Distributors face enough challenges operating their own warehouse facilities. But, when you add third-party warehouses (3PLs), the challenges get even harder. How can you maintain control and visibility over 3PLs and make the most of your outsourced warehouse operations?
You still have to manage many aspects of the warehouse and distribution processes even when you are outsourcing eCommerce. These include logistics for inventory management, warehousing, and fulfillment. For example, a 3PL can’t ship an order without inventory on hand. Inventory must be stored, and the 3PL must have space to store that inventory. They must maintain the inventory, and then be ready to ship orders as they come in.
Developed by Advanced Solutions & Consulting, Acumatica’s Third Party Warehouse API offers a solution. It is an easy-to-use system that comprehensively integrates Acumatica cloud Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) to warehouse management software packages. This allows 3PL warehouses to interact with your business as if they were your own. The seamless integration between 3PLs and Acumatica’s ERP directs orders to the correct warehouse, maintains inventory counts, confirms shipping methods and carriers and updates tracking information and accounting.
Outsource Warehouse Operations
The Acumatica platform provides a cost-effective solution to grow your business without the need for additional personnel. Customer orders that are initiated on an eCommerce website flow hands-free to the 3PL for fulfillment. The system provides updates to inventory and the general ledger. The inventory control system treats 3PLs as just another Acumatica warehouse with real-time receipt, transfer, and shipment updates.
In addition, the Acumatica system can email tracking numbers to customers and update the website to reflect current inventory. The inventory management system also tracks returns, including RMAs, returns for replacement, returns for credit, and the difficult-to-manage undeliverables. These capabilities allow your business to scale without having to hire more people to manage inventory, fulfillment, and returns.
Penetrate New Markets
Acumatica’s API supports multiple 3PLs, so you can move into new markets. Maintain warehouses in more geographical locations without additional payroll burdens. The system automatically sends orders to the correct warehouse based on customer location, product availability, and other factors. The API supports all shipping options provided by the 3PL for improved customer service. Fulfillment requests can be transmitted on-demand to a 3PL so you can compete with companies that offer fast shipping options. The Third Party API also supports international operations.
Focus on Corporate Strengths
By outsourcing manufacturing and warehousing, your company can focus on important differentiators like product development and acquisition. You can concentrate on the details of inventory management, replenishment, marketing, and growing the business. The solution is adaptable and can be deployed in-house or in a private or public cloud.
The system scales as your business grows. You can then extend your outsourced warehouse management capabilities to other solutions such as Customer Relationship Management (CRM), finance, and data visualization. Access the system anywhere on any device, including mobile, control workflows, and easily configure the solution to fit your needs.
Learn More About the Third Party Warehouse API Module for Acumatica
ASC delivers Acumatica ISV solutions that save serious time and money for distribution, supply chain, and accounting applications. They address complex ERP requirements extending Acumatica’s market breadth and competitiveness. ASC augments Acumatica with elegant solutions that monitor and automate ERP functions to improve Acumatica’s competitive landscape and save customers (and their VAR’s) serious time and money.
Contact us for a demo and free consultation to learn more about how Acumatica’s Third Party Warehouse API can help you keep sight of external warehouses.
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