Read the full post on our blog 👉 saltbox.com/blog/switching-from-a-3pl-to-a-co-warehousing-solution
The holiday season is one of the most critical times for ecommerce businesses, making it essential to have a logistics partner that can scale and adapt to your needs. If you’re currently managing logistics in-house or through a traditional third-party logistics (3PL) provider, you may be missing out on the flexibility and control that a co-warehousing solution can offer. Here are some important highlights to consider if you’re thinking about making the switch before peak season:
1. Greater control over inventory and fulfillment
Traditional 3PLs often restrict access to inventory and limit your control over fulfillment operations. Co-warehousing allows for hands-on management, giving you the ability to physically access your products and manage day-to-day operations like packing and shipping.
• Do you have direct access to your inventory?
• Can you handle fulfillment on your terms?
2. Flexibility to scale with demand
The holiday season often brings unpredictable surges in orders. A co-warehousing solution lets you easily adjust your space and services to accommodate these fluctuations, ensuring you’re only paying for what you need during peak times.
• How adaptable is your current logistics provider?
• Can they scale quickly with your business needs?
3. Personalized service and community support
Unlike large-scale 3PLs, which may treat your business as just another account, co-warehousing offers personalized service and community support. You can benefit from tailored logistics solutions and a network of peers who understand the challenges of ecommerce logistics.
• Does your current provider understand your unique business needs?
• Are you part of a supportive business community?
4. Steps for transitioning to a co-warehousing model
Switching logistics providers ahead of peak season requires careful planning. Take stock of your current logistics needs, plan your move, and optimize your workspace for a seamless transition. Co-warehousing solutions also offer fulfillment services that can further streamline operations during busy times.
For a deeper dive into these considerations and more detailed steps on how to switch from a 3PL to co-warehousing, check out our full blog post Switching from a 3PL to co-warehousing before peak season: What to know.