Returns Processing

Mar 21

philsnyOrder Fulfillment, Technology , , , , , , No Comments

Product returns go hand-in-hand with shipping orders. Anyone who orders a product online assumes that they can somehow return that product if it becomes defective or is not what they ordered. Thus, companies shipping product need to be prepared to receive and process returns. When these same companies use a fulfillment warehouse they need to be aware of the returns processing capabilities of their 3rd party provider.

Returns come in a variety of flavors. A shipment can be refused by a consignee and returned to its sender. Likewise, there can be a bad address, causing the shipment to be returned. In both cases the package was not opened and the product can simply be returned to the shelf in the warehouse. Otherwise, a consignee can receive a shipment and later decide to return all or part of the items in the shipment. In this case, an RMS number is often issued by the company along with an address and instructions for how and where to return the item.

The warehouse receiving the return needs to be prepared to quickly receive, identify and report on its contents and condition. Returns must be processed swiftly since the customer is waiting to get a credit back for their purchase. Online visibility is also key for the company to monitor their returns through the process.

ProPack has built a complete returns processing system for receiving, processing and providing online visibility to all client returns. Returns are first entered into our system, complete with an inventory of each item contained within. Clients then receive an email detailing the return and its contents. Once the client authorizes action on the return, its contents are then returned to the shelf, discarded, returned to the customer or held for further inspection. This whole process is visible online along with a complete history of a client’s returns.

Returns are an intricate part of picking, packing and shipping orders. At ProPack, we’ve invested in technology and systems to quickly and effectively drive our returns process.  Our added online access allows clients to manage the returns process with complete transparency. This reduces costs and adds value for our clients, allowing them to focus on selling more product and shipping more orders.

For more information please visit our website at www.propack.com.

The Path of an Order

Jan 10

philsnyOrder Fulfillment, WMS , , , , , , , , , No Comments

Orders are the lifeblood of any Fulfillment Warehouse. At ProPack we are not in the business of storing product, but in the business of shipping orders. Thus we’ve worked hard over the years to build custom technology to facilitate the path of an order through our system. We’ve done this not only to make our internal processes more efficient but to build value for our clients through faster service and greater supply chain visibility.

First, orders need to be input into our WMS system – www.p3pl.com (ProPack 3rd Party Logistics) . This can be done through web-to-web transactions, direct online entry, by emailing an Excel sheet, or by using our QuickBooks interface.

Once orders are in P3PL an order release specialist uses our automated system to allocate inventory to the order. If problems arise in this process such as inventory shortages the client is notified immediately.

Next the order is taken to one of our experienced order pickers who (again using P3PL) scan the order off the shelf by location, and lot number if necessary. Scanning product reduces errors by close to 1 in 10,000.

After scanning, the contents of the order are taken to the packaging stations where they are arranged into their shipping packages.

Finally the closed and sealed packages are processes on our customized multi-carrier manifest system for FedEx, UPS, USPS or DHL. After they are processed packages are then picked up by their respective carriers and leave our building.

However, the process does not stop there. Each evening nightly transaction reports are sent out containing all shipping and inventory transactions for the day. As well, all information is available on www.p3pl.com to any of our clients.

The path of our client’s orders through our system is a well thought out science that let’s our clients get product to their customers as quickly and accurately as possible. This builds value for ProPack, adds value to our client’s and delivers value to our client’s customers.

For more information please visit our website at www.propack.com.