When you come into the logistics industry, the two terms that you will come across for storage purposes are cross-docking services and warehousing services. But are these two the same? Cross-docking and traditional warehousing may be interconnected, but they are fundamentally different processes. Despite being often pitted against one another for varying reasons, the truth is that each practice enables different styles of inventory management. The purpose of this blog is to examine cross-docking and how it differs from traditional warehouse practices. Hence, keep reading this blog until the end if it is something that interests you. Let’s begin: All about Traditional Warehousing In its simplest form, a warehouse is a large structure used for storing goods. Understanding traditional warehouses is relatively straightforward. Transport of physical goods to a warehouse by truck or rail, where they are stored on pallets or racks, is part of the logistics process. Whenever these goods...
When you're overwhelmed handling your logistics alone, it may be time to partner with a third-party logistics provider (3PL). Third-party logistics providers offer solutions and services to meet your needs. Some logistics providers offer flexible and scalable services that can be tailored to your business. There are, however, differences between supply chain solutions. It is not common for providers to handle the ebb and flow of your business and support your growth and development, leaving you free to focus on business strategy. Here's a guide to the questions to ask to find a provider who's the right match, aligns with your team, and provides proper care from start to finish, including post-delivery. Can I visit your facility? You can meet in person with a reputable third-party logistics company during an on-site visit to their facility. During the onset of a partnership, this meeting is critical for building relationships beyond sales engagement. You should meet key ...