The modern supply chain is a complex, high-stakes environment where efficiency, accuracy, and scalability are essential. Whether you're managing inventory for a single location or fulfilling orders for a nationwide network, the choice of a fulfillment partner can make or break your operations.
This article is designed to simplify the decision-making process, providing actionable insights and tools to evaluate potential partners effectively. Take the first step toward optimizing your fulfillment strategy—let’s dive in.
In today’s fast-paced market, the demands on fulfillment operations have never been greater. Customers and stakeholders expect faster delivery, flawless accuracy, and the ability to scale seamlessly—whether for seasonal surges or long-term growth. At the same time, businesses are under pressure to manage costs and adapt to evolving technologies.
Managing inventory, coordinating shipments, and integrating workflows with multiple teams and systems can feel like juggling too many priorities at once. Without the right fulfillment partner, these challenges can lead to inefficiencies, missed deadlines, and customer dissatisfaction.
The right fulfillment partner is more than just a service provider—they’re an extension of your team. A reliable partner can:
By choosing a partner with the expertise and infrastructure to meet your needs, you can transform fulfillment from a pain point into a competitive advantage.
If you're not realizing all these benefits, it may be time to evaluate your current fulfillment process. As you read through this, ask yourself:
If the answers leave you uncertain or uneasy, it might be time to explore a better solution.
Before evaluating partners, you must understand your operational requirements.
Ask yourself:
What are your storage needs?
How important is proximity to your customers?
Do you need additional services like pick, pack, and ship?
What systems do you currently use, and how should they integrate with your partner’s capabilities?
Checklist for Success:
✔ Clearly define your storage requirements.
✔ Map out shipping zones to identify optimal facility locations.
✔ Confirm internal processes for order fulfillment and reporting.
✔ Decide if an online portal to manage inventory & access reports is right for you.
A centrally located warehouse can be a game-changer. For example, a facility in Central Ohio offers:
Your business needs may include skid, bin, or even floor storage for non-temperature-controlled goods. A versatile partner should accommodate these needs while maintaining an organized, accessible inventory.
Choosing a fulfillment partner isn’t just about outsourcing tasks—it’s about teamwork. Look for providers who align with your operational workflows and integrate seamlessly with your internal team.
Fulfillment isn’t just about storing products; it’s about delivering them efficiently. An advanced online ordering platform allows for:
When evaluating potential partners, watch out for these warning signs:
The Problem:
When Lane Bryant approached us for help, their POP program was in disarray. Daily fulfillment activities were managed by hand, taking store managers away from essential tasks and forcing marketing managers to handle sign order requests. Additionally, costs, inventory, and waste were unacceptably high. It was time for improvement.
The Solution:
The solution was Baesman’s automated, turnkey ordering platform, Brandwise, and custom kit packaging services. Our Brandwise system aimed to lower expenses and inventory by enforcing store limits and simplifying order review and approval. In addition, it was done while providing reports and real-time, low-stock email alerts to ensure stores have what they need. Using our portal allowed stores to order and receive materials promptly.
The Result:
Our team was able to make their program effectively cheaper, faster, and better. For this reason, our client was awarded the Lane Bryant President's Award for Improvement and Cost Reduction. Ultimately, they realized:
"I don’t know why any retailer in America wouldn’t use Baesman’s fulfillment system. It gives us the ability to be proactive and manage a problem before it becomes a problem. You can’t put a price tag on that."
-Cyndi Boblett, Print Production Director, Lane Bryant