What is the difference between fulfilment and e-fulfilment?
Every year, we order more and more products online. As a result, the number of online stores in the UK, but also abroad, has increased considerably. Terms that often recur in the logistics service are 'fulfilment' and 'e-fulfilment'. But what exactly is fulfilment and e-fulfilment and what is the difference? These terms are often used interchangeably (partly wrongly). We explain it to you here!
What is fulfilment?
In order to give an answer to the difference, we will first briefly explain what Fulfilment is.
Fulfilment is the entire logistic process of order fulfilment.
So the storage and shipment of packages, but also all steps in between. Fulfilment can be carried out for both online stores and physical shops.
What is e-fulfilment?
Now that we know what fufilment means, we will also briefly explain what e-fufilment stands for.
E-fulfilment is the entire logistics process of order fulfilment for a webshop.
So the processing and sending of orders for a webshop. This involves the entire logistics process: from the storage and stocking of the products prior to sale, to the picking, packing and shipping of the order to the customer. And even the return processing can be part of the service.
Difference between fulfilment and e-fulfilment
The terms fulfilment and e-fulfilment are used interchangeably more and more often these days. This is because the two forms of fulfilment are very similar. Nevertheless these terms are wrongfully used by most people. There is a difference! Where e-fulfilment is only aimed at the order processing for a webshop (online), this does not have to be the case with fulfilment. Fulfilment can also relate to the order processing of a physical shop (offline).
So the difference between fulfilment and e-fulfilment is:
- Fulfilment focuses on the order fulfilment process of both online (webshops) and offline stores (physical shops).
- E-fulfilment focuses only on the order processing of online stores (webshops).
Outsourcing E-fulfilment?
Outsourcing the fulfilment of your web shop? Contact Active Ants without obligation.
Difference between a fulfilment company and an e-fulfilment company
Are you a webshop looking for a specialised company for your webshop logistics? Then a fulfilment company that specialises in just the order fulfilment process for web shops is usually the better match. Such a logistics service provider is therefore called an e-fulfilment company. If the company also provides logistics services to physical shops, it is called a fulfilment company.
Outsourcing e-fulfilment to Active Ants
More and more webshops are choosing to outsource their e-fulfilment, because they want to focus purely on the core business of their webshop. Logistics is often not the core business of an organisation, which is why outsourcing is often a logical choice. For Active Ants, however, logistics ís the core business. We are specialised in webshop logistics with the following e-fulfilment services:
- Inbound (Goods-in)
- Storage
- Inventory management
- Order picking
- Packaging
- Shipping
- Return processing
Want to know more about our services? Watch the video below!
Meet Active Ants
Active Ants is an e-fulfilment company that works as accurately and efficiently as possible through innovation, automation and working with robots.
Are you curious about what Active Ants can do for your webshop in terms of e-fulfilment? Contact us without obligation to find out about the possibilities. Or get to know Active Ants and drop by one of our fulfilment centres. Or watch the video below for a short impression!
