Main steps are: receiving order, processing payment, picking items from inventory, packing order, shipping to customer.
Common reasons are picking delays due to stockouts or warehouse issues, packing problems from lack of materials or inefficient methods, and shipping delays from carrier capacity issues or regulations.
Monitor stock levels closely, streamline picking and packing workflows, have backup shipping carriers, and identify and fix bottlenecks.
Wave and batch picking optimize routes and minimize travel distance. First-in-first-out (FIFO) ensures oldest orders ship first.
Analyze order history to understand daily and seasonal order volumes. Stock enough materials, boxes, mailers to meet average and peak demand.
Evaluate carrier speed, reliability, tracking, customer service, and rates. Use multiple carriers to prevent overreliance on one.
Key metrics are order processing time, same-day ship rate, shipping accuracy, peak capacity, and customer satisfaction rates.
