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The Indian logistics market is growing rapidly. It was valued at $215 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $800 billion by 2030.
There are manufacturing companies and industries in Noida. They require enough space to store inventory and deliver it to customers on time. But managing the entire supply chain and logistics can be challenging for many small and medium enterprises. A business can partner with fulfillment centers in Noida. They use advanced technologies such as warehouse management systems, AI, and robotics to optimize a business's order fulfillment process.
What Is A Fulfillment Center?
A fulfillment center is a third-party logistics service provider that stores and manages a business's inventory. They play a crucial role in shaping the e-commerce business. Whenever a customer orders a product from the website, the order details are automatically sent to the fulfillment center. The staff at the fulfillment center pick up the ordered product, package it, and hand it to the shipper. The shipper further delivers the product to the customer.
Nowadays, most fulfillment centers use cutting-edge technology, such as warehouse management systems and barcode scanning tools, to locate specific products and track them over time. These tools even enhance the efficiency of the order fulfillment process.
How A Fulfillment Center Differs From A Warehouse?
Most people think that both a fulfillment center and a warehouse are the same thing. Both are large buildings and hold inventories. But the working principles are different.
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Why Does Your Business Need A Fulfillment Center in Noida?
Your business will require a fulfillment center in Noida for the following reasons.
1. Location Advantage
Noida is well connected by major highways, including NH-24 and the Yamuna Expressway. Indira Gandhi International Airport is nearby, facilitating easy and efficient air transport. A railway station is nearby, which facilitates seamless goods transport through rail.
2. Lowers Operational Costs
The storage and order fulfillment charges at the fulfillment center in Noida are usually lower than in other metro cities like Bangalore and Mumbai.
3. Access To Skilled Workforce
Skilled workforce reduces picking and packaging errors and speeds up the order fulfillment process. You can find a skilled workforce, especially in Noida, who will enhance the supply chain efficiency of the business.
4. Reduces Delivery Transit Time
Noida connects with various neighbouring states, including Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh. This enables quick delivery of goods in these regions and enhances customer satisfaction.
How does the Fulfillment Center work?
Here is a step-by-step guide to the working of a fulfillment center in Noida.
1. Inbound Receiving
The seller sends the goods to the fulfillment center in Noida. The goods are first unloaded from the truck. The staff inspects the goods or products thoroughly to ensure there is no damage. They enter the product weight and quantity into the software.
2. Storage & Inventory Management
The staff stores products in designated locations, such as shelves and racks, depending on market demand, size, and weight.
Most of the reputed fulfillment services in Noida use software like a warehouse management system, track products in real time and avoid problems of overstocking and understocking issues.
3. Order Processing
Whenever a customer orders a product from the website, the order details are immediately synced with the fulfillment center in Noida. The staff picks the ordered products and does a thorough packaging. Proper packaging ensures that the product does not get damaged during transit.
4. Labelling And Shipping
Labelling and shipping are the last stages of the order fulfillment process. The staff at the fulfillment service in Noida apply a shipping label to the packaged ordered product. The label includes customer details, tracking information and many more. The staff then scans the packages, verifies and sorts them based on the logistics partner. The courier partner finally picks up the ordered packages and delivers them to the customer.
5. Return Handling
Sometimes the customer does not like the ordered product and places a return request. The staff pick up the product from the customer and bring it back to the fulfillment center in Noida. The fulfillment center team inspects the product thoroughly and decides whether to restock, refurbish, or recycle based on the product's condition.
Types Of Fulfillment Services In Noida
- E-commerce fulfillment: An ecommerce fulfillment service is a complete process of storing products of an e-commerce business. It even involves picking the ordered product, doing the packaging and handing it to the shipper for delivery.
- B2B Fulfillment: B2B fulfillment is the process of handling large, bulk orders between businesses such as retailers, distributors, and wholesalers.
- D2C Brand Fulfillment: It is a process of storing products, picking and packaging the ordered product, and delivering it directly to the customer. This service is mainly for D2C brands that require customised packaging and want to deliver faster to customers.
- Market Place Fulfillment: It focuses on handling orders from popular online marketplaces like Amazon, Flipkart and Meesho. The fulfillment center in Noida ensures that every order meets each platform-specific packaging and labeling requirement.
- Omnichannel Fulfillment: Omnichannel fulfillment integrates all sales channels, i.e., online and offline, into a single system.
Key Features You Must Look For On A Fulfillment Center in Noida
There are various fulfillment centers in Noida. But none of them provide similar services. The business should consider a few features when searching for a fulfillment center in Noida.
1. Smart Warehouse Management System
The fulfillment center in Noida should use advanced technologies, such as a warehouse management system, to reduce errors and optimize the order fulfillment process.
2. Automated Picking And Packing Tools
The fulfillment service in Noida should use automation tools like barcode scanners and digital pick lists to reduce errors and dispatch ordered products quickly. This enhances customer satisfaction with a business.
3. Marketplace Integrations
The fulfillment center service should seamlessly integrate with platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho and other popular online marketplaces in India. It simplifies order syncing, return handling and inventory updates on all channels.
4. Scalable Storage Options
The business should look for a warehouse and fulfillment center in Noida that provides scalable warehousing solutions. It means the fulfillment center should have the capacity to accommodate more products when the business expands or in particular seasons or holidays.
Final Words
A business can form a partnership with fulfillment centers in Noida. It has well-connected highways and rail, which facilitate seamless movement of goods. The operational costs of fulfillment centers are even lower than those in other metropolitan cities. But businesses can consider a few factors when choosing fulfillment centers, such as access to technology, scalability, and experience and reputation.
