Third-Party Logistics (3PL)

What Does a 3PL Provider Do?

A 3PL provider typically offers the following services:

• Receiving and warehousing
  Goods are delivered directly to the 3PL’s warehouse, where they are registered and stored.

• Pick and pack
  When an order comes in, the 3PL partner picks the goods from the shelves, packs them, and prepares them for shipment.

• Shipping and transport
  Your logistics partner usually has good agreements with carriers and selects the most efficient delivery method.

• Returns handling
  Returned goods are received, inspected, and restocked if they are still sellable.

• Tracking and reporting
  Most 3PL partners offer digital access to order and inventory data – often through their own WMS – so you can monitor activity in real time.

What Are the Benefits of Third-Party Logistics?

For many businesses – especially webshops and growing companies – 3PL is a smart, scalable solution that offers several advantages:

• Reduces the need for your own warehouse and staff
  You avoid investing in your own facilities, hiring warehouse staff, or purchasing your own WMS. The logistics partner handles everything for you.

• Scales with your business
  Experiencing a sudden surge in orders? A 3PL setup can handle peak periods and business growth without you having to restructure internally.

• Gives you more time to focus on your core business
  By outsourcing logistics, you can focus on product development, marketing, customer service – or growing your business – rather than packing boxes.

• Streamlines delivery and returns
  With a professional logistics partner and a reliable WMS, errors are reduced, delivery times are shortened, and your customers enjoy a smoother experience – even when returning products.

How Does 3PL Integrate with Rackbeat?

When using 3PL, it’s crucial that your inventory management system can integrate seamlessly with your logistics partner’s systems. This is where Rackbeat comes in – a flexible, user-friendly WMS that connects directly to your 3PL provider.

With Rackbeat, you get:

• Integration with 3PL providers
  Order and inventory data are automatically synchronized between you and your logistics partner – saving time and reducing manual errors.

• Real-time visibility into inventory movements
  No matter where your products are physically stored, you can track inventory status and order flow in Rackbeat – allowing you to make informed decisions.

• Automated order flow
  Whether it’s a webshop order or a B2B sale, Rackbeat sends the order information directly to your 3PL provider, so fulfillment happens fast – without manual input.

In short, you get the best of both worlds: outsourced logistics with full control and transparency through your WMS.

When Does It Make Sense to Use Third-Party Logistics?

3PL is especially beneficial if you:

• Are growing and struggling to keep up with logistics
  A 3PL solution gives you the capacity to grow without needing to expand your own warehouse facilities.

• Run a webshop and want a digital, scalable setup
  Outsourcing storage and logistics allows you to run your business flexibly – without being physically tied to a warehouse.

• Experience seasonal fluctuations in demand
  3PL gives you access to extra resources when you need them most – without locking you into fixed costs long-term.

• Want to reduce fixed costs and avoid tying up capital in warehouse infrastructure
  You only pay for the space and services you use, and you avoid investing in your own systems and facilities.

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