Because 3PL doesn't rest.
As the vital connection between manufacturing operations and your client’s customers, third-party logistics (3PL) requires a tremendous amount of resources. Sequoia Group’s solutions are designed for businesses that want real-time, actionable insights and flexible solutions for bottlenecks within their fulfillment operations.
Focus your time and efforts on growth and client satisfaction instead of the tedious pick, pack, and ship functions of your business that could be automated.
When you partner with logistics experts like those at Sequoia Group, you can make your supply chain work for you.
What are Third-Party Logistics (3PL)?
Take a look at what 3PL can do for you:
- Improve order accuracy while ensuring the highest efficiency and lowest operating costs.
- Achieve greater accuracy and transparency with a comprehensive financial management system.
- Increase visibility with built-in, real-time analytics so you can make the right decisions.
You have an amazing product available. You’ve mastered every step of the manufacturing process and now need to get it into the hands of paying customers.
Does your operation include warehouse space with the square feet necessary to store products? How are you pulling items from the shelves and packaging them for shipping? Who’s tracking the expenses related to fulfillment services?
With 3PL, you can outsource your fulfillment process to the experts. A fulfillment center can process your online orders, handle shipping logistics, and ensure your products get to your customers without a hitch. Now you’re able to invest your time and resources into continuing to develop your product and services instead of fretting about fulfillment.
Whether you’re a manufacturer, retailer, or distributor, we want you to have 3PL that can streamline your supply chain management process.
Warehouse Management
Fulfillment operations will always encounter challenges. It’s how those challenges are faced, and with what resources, that ultimately determine the outcome. Those who partner with Sequoia Group can attain full visibility, achieving 100 percent fulfillment and the ability to manage current challenges in the warehouse while sidestepping future ones.
With 3PL solutions, you can take advantage of the Cloud to quickly improve the efficiency of your warehouse operations at a lower total cost of ownership (TCO), without the traditional onboarding risks.
Business Intelligence
3PL software provides you with interactive analytical reports designed to provide decision-makers with smart data for scalable growth. YOu’ll also be able to assign filters, formulas, summarization, aggregation, color coding, sorting, and categorization to your data so you can get the reports you need when you need them.
Real-time reporting also includes dynamic graphs, pivot tables, and OLAP for ad-hoc analysis with visual notifications going to pertinent personnel. With the help of simple wizards, 3PL software can provide ad-hoc reporting so you’re not inundated with unnecessary information throughout the workday.
Integrated Billing
3PL solutions aren’t reserved for fulfillment services. They can also help you automate your billing process and include a wide range of visual formats, including reports, dashboards, pivot tables, and numerous graph types.
With advanced analytics and business intelligence, you’ll only get the alerts you need concerning billing, and you can personalize with wizards and configuration settings so employee dashboards are customized with the necessary data. The visuals created by 3PL make data easily interpretable for all team members
In summation, the major benefits of 3PL include:
- Handling the logistics of packaging, warehousing, fulfillment, and distribution
- Reduced overhead costs
- Increased accuracy and efficiency
- Improved business scalability
How do you know it’s time to invest in 3PL solutions for your business? If you’ve reached a point in your operations where you feel you can’t keep up with demand, it’s time. If you’re running out of warehouse space for inventory, it’s time. If you want to more efficiently ship products to compete with 2-day shipping offered by other retailers, it’s time.
Individual needs may vary across industries but, in general, there are certain criteria to look for when researching 3PL services. Some of the most valuable tools offered by 3PL include:
- Advanced Data Analytics
- B2B and DTC Fulfillment
- Distributed Inventory
- Expedited Shipping
- Inventory Management
- Kitting and Customization
- Returns Management
Essentially, the supply chain management solutions you choose should allow you to delegate certain tasks to make room for your business to thrive.
To measure 3PL performance, you should refer to key performance indicators (KPIs). Measuring performance in various aspects of your business should tell you whether your current 3PL solution is working for you.
KPIs to Monitor:
- Inventory Accuracy
- Rate of Returned Parcels
- Carrying Cost per Unit
- Shrinkage
- Average Lead Time
- Cost per Unit Shipped
- On-Time Delivery
- Picking Accuracy
- Rate of Mis-Ships
The Tecsys Omni Suite from Sequoia is a complete, end-to-end solution that helps 3PLs manage their business more effectively and efficiently. It provides real-time visibility into all aspects of the operation, from quoting and order entry to shipping and invoicing. The Tecsys Elite Suite is a comprehensive WMS solution that optimizes warehouse operations and improves accuracy, productivity, and customer service. It integrates seamlessly with the Tecsys Omni Suite to provide a complete solution for 3PLs.
Sequoia Group has extensive experience implementing and integrating the Tecsys Omni Suite and Elite Suite into 3PL management operations. We can help you get the most out of these powerful solutions.
Whether you’re a manufacturer, retailer, or distributor, we want you to have 3PL that can streamline your supply chain management process.
Tecsys Omni Suite
Features of Tecsys Omni Suite:
- Cloud-Based Solution
- Includes Customizable Modules
- Mobile App (compatible with Android, iOs, Windows, and BlackBerry)
- User-Friendly Interface
- Built-in Customer Portal
- Monthly Subscription Pricing
- Inventory Management
- Warehouse Management
- Transportation Management
Tecsys Elite Suite
Features of Tecsys Elite Suite:
- On-Premise Solution
- Compatible with Windows
- More Complex Interface
- One-Time Fee
- Inventory Management
- Warehouse Management
- Reporting
3rd Party Logistics (3PL)
- Third-party logistics providers manage all or part of a company’s inbound and/or outbound transportation and distribution.
- Can also include value-added services such as packaging, kitting, assembly, and light manufacturing.
- Outsourcing these services allows businesses to focus on their core competencies.
Warehouse Management System (WMS
- A software application that helps companies effectively manage inventory in their warehouse.
- Tracks stock levels, locations, and movement of items in the warehouse.
- Helps businesses to improve the accuracy and efficiency of their operations.
The union of 3PL services and physical storage space, 3PL warehousing helps your business by housing inventory in off-site fulfillment centers. You’re not just matched with a facility that simply has space for your product; a 3PL warehouse solution carefully manages your inventory, picks it, packs it, and ships it for you while updating logistics in real time.
In a world of next-day shipping and in-depth product tracking, consumers have developed lofty expectations. However, many organizations disregard them instead of striving to meet them. Our technology-driven solutions, designed to empower 3PLs work to achieve the following:
- Introduce greater flexibility
- Expedite fulfillment and delivery
- Allow for operational agility
- Improve customer retention
- Eliminate logistics headaches
You need customized logistics and warehousing solutions in order to be successful; Sequoia Group offers them.