Parcel carriers have specific expectations of their business customers – streamlined processes, accurate information and clear communication – as set out in SLAs. Adhering to the following practices will streamline the carrier-customer relationship and improve delivery performance.
The handover from a fulfilment centre to a carrier impacts delivery speed, accuracy and end-consumer satisfaction. This article sets out six practical habits for predictable performance:
Fulfilment and distribution centres play a crucial role in ensuring that items move smoothly from order processing to final delivery.
As the direct link between fulfilment and Last Mile operations, their performance has a direct impact on the carrier’s ability to deliver quickly, accurately and to the end-consumer’s satisfaction.
To meet the expectations of all end-consumers, the fulfilment and distribution centre must run efficient, predictable, carrier-friendly operations. That includes optimising accuracy, timing, packaging and communication so the handover to the carrier – which is usually a courier, express or parcel (CEP) company – is seamless.
When shippers make the job of the carrier easier, they help them meet service commitments, protect the seller’s brand and improve the end-consumer’s experience.
The following six best practices demonstrate how fulfilment and distribution centres can refine their operations to enhance the performance of the carrier – and simplify operations for everyone in the delivery chain.
Easy-to-scan shipment data enables carriers to move parcels efficiently through automated sortation systems. Errors relating to the address, package dimensions or weight can cause misroutes, delays and added costs.
Furthermore, challenges arise if the labelling is poor. Low-quality printing and scrunched-up labels can result in ‘no-read’ parcels, which require manual intervention, slow down throughput and eat into capacity as the parcels circulate until intercepted.
The solutions that enable fulfilment and distribution centres to overcome such challenges include:
Punctual handovers are key to ensuring CEP networks run smoothly.
Many modern carriers have invested in high-speed sortation equipment, which enables them to offer later cut-off times. This flexibility can benefit the carrier’s operation, but only if the fulfilment and distribution centre meets the agreed handover windows. Reliability matters as much as speed.
The solutions that enable fulfilment and distribution centres to overcome such challenges include:
The parcels need to withstand handling while moving through automated sorters. Fulfilment and distribution centres should follow the carrier’s size, weight and durability guidelines to avoid jams, damage or manual handling.
However, the industry needs to be cautious about switching to new ‘eco-friendly’ packaging designs, as some sustainable materials or shapes can quickly deteriorate in high-speed sorters. This can cause jams and damage, requiring manual handling.
The solutions that enable fulfilment and distribution centres to overcome such challenges include:
Carriers plan resources and capacity based on expected parcel volumes, so fulfilment and distribution centres that maintain a steady daily output make it easier for the carriers to operate at peak efficiency.
If the fulfilment and distribution centre anticipates a spike or drop in volume, it should notify its carrier in advance so the capacity can be adjusted. This is especially important during seasonal peaks, as accurate forecasts can prevent delays across the entire delivery chain.
The solutions that enable fulfilment and distribution centres to overcome such challenges include:
Many fulfilment and distribution centres don’t use Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), or other shipping management tools, for label generation, tracking and reporting. Some use their WMS, or order fulfilment software, to connect to the carrier’s API – but that is only a partial integration and it limits efficiency.
APIs are ideal for creating shipment labels, booking pick-ups, tracking parcels and getting delivery status updates – they are a useful tool for connecting with thousands of different customer systems, and automation is key to handling that scale.
The real advantage comes from integrating the API directly into fulfilment and distribution centre workflows, as this enables end-to-end automation and real-time data exchange. This not only speeds up processing and reduces the risk of errors, but it also allows for advanced analytics to identify bottlenecks, optimise routes and cut costs, which benefits both the fulfilment and distribution centre and the carrier.
The solutions that enable fulfilment and distribution centres to overcome such challenges include:
The carriers handle the physical delivery, but it’s the fulfilment and distribution centre that manages the relationship with the end-consumer. To reduce pressure on the carrier’s deliveries, the fulfilment and distribution centre must work closely with the carrier to keep end-consumers informed about tracking details, delivery estimates and proactive delay notifications – all of which help maintain a high level of end-consumer satisfaction and protect the brand’s reputation.
The solutions that enable fulfilment and distribution centres to overcome such challenges include:
When fulfilment and distribution centres focus on accuracy, scheduling, packaging performance, volume predictability, technology integration and proactive communication, they create a smoother handover to the carriers. This enables the carriers to deliver efficiently and reliably, thus improving the end-consumer’s delivery experience. By addressing the areas listed in this article, fulfilment and distribution centres are not just meeting service-level expectations; they are strengthening the entire delivery chain.
