3PL stands for ‘Third Party Logistics’ and is the activity of a company hiring an external company (Third Party) to handle aspects of their fulfilment and logistics requirements. ‘Supply Chain Outsourcing’ is the exact same process as 3PL, but just using different terminology. Both activities relate to a business using an external partner to assist with aspects of their storage and distribution needs. Typically, eCommerce Retailers who have no physical shop or storage facility utilise order fulfilment providers to store, pick, pack, and distribute their items once purchased online via their eCommerce platform.

Using a ‘3PL provider’ or a ‘supply chain outsourcing provider’ for eCommerce fulfilment is a very common, efficient, and cost-effective solution for businesses of all shapes and sizes and comes with significant benefits.

Firstly, having your own facility capable of receiving, storing, and distributing your products can be extremely complex to set up and maintain. It is also significantly financially constraining on your company as you have to consider various fixed costs such as; facility rent, maintenance charges, staffing costs, and equipment purchase/hire. All of which you have to pay for whether you have goods to store or not. The location of your fulfilment operation facility is also a big consideration, with warehouse real-estate next to key distribution routes proving extremely expensive requiring long term rent commitment. The majority of businesses understand that their money could be far better invested in activities such as; product enhancement through research & development, increased marketing campaigns, and market diversification. All of which seek to add value to their customer.

Yes, a Third Party Logistics Partner can assist with negotiating rates, determining transport modes, customs compliance and clearance, inventory management, and streamlining logistics operations. Overall, a 3PL can help businesses save time and money by managing the complex logistics of freight and customs operations, while also ensuring compliance with regulations and minimizing the risk of delays or errors. Finishing Line is no exception this, and can provide a full a complete freight and customs management offering. For more information check out our Freight Forwarding service page.

Here at Finishing Line, we have developed our own system, Tenevo, which is a complete Enterprise Resource Planning and Warehouse Management System combined.

Tenevo, our bespoke cloud-based ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system, enables clients to remotely manage all aspects of their operation from stock and order reporting, to invoicing, order and carrier management, stock movement and eCommerce platform integration.

Tenevo is fully integrated with all the key eCommerce platforms, such as Amazon, Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Etsy, and eBay. Tenevo is also integrated with domestic and international courier systems such as DHL, DPD, Royal Mail, Yodel EVRI and UPS. 

Tenevo provides our clients with access to metrics and analytics that allow them to track the success of our logistics operation, this is presented through Tenevo’s Commerce client dashboard.

Tenevo’s Commerce  provides our client’s with a complete summary of all stock inventory, past and present orders, and returns from one or multiple eCommerce platforms and distribution channels. By aggregating all order, carrier, and client data into one dashboard clients can manage all aspects of both their B2B and B2C fulfilment in one place.