Third-party logistics providers, or 3PLs, partner with retail and eCommerce companies to ease the burdens associated with organizing, managing, and tracking supply chain logistics. A 3PL partner will offer end-to-end support for your entire fulfillment process and offer services such as order fulfillment, warehousing, freight forwarding, inventory management, and transportation administration.

Leveraging a 3PL’s expert support allows for reduced cost, complexity, and greater focus on the growth and success of your business. Working with the right team, you can be sure that cost savings, flexibility, and seamless scalability are effortlessly achieved. There are a multitude of 3PLs to choose from in India, but not all are equipped to be the optimal logistics provider for your organization. With your business and reputation at stake, making the most informed decision when you choose your 3PL partner is paramount.

What to consider when choosing a 3PL provider.

When you are evaluating a 3PL, here are a few things you should consider:
 

How robust is their network – A well-designed and positioned network is the keystone of any logistics company. The 3PLs you should consider will have crafted their network of warehouses and distribution centers to guarantee quick and accurate fulfillment anywhere in the country.

Can they dynamically scale to meet your needs? – Being able to fluidly scale your operations is a primary benefit of logistics outsourcing. As your volumes go through peaks and valleys, a strong 3PL should be able to leverage their network to scale your operation quickly, smoothly, and cost-effectively. An optimized and well-forecasted inventory reduces inventory costs and ensures that production is in sync with customer demand.

Is the customer support organization up to the challenge? – Your business and brand reputation may hinge on how well you and your partners are able to deliver outstanding customer support. Are they equipped to respond to and resolve customer queries and challenges quickly and professionally? Look for the customer support practices and standards that your customers deserve.

Are they committed to outstanding tools and technology? – The modern eCommerce environment depends heavily on robust technology, data insights, and reporting. Ensure that the 3PL provider you consider is equipped with extensive technology and advanced solutions to provide actionable data analytics and pinpoint tracking.

Are they omnichannel experts? – The pandemic has accelerated modern consumers preference for the ease and convenience of ordering through multiple channels. Not all 3PLs have experience or expertise in supporting the various avenues that modern customers use for commerce. A good partner can easily work through the nuances of omnichannel commerce and fulfillment without compromising performance or service.

Check the safety and reliability record – An exemplary safety record, along with a culture focused on safety is a strong indicator that a 3PL has the right training, tools, processes, to be trusted with your business.

 
Conclusion –  Great 3PLs will be experts in their core business, so you can be an expert in yours. A skilled 3PL will provide the network you need to deliver to your customers quickly and economically. They provide the flexibility to scale with customer demand and business growth and allow you to better control your costs via precise inventory and fulfillment management.  Asking the right questions and performing your due diligence will ensure that you select the best 3PL for your business.

XPDEL is a leading hi-tech provider of fulfillment and logistics services, on a mission to enable growth for eCommerce companies. Our existing customers know that our core competencies are focused on helping them grow. We are futuristic in our vision and constantly work to create technology that allows us to meet customer expectations for today and tomorrow. Our vast network of fulfillment centers across India places us closer to your customers and enables us to deliver more quickly and efficiently than the competition.