Logistics flows

The explosion in logistics flows linked to e-commerce

The rise of e-commerce is overturning traditional distribution models. This trend is accompanied by societal changes. Consumers are increasingly demanding that their orders be delivered to their door within very short timescales, and this is leading to an explosion in logistics flows. This explosion is disrupting the entire logistics chain, to such an extent that we now speak of e-logistics. Faced with these upheavals, market players are investing in dedicated platforms that no longer handle global shipments to a group of stores or distributors, as is the case in mass distribution, but individual logistics flows to end customers.

More and more small-scale order picking

As a result of changes in end-customer consumption habits, warehouses are now focusing on retail preparation, handling smaller and more numerous orders. Consumers no longer hesitate to place multiple orders for a single product at a time. As a result, the number of orders received by digital platforms has increased tenfold.

More and more means of delivery

Delivery is at the heart of innovation in e-commerce, so much so that it is referred to as e-delivery. Delivery is also an essential element in the customer's shopping experience. Digital customers demand impeccable delivery service. It is therefore essential to offer a wide range of high-performance delivery services. Today's customers can choose from a wide range of delivery options, including 1 working day delivery, in-store collection and pick-up at a relay point.

Ever shorter delivery times

The growth of e-commerce has accelerated all logistics processes. When digital customers make a purchase, they expect it to be delivered quickly. To meet this demand, more and more delivery platforms are offering 1 business day delivery. Transport is therefore an essential element in the logistics chain, and represents a more significant cost item than in traditional distribution.

The importance of a WMS designed and conceived for e-commerce

Operational efficiency

Implementing a WMS software package helps to boost the warehouse's operational efficiency by providing visibility across the entire supply chain. The functionalities of a warehouse management solution provide information on all operations within the warehouse. Traceability of goods is thus guaranteed, greatly facilitating investigation processes in the event of a problem in the supply chain. In particular, the WMS helps to improve inventory management, optimize storage space and increase the productivity of logistics personnel.

Keeping the customer promise

Intervening throughout the supply chain, the information system is a real assistant for logisticians, carriers and other logistics service providers. The use of a WMS, in particular, enables companies to keep the promise they have made to their customers: to deliver the right product to the right place at the right time. Indeed, the digital customer has become accustomed to immediacy, and expects to be taken care of where, when and with the means of communication they have chosen. In particular, customer satisfaction depends on short delivery times, varied shipping methods, personalized shipping, order status tracking and simplified return procedures.

Fluid information for transparency and customer confidence

E-business requires orders to be tracked all the way to the end customer, making the supply chain even more complex. The WMS system provides reliable management of complex supply chain data, preventing errors. In doing so, it guarantees the fluidity of this information, a guarantee of transparency and customer confidence.

To cope with the explosion and acceleration of logistics flows, companies need to equip themselves with the most effective tools to control and optimize them, and thus control costs.