What To Know About 3pl Providers

| Wednesday, January 2, 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.

They have become very essential in all supply chains. These firms offer efficient and affordable services that help organizations to reduce resources used in their operations. They actively participate in monitoring the transportation and storage of goods involved. Each company offers different services but all of are able to customize them to fit the specific needs of a customer as per the market conditions.

There are several factors that have to be considered in order to select an appropriate third party provider. These factors are not the same in all businesses. The decision to contract a 3pl provider depend on the goals of a company in terms of whether there are plans for expansion, increase number of product lines and acquisition lines and many others. It is only after the decision has been made that a search for the appropriate third party company begins.

Third party logistics companies can be broadly classified into three categories. These include management based, asset based and the integrated services provider. Asset based use the resources they own to serve their clients. Management based incorporates the resources that belong to their clients in the provision of their services. The third category of integrated providers only offer technological and managerial services and use their own resources or those of a client depending on the terms in the agreement.

The first step in this process of selecting a provider is to submit a request of information. All the logistic requirements should be clearly specified in the quotation. This makes it possible for the company to effectively meet all the specified tasks. The quotation should include a description of all tasks, performance level required, information about the nature of the contract and the volume of work.

The prospective service providers then submit their bids and their suitability is evaluated based on a defined criterion. The review of bids is done to determine the capability of interested companies. It determines whether there are adequate technology, warehousing space, personnel and dock capacity to meet all the needs of the client. It also checks network support in the geographical location it is situated.

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

This process facilitates the identification of the most appropriate company from all the bidders. The selection process should be conducted in the professional way for the sake of the success a business. 3pl providers have enabled businesses to concentrate on critical duties by outsourcing several of their functions. They have contributed greatly to efforts aimed at minimizing operational costs.




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