TABLE OF CONTENTS A logistics and fulfillment plan lays out the chain of events from receipt of the customer s order through delivery of the product to the post-sale processes. It should be a guide upon which all fulfillment decisions are based. A formal logistics and fulfillment plan will ensure that everyone considers, not only your e-commerce website s requirements, goals and objectives, but also what each player can bring to the table. This will help to assure that everyone is on the same page.
You must craft a logistics and fulfillment plan that fits your e-commerce business s specific needs. Thus there are questions that must be answered.
What are the physical characteristics of the website s products and how do they vary in size, weight, and packaging?
Does the website offer products that will require special handling and/or packaging (breakables that need repackaging, different size items in one box or a separate box per item, signature on delivery requirement, etc.)?
Will the website offer products that require a number of different components or accessories to be in the same box (a printer, printer cable and spare ink cartridge or a DSL Modem, a telephone cord, line filters, etc.)?
Do any of the products require sub-assembly?
Are any of the products over sized or heavy weight so that they may require a different carrier from the norm?
Are any of the products perishable or fragile, requiring a specific transportation mode?
Do any of the products require special licensing for transport...
