Store Operations

Store Operations bridge the gap between order placement and the final delivery to the consumer. Once an order is allocated to a facility, Store Operations manages the physical handling of items, from locating and picking them from storage to packing them for shipment and finally handing them over for delivery or consumer collection.

Operational journey

Once an order is routed to a facility, the local fulfillment process begins, managed through a series of jobs.

• Picking: A pick job is created, instructing a warehouse or store employee to gather the ordered items. The picker can confirm the quantity of each item. In cases of a short-pick (when not all items are available), this information is critical for subsequent processes, such as splitting the order. Different picking methods include single-order, multi-order, and batch picking, optimized by a configurable picking sequence.

• Packing: After all items are picked, a pack job is initiated. Here, the items are placed into one or more parcels. Shipping documents are generated, and if multiple parcels are used, the system tracks which items are in which package.

• Services (optional): Custom services allow for the creation of service jobs. A custom service could include trouser leg length alterations, embroidery on a shirt pocket, a custom strap for a watch, or bicycle assembly.

• Handover: The final step is the handover job. For Ship-from-Store orders, this involves handing the parcel to the designated carrier. The job is often completed automatically when the carrier scans the shipping label. For Click & Collect orders, it involves manually confirming the handover to the consumer.

• Returns (optional): After an order is handed over, an ItemReturnJob is automatically created. This job contains all the returnableLineItems from the order. So, if a consumer wants to return their order, the complete lifecycle can be managed, from the consumer's announcement to receiving the item, assessing its condition, and triggering the refund process.

Carrier management

Carrier management is key to automating the shipping process. You can integrate with shipping service providers to generate shipping labels, track parcels, and manage carrier-specific configurations like capacity, cut-off times, and non-delivery days. fulfillmenttools provides default carrier integrations, or you can create your own custom integration.

• Connects facilities with various shipping providers (carriers) to manage deliveries.

• Enables the creation of shipments and parcels, which triggers the generation of carrier-compliant labels and tracking numbers.

• Considers carrier-specific data, such as cut-off times, non-delivery days, and capacity limits during order routing and delivery promise calculations.

• Supports special services such as signature requirements or handling of bulky goods.