Do you find yourself wondering what B2B fulfillment is? Find it a challenge to fully understand B2B fulfillment and B2B shipping?
In this article, we’ll discuss what B2B fulfillment is and how you can find the right B2B service provider. We’ll also discuss B2C fulfillment and how it is different from B2B fulfillment.
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What is B2B Fulfillment?
Business-to-business (B2B) is a situation where one business makes a commercial transaction with another. This typically occurs when:
- A business is sourcing materials for their production process for output
- A business needs the services of another for their operations
- A business re-sells goods and services produced by others
B2B Fulfillment is the process of fulfilling orders to other businesses instead of directly to customers. Most B2B fulfillment orders are larger orders that are sent out to other businesses, which then resale to consumers directly. B2B fulfillment helps those businesses that don’t have warehouse space, or simply want to outsource their warehousing needs to a fulfillment service provider. Using a B2B shipping 3PL company allows you to focus on your core business needs, while a trusted fulfillment provider handles your wholesale delivery.
By definition, a third-party logistics (3PL) company “is a service that allows you to outsource operational logistics from warehousing, all the way through to delivery, and ultimately enables you to focus on other parts of your business.” A 3PL company can provide services such as transportation, warehousing, picking and packing, inventory forecasting, order fulfillment, packaging, freight forwarding, and much more.
The next section will now go over B2C order fulfillment.
B2C Order Fulfillment
B2C (business-to-consumer) order fulfillment services focus on delivering goods directly to customers.
Like B2B businesses, B2C businesses also start off by shipping inventory to your fulfillment center partner. This fulfillment center stores your inventory in bulk and when B2C orders need to be sent out, your 3PL fulfillment center ships packages to your customers.
What Does a Good B2B Order Fulfillment Service Provider Have?
Finding the right B2B fulfillment provider can be tough, but it’s very important to take it seriously to ensure you have a sound B2B shipping strategy. You want to make sure they have a good reputation, are a good match for your business, and have the right experience.
Here are a couple of things to look for:
EDI compliance
Electronic data interchange (EDI) is the concept of businesses electronically communicating information that was traditionally communicated on paper, such as purchase orders and invoices. Technical standards for EDI exist to facilitate parties transacting such instruments without having to make special arrangements.
Good Customer Service
Everyone knows that issues arise with orders and you want to have a B2B fulfillment partner who can handle them the right way. Speak with multiple B2B service providers if needed, but make sure they have a committed customer service approach.
Our Brand Fulfillment Model
Evolution is a different kind of North American distributor. That means we think differently about the challenges you face.
We have established a turn key alternative to the traditional international outsourced distribution sales model that we call “Brand Fulfillment”. This alternative allows US & international designing/manufacturing companies to enter the US and Canadian markets without relinquishing brand control or giving up valuable margin points to distributors. With your customer in mind, we have created a streamlined process to ensure that your customers will focus on enjoying your product, without the worries of managing the importation process. Your company retains complete control of your brand’s marketing message and your customer list.
Our outsourced fulfillment service takes care of the management of your wholesale & consumer distribution business, allowing you to build the market directly through third party domestic sales agencies. With Evolution support staff employed as an extension of your own staff, you will retain sales and brand control of your products at a significant cost savings, while ensuring the highest level of brand focused customer service.
To learn more about our Brand Fulfillment Model and how it can transform your B2B shipping, click here.
About Evolution Group of Companies
Established in 2010, Evolution Group of Companies has grown to include five distinct operating entities: Evolution Fulfillment, Evolution Global, Ape Ship, Order Marshal and Blastramp. Each one of our brands is unique in its own way and effectively allows international businesses to operate in Canada and the US with turnkey order fulfillment solutions. Our focus on efficiencies, solutions, and technologies sets us apart.
From warehousing and fulfillment, customer service and accounting to software integrations, application development and shipping and courier – we have evolved to cover all aspects of supply chain management.
If you’re interested in learning more about our services, visit our website at www.evolvewithus.ca.
