Logistics On The Go With The New VendorFind App

March 8th, 2012

Having access to high quality, low cost service providers can help move any business forward. Our new app gives you a simple and cost-effective way to connect with the best business services for your needs.

The VendorFind app features all of InsideUp’s 20 business service provider categories, including VoIP, call center, payroll, human resources, business internet,  web development,  credit card processing, collection agencies,  business cash advance and many more.

Are you looking for third party logistics services?  VendorFind will let you tap into InsideUp’s comprehensive knowledge base to learn about logistics services before you make your decision and choose a vendor.

You’ll also have access to tools such as informative videos, wikis, vendor ratings and “Quick Guide” overviews of each category including logistics. Easily link to our Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn pages for additional information and special deals from select vendors.

Once you’ve found the service you need, simply submit a quick survey to be instantly matched with vendors that fit your criteria–and receive custom, competitive quotes from multiple providers. Have additional questions about business services? Simply click on our phone number displayed on the app to speak to a representative.

Finding qualified service providers has never been easier! Say you’re meeting your business partner to discuss your new logistics campaign. Simply access the logistics category on your mobile phone to start receiving quotes from pre-screened logistics agencies. You could realistically save up to 60% on logistics services for your next campaign. And that’s just one example; with VendorFind at your fingertips, you can be sure you never pay too much for the business services you need.

The VendorFind app is a real time-saver for businesses that don’t want to advertise for a service provider and then face the ordeal of researching each provider to find the one that best matches their needs and budget.

Download the free VendorFind app today and see how easy it is to connect with the business services that will help your company grow.

 

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Logistic Services: How to Make an Effective Logistics Strategy

January 26th, 2012

There is no specific formula for an efficient logistic service; different service providers will give you different answers about their success.

The basic elements of logistics, however, remain the same: production planning, procurement, warehouse and inventory, material handling and transportation.

Keep these areas in order and you have a recipe for an effective logistics service. If any of these elements are lacking, you will see a significant reduction in sales.

Production Planning

Production planning is the first and the most crucial step in logistics. It has a direct impact on your procurement budget, which in turn affects the final cost. Bear in mind that any wastes incurred during production can cause a significant financial loss to your company. Over-production, for example, can result in excess product that may deteriorate and lose value sitting in the warehouse, while impeding the production of more immediately required goods.

Check your stock on a regular basis to ensure proper planning. Today, we have technology at our disposal that allows stock checks to be made on a weekly basis. More accurate figures meanbetter planning, which in turn can keep your costs under control.

Procurement

Procurement affects your company’s expenses, so you’ll want to have the resources and expertise in place to ensure maximum productivity. Manufacturing or purchasing requires diligent planning.Procurement also includes purchasing and handling equipment and other materials you will need in the warehouse, such as forklift trucks. The best practice is to obtain a quality item at low price and in a timely manner.

Warehouse and Inventory

Management of warehouse and inventory is an important step. You must stay up to date with the demand of goods–and keep them managed. Negligence in this area may cause you to either run out of stock or gather piles of goods. Both of these scenarios will reduce your sales. A good logistic service manages the inventory properly and makes sure that the supply corresponds to the current demand.

Material Handling and Transportation

From procurement to delivery, special attention should be given to the handling of goods and material. This is particularly true for fragile goods/raw material. Proper policies and regular checks should be made to ensure minimum waste.

Transportation is an important aspect of logistics and logistic services; it ensures that goods are transported at the right time and delivered to the right place. Proper planning is required to assure every movement is properly executed. Transportation can be  costly. A good logistics service will take very seriously their supply chain management and responsibility to get the complete order to your customer within the given time-frame.

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Logistics Sourcing: Choosing a Shipping Service

October 5th, 2011

Getting your products delivered to the right destination on time is vital to the success and reputation of your company. Outsourcing your shipping needs to a reliable provider is one of the best ways to ensure the safe and timely delivery of your products.

Your risk with shipping outsourcing is relatively low. Since you own the inventory, you won’t lose it if the company goes bankrupt. Your contract should reinforce this, as well as protect you from loss if the company should change ownership.

A comprehensive three to five year contract should also secure your pricing arrangement in case the company is sold.

Make sure your business insurance covers loss of inventory from fire, flood or other disasters, just as you would if you used your own shipping facility.

If you have special warehouse distribution needs, shop around to find a company that can provide the services your business requires. Most of the smaller fulfillment companies are owned by a sole proprietor or partners. These businesses serve many direct response clients and are well known to companies that have call centers. Asking for references from several of their clients should give you clear picture of a vendor’s reputation.

Some factors to consider if you choose to outsource shipping and handling: Some shipping providers specialize in international product delivery. Other carriers are ideal for businesses that need to ship in large volumes. These offer cargo charter services, freight consolidation, warehousing and other services for high capacity enterprises.

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How to Select a Third Party Logistics Provider

September 22nd, 2011

Third party logistics, also known as 3PL, include services such as warehousing, shipping and order fulfillment and can be a valuable resource to help your company deliver products to your customers. With the help of a third party logistics provider you can effectively streamline your operations and control your costs.

Most of the smaller 3PL companies are owned by a sole proprietor or partners. These businesses serve many direct response clients and are well known to companies that have call centers. Asking for references from several of their clients should give you clear picture of a vendor’s reputation.

If you have special shipping needs, shop around to find a company that can provide the services your business requires. Some shipping providers specialize in international product delivery. Other carriers are ideal for businesses that need to ship in large volumes. These offer cargo charter services, freight consolidation, warehousing and other services for high capacity enterprises.

When choosing a warehouse distribution provider, take the time to visit the facilities. Note the condition of the building in which your products will be housed. The roofing, framing, insulation, lighting, ventilation, drainage and flooring should all be in excellent condition. Also, find out who will be responsible for loading, unloading, guarding and transporting your products.

When selecting a fulfillment provider, be as clear as possible about your needs and expectations. This will enable the vendor to give you an accurate and realistic estimate of what it will cost to pick up, store and deliver your products safely and in optimum condition.  The Mailing and Fulfillment Service Association provides an industry model contract to which you can compare each proposed fulfillment contract.

Established fulfillment houses guarantee their work and will compensate you for any errors. Still, it’s a good practice to review the TOS for each potential vendor. Be alert to per-pallet storage quotes. Some companies have a single SKU minimum per pallet, resulting in a minimum monthly charge for each SKU regardless of the actual number of items. Also, note the range of stock carton and mailer sizes the company offers. Excessively large mailers or cartons can result in additional postage or UPS/FedEx charges.

Many fulfillment vendors are equipped to fill the needs of small and medium businesses and can carry out the entire fulfillment process from shopping cart to doorstep. You may wish to start out on a small scale by sending just a few SKUs to sample the services of a potential fulfillment partner before entering a long-term contract.

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Benefits of Logistics Outsourcing

September 22nd, 2011

Third party logistics, or 3PL, services include warehousing, shipping and order fulfillment, and can be a valuable resource to your company. With the help of a third party logistics provider you can effectively streamline your operations and control your costs.

Keeping track of orders, shipping, inventory and returns, along with various other supply chain functions can be extremely time-consuming and expensive for many companies. Outsourcing these processes can be the ideal solution. Third party logistics companies are equipped to efficiently manage all aspects involved in fulfilling customer orders, from taking the initial order to delivering the product to your customer. With experienced, professional third party logistics services and freight services to handle these tasks you will be free to focus on growing your business. Here are a few other benefits you’ll experience with logistics outsourcing:

  • With logistics resources worldwide your company can expand internationally and operate on a much larger scale. You can do business wherever the opportunity presents itself by setting up delivery operations in another country within a relatively short time frame.
  • Outsourcing 3PL functions reduces your risk when you’re first starting to do business in a foreign country. Your provider, being more familiar with the location, will be able to assist and advise you during the expansion process.
  • Third party logistics providers posses the expertise, experience, and infrastructure required to help you with all of your logistics needs.

Choosing the right 3PL provider or providers is a vital step in successfully outsourcing your supply chain operations.

Finding a good third party logistics company is a logical, step-by-step process. You begin by gathering facts and figures regarding your projected logistics and fulfillment needs. The next step is to gather and compare bids from fulfillment houses that meet your qualifications. When discussing pricing with your provider, be as clear as possible about your needs and expectations so the vendor can give you an accurate and realistic estimate.

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Quick Guide to Logistics Services

August 30th, 2011

Third party logistics, or 3PL, services include such warehousing, shipping and order fulfillment, and can be a valuable resource to your company. With the help of a third party logistics provider you can effectively streamline your operations and control your costs.

Choosing the right 3PL provider or providers is a vital step in successfully outsourcing your supply chain operations. Supply chain service providers are equipped to efficiently manage all aspects involved in fulfilling customer orders, from taking the initial order to delivering the product to your customer.

Finding a good fulfillment outsourcing provider is a logical, step-by-step process. You begin by gathering facts and figures regarding your projected order fulfillment needs. The next step is to gather and compare bids from fulfillment houses that meet your qualifications. When discussing pricing with your provider, be as clear as possible about your needs and expectations so the vendor can give you an accurate and realistic estimate. You can simplify this process by taking two minutes to fill out our simple form. You will be matched with leading logistics service providers and receive custom quotes from each.

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