How to meet the needs of e-commerce logistics

2014 is projected to see U.S. e-commerce sales increase year over year by 13% per IBM, and for the first time, e-commerce sales outpaced brick and mortar sales over the Thanksgiving and Black Friday sales period although overall sales were actually down from 2013.  The composition of sales for many companies is shifting to a heavier weighting of e-commerce transactions.  But how does warehouse fulfillment for e-commerce differ from that of traditional sales?  And how do you manage those changes?

First, the opportunities to drive efficiencies of fulfilling and moving product in bulk that are found in traditional logistics disappear, to be replaced by direct-to-consumer orders that are one-by-one ane-commerce fulfillment lifecycle can be a lifeline when managing the challenges of e-commerce logistics efficiently.

This would require a pick, pack and ship operation.  Second, e-commerce sales are highly promotion driven, resulting in large swings in order volumes (even changing from day to day).  And last, online orders tend to be unpredictable, both in terms of overall volumes and product popularity (a single mention in the right social media venue can drive sales through the roof unexpectedly).  A partner experienced in supporting an

Vision Media Management can help you manage the e-commerce challenges of individualized orders and quickly changing volumes through effective use of technologies such as intelligent order sequencing, predictive packaging, and pick to voice adaptive technology. Call us to learn more about the solutions we offer to support your e-commerce business – which can result in reduced costs and an improved customer experience.

Vision Consumer Products Fulfillment has decades of experience and industry expertise in consumer products fulfillment services.  No matter who your customer is, we treat your customer as our own.  We know what makes a raving fan out of an individual customer, as well as what makes a business partner trust you with their business.  Call or email us to learn how.  We’re certain we’ll be the best fulfillment warehouse partner you have ever had!

http://visioncpf.com

CPFSales@VisionMediamgmt.com

Planning Year-end Inventory Procedures

One of the less than pleasant tasks at for inventory planning at year-end is the review of inventory for
obsolete items.  Any company can find itself with inventory items that have a decreased net realizable value, or exceed the foreseeable demand. Whether the result of an economic downturn that depressed sales, a new product release that replaces an older product, or other factors, the end result is an overvalued inventory asset.

The management of obsolete inventory is an important step in the product life cycle – even more so at year-end.  The assessment of inventory and the handling of any obsolete items can be a key component of the year-end procedures, providing valuable information to the organization for financial and tax reporting, budgeting and forecasting.  Identifying the underlying cause of the obsolescence can help minimize future occurrences, and also make your warehouse fulfillment operations run more smoothly. And how the diversion or liquidation of such inventory is handled can have a positive or negative impact on the company’s reputation, brand value, and financial position.

When your program is ready for inventory diversion or liquidation, Vision Media Management can help you find the most cost effective solution without leaving our fulfillment warehouse.  Call us to learn more about the solutions we offer for year-end obsolete inventory planning strategy – which can result in an increase return on investment (ROI) for your organization.

Vision Consumer Products Fulfillment has decades of experience and industry expertise in consumer products fulfillment services.  No matter who your customer is, we treat your customer as our own.  We know what makes a raving fan out of an individual customer, as well as what makes a business partner trust you with their business.  Call or email us to learn how.  We’re certain we’ll be the best fulfillment warehouse partner you have ever had!

http://visioncpf.com
CPFSales@VisionMediamgmt.com

Automation makes us Dumb!

There’s a controversial statement.  After all, it takes a great deal of intelligence and expertise to create the automation in the first place.

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal suggested the trend of automation “de-skilling” workers rather than “up-skilling” them was growing even more evident, and is now reaching beyond just factory and into the white-collar world.

This is very relevant to warehouse fulfillment, since beautifully executed fulfillment and shipping is a combination of both warehouse automation and the operational strategic planning behind it.  Not only is successful automation dependent on the implementation, but equally so on the decision of when and where to use automation.

Some situations are clearly perfect for automation in a warehouse or in assembly/production work.  However, in many cases a carefully crafted production plan, which blends manual staging based on repetitive hand motion, coupled with some automation can pay the same or higher dividends with a great level of flexibility at a lower cost.

Let Vision design an operational strategy for you that enhances customer support using the right mix of automation and manual expertise.

Vision Consumer Products Fulfillment has decades of experience and industry expertise in consumer products fulfillment services.  No matter who your customer is, we treat your customer as our own.  We know what makes a raving fan out of an individual customer, as well as what makes a business partner trust you with their business.  Call or email us to learn how.  We’re certain we’ll be the best fulfillment warehouse partner you have ever had!

http://visioncpf.com

CPFSales@VisionMediamgmt.com

USPS to Delivery Packages 7 days a week – 2014!

The following article located at Retail Online Integration mentions that the USPS is adding package delivery on Sundays during the holidays to meet expected growing demand.  This is definitely good news considering that industry followers are already dreading a repeat of last year’s missed shipping guarantees.
A strong warehouse fulfillment partner has many tools available to ensure that your order reaches its final destination on time during this 2014 holiday season – this includes not only the well-known small parcel carriers, but also what service combinations fit your carton size and configuration, your time line, and your budget.

Remember that one size does not fit all.  Talk to your fulfillment partner about your order composition, your holiday guarantees, and your project volume.  There may be a different solution that can improve your bottom line or your customer satisfaction – or both.

Vision Consumer Products Fulfillment has decades of experience and industry expertise in consumer products fulfillment services.  No matter who your customer is, we treat your customer as our own.  We know what makes a raving fan out of an individual customer, as well as what makes a business partner trust you with their business.  Call or email us to learn how.  We’re certain we’ll be the best fulfillment warehouse partner you have ever had!

http://visioncpf.com
CPFSales@VisionMediamgmt.com

2014 Holiday Shipping Dates

The following article by Retail Online Integration illustrates concerns from retailers following last year’s holiday season shipping delays.

In the 2013 holiday season, many retailers broker their Christmas delivery promise due to a heavier volume of last minute orders.  To prevent a repeat this year in 2014, retailers are now moving up the shipping deadline to compensate.

Your fulfillment partner can help you ensure that you meet your shipping deadlines, all the while still balancing the highest degree of customer support and flexibility.  Have that discussion now, and sleep
better tonight!

Vision Consumer Products Fulfillment has decades of experience and industry expertise in consumer products fulfillment services.  No matter who your customer is, we treat your customer as our own.  We know what makes a raving fan out of an individual cu
stomer, as well as what makes a business partner trust you with their business.  Call or email us to learn how.  We’re certain we’ll be the best fulfillment warehouse partner you have ever had!

http://visioncpf.com
CPFSales@VisionMediamgmt.com

Port of Los Angeles 2014 Holiday Planning for Fulfillment Operations

The holiday season is rapidly approaching for 2014, and already there are concerns about potential delays routing imports through the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach.  The port is the nation’s biggest container hub.  This article posted on Bloomberg states that after ending the previous holiday season with too much merchandise stacked in warehouses, this year U.S. retailers face the opposite – they may not have enough.

Logistics planning is a key service that your third party fulfillment partner can provide.  Vision Consumer Products Fulfillment can provide expertise and system-driven milestone management services for monitoring your product, beginning with the source manufacturer all the way through to the fulfillment warehouse.

This management insight and insider knowledge is even more critical when potential delays are encountered as mentioned in the article.  Expediting product through the port and associated paperwork can translate into revenue either gained or lost.  It’s early November now – and never too late to have this conversation with your fulfillment warehouse.

Vision Consumer Products Fulfillment has decades of experience and industry expertise in consumer products fulfillment services.  No matter who your customer is, we treat your customer as our own.  We know what makes a raving fan out of an individual customer, as well as what makes a business partner trust you with their business.  Call or email us to learn how.  We’re certain we’ll be the best fulfillment warehouse partner you have ever had!

http://visioncpf.com

CPFSales@VisionMediamgmt.com

Kitting and Assembly Services in Fulfillment

A common function in a warehouse fulfillment operation is Kitting and Assembly.  This typically involves master kitting, final assembly, disassembly, re-work, and more.  This can be a requirement to prepare product for sale/shipping, as well as in repurposing product inventory.

The best production services are those that are flexible and can easily switch between automation and manual solutions – thus matching the best approach with each situation.  In addition, a company that has the ability to find the similarities within dissimilar processes, can provide a greater return on investment in both situations.

One conversation with our insightful team will convince you of Vision’s ability to plan, streamline, and execute kitting and assembly services.  You will be amazed at our efficiency and flexibility.  Please contact us to discuss your project – we would love to present our ideas.

Vision Consumer Products Fulfillment has decades of experience and industry expertise in consumer products fulfillment services.  No matter who your customer is, we treat your customer as our own.  We know what makes a raving fan out of an individual customer, as well as what makes a business partner trust you with their business.  Call or email us to learn how.  We’re certain we’ll be the best fulfillment warehouse partner you have ever had!

Vision Consumer Products Fulfillment

Fulfillment Warehouse

http://visioncpf.com

CPFSales@VisionMediamgmt.com