Using FLEXE: How-To Guide for ecommerce Fulfillment

Transcription

1 ECOMMERCE FULFILLMENT On-Demand Warehousing Using FLEXE: How-To Guide for ecommerce Fulfillment Reduce shipping time and costs without long-term commitments. Create pop-up fulfillment centers with on-demand warehousing from FLEXE. Here s how. THE MARKETPLACE FOR WAREHOUSE SPACE sales@flexe.com

2 What s Inside 1. ecommerce Fulfillment Getting Started Step 1: Define project scope Step 2: Find and select your warehouse partner Step 3: Support your business with tailored technology Step 4: Get the teams trained Step 5: Go live 3. One-and-Done Legal Contracts One contract, as many providers as you want Manage contracts online 4. The Technology Cloud-based, no hassle One dashboard, multiple partners Automated tracking and billing 5. Leverage the FLEXE Network Test new markets Offer same-day delivery or launch a product promotion Manage peak seasons better Perform a network analysis Manage returns Become a supplier Keep in touch with FLEXE 6. See How Others Do It Startup advantage Swift solutions 2

3 1. ecommerce Fulfillment 101 You want to get closer to your customers Formally setting up fulfillment centers at all the locations you need is costly and will likely break your budget. With FLEXE, find short- or long-term fulfillment center solutions. Join our network and we ll connect you with the right partner(s) for distribution. A national network of FC partners at your fingertips FC operators with extra space list their services on our online marketplace. All you have to do is give us a call, we ll enter your specific needs (space, capabilities, and location), and we ll search the database for a match. FLEXE connects you with the right partners Once a match has been made, FLEXE will work with both parties to make sure it s a good fit and successful partnership. With pop-up fulfillment centers, you can get your products closer to your customers to save shipping time and money. 3

4 2. Getting Started Step 1: Define project scope Implementing ecommerce fulfillment centers isn t a small feat. To ensure it s successful, our fulfillment experts partner with you to define the full scope of your project including operational and technology requirements. We ll then use that information to find the warehouse partner(s) that s right for the job. Step 2: Find and select your warehouse partner(s) configuring ideal put-away and picking, shipping functionality, and establishing integration between FLEXE s system and yours. Step 4: Get the teams trained We train relevant personnel on each side how to use the technology, so the project runs smoothly from start to finish. We start by identifying a handful of best-fit partners based on location, fulfillment service capabilities, and project fit. Then we send your project to bid within that network. You are notified of which potential partners accept your bid and we work with you to make the decision. Step 3: Support your business with tailored technology After you find a partner, we customize the technology to support your specific needs. This includes things like loading in SKUs, item master, product characteristics, Step 5: Go live We develop a project plan, identify key team members, and conduct pre- and post-go-live monitoring. We have an operations team and project management process to make sure the implementation is successful. We then monitor the project before and after to ensure the highest level of operational performance. 4

5 3. One-and- Done Legal Contracts One contract, as many providers as you need Through FLEXE s contracting process, you and the warehouse partners sign and acknowledge the same set of terms and conditions. Once you have gone through FLEXE s one-time, up-front contracting process, you are free to do business and transact with any and all providers within the FLEXE marketplace. Manage contracts online We aim to take the never-ending back and forth of redlines out of the equation. All contracts are managed and reviewed through our online portal, and can be securely signed and accepted with the click of a button. Scope and pricing exhibits are managed at the reservation-level, and get reviewed by both parties online before agreeing to move forward with live operations. 5

6 4. The Technology Cloud-based, no hassle The FLEXE platform is cloud-based no subscriptions, no software to download. Access your dashboard with a simple login. With an intuitive interface, it s easy to get started and easy to use. One platform, multiple partners Manage multiple fulfillment partners in varying locations from a single dashboard. The entire network is connected and standardized through the same WMS lite platform giving you total visibility into your inventory and operations across all of the partners with whom you re working. Automated tracking and billing Automated tracking and billing makes it easier to manage pick-ups, deliveries, and operations. All billing is handled through our platform and all your inventory details and history can be seen online, in real time. 6

7 5. Leverage the FLEXE Network Test new markets Once you are a part of the FLEXE network, it s easy to add fulfillment centers and grow your network. You can test new markets with little risk because you can popup and pop-down centers without any capital costs. Offer same-day delivery or launch a product promotion Similar to testing new markets, it s easy to grow your networks to accommodate special product promotions or test same-day delivery. Easily define the length of time for different promotions to test effectiveness and build your strategy. Manage peak seasons better Use the FLEXE network to better manage overflow issues during peak seasons by scaling capacity. Pop up short-term warehousing when and where you need it. Perform a network analysis A network analysis helps you optimize your FC strategy. A network analysis is run through a network modeling tool that runs all your fulfillment variables through its system and calculates the most optimal solution including how many FCs you should have and where they should be. Manage returns Returns happen. Once an item is returned to the warehouse, operators can easily mark the item as returned in the application, send it for repackaging, and restock it in the inventory to be sold. Become a supplier Because each party agrees to the same terms and conditions upon joining the FLEXE network, it s easy to become a supplier as well. Take advantage of our network when your business has space available to generate revenue on otherwise dead capital. Keep in touch with FLEXE Let us know how you re doing and keep us aware of upcoming peaks and valleys. By staying in touch regularly and keeping us informed, our team is better equipped to offer suggestions and help you plan for future needs. 7

8 6. See How Others Do It Startup advantage A startup in a competitive market used pop-up fulfillment to scale its distribution network without costly acquisitions and long-term commitments. In a few weeks, it was fulfilling 1-2 day deliveries and gaining an advantage over competitors. It s on-time orders and accuracy rates jumped from 60% to 99% and it cut transportation costs by 15%. Swift solutions A popular shoe company used pop-up fulfillment to expand its pop-up stores into new markets without exceeding its budget. By getting its inventory closer to its pop-up stores, the company saved money and reached more customers. Fully operating distribution network in just three weeks 15% cut in transportation costs Improved on-time orders and accuracy rates by almost 40% Positioned to handle seasonal inventory spikes and overflow problems faster Started delivering on customer promise immediately, creating a competitive advantage Significant transportation cost savings Expanded pop-up stores into three new markets without exceeding budget 8

9 About FLEXE FLEXE is the leading online marketplace for on-demand warehousing solutions. FLEXE s technology connects shippers who need warehouse space with warehouses that have extra capacity. The result is additional revenue for the warehouses and a fast, easy, and affordable way for shippers to solve inventory overflow and fulfillment needs. No long-term contracts, no fixed-fees, and no complicated technology integration. FLEXE has hundreds of warehouse partners across the country, making it the nation s most comprehensive network of on-demand warehouses. Headquartered in Seattle, WA, we are a team of technology entrepreneurs and logistics experts bringing cutting edge software to age-old supply chain challenges. See our blog, success stories, and inquire about joining our network at THE MARKETPLACE FOR WAREHOUSE SPACE sales@flexe.com