аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø

A Nightmare on Supply Chain Street: Choosing the Right 3PL Partner

Katherine Wroth • May 15, 2024

A Nightmare on Supply Chain Street:

Choosing the Right 3PL Partner

Every night e-commerce brands wake up in cold sweats, haunted by logistical nightmares: fluctuations in demand, distribution issues, technological integration…. the terror! That’s when they crawl out of bed and come to Barrett Distribution, where we assure them there are no monsters in our supply chain and send them back to bed with a brand-new 3PL safety blanket.


Are you one of the brands stuck in the cold sweat phase, unsure how to find the right 3PL partner? You can finally relax, take a deep breath, and let us guide you through the process. At Barrett, we want to ensure you're well-informed and confident in your 3PL partnership decision and, of course, sweat-free!


Understanding the 3PL Landscape

Before jumping into the selection process, understanding what a 3PL service provider can offer is essential. A 3PL provider can take charge of your warehousing, transportation, order fulfillment, and more, allowing you to concentrate on your core business activities. But with many options in the market, how do you avoid ‘A Nightmare on Supply Chain Street’?


Here are nine key aspects to evaluate and questions to ask to ensure your chosen 3PL aligns with your logistical needs and business values:


Experience and Expertise

  • What to Check: Delve into the 3PL's history and reputation in the logistics field. Their track record can provide insights into their reliability and expertise.
  • Questions to Ask: "Can you provide success stories or references from businesses similar to ours?"


Technological Edge

  • What to Check: Evaluate the 3PL’s technological prowess and ability to integrate seamlessly with your systems.
  • Questions to Ask: "How will your technology stack integrate with our existing inventory and order management systems?"


Service Spectrum

  • What to Check: Confirm that the 3PL’s service offerings align with your logistical needs.
  • Questions to Ask: "Do you have experience handling products in our specific industry or with unique requirements?"


Scalability and Flexibility

  • What to Check: Assess the 3PL's capacity to adapt to your business's changing needs.
  • Questions to Ask: "How do you manage fluctuations in demand, especially during peak periods?"


Geographic Reach

  • What to Check: Understand the geographical coverage of the 3PL’s network in relation to your market.
  • Questions to Ask: "Can your network support our distribution needs across our key markets?"


Cost Efficiency

  • What to Check: Scrutinize the 3PL’s pricing model and uncover hidden costs.
  • Questions to Ask: "What is the detailed breakdown of your pricing structure?"


Compliance and Security

  • What to Check: Verify the 3PL's adherence to industry regulations and standards.
  • Questions to Ask: "What measures do you have for risk management and regulatory compliance?"


Partnership and Communication

  • What to Check: Gauge the quality of customer service and the effectiveness of communication channels.
  • Questions to Ask: "Who will be our main point of contact, and how will communication be handled?"


Cultural Compatibility

  • What to Check: Determine if the 3PL’s corporate culture and values resonate with your own.
  • Questions to Ask: "How will your company’s ethos and approach complement ours?"


In conclusion, finding the right 3PL partner is a multifaceted undertaking that requires meticulous research and thoughtful consideration. By focusing on these key areas and asking the right questions, you can identify a 3PL provider, like Barrett, that turns your logistical nightmares into a dreamy success story.


Interested in connecting with one of our Barrett logistics experts? Contact us here.

Recent Blog Posts

By Katherine Wroth 09 Sep, 2024
By deploying a drone-based inventory monitoring solution at its Hillsborough, N.J., facility, аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø, a growing 3PL, has taken license plate accuracy to the next level, helping with order picking and eliminating time spent on manual cycle counts.
By Katherine Wroth 22 Aug, 2024
As a third-party logistics provider with over 80 years of experience in the industry, Barrett Distribution understands that speed and accuracy are crucial. E-commerce brands need their orders picked, packed and shipped to customers within minutes. Barrett meets these demands by offering a wide range of integration options tailored to its client's specific needs. Barrett's Expertise in Simplifying IT Integration for Clients Barrett supports everything from traditional, straightforward system integrations like flat files transferred to an SFTP site to more sophisticated solutions such as Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) over AS2 or a value-added network (VAN). However, the real innovation lies in Barrett’s robust stack of REST APIs. These APIs allow clients to programmatically interface with various systems within Barrett, including the Warehouse Management System (WMS) layer, providing a future-ready technology solution. For tech-savvy clients, this means the possibility of integrating with Barrett’s systems even before operations go live, ensuring a smooth transition and continuous operation. Additionally, Barrett offers quick and effective plug-in solutions for popular platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and QuickBooks Online through its partnership with Pipe17. This enables rapid integration, making connecting with Barrett's systems easier for clients using these platforms. For brands using NetSuite, Barrett's long-standing Oracle SDN partner expertise provides a best-in-class interface. Whether a client uses TrueCommerce, SPS Commerce, or another EDI provider, Barrett can integrate seamlessly, making NetSuite the central hub of operations. This flexibility extends to environments with pre-existing customizations, allowing clients to benefit from Barrett’s solutions without disrupting their current setups. How Barrett Prioritizes Security and Integrity in a Digital Landscape As the digital landscape becomes increasingly complex, the security and integrity of client data have never been more critical. Barrett Distribution takes this responsibility seriously by adhering to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, which guides its technology choices and security posture. Barrett has established long-term partnerships with industry-leading cybersecurity providers including Okta, CrowdStrike, Arctic Wolf, and GuidePoint Security. These relationships ensure that Barrett remains at the forefront of IT security, leveraging the best technology to protect client data from a rapidly evolving threat landscape. Investment in IT security is a top priority at Barrett. Unlike some organizations that operate under the principle of "no budget" for IT security, Barrett carefully allocates significant resources to this area. This strategic investment ensures Barrett can provide a secure environment for client operations and data, safeguarding against potential data loss and other cyber threats. How Barrett Stands Out in IT in the 3PL Industry Barrett Distribution's approach to IT infrastructure combines innovation, flexibility, and robust security. For many years, Barrett has been a cloud and SaaS-first company, giving it a significant advantage over its peers. Barrett can deliver tailored innovations quickly and efficiently by maintaining deep partnerships with commercial software providers while developing in-house capabilities. This unique approach allows Barrett to react swiftly to client needs, whether implementing a small yet impactful change or responding to an urgent business opportunity. In contrast to competitors relying solely on off-the-shelf packages, Barrett’s ability to innovate internally ensures that it can provide the right solution at the right time, keeping client operations running smoothly and securely. Conclusion Barrett Distribution is a third-generation 3PL leader in IT integration and security within the 3PL industry. With a comprehensive approach that includes advanced integration options, strong cybersecurity measures, and a commitment to innovation, Barrett ensures its clients can operate seamlessly and securely in today’s digital landscape. Ready to Enhance Your Logistics with Cutting-Edge IT аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø? We understand that your business demands more than just logistics—it requires seamless integration, robust security, and innovative technology—partner with us to experience a long-term 3PL partner that aligns with your digital needs. Contact us today to learn how our tailored IT solutions can uplevel your operations and keep you ahead of the competition.
By Katherine Wroth 21 Aug, 2024
Inside Barrett Distribution: The Journey, Success and Future of a Leading 3PL 
More Posts
Share by: