If you have inventory, you have a warehousing issue. Storing goods safely and efficiently is vital to running a profitable business. Whether you will be best served by a self-storage facility or a full-service commercial warehouse will depend on your needs and your ability to spend time and money keeping your inventory in check.
So, when making a decision, consider:
* How much space you need and how your goods need to be stored.
* Will you be able to receive the items and take them to a storage area or do you want someone to receive the items for you at a warehouse?
* Are you willing to manage the inventory or would you rather have someone else do it?
* Do you want to ship directly from the warehouse?
* Do you need to be near your warehouse?
* Can you save money by locating it away from your central office in an area conducive to your shipping and receiving needs?
Moving from the garage to the warehouse is a huge step — one that requires making a number of choices. Some companies offer climate-controlled warehouses or offer harder-to-find features like hazardous-materials storage.
Moreover, wholesale distribution and warehousing is a changing field as technology replaces many of the tasks previously performed by workers. So, make sure your fulfillment company stays on top of the latest trends in warehousing and distribution in order to keep their operations fully prepared to handle your business as efficiently as possible. Warehouse management need to know where they fit as it relates to their own clients’ best welfare and remain competitive.
Get in touch with other businesses in order to get information regarding the best warehouse logistics staff and facilities. Blogs and online newsletters are replacing print magazines in droves and they can be a very efficient means of communication. Find an Internet blog or website that provides trust-worthy information and attracts reliable posting participants.
Read the articles and participate in blogs and other information resources. Read up on changes in wholesale distribution and warehousing and browse the news affecting your type of business. Look for information sources that will send you updates as they occur so that you will be on the alert for emerging issues that will affect your business. Be prepared with the latest updates and aware of what the competition is offering when you meet with candidate fulfillment companies. Being aware of what their competition is offering is a great tactic for success in making the big decision.