What’s the Difference Between a Fulfillment Center and a Warehouse?

Order fulfillment plays a pivotal role in business operations. As a business grows and expands, however, it may become increasingly challenging to perform order fulfillment in-house. Instead of laboring over picking and packing, or letting boxes take up valuable workspace, consider using 3PL services from external providers like Alpacka. How do 3PL Services Work? 3PL or third party logistics involve outsourcing your logistics operations to an outside entity that is separate from your organization.

Have you ever wondered how outsourcing fulfillment services could benefit your business? Fulfillment in a supply chain means maximizing the potential of businesses. But how can implementing outsourced fulfillment services really improve the bottom line for your business?

Hi again! It’s me, Al, your fulfillment advisor extraordinaire. And if you sell products… lots of them, a 3PL will change your life and the life of your business.

Here's a conversation that, albeit overly simplistic, suggests the importance of using a 3PL service. “Hey boss, its Al… I’m here at the warehouse, and a potential customer asked me this morning, ‘Is it even worth it to hire a 3PL to fulfill my orders?’ And I said, ‘Uhhhhhhh… YAH!’” “Great job, Al. Did you tell him why?” Here’s what Al could have – and should have - conveyed.

The use of Third Party Logistics (3PLs) has improved the customer experience, according to 88% of shippers. This is based on a 2021 3PL Logistics Study done by Penske Logistics and Infosys. Furthermore, according to 76% of 3PL users, 3PLs offer fresh and creative approaches to enhancing logistics efficiency. The bottom line is, utilizing a third-party logistics provider (3PL) can assist you in enhancing customer service!

When you sell something everyone wants, sadly, backorders are frequently a seemingly unavoidable problem. No product can be manufactured in limitless amounts. When demand exceeds supply, backorders are typically the result.

What distinguishes your business from your competitors? Is it your product line? Your brand’s uniqueness?

Hey! It’s Al… Did you know that some fulfillment, logistics, and warehousing firms now provide kitting services? Are you bundling your products together?