When selecting an outsourced fulfilment service for your business, there are several things to look out for to ensure they are the most suitable fulfilment company for your business.
You need to find a company that can seamlessly work with you to store, pick and deliver your product efficiently, whilst up-keeping your quality and time keeping standards. After all, your fulfilment services vendor plays a huge part in the running of your business, so it’s critical you find the right match.
What to look for in a fulfilment services vendor
Level of experience
How much experience a company has can often determine how equipped they are to deal with several challenges and unpredictable situations. The more experience a company has, the more they have seen and dealt with in the past, learning best practices along the way.
Customer references
Ask the vendor for references and customer referrals. This will give you an idea of who they work with. You can even contact those customers directly to find out how the fulfilment service provider has performed during busier or more challenging periods.
Certification and credentials
Depending on the type of product you need fulfilment services for, you may want to look out for certifications, for example, if you’re delivering food grade commodities. There are also awards and certifications that are given for high standards of service and accomplishments within the industry.
Do research on the business
Ask questions about the business, such as how many employees they have, and how many businesses they provide fulfilment services for. You could also ask for a virtual tour of the facilities, so you can see exactly where and how your product will be stored and picked before it reaches your customer.
Assess the company’s reputation
If you’re considering a fulfilment services vendor, research the business and online reviews to get a feel for their reputation. Often a Google search can show any red flags that you may want to know about before going ahead.
Pricing and contracts
When looking for a fulfilment service provider, ask for a comprehensive pricing structure, so there are no hidden surprises. You should also find out about contract lengths, agreements and discounts, so you can consider all of your options and understand the commitments involved.
Correct insurance levels
You need to check that the fulfilment service provider you’re considering has insurance to cover your product adequately. This is hugely important to protect yourself and your business.
Choosing your fulfilment service
Once you have considered the above and ensured the potential vendors you are considering can provide the right level of service for your business, you can compare them and select the right fulfilment service vendor for you.
Get in touch today
Here at Optima, we offer a leading SAAS warehouse software solution for fulfilment businesses, using the latest software to create tailored modular solutions for your warehouse clients. To find out more about our services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch and speak to a member of our team.
