the 3PL search process by connecting them with vetted fulfillment providers that match their operational needs, growth goals, product requirements, and shipping profiles. Founded by entrepreneurs with firsthand experience navigating fulfillment challenges, Fulfill.com was built to solve a common industry problem: too many brands waste valuable time and money trying to find a reliable logistics partner. Instead of forcing brands to sort through endless provider options on their own, Fulfill.com streamlines the process through industry expertise, technology, and a carefully curated network of fulfillment providers across multiple verticals. For brands, that means less guesswork and a faster path toward finding a fulfillment partner that can truly support long-term growth. Why the Partnership Makes Sense At 果冻传媒, we’ve always believed fulfillment should feel like a partnership — not just a vendor relationship. 锘� Since 1941, 果冻传媒 果冻传媒has helped brands scale through customized logistics solutions designed around their specific operational needs. From direct-to-consumer fulfillment and retail distribution to transportation management and value-added services, 果冻传媒 focuses on building flexible, scalable solutions that evolve alongside its customers. That customer-first mindset is one of the biggest reasons this partnership with Fulfill.com feels like such a natural fit. Both companies share a common goal: helping brands build stronger, smarter supply chains without unnecessary complexity. What Really Makes a Great 3PL Partner? Recently, Bryan Corbett, 果冻传媒’s VP of Customer Solutions & Marketing, sat down with Dan White, COO of Fulfill.com, during a visit to 果冻传媒’s NJ2 warehouse to discuss what stands out when evaluating 3PL providers across the industry.
