Whether you’re about to start an online shop or have been running one for a while, you’re sure to come across these terms. Can’t find a particular term? One of the experts from team Titan Fulfilment will be happy to help you with any questions you have. Click here to get in touch.
The processes focused on handling and processing order activities that arise from customer contact.
Managing the incoming and outgoing flow of goods from your own stock or that of a customer.
Order processing is the process in which a warehouse employee, also known as an order picker, retrieves and collects incoming orders. As soon as the order picker takes the goods from stock, they scan the product and the location with a handheld terminal.
A fulfilment centre handles the logistics for an online shop. It is responsible for the entire logistics process, from order processing to returns. By outsourcing fulfilment, you have more time to focus on other aspects of your online shop.
Warehousing is the storing of goods that will be distributed at a later stage. A warehouse is, by definition, a storage facility and is used solely for storing goods. Storing goods is part of the fulfilment process
Logistics is more than just transport from one place to another. It is an umbrella term for everything involved in organising, planning, managing and carrying out a flow of goods from the first to the last phase
Transport covers all movement of people, animals and goods from one place to another. In other words, to transport means to move an organism or object from point A to point B.
E-fulfilment is the logistical handling of orders from online shops. Online shops outsource the complete logistics process to a fulfilment company: from receiving and storage to delivery to the end customer and reports on processed orders and stock.
Returns logistics is the logistical processing of goods being returned to a business. A synonym for this is reverse logistics. Returns can have various causes. Returns take place when an ordered product does not meet the customer’s expectations.
Order processing is the sum of all administrative tasks carried out from receipt of the order up to and including preparing the shipment for dispatch.
Goods receipt is the penultimate step in the procurement process, in which the ordered goods are physically delivered and the company carries out the administrative tasks needed to process them or add them to stock. The final step is paying the invoice.
The flow of goods along the various routes between the purchase of materials and raw materials and the delivery of products to external customers.
All the tasks that need to be carried out to deliver a product from an online shop to the customer, from the moment it is ordered.
A fulfilment method for online shops in which the online shop does not hold the products it offers in stock itself. As soon as a dropshipping store sells a product, it buys the item from a supplier, often based abroad, and has the product shipped directly to the customer.
Outsourcing a large part or even all of the logistics process to an external logistics partner. 3PL stands for Third Party Logistics. The 3PL acts as the intermediary between the client and its customers, providing storage facilities and transport activities.
Value Added Services (VAS) are services added to a core product or service to increase its value. Examples of VAS include customer loyalty programmes, accessories for mobile phones, customer support, mobile applications, online content and value-added services such as data analysis and cloud computing. VAS can be used to differentiate a product or service and increase customer loyalty.
Negative stock is a situation in which more products have been sold from the warehouse than are actually present. This situation can occur when incorrect data or figures have been entered or when an error has been made during a stock count. It also occurs when there is a sharp increase in sales but the stock is not replenished. Negative stock can lead to lost revenue because there are no more products available to sell. It can also lead to fines or claims from sellers or customers who are unable to receive their order, or from customers who come along and do not get value for their money.
A packing slip is a document used to record important information about the associated goods or services. It is usually used as proof of purchase. A packing slip provides information about the buyer, the seller, the date of dispatch, the products or services sold, the purchase price and other relevant information. A packing slip can also be useful in the case of negative stock. With a packing slip, companies can track the number of products that are no longer available in the warehouse. It can also be used to track goods or services that have already been purchased or dispatched, so that the company knows where to deliver its products and services. A well-designed packing slip can help a company to identify, track and manage all purchases and sales. It is a useful tool for increasing overall customer satisfaction while reducing costs and problems.
A freight forwarder is a person or company specialising in managing transport and logistics processes for business purposes. They work with transport companies, airlines, customs brokers and other partners to ensure that goods and materials arrive safely and on time. When a freight forwarder is involved in a transport contract, they usually deliver the goods to their destination. Freight forwarders do many things, such as choosing the most efficient route, coordinating the transport of goods, keeping records, carrying out customs checks and handling payments. They also help to draw up budget plans and are usually up to date with the latest transport laws and regulations. Freight forwarders often have sound knowledge of many different modes of transport, including air and sea freight, container transport, road haulage and rail freight.
A distribution centre is a dedicated facility that companies use to send their products to customers. It is a central point where goods are collected, sorted, packed and dispatched to customers. Distribution centres usually have a large storage area where products are kept so that they can easily be organised, packed and dispatched. Distribution centres are usually run by a distribution centre manager who is responsible for managing and organising the products in the centre. The distribution centre is also responsible for sending goods to customers by lorry, aeroplane and ship. Distribution centres are essential to a company’s success because they enable the company to dispatch and deliver efficiently.
Customs is a government agency that regulates the import, export and transit of goods into and out of a country. Customs is also responsible for collecting taxes, checking import documents and monitoring compliance with trade regulations. Customs duties and taxes may be levied on goods entering or leaving the country, depending on their nature, value and origin. Customs documents such as import and export documents and tariff codes are required to ship goods. Customs officers may inspect suspicious goods and check ownership before goods are admitted into the country. Customs controls must also be enforced at airports, ports, border crossings and other locations to prevent goods from being imported or exported without the proper licences
A barcode is a visual identification system used to encode information about products. It is used to identify products, provide product details and process transactions. Barcodes are useful because they can be read and processed quickly by special scanners. The most common barcodes consist of a series of numbers and lines that are read by a scanner. These numbers can be used to encode information about the product, such as the brand, the price, the product number, etc. By scanning the barcode, companies can collect data about their products, such as sales, the number of units sold, etc. The use of barcodes also makes shopping easier, because customers can identify and buy their products more quickly.
Occupancy rate is a term used to measure the extent to which a particular space or facility is used. It is usually used to measure the number of people using a building, a room or a place. It can also be used to determine the capacity of a facility. The occupancy rate is usually measured by comparing the number of people present in a particular space or facility with the maximum permitted capacity. Depending on the situation, different methods can be used to measure the occupancy rate, such as the number of people per square metre or the number of people per cubic metre. Occupancy rate is an important factor in determining safety and comfort in a particular space or facility.
Storage and stock management is a process in which a company keeps track of and manages the stock it holds. With this process, companies can keep track of the purchase, sale, movement and location of their stock. This process allows a company to ensure that it always has the right quantities of stock to meet demand. The process also includes managing the storage space where the stock is kept, as well as organising the stock so that it is easy to find. The storage and stock management process can also include controlling the temperature and humidity in the storage area, as well as managing energy consumption and security. The process also includes recording the stock in the company’s system, so that the company can keep track of its stock and know where it is located.
