What To Know About 3pl Providers

| Tuesday, January 1, 2013
By Celia Ayers


3pl providers are companies that manage the supply chain of other businesses. They provide specialized services that allow businesses to outsource some duties performed in the management of their supply chain. They offer a wide range of services either as a replacement or a compliment to the logistic operations of client firms. The services available are distribution, warehousing, inventory control, fulfillment, transportation or several of them bundled together.

These firms have contributed greatly to efforts aimed at reducing the cost of operating businesses by allowing them to outsource some of their supply chain management roles. They monitor the movement and storage of goods for the client company. The nature of services offered depends on the contracted provider. These services can also be customized and scaled based on the needs of a customer with respect to the prevailing conditions in the market.

Different businesses have their own reasons for hiring third party providers. The main factors that may prompt an organization to reach the decision to outsource some duties depend on their plans for the future with respect to objectives, expansion, acquisition lines and product lines. On deciding to outsource certain processes then an affordable 3pl that is able to meet all needs has to be looked for.

There are three main types of Third Party Logistics Company that are operational. These are asset based, management based and integrated services. The asset based uses their resources such as personnel and warehouses to offer these services. The management based use resources of other companies to offer managerial and technological to facilitate the operation of logistics of the client companies. Integrated providers can either use their assets or those of other companies to meet the demands of their clients.

The hiring process begins by the presentation of a complete quotation to various potential companies. It is important to specify all the requirements of a company so that all logistic operations are met. The most important information includes the volume of work involved, duties to be carried performed, expected efficiency and the nature of the contract.

All the service providers interested then send their bids for evaluation. The evaluation process is conducted based on some defined criteria to check their ability to deliver efficiently. It seeks to establish the level of technology, personnel qualification, the space available in the warehouse and the capacity of their dock. It also checks the network coverage in the geographical location where the bidder is located.

The review process also checks the ease with which the company is able to respond to changes in the environment. There should be a high degree of flexibility to enable the business to benefit from any arising opportunities. The cost charged by the hired company should be checked to lower the cost of operating the business

The evaluation process ends when the most appropriate company is identified and is awarded the contract. 3pl providers allow businesses to outsource logistic functions enabling them to pay more attention to their core functions. It has also helped business firms to minimize their operational costs




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