Smooth warehouse processes are the pillars of a successful ecommerce fulfillment. From order integrity to rapid shipments, each warehouse touchpoint has a direct bearing on profitability and customer satisfaction. If you're a D2C business or a growth Shopify store, it's important that you know some of the most important warehouse activities and how you can maximise them.
In this article, we will discuss the five most critical warehouse activities, how to optimise them, and how companies like Eshopbox can make the operations even smoother, particularly if you so happen to be searching for a 3PL Shopify.
1. Receiving Inventory: The First Touchpoint of Fulfilment
Receiving is the first and most important phase of warehouse activity. It entails inspecting, checking, and accepting material into the warehouse. Mistakes during this process can result in stock discrepancies, delays, and missed sales.
Optimisation Tips:
- Employ barcode scanning to compare the received product with the purchase orders
- Inspect materials for damages so that only sellable stock enters the system
- Schedule receiving times to minimise dock congestion
Combining automation with robust warehousing solutions significantly minimises human error and maximises data accuracy right from the start.
2. Putaway: Intelligent Putting Away for Rapid Picking
Putaway is putting away products from the receiving dock to their designated storage locations. Done efficiently, it optimises storage efficiency as well as retrieval time in the future.
Optimisation Tips:
- Use dynamic slotting to keep best-selling items near the packing stations
- Apply location tracking for immediate inventory visibility
- Save travel time by storing items in a logical frequency of order
For a Shopify ecommerce company with a 3PL, intelligent putaway strategies can contribute to higher rates of order fulfillment and reduced mispicks.
3. Picking: Speed and Accuracy Are Paramount
Picking is the process of choosing items to be shipped to customers in an order. Slow or inaccurate picking results in slippage of delivery and return orders. The process generates significant overall fulfilment expense.
Optimisation Tips:
- Use zone or batch picking methods to be more efficient
- Use mobile phones or scanners for pickers to reduce errors
- Utilise real-time information to anticipate order patterns and stock ahead accordingly
Advanced warehousing technology automates picking through computerisation and minimises reliance on human intervention.
4. Packing: Safeguarding the Customer Experience
Packing entails combining selected products safely and in the right manner for delivery. Proper packing is not always about being faster, but delivering goods to the destination intact and in the right condition.
Optimisation Tips:
- Standardise packaging material to enhance consistency and minimise wastage
- Incorporate automated weight verification to confirm orders before sealing
- Add return labels or inserts for a more fulfilling post-purchase experience
For companies that rely on a 3PL for Shopify, accurate packing equals fewer returns and happier customers.
5. Shipping: Last Touchpoint to the Customer
Shipping is the last warehouse touchpoint before the product hits the customer. It's not dispatch—it's timely, cost-efficient delivery.
Optimisation Tips:
- Integrated with multiple carriers to get the best rates and routes
- Real-time tracking of shipments to alert customers pre-shipment
- Smart scheduling of pickups such that SLAs are not violated
When combined with technology-driven warehousing solutions, shipping is a value-added strategic process instead of a cost centre.
How Eshopbox Streamlines All Essential Warehouse Functions
Eshopbox is an end-to-end ecommerce operation partner that provides technology-enabled warehousing solutions to scaled brands. As a Shopify merchant searching for an efficient 3PL for Shopify, Eshopbox provides unrivalled precision and scalability.
Below are some of the ways in which Eshopbox optimises warehouse operations:
- Receiving & Putaway: Barcode-assisted receiving with AI-powered quality checks and real-time storage mapping
- Picking & Packing: Intelligent algorithms provide optimal picking routes, and packing is in by brand-specific protocols
- Shipping: Seamlessly integrated with multiple courier partners for rate optimisation and SLA-driven dispatching
- Inventory Management: Inventory management of Eshopbox provides real-time visibility and auto-sync to all selling channels
- Returns Management: Seamless returns processing with quality checks, grading, and re-shelving
This makes Eshopbox a trusty 3PL for Shopify sellers who want seamless integration and real-time control.
Conclusion
From receiving to shipping, each warehouse activity impacts your bottom line and brand reputation. Leveraging modern warehousing solutions and finding the right 3PL for Shopify can unlock speed, accuracy, and efficiency in your fulfilment operations.
Discover how Eshopbox can optimise your ecommerce warehouse activities, reduce costs, and improve delivery SLAs. Schedule a demo today to streamline your business with a tech-enabled fulfilment solution.
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