QUESTIONS? CALL: 866-924-5777 SUPPORT FREE QUOTE HOME BLOG ARCHIVE FROM CATEGORY "BLOG" November 24, 2021 Category: Blog Top 5 Benefits of Outsourcing Warehousing and Distribution to 3PL Logistics MONDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2021 BY TOM K From small businesses and start-ups trying to gain some clout in specific industries to large well-established enterprises that want to break into new markets across the globe, outsourcing warehouse and distribution operations to 3PL services is a smart move. Supply chain outsourcing companies have the expertise and access to state-of-the-art technological equipment to help scale your business by setting and achieving new daily objectives. Is your business ready to take the plunge? Here are five reasons why you should consider working with warehouse outsourcing companies to bolster your supply chain operations. Scale Up Your Business with 3PL Fulfillment Services Business expansion means inevitably breaking into new markets and growing your product line to meet evolving customer demands. Outsourcing 3PL distribution and warehousing services can help you better scale your business, seamlessly transition into seasonal changes, and provide you with flexible supply chain solutions to meet your transactional needs. Significant Cost Savings Renting or purchasing warehouse spaces to store inventory requires a significant financial investment. It also means taking on large financial risks. As your business continues to grow, you’re going to need to keep expanding the warehouse space, hire more personnel, purchase more material handling equipment, etc. All of these factors increase your overhead costs and tie up funds that can be allocated for running your core business. Outsourcing warehouse and distribution services from a 3PL provider eliminates all of this financial risk and helps you take steps to further scale your business. Concentrate on Core Business Operations Partnering with expert 3PL fulfillment services allows you to concentrate on managing and investing capital into your core business operations without constantly having to worry about what’s going on in the warehouse. Concentrate on running your backend operations, closing business deals, and managing your employees to achieve new heights of success and let 3PL experts worry about your warehouse and distribution operations. Get Expert Insights to Streamline Warehouse and Distribution Operations Contrary to what you might think, you don’t have to figure everything out on your own. Along with many years of professional experience, supply chain outsourcing companies have access to the technological equipment and resources to provide palpable warehouse and distribution solutions that streamline your operations. Outsourcing warehouse and distribution services gives you the strategic foothold you need to increase operational efficiency, cut costs, and scale your business the smart way. Add Value to Your Supply Chain Operations 3PL fulfillment services add a lot of value to your warehousing and logistics operations. Services include cross-docking, kitting, repackaging, assembly, processing product returns, product inspection, reverse logistics, order consolidation, and more. Hiring a 3PL company to handle these tasks for you can save you a lot of time and money and ensure that your operations run smoothly. Get Expert 3PL Services from Lean Supply Solutions Lean Supply Solutions offers effective, reliable, and flexible end-to-end supply chain strategies and customized logistics solutions that can streamline your operational efficiency and accuracy. Contact us today to find out how our extensive 3PL fulfillment services can work for you. READ MORE PUBLISHED IN BLOG NO COMMENTS Top 5 Factors to Consider while Choosing a New Fulfillment Partner for Your Business THURSDAY, 21 OCTOBER 2021 BY TOM K As your business continues to grow and managing it keeps you busier than ever, choosing the right order fulfillment services to support your organization is absolutely vital. E-commerce fulfillment services can help you manage and process incoming and outgoing shipping transactions. Working with the right fulfillment partner can also help you identify specific inaccuracies and inefficiencies in your shipping process, so that you can make the necessary improvements in your supply chain management. If you’re in the process of looking for reliable and efficient e-commerce supply chain management services, here are some of the most important factors to consider. Understand the Services Offered by the Fulfillment Partner When looking into 3PL distribution companies, it’s important to consider what types of services they offer. Standard supply chain management includes picking, storage, packing, and shipping. But some supply chain management companies may offer additional services such as kitting, high production assemblies, and flexible storage options to accommodate your growing brand’s increasing needs. It’s important to ask about these types of services before signing a contract with a company. Make Sure They Leverage Modern Technology Regardless of distance, modern technology is pivotal to fulfilling online transactions and delivery processes. When seeking out e-commerce fulfillment services, it’s recommended that you inquire about their specific technological infrastructure to ensure they have the resources necessary to carry out your fulfillment processes. Learn about Fulfillment Partner Support Services and Response Times Order fulfillment is a very time-sensitive process. Customers expect that their orders are being worked on almost immediately after they’ve been placed. They want updates in real-time, so they can track their order delivery status and guarantee that it will arrive within a certain timeframe. Communication and fast response times are crucial components of 3PL distribution because they demonstrate that these order fulfillment companies are committed to offering excellent customer service and consistently fast delivery options. Look into Their Industry Experience and Past Track Record Industry experience is another qualifying factor that indicates exactly what kind of procedural results you can expect from your e-commerce supply chain management company. That’s not to discredit the expertise or work ethic of newer organizations, but it’s a lot easier for businesses to make an informed decision about 3PL distribution standards when they have a past track record to make comparisons. Get Insights about the Pricing of Fulfillment Services Whether you’re a new or more established business, you likely have a set annual budget allocated for fulfillment services. Partnering with 3PL order fulfillment services can actually get you significant price breaks or discounts on minimum orders and recurring payments. But remember that opting for the cheapest services isn’t always a wise choice. You should look into what services each e-commerce supply chain management company has to offer at different price points and go from there. Consider whether the companies have specific order minimums in place and whether they will charge you extra for overages or if they offer more flexible shipping, returning, and storage bundles. Lean Supply Solutions is a privately owned corporation that provides integrated customized solutions for complex logistics procedures. We provide diverse and innovative shipping and handling solutions to a wide range of companies across multiple industries across the globe. Contact us today to learn more. READ MORE PUBLISHED IN BLOG NO COMMENTS Top 5 Supply Chain Strategies for E-Commerce Businesses in 2021 and Beyond THURSDAY, 16 SEPTEMBER 2021 BY TOM K There’s no such thing as universal one-size-fits-all supply chain strategies for e-commerce businesses. Every business has its own unique set of qualitative and quantitative supply chain standards, management requirements, and strategies that maximize efficiency and productivity with one common goal in mind: to achieve as much customer satisfaction as possible. A masterfully planned and executed e-commerce supply chain management strategy can help create positive customer experiences and perceptions of your business, which increases your brand value. A high brand value based on consistently meeting and exceeding customer expectations can lead to significant business growth in a relatively short period of time. These are the top five supply chain order fulfillment strategies to help you reach new levels of e-commerce success in 2021 and beyond! Use an Effective Warehouse Management System (WMS) Warehouse operational costs can go through the roof, especially for larger facilities with a lot of inventory to store or move. Fulfillment and labour costs, not to mention the costs of purchasing and maintaining equipment can lead to massive budget overflows. With the help of a detailed and sophisticated warehouse management system, you can minimize your operational expenditures without compromising the quality or efficacy of your operations. Ensure Better Returns Management Returns are an inevitability in the retail industry. Whether customers were simply dissatisfied with the product they receive, it wasn’t what they expected, or it was defective, every e-commerce business needs a reliable, reasonable, and effective method of handling returns. Using a digital barcode scanner to track all incoming and outgoing packages can help you stay organized and ensure that all transactions are properly processed in a timely fashion. Stay Informed about the Velocity of Your Goods Velocity of goods has to do with the amount of time it takes each product to sell from the time it hits the market, so to speak. This is usually determined by three important factors: the demand, affordability, and marketing of the product. Certain products are typically expected to move faster than others. Keep track of which products move faster, so that you can calculate your sales margins accurately and decide which items should be liquidated to reduce storage time and expenses. Leverage Advanced Mobile Technology and Software Architecture Like SCPaaS Supply Chain Platform as a Service (SCPaaS) effectively utilizes secure cloud-based platforms and digital storage solutions to store confidential business information and grant convenient access only to authorized personnel. Supply chains are a combination of multiplatform digital and brick-and-mortar entities that must work together in perfect harmony in order to yield positive results. All product movements in and out of facilities must be updated and recorded in a timely manner to ensure the utmost accuracy. Leveraging advanced mobile technology and software architectures effectively enhances large scale supply chain solutions for better capital gains. Use Third-Party Logistics to Boost Supply Chain Management Goals Trustworthy and transparent third-party logistics companies should have a proven track record when it comes to helping businesses establish efficient customized order fulfillment strategies that meet and exceed their goals. Internal fulfillment facilities often lack the space, personnel, and advanced technology to fully support massive business expansion whereas 3PL solutions are equipped to handle all levels of growth. Lean Supply Solutions is different from other 3PL service providers. We take on a customers-first approach that ensures consumer satisfaction and on-time safe delivery methods are the top priority. We’re able to accomplish this at every turn, even when faced with unthinkable circumstances, through the use of our advanced technological SCPaaS and Harmony Logistics Platform as a Service (HLPaaS) cloud-based system. Contact us today to learn more. READ MORE PUBLISHED IN BLOG NO COMMENTS Best Fulfillment Service Practices to Ensure an Excellent Customer Experience MONDAY, 16 AUGUST 2021 BY TOM K When it comes to establishing and keeping up a successful business empire, nothing is more important than delivering consistently positive customer experiences at every turn. Customer experience is the pinnacle of every modern-day digitally delivery-based organization. You either deliver good or bad customer experiences—there’s no in-between. For digital businesses, it starts with utilizing the best fulfillment service practices that enable you to offer quick, reliable, and reasonable order processing and delivery timelines. Good end-to-end customer experiences are closely tied to overall customer satisfaction and the likelihood of repeat purchases as well as personal recommendations. Follow these tips to improve your order fulfillment strategies and maximize the efficiency of your warehousing and distribution services. Update Customers on Their Order Status Consumers these days thrive on instant gratification and have come to expect it from the companies they support. To sufficiently appeal to this expectation, modern brands send an automatic order confirmation email containing order details along with a reference and tracking number so customers can track their order progress. This helps improve the post-order customer experience and ensures customers are fully updated at all times on the status of their order including estimated arrival dates, delays, and other information. Use 3PL to Ensure Fast Delivery Speed Third-party logistics, also known as 3PL, involves outsourcing third-party organizations that have the necessary resources available to fulfill certain portions of supply chain applications and services. This includes fulfillment services, warehousing, and distribution. New and established brands alike can save a lot of money and make their supply chain processes far more efficient and accurate by integrating advanced 3PL practices into their business models. Create a Positive Branding, Packaging, and Unboxing Experience Unboxing is a key component in today’s shopping experience. Many social media influencers have built up their entire brands solely on showcasing themselves opening and unboxing products in front of millions of followers online. Packaging is the first thing consumers see when they receive your product. Not only does it have to be sturdy and capable of withstanding all kinds of environmental and handling damages, but it should also aptly represent your brand. This creates a positive and memorable first impression and unboxing experience. Maintain Product and Brand Transparency with a Good Return Policy Ordering products, particularly clothes, is a little daunting. Sometimes, products show up and they’re not what you expected or they don’t fit right. That’s why so many people still prefer shopping at brick-and-mortar stores where they can see, touch, and even smell products in person. While it’s impossible to replicate that same shopping experience online, you can offer your customers total product and brand transparency along with a reasonable return policy. Providing customers with a return shipping label indicates that you truly value their patronage. Transparency of this nature builds brand loyalty by earning the trust and respect of your customers. Use clear, concise, and straightforward packaging that’s also durable so that customers can easily recognize your brand and product. Boost Supply Chain Efficiency with a WMS A proper and fully integrated warehouse management system (WMS) helps organize and track inventory levels so that you can replenish or replace items as needed. Through advanced technological automation, WMS software can help you optimize warehouse and distribution center management for faster output and improved end-customer experiences. Lean Supply Solutions: Your Trusted 3PL Partner Through expert warehousing and distribution center services and processes, Lean Supply Solutions has helped numerous brands improve their order fulfillment strategies to create better customer experiences. With over 20 years of experience and a proven track record, our sophisticated 3PL solutions speak for themselves. Contact us today to learn more and partner with us. READ MORE PUBLISHED IN BLOG NO COMMENTS Top 5 Major Inventory Management Techniques Every Business Must Consider in 2021 WEDNESDAY, 14 JULY 2021 BY TOM K Inventory management is a key process of many growing and established successful businesses. It involves tracking inventory levels at every possible turn to keep storage capacities intact and ensure that certain products are kept in optimal storage conditions at all times while maintaining low operational costs. The main objective of an effective inventory management system is to streamline supply chain processes and meet the ever-changing market demands quickly to avoid product over and understock. Implementing the following major inventory management techniques can help you run a tight supply chain ship and increase the efficiency and productivity of your operations. Automate Your Inventory Management System Automating your inventory management system is an effective means of streamlining important business processes such as placing product orders, updating shipment information, and tracking inventory levels. These are all tasks that were previously done manually, which meant they took longer to complete and were often prone to human error leading to expensive inaccuracies. The benefits of automated inventory management include faster product replenishment, receiving purchase orders, customer order delivery, inventory tracking, and so much more. An automated logistics inventory management system reduces the risk of errors and inaccuracies and accelerates key business processes to help you scale your enterprise. Utilize Data Analytics for Inventory Optimization Techniques Employing accurate data analytics based on past sales, current inventory stock levels, and customer feedback helps you better understand and forecast certain industry-based trends. These tools and resources ensure smooth warehouse operations and help you predict future trends so that you can make the right product ordering decisions in the present that will help grow your bottom line. Integrate Your ERP with Your Logistics Inventory Management System Start-ups and small businesses with minimal overheads can initially get away with using spreadsheets to track their inventory management. But as your business continues to grow in size and customer acquisition, you’re going to need to switch to using more sophisticated inventory management strategies and softwares in logistics. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) inventory management systems combine all of your business and planning operations in one convenient system. This allows you to manage your logistics, finances, operational systems, and inventory using a single platform. Make Use of Just-in-Time Inventory Management Just-in-time (JIT) is a major inventory management technique that is designed to reduce operational costs and waste while simultaneously increasing supply chain efficiency. It uses smart technology to ensure new inventory and goods are only received on a need-be basis. JIT tracks current inventory levels in real-time and analyzes data that reveals the market demand for certain products before restocking orders are placed. The goal is to increase space and operational efficiency in warehouses and across the entire supply chain. Employ EOQ Model for Effective Inventory Management EOQ stands for economic order quantity, also known as optimum lot size. This refers to an exact formula that calculates the optimal order quantity businesses should place for specific products to minimize logistics operational costs, reduce overstock expenditures, maximize warehouse storage space, and prevent the risk of stockouts for high-demand items. Basically, this formula lets you know the right amount of each product to order based on historical market data. Speed Up Your Fulfillment Process with Lean Supply Solutions Managing a business and a supply chain simultaneously is challenging. As your business continues to see tremendous growth, you’re going to need extra help with staying on top of your supply chain operations. Lean Supply Solutions employs sophisticated major inventory techniques using top-of-the-line processes and softwares to scale, accelerate, and optimize your supply chain operations. Contact us today to learn more. READ MORE PUBLISHED IN BLOG NO COMMENTS Top 5 Warehousing and Distribution Strategies to Futureproof Your Supply Chain FRIDAY, 25 JUNE 2021 BY TOM K The pandemic has forever changed the face of how supply chain management is executed on a global scale. More than anything else, the increasingly fast-paced and digital nature of this industry requires the utmost precision and attention to detail throughout every single step of the process. If the past year and a half has taught warehousing and distribution companies anything, it’s that there’s a strong need to futureproof your supply chain management practices to ensure a solid long-term ROI and consistent business continuity no matter what happens. Regardless of what’s happening in the world, customers still expect and rely on warehousing and distribution services to deliver their goods in a timely manner. Experts say that this pandemic is far from being the last and there are likely going to be a number of other cataclysmic events that could severely impact the industry in the future. With that in mind, here are five warehousing and distribution strategies to futureproof your supply chain management design. Choose the Right Warehouse Management System Software Warehouse management system software like Supply Chain Platform as a Service (SCPaaS) are designed specifically to automatically track the performance and efficiency of your organization. Focusing on everything from production and scheduling to shipment planning and order fulfillment, SCPaaS allows warehouse managers to optimize and effectively futureproof operations by identifying current digital and systemic shortcomings that hinder progress. Establish an Adaptable and Modular Warehouse Design Nothing in this world is permanent. International and domestic supply chain demands are constantly evolving and that means the design, structure, and organization of your warehouse and distribution center should be adaptable and modular to accommodate these changes. To successfully futureproof your supply chain management, you have to get all departments on board. Your entire organization has to be on the same page regarding the design and execution of your supply chain practices. Set Benchmarks for Warehousing and Distribution Success Warehousing and distribution is one of the fastest growing and most in-demand industries in the world. We all rely on supply chains to add value to our daily lives, whether or not we realize it. After all, everything we own was once delivered through an intricate supply chain process at one point or another. To continuously anticipate and meet the demands of an ever-evolving world market, warehousing and distribution companies need think outside the box and set small but achievable goals for their various departments to aspire to meet. It’s not about reinventing the wheel, per se. It’s about creating an incentive to come up with innovative solutions that improve and add value to the lives of the people we serve—end customers. Outsource Your Warehousing and Distribution Requirements Owning and managing a fully functional warehouse and distribution center is a massive undertaking. Not only does it require continuous capital to keep it running, but you need to invest in new operational practices as well as technological advancements to accommodate growing industrial demands. Outsourcing your warehousing and distribution requirements is a far more feasible solution. It gives you the opportunity and ability to focus on managing your core business affairs while offering endless supply chain operational support at every turn. Why Choose Lean Supply Solutions as a Preferred Retail Distribution and Warehousing Center Lean Supply Solutions is one of the leading international retail distribution and warehousing organizations in the world. We use the most sophisticated technology available including SCPaaS to automate operational solutions and boost the overall customer experience. Contact us today to get a free quote. READ MORE PUBLISHED IN BLOG NO COMMENTS How the Distribution Center Process Can Boost Your E-Commerce Business TUESDAY, 13 APRIL 2021 BY TOM K Distribution centers handle product storage and shipping. They keep a detailed inventory of all incoming and outgoing goods to ensure complete accuracy and efficiency of every shipment. Warehousing and distribution services also handle order fulfillment, take stock of inventory, and ship out items. These distribution center processes are typically carried out on a tight schedule. To accommodate the constant flux of incoming and outgoing shipments, distribution centers are typically equipped with a loading dock, storage area (kind of like a warehouse) and a shipping area. Efficiency, accuracy, and organization are all imperative characteristics of fully functional e-commerce distribution services to ensure smooth operations at all times. What Does the Distribution Center Process Entail? Inventory Management This includes inventory restocking/replenishment to guarantee that there’s always enough product stored for order fulfillment and shipping when it’s needed. During especially busy times like the holidays or even lockdown when most people are forced to order items online, proper inventory management through e-commerce distribution services is especially important. Failing to thoroughly track inventory, predict demand for certain items, or restock in-demand items can cause serious issues like prolonged backorders and stockouts or out-of-stock events. Stockouts and out-of-stock events occur when there isn’t enough inventory supply to meet large demand and the stock is completely exhausted until a new order can be placed with the manufacturer. Pick and Pack Fulfillment Services Unlike warehouses which merely store inventory for indiscriminate periods of time, distribution centers typically move at a much faster pace. Distribution centers are responsible for direct order fulfillment, product mixing, packaging, cross-docking, and more. Products in distribution centers typically have a shorter shelf life or expiration date and need to be delivered as quickly as possible, whereas warehouse inventory can be stored for a longer period of time. That’s where a good pick and pack fulfillment process comes in handy. Returns Management Returns are a normal part of commerce, whether it’s online or in-store shopping. However, the process is a little more complicated for e-commerce businesses than brick-and-mortar ones. E-commerce businesses rely on distribution centers to handle returns for them through an RMA system. RMA systems are essential for managing e-commerce returns because they make the process a lot smoother and easier for customers and businesses. Businesses can and should provide return shipping labels for customers to send unwanted items back. RMA systems also make it easier to process returns, issue refunds, and issue product exchanges. Making the return process as seamless as possible also ensures customer satisfaction and can aid in customer retention for future purchases. Restocking and Auditing One major distribution center benefit is that they take care of inventory restocking/replenishment and auditing on behalf of businesses. Distribution centers must keep a detailed record of all current incoming and outgoing inventory to guarantee that there are no product shortages. You want to make sure that you always have a sufficient supply of product to meet the demand. Distribution centers must work closely with warehouses to ensure that inventory records are always kept up to date and that all shipments go out according to schedule. Working with multiple warehouses means that distribution centers need to keep the lines of communication open at all times across all channels. Using a secure cloud-based network of state-of-the-art inventory auditing and tracking systems is an effective way of ensuring you always have enough product to meet the demand. Failing to restock products in time or not preparing to meet the demands of your customers can result in what’s known as a split shipment, which is when products that have multiple items are shipped separately as the parts become available. While most customers are understanding about this as long as you explain the situation to them, it can cause a huge inconvenience and customer dissatisfaction if they needed the item shipped immediately. Overstocking is just as detrimental as understocking as you could be sitting on large amounts of inventory for a long time. Overstock items can end up costing you money because they take up space in the warehouse that could be used for more popular items. Companies typically have to sell these items at a discounted rate just to get rid of them. Working with a prominent supply chain company like Lean Supply Solutions can help you avoid under and overstocking product. Benefits of Choosing Lean Supply Solutions’ Distribution Centers At Lean Supply Solutions, we have a customer-focused protocol that’s dedicated to not only storing products, but also meeting and exceeding customer expectations to the best of our ability. Here are a few reasons why you should work with us. Efficient Transportation We’re partnered with trusted transportation companies that enable us to provide our customers with cost-effective and efficient shipping solutions, so that we can get products out to end-customers as quickly and safely as possible. Meet Clients’ Specific Requirements Every client is unique and has their own set of shipping requirements. We use a detailed Warehouse Management System that records all client information, so that we can effectively manage and fulfill orders according to end-customer specifications. Reduce Overall Distribution Costs With a strong commitment to eliminating waste throughout every step of our supply chain and distribution process, we’re focused on improving our organization’s performance one step at a time. And it all starts with cutting down unnecessary expenditures that are eating away at your budget. Integrated with Powerful Technology We use a versatile and secure series of cloud-based technological networks that are designed to be effortlessly integrated with the platforms used by our customers. Our customers can synchronize their online ordering platforms with our network, so that any orders placed on your website will be redirected to our system immediately. Reliable and Experienced Partner Our mantra is “produce the right products and provide the right services at the required time in the required quantities with consistency and predictability”—and we stand by it. Over the years, we’ve proven our loyalty and capability to adapt to and integrate evolving technological components into our business model to make our logistics protocols as easily accessible to our clients as possible. Why Choose Lean Supply Solutions as Your Preferred Distribution Center? Using our incomparable industry experience and knowledge, we can help you streamline your e-commerce or brick-and-mortar distribution processes significantly. By employing sophisticated SCPaaS cloud computing technology, Lean Supply Solutions can help you update inventory levels, process order fulfillments, process refunds, boost customer experience, and process payments quickly. Contact us today to learn more. READ MORE PUBLISHED IN BLOG NO COMMENTS Top 5 Logistics and Supply Chain Trends That Will Dominate 2021 and Beyond MONDAY, 22 MARCH 2021 BY TOM K Since its inception in the 1980s, the supply chain management industry has been faced with a great many challenges. Many of these challenges were the driving force behind some of the most advanced technological developments in modern history. The COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing global economic downturn turned the industry on its head, but mostly for the better. Here are some of the top logistics trends in 2021 that will inevitably shape the future of the industry as a whole. Need for Green Logistics in Supply Chain Management There’s a growing need for more green practices and solutions in the logistics and supply chain management industry. Green technology has always been a domineering and prevalent force in the global economy, but the need for these advancements has never been more amplified. Countries across the globe are vying for more eco-friendly and efficient modes of transporting goods, including COVID-19 vaccines. Hence, the value of electric and solar-powered transport vehicles is undeniable. People in general are more eco-conscious these days and sustainability is a major driving force in their purchasing decisions. Moreover, current supply chain forecasts indicate that logistics companies are leaning toward more circular practices that promote lower overhead and operating costs, material waste reductions, and repurposing reusable materials to focus on lowering overall environmental impacts. Supply Chain Resilience during COVID-19 If there’s one positive factor that emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic it’s the unwavering ingenuity and tenacity that was and continues to be demonstrated by various supply chain services. Companies the world over were forced to completely revamp their entire supply chain operations to adjust to the demand for new health and safety protocols involving the delivery of goods and services. Many of them more than rose to the occasion by offering a variety of safe delivery solutions that satisfied this need. Increase in Omni-Channel Logistics and Contactless Deliveries Long before the pandemic, e-commerce businesses were already seeing a massive surge in online orders. COVID-19 forced supply chains and the businesses that rely on them to take on an expansive omni-channel approach to order shipment and fulfillment. The most prevalent modification to services rendered was the addition of contactless delivery and porch drop-off as an option. It’s predicted that the future of the logistics industry and supply chain management will depend largely on the continued offering of contactless delivery options to give customers greater peace of mind. Supply Chain Digitization with Advanced Technology Technological advancements have always been a major driving force of improving the vast supply chain and logistics landscape. Here are a few examples. Use of Supply Chain Platform as a Service (SCPaaS) Internet of Things (IoT) Artificial Intelligence (AI) Integrated 3PL Services Using third-party logistics management services effectively streamlines supply chain operations, ensures speed and accuracy of data input, and above all, guarantees customer satisfaction through time-saving and safe delivery protocols. Lean Supply Solutions uses sophisticated SCPaaS cloud computing software to help clients scale their business transactions and track deliveries. We provide high-tech solutions that treat the supply chain as a vast body of interconnected networks and software systems that work together to achieve a unified objective: streamlining supply chain operations to boost customer experience and ensure the accurate transfer of data. Contact us today to learn more about our extensive contract logistics services. READ MORE PUBLISHED IN BLOG NO COMMENTS How to Ensure a Seamless Shipping Process for the Winter Season THURSDAY, 03 DECEMBER 2020 BY TOM K Winter—specifically the holidays—is undoubtedly the busiest season in the shipping and logistics industry. Incidentally, it also happens to be one of the most challenging due to a number of factors that come into play. Unpredictable weather, frigid temperatures, unsafe driving conditions for truckers, inevitable shipping delays, and product shortages are just some of the many challenges that supply chain managers have to deal with during this time of year. As the orders keep piling up, figuring out innovative and effective methods of meeting the high demand for product becomes increasingly difficult. Despite the fact that these winter challenges are completely foreseeable, some shipping and logistics companies still fall victim to them. This year, the challenge of meeting the high demand for shipped products will be even greater, which is why it’s important to prepare well ahead of time. Logistics and shipping product is, for the most part, a numbers game. It’s estimated that the shipping industry loses anywhere between $2 billion and $3.5 billion every year due to insufficient preparation for the challenges that come with shipping product during the winter months. But you don’t have to be a part of that statistic because we’ve prepared a list of five foolproof tips that will help you be fully prepared for the season to come and overcome the challenges associated with it. 5 Tips to Prepare Your Supply Chain for a Successful Winter Season Winter is a tough season for a variety of industries, particularly those that require a great deal of travelling in order to deliver items to patrons. Every year, the shipping industry suffers significant losses due to unavoidable factors related to inclement weather conditions, frigid temperatures, and supply shortages. Here are five tips to help your supply chain overcome these challenges and make your shipping process as seamless as possible even amidst harsh winter conditions and a global pandemic. 1. Prepare Your Supply Chain to Deal with Winter In the logistics and shipping industry, preparation is key no matter what time of year it is, but it’s especially crucial during the winter months when inclement weather conditions can put a big wrench in your shipping schedule. Despite heavy snowfalls and other unsafe driving conditions, customers still expect supply chain workers to work miracles and deliver their products on time. To accommodate for uncontrollable weather conditions, it’s important to plan your shipments as far ahead as possible. Map out multiple routes, including contingency routes in case the main one becomes inaccessible, and keep a close eye on changing weather conditions. Keep in mind that various states and provinces have varying winter climates and this should be accounted for when mapping out your shipping routes. 2. Efficiently Utilize All Shipping Resources As a logistics and supply chain manager, you have access to a number of important and useful resources to help you ship products to your customers quickly and on time. Use them. Use all of them—and often. Partner with leading freight transporters that are adaptable, experienced, and offer fair and competitive shipping rates. When it comes to running successful supply chain operations, transparency is vital. You need to work with a third-party supply chain distributor and freight transportation company that has all the right networking connections to get your products delivered efficiently without risk of damage or loss. Plus, you should be granted access to the shipping process so that you can ensure your operations are running smoothly at all times. 3. Communicate Effectively Effective communication mechanisms are imperative to the success of a logistics and supply chain operation. Different factions of the operation need to be able to contact one another at all times to ensure that the entire process is kept on track from start to finish. Open channels of communication are even more imperative in times of distress when delays are inevitable. Circumstances outside your control, including inclement weather, vehicular accidents, and other conditions can inevitably slow down supply chain operations. Setting up a reliable communication system using state-of-the-art technology ensures that all levels of the supply chain system are promptly updated when and if delays do occur. Vendors and end-customers also need to be kept in the loop at all times. If you can foresee any shipping, processing, and receiving challenges in advance, you should let them know at the time of the order placement, so that there are no surprises along the way and they know exactly what to expect. It’s better to prepare your customers for the worst-case scenario than to make grandiose overreaching promises that you can’t guarantee. This will only lead to disappointment and dissatisfaction in the end and it could even dissolve the working relationship altogether. 4. Prepare for Inevitable Delays Winter comes with a unique set of challenges that other seasons don’t necessarily present. Regional climate differences, dangerous driving conditions, icy roads, and frigid temperatures can all cause inevitable delays. Even if you’re shipping items from one warm region to another, the transportation process may still involve travelling through colder regions in order to get those items to their destination. Inclement weather conditions such heavy snowfalls, snow squalls, ice accumulation, and various weather warnings in certain regions can cause massive shipping delays. Also, the holidays are the busiest season in the shipping industry, which means a higher number of destinations need to be reached throughout the shipping process than during any other time of the year. We recommend preparing for these inevitable delays by: Having a contingency plan Mapping out your shipping dates and routes well in advance Offering a shipment tracking system Offering expedited shipping for urgent products 5. Collaborate with a Reliable Service Provider Working with a reliable and well-connected third-party logistics and supply chain service provider like Lean Supply Solutions can help you overcome the many challenges winter brings to the shipping industry. We offer full-service cost-effective order and e-commerce fulfillment along with warehousing and distribution, 4PL contract logistics services using a variety of sophisticated network connections and technology. Contact us today to learn more about our supply chain and distribution services. SHIPPINGSUPPLY CHAIN READ MORE PUBLISHED IN BLOG NO COMMENTS Everything You Need to Know About Blind Shipping THURSDAY, 19 NOVEMBER 2020 BY TOM K Blind and double-blind shipping are two common practices that, when effectively employed, can increase your business’s profit margins and boost your distribution momentum. Here is everything you need to know about blind and double-blind shipping. What Is Blind Shipping? Blind shipping is a supply chain strategy that’s gaining a lot of popularity in the e-commerce sector. It allows businesses to covertly ship their products directly to their customers without revealing the identity or location of the manufacturer or distributor. Usually, the supplier knows the identity and location of the supplier. What Is Double-Blind Shipping? Double-blind shipping also relies on operational confidentiality, except it’s double-sided. This tactic involves concealing both the identities and locations of the customers and the suppliers. The supplier ships the product to the e-commerce business warehouse. From there, it’s shipped directly to the customer and the customer is none the wiser that the product came from a third-party manufacturer or supplier. Blind Shipping in E-Commerce Blind and double-blind shipping are both common supply chain operational strategies in the e-commerce sector. The idea is to help protect the identities of the customers while also maintaining a strong competitive edge for the brand. If your customers learn the identity of your suppliers or manufacturers, there’s nothing stopping them from purchasing your products directly from the manufacturers at a much cheaper cost. By keeping this information confidential, you’re protecting your business interests, retaining control over the supply chain, and ensuring customer loyalty by establishing yourself as a key player in the game. Customers will appreciate the convenience of purchasing the products they’re seeking out from a reputable and sustainable source rather than having to seek out third-party sources they know nothing about. On the flip side, if suppliers learn the identities and locations of your customers, they can then reach out directly to your customers and offer the same products at cost, which effectively eliminates you—the e-commerce business and middleman—from the picture altogether. Double-blind shipping can help you protect your assets by preventing your manufacturers and suppliers from going behind your back to directly reach out to your customers. How Can You Set Up a Blind or Double-Blind Shipping Operation? To set up an effective, efficient, and affordable blind or double-blind shipping operation, you need to have a good working relationship with your freight forwarder. For a standard blind shipment, you need to instruct the freight forwarder to remove the original bill of lading which contains the supplier’s information. When the package arrives, the customer will only see your company’s information on the shipping label. Double-blind shipments require the freight forwarder to take the additional step of providing an alternate incorrect or “dummy” address to the supplier, so they don’t learn the end-customer’s actual name or location. Throughout the entire process, only the shipper and the freight forwarder know the shipment’s full journey trajectory from start to finish. What Are the Advantages of Blind Shipping? Setting up a blind or double-blind shipment supply chain operation is like running a well-oiled machine. Proper planning and execution of all intermediary processes ensures that everything will go smoothly from start to finish. Most importantly, it guarantees that the shipment will arrive exactly on the date specified to the customer within minimal risk of loss, delays, or revealing confidential information to either the end-customer or the supplier. As you can imagine, there are a lot of advantages to employing blind or double-blind shipment processes throughout your supply chain operations. Here are just a few advantages to consider. Protect Your Assets and Maintain a Competitive Edge Aside from preventing the formation of a direct manufacturer-customer relationship, blind shipping also prevents competing businesses from poaching your customers and suppliers by keeping their identities, locations, and contact information confidential. Blind or double-blind shipments help you protect your business assets while also taking on an ethical approach to product delivery that gives both customers and suppliers peace of mind when it comes to preventing identity and product theft. One way to protect the identity of your distributors and manufacturers and prevent shipment losses or delays is to integrate dropshipping. Combining blind or double-blind shipping operations with dropshipping is an effective end-to-end solution that streamlines the entire delivery process with optimal business benefits. The product goes directly from the supplier to the end-customer and eliminates the need for warehouse storage during transition, which helps cut down supply chain costs while maintaining anonymity on both ends. Client Retention and Quality Control Through double-blind shipping, you can keep your distributors’ and manufacturers’ identities a secret from your customers. This anonymity prevents customers from purchasing products directly from one of your sources at a fraction of the cost and ensures their reliance on your business. This is the very definition of supply and demand. Customers demand a product that, from their perspective, can only be supplied by your business. Establish Brand Consistency A strong and well-planned out blind or double-blind shipping strategy allows you to maintain consistency throughout all operational levels of your brand. From back-end operations to customer service and right down to supply chain operations, you can ensure high-quality and reliable services at all times that yield favourable results for your business. Customers will be able to easily identify your products because only your logo, brand name, address, and contact information will appear on the shipping labels. Increase Your Profit Margins Gaining brand awareness and establishing yourself as an industry authority figure is the name of the game. Once you’ve laid the groundwork and established your brand as a force to be reckoned with, you can make necessary supply chain operational and pricing adjustments to facilitate future growth. Lean Supply Solutions provides full-service and cost-effective warehousing and distribution, order fulfillment, and e-commerce fulfillment, as well as 4PL contract logistics services for an international supply chain market. Serving a wide range of businesses from large multinational manufacturing companies to e-commerce and retail businesses, we build effective end-to-end supply chain strategies for our clients. Contact us today to learn more. SUPPLY CHAIN READ MORE PUBLISHED IN BLOG NO COMMENTS 1234 FEATURED POSTS Top 5 Benefits of Outsourcing Warehousing and Distribution to 3PL Logistics 0 comments Top 5 Factors to Consider while Choosing a New Fulfillment Partner for Your Business 0 comments Top 5 Supply Chain Strategies for E-Commerce Businesses in 2021 and Beyond 0 comments Best Fulfillment Service Practices to Ensure an Excellent Customer Experience 0 comments Top 5 Major Inventory Management Techniques Every Business Must Consider in 2021 0 comments ARCHIVES November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 April 2021 March 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 December 2015 August 2015 CATEGORIES Blog Mobile Networking News Technology About Us Why Us Team History Blogs News Services Fulfillment Retail Distribution Supply Chain Management Transportation & Delivery Industries We Serve Retail Distribution Automotive Food Electronics Fashion Get in Touch HQ Corporate Offices 3100 Caravelle Dr Mississauga Ontario L4V 1K9 Canada. 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