Choosing an Order Fulfillment Service… Part 3

When a publisher is choosing an order fulfillment service, there are several important factors to consider. Having a list of criteria that enhances the compan’s operation is essential. I have already discussed why location and size and volume are important factors when choosing a fulfillment partner. In today’s entry I’ll be discussing why management and staff, and percentage of error are also important.

Management and Staff

Everything that happens in the warehouse will be driven by the management and will convey their business philosophies. Once you find a fulfillment center whose location and size fits your needs, the next area to examine is the management and staff.

• How long have they been associated with the company?
• What has been their impact?
• How do they measure success?
• What are the key business indicators they use to manage the business?
• How are key indicators measured and what is done with that information?

Percentage of Error

In most cases, the error is not as important as how the company handles the error. Whenever you have people and equipment, mistakes are bound to occur. There will be incidences when your clients will receive the wrong items, or a shipment is received at the billing address rather than the shipping address. When you speak to the management staff of a fulfillment center, ask if they measure error and how many there are. Ask them how mistakes are handled and what action is taken to prevent the same errors in the future.

Remember that these are only suggestions for criteria and it is crucial that you spend the time to develop a list of your specific needs. I will continue to discuss other important considerations when choosing an order fulfillment service. If you can’t wait to read them here, they are now available in a Whitepaper on our website. If you have additional questions, or are interested in receiving this white paper by email, please feel free to contact me directly. I can be reached at (708) 587-4116 or kshay@ware-pak.com