When you take care of the logistics processes for e-commerce companies, you face numerous new challenges. Challenges you did not have in traditional logistics. For example, customers may expect you to deliver the next day (at the latest), and within no time may be lost during your order picking process. However, are the product delivered successfully? Or did you hand it over to the transporter? Then your work is done, right? Well, that is not correct. Because more and more customers expect you also to take care of the return shipments. Another new challenge. However, it offers an opportunity to distinguish yourself from competitors. So, how do you realize streamlined handling of returns?

What is reverse logistics?

These days, sending back a package is as simple as getting bread at the supermarket. Does it not fit? Or is it not what you were looking for? Then the consumer can return the package without any extra costs. That is when you step in. Customers often expect you to handle the complete process of retrieving, inspecting, fixing, repacking, sorting, and reselling returned packages. Next, you must handle the complaint registration and administrative tasks as well. All these VAL activities are called reverse logistics.

Reverse logistics: the unwanted problem for customers

As a logistics service provider, you face different logistic problems day after day. With this knowledge and experience, you can offer added value to your customers, including the process of returns. As customers see returns as a problem and rather focus on sales, you can pick up these logistics activities without any problem. However, you must make sure that your e-fulfillment process supports the reverse side of this industry as well.

Registration, an essential component for a well-oiled return process

In e-fulfillment, the focus often lies in streamlining the order picking process and shipping packages as efficiently as possible. In other words, on the forward side of logistics. Yet, in reverse logistics, you can still take a big step forward. For example, registering data of a shipment order in your WMS will help enormously along the way. You can do this with a serial number or a Unit Package ID. In this way, you can quickly process a returned package when it (re)enters your warehouse. Scan the package, and you directly have all the order information.

Streamline reverse logistics in 3PL Dynamics

Do you want to learn more about the opportunities that reverse logistics brings? Or do you want to know how your WMS solution can help you process all the returns? Mail to info@elevate-it.be and discover how to help your customers.