This is part two in a two-part series. Read part one here.

In part one of this two-part series, we discussed just a few of the benefits of today’s ever-changing 3rd party logistics companies (3PLs) for your warehousing and distribution.

Not only will you benefit from innovative software integration, special robots designed to speed up warehouse work, better utilized employees and the increasingly flexible kitting and packaging options that come with that, you’ll save money with each innovation.

Logistics is a quickly expanding field that has moved way beyond the simple routing of shipments. In fact, your 3PL can offer you a number of specialty services that you may have never realized you even needed, including:

Industry-specific supply chain oversight. Certain sectors, like the pharmaceutical industry, require special handling of products from order to delivery to protect customers and the supply chain. Pharmaceutical fulfillment, for example, will soon require each item introduced into the supply chain to be registered in a national track and trace system that originates with the drug company. Your 3PL will keep up with those legal developments and make sure your products remain in compliance — even if you don’t realize there’s been a change in the law.

Last mile distribution services. The “last mile” is the final point at which an order is prepared for shipment and may include services like custom installation, embroidery, quality checks or arranging for special types of delivery services. Letting your 3PL handle these final touches means fewer nodes in the process, fewer hands on each product and a faster delivery time, even on customized products or packages. It also gives you even more ways to provide personalized service to each and every customer.

Omni-channel fulfillment support. Saving time and providing a seamless shopping experience for customers is the core component of omni-channel fulfillment. Your 3PL makes sure that all items are packed and shipped according to a set of standards for that company, no matter where the order originated — in store, on the web or over the phone. If catalogs, return labels or other custom paperwork needs to be included, the materials are designed by the in-office print shop. Omni-channel saves money and reduces errors by bringing everything together under the same roof.

It’s an exciting time to be involved in the logistics industry. Not only are there innovations being made every day, we’re bringing more services together under one roof to create an even better customer experience. No matter what kind of business you’re in, your warehousing and distribution services will only improve in the hands of a 3PL.

source: http://www.mmh.com/article/7_ways_3pls_support_warehousing_and_distribution

This is part two in a two-part series. Read part one here.