Warehousing Services
Choosing <A href=” http://www.fulfillmentplusny.com/direct-to-consumer/order-processing.cfm”> Warehousing Services</a>
If your company carries inventory, you have storage. As your inventory grows, so does your need for storage and warehousing becomes a possible answer to your storage needs. There’s more to warehousing than you probably know. Warehousing services cover a varied range of activities. From a rented garage sized warehousing facility all the way up to a professional pack and ship outfit.
Some small business owners run daily operations out of little garage-type self-storage units they rent. The previous day’s orders can be picked and packaged inside the storage unit and taken for shipping at the end of the day. When they outgrow this setup,warehousing services are a good alternative to explore.
Different types of <A href=” http://www.fulfillmentplusny.com”>Warehousing Services</a>
There’s more to warehousing than simple storage. However, many warehouses think there isn’t, and this is the cheapest type of warehousing. You simply rent storage space and nothing else. Access may be limited and any special features (loading docks, fork-lift trucks, accepting shipments) can cost extra. In any warehouse set up( including the U-Store type) insurance and security should be looked into. Some products may need special environmental considerations. If this is the case, don’t forget to check that the warehouse is climate controlled.
Look out for at least: theft and fire insurance – theft and vandalism can often be a real worry when you aren’t around to supervise what’s going on. See if the operation has liability insurance and what bonding options they offer.
As well as simple storage, warehousing services might also offer pick and pack style order fulfillment services. You transmit your orders (with customer information) and they find the product and even ship it for you.
The middle ground is having your orders picked and then arrange for shipping yourself. This would allow you to check orders before they are sent off.
Additional Considerations:
· Climate controlled storage– for artwork or other precious commodities that might be adversely affected by changes in temperature.
· Registered warehousing – for custom delicate items, both for shipping or receiving goods.
· High security storage– you have your own secure lot and the area is both patrolled by security guards and alarmed.
· Hazardous materials storage – a specific type of warehousing for hazardous materials.
Warehouse Plus <A href=” http://www.fulfillmentplusny.com/direct-to-consumer/picking-and-packing.cfm”>Pick, Pack and Ship</a>
If you have very large items (or bulk inventory) to sell, you will need somewhere to store them before they are shipped. Once they are sold the items have to be taken to the shipping operation. However, by using a company that provides both storage and a pack and ship services you will remove this problem.
Order picking and included paperwork may still be your problem. However when an order is drawn from storage, the pack and ship service handles the rest. This is very useful for merchandise that is hard to ship or require special delivery tracking, proof of delivery or insurance. Most warehouses now use barcoding to track your shipments with their pack and ship facility. Some also provide other record keeping, such as postage costs or other ancillary services.
Pack and ship companies also often accept deliveries as part of their services. This can be a real time saver and keep you from dashing down to the warehouse quite so much.
Warehousing on a Budget
In most cases, businesses that already run a warehouse operation will be happy to lease you storage space for your goods. These can be informal arrangements but it pays to draw up an agreement that covers access and obligations. Insurance for your stock is also up to you.
Unconventional storage space can be found almost anywhere for the creative entrepreneur. A neighbor’s garage might suffice or even an outdoor area, so long as your merchandise can be sufficiently protected from the weather. Sometimes, people are willing to allow you to use a space providing you are willing to maintain it for them.
Remember, be on the lookout for businesses that have unused rooms that aren’t being used. These can sometimes be rented very cheaply , because they would otherwise be wasted space. Just remember to insure against loss – it’s best not to rely on the current policy, it rarely protects what amounts to a new.
