Questions and Answers

Nowadays, transport and storage are only a small part of the import and export process. Logistics providers offer a wide range of supporting activities, known as value-added services. These give companies the freedom to concentrate on growing their business by developing, marketing and selling their goods and services, while leaving the logistics to the professionals. In a previous question, we discussed value added services for online retailers, but what other VAS services can you rely on at the cargo-partner: Receipt of goods This includes goods acceptance, quality and quantity controls, and receipt documentation. Then, the goods are sorted, marked and palletized in accordance with the accompanying import documentation. If it is a bonded warehouse, storage is carried out under customs supervision. Sorting Items are sorted according to criteria such as type of goods, destination of delivery, weight, handling requirements, sensitivity or size. Next, there will be a separation (creation of smaller units) or a merging of goods (consolidation). Repackaging, packaging and labeling Goods are grouped and/or packaged in order to protect them in storage and/or prepare them for further shipment. Then, the packages are labeled – not only to make them easier to identify, but also to add information such as production date, storage conditions, transport requirements, etc. This can include comprehensive services such as printing package inserts and labeling products according to customer instructions. Storage in a high-bay rack or mezzanine Depending on the type of goods and the method of distribution, the goods are placed either on pallets or in special packaging on more accessible lower shelves (mezzanines). Space optimization ensures that a customer’s goods are stored using the most efficient and cost-effective approach. Testing and document insertion Testing is a service that is often required for technical items in order to confirm the performance of the equipment. After testing, the items are marked as acceptable and the appropriate documents, such as warranty cards or user manuals, are inserted. Pallet and parcel distribution Items can be loaded into pallets or delivered in parcels. Stackable pallets maximize shipping space, while more sensitive items are usually loaded on non-stackable pallets. Parcel distribution is used for delivery to the final customers and, in the context of online shopping, may include pay on delivery. WMS (Warehouse Management System) Automating the exchange of information is a key requirement in ensuring efficient warehouse operations. Modern warehouse management systems (WMS) support this automation, provide round-the-clock inventory control and increase productivity while minimizing manual effort and costs. Track & trace and returns Modern track & trace technology allows logistics providers to react quickly to delays and keep customers updated. Return logistics includes a range of services, including quantity and quality checks of the returned goods. These services are particularly important for online sales. For more information, visit the cargo-partner website or contact us for a detailed consultation! Best regards, cargo-partner | transport + iLogistics

E-commerce has been a rapidly growing business segment for years, and COVID-19 has further accelerated this trend. Online retailers can save time and money by choosing a logistics partner who offers not just transport and warehousing, but an all-round service package for their order and fulfillment processes. This includes value added services such as cargo consolidation, order picking, packaging and labeling as well as parcel distribution.

Cargo consolidation means collecting goods from different shippers or at different time intervals and gathering them in one place. By consolidating multiple shipments efficiently, logistics providers can achieve an optimal utilization of cargo space and save time and costs in purchasing and pre-carriage.

Order picking consists of selecting and gathering all items required for a specific customer order – in the right type and quantity – and preparing them for transport. Automation and modern IT systems can greatly enhance picking speed and minimize error rates.

Packaging services can be provided either for transport of individual shipments or for storage purposes. This goes hand in hand with labeling – labels make it easy to identify the goods and provide information about the quantity in the package, the date of production, storage conditions, transport requirements and more.

Parcel distribution is perhaps one of the first aspects that come to mind when talking about e-commerce. A modern logistics provider should not only ensure fast and reliable parcel delivery, but also offer access to online services for shipment booking and tracking.

With cargo-partner’s supply chain management platform SPOT, online vendors can compare the rates of all available parcel service providers in a simple overview and book parcel shipments directly from the system. Invoices, shipment and return labels can also be printed directly from SPOT.

cargo-partner’s IT teams can easily connect any online shop to the cargo-partner warehouse for prompt order handling. Vendors can track their shipments in real time, and end customers receive regular status updates about when their shipment will arrive.

Want to find out more about cargo-partner’s end-to-end e-commerce solutions? Visit the cargo-partner website or contact us for detailed information!

Best regards,

cargo-partner | transport + iLogistics