E-fulfilment meaning
We buy more and more products online in webshops. You could say that by now we could not live without webshops. But our digital orders don't just arrive at our homes or businesses. There is a whole logistical process that precedes this. A frequently used term in logistics is e-fulfilment (often called fulfilment). But what exactly is e-fulfilment? We will explain it to you!
Meaning of e-fulfilment in a nutshell
In short, the meaning of e-fulfilment is as follows:
E-fulfilment meaning: All logistic operations that must be performed in order to deliver an ordered product within a web shop to a customer.
E-fulfilment includes the entire logistics process. This also includes matters such as storage, order processing, inventory management, packaging, customer service and return processing.
Outsource e-fulfilment?
Curious about the e-fulfilment possibilities for your web shop? Feel free to contact Active Ants and we will be happy to advise you!
The e-fulfilment process
To make the meaning of e-fulfilment clearer, we will divide the e-fulfilment process into 6 steps. We have briefly explained these steps below:
- Receipt of goods (Goods-in)
- Inventory management
- Orderpicking
- Packing
- Shipping
- Return processing
1. Receipt of goods (Goods-in)
The e-fulfilment process starts with the receipt of the goods. The goods are unpacked, checked and registered in our WMS system. We apply strict service levels for this. Are the goods delivered in the morning? We ensure that they are in stock the same day.
2. Inventory management
Within our e-fulfilment centres we work with an Autostore storage bins system. This means that there are more than 600,000 bins, shared between our 5 e-fulfilment centres, available to store your stock! Of course, we also ensure that the items are stored dust-free, theft-proof and very compact. In this way we keep our, but also your footprint very limited!
3. Orderpicking
Has a customer ordered something from your webshop? Then our robots in the e-fulfilment warehouse get to work right away! Our Autostore robots (worker-ants) ensure that goods are brought to the order picker. Because we work with many robots, the chance of errors within our e-fulfilment process is minimal.
4. Packaging
We also do most of the packing with machines. They pack your orders in a tailored way. This way, we also use less cardboard and packaging material. And we send less air.
5. Shipping
To ensure that orders are delivered as quickly as possible, Active Ants uses a standard cut-off time of 23:59 in the Netherlands. All orders placed before this time will be delivered the next day. Furthermore, we try to use the best (local) carrier in each country within our e-fulfilment process. That is why you can choose for yourself from one of the thirteen carriers with which we ship worldwide.
6. Return processing
Returns processing is also part of the e-fulfilment process. Packages are regularly sent back. We make sure that the returned articles are checked and put back in order. Subsequently, the parcel is taken back into the stock. In addition, our return process has been set up according to the strict requirements of platforms such as Zalando and Amazon. This is handy if you sell your products via these platforms.
For a successful e-fulfilment process
To ensure that your web shop customers are satisfied, there are a number of other things you need to do to support the above steps. For example, it is important that your data is up to date and that your communication to your customer is always correct:
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- A good IT system: The webshop, the ordering system and the inventory management system must be connected to each other. This creates a combined system for a streamlined e-fulfilment process.
- Customer service: (Potential) customers can have questions about products and unfortunately complaints can also come in. The correct handling of these contact moments also contribute to the success of your webshop.
- E-fulfilment reports: Measuring is also important for a webshop! A good reporting system for your webshop is important. This allows you to identify opportunities and threats and thus optimise and adjust where necessary.
Need help with your e-fulfilment process?
We will be happy to take the e-fulfilment process off your hands. This leaves you time for your core business. With our advanced e-fulfilment solutions, there is always a solution for your webshop. Please feel free to contact us for the possibilities.
Is e-fulfilment the same as fulfilment?
E-fulfilment and fulfilment are often mixed up. Although the terms are broadly similar, there is an important difference. E-fulfilment only concerns the logistic process for web shops. While fulfilment can also relate to the logistic process of physical shops. E-fulfilment is therefore a more specialised branch within the fulfilment services.
If a logistics service provider only provides logistics services for web shops, then we call such a company an e-fulfilment company. Active Ants is such an e-fulfilment company, specialised in web shop logistics.
Outsourcing e-fulfilment
Outsourcing your e-fulfilment can save you a lot of time, money and effort as a web shop. This way, you will have more time to spend on your core business, your web shop. We have listed the advantages of outsourcing your e-fulfilment:
- You do not have to invest in your own storage space.
- You do not have to hire and train staff for the logistical process of your webshop.
- You don't have to worry about illness or leave of personnel.
- You have precious time to spare.
- You save money by taking advantage of more favourable delivery rates.
- You can offer shorter delivery times more easily.
- It is easier to deal with peaks and troughs.
- Your logistics process is more efficient, has smaller error margins and is more sustainable.
The meaning of e-fulfilment at Active Ants
At Active Ants, we like to give our own twist to the meaning of 'e-fulfilment'. With our modern machines and robots, we ensure that your orders are delivered to the customer on time. We offer the following services in the field of e-fulfilment, including:
- Goods-in
- Storage
- Orderpick
- Packing
- Shipping
- Return processing
Outsourcing e-fulfilment to Active Ants?
Active Ants is an e-fulfilment company that manages your web shop logistics as accurately and efficiently as possible through innovation, automation and working with robots. Are you curious about what Active Ants can do for your web shop when it comes to e-fulfilment? Please feel free to contact us to get acquainted and discuss the possibilities. Or request a quotation without any obligations.
Would you like to take a look at our e-fulfilment centre? Watch the video below or make an appointment and drop by!