Beyond the Box: How SKULabs Enhances Shipping with Flexible Label Printing

Shipping software that includes comprehensive label printing capabilities is an indispensable tool for eCommerce businesses struggling with the complexities of packaging logistics. One such software, SKULabs, stands out for its industry leading features that cater to a range of shipping needs.

Cost-Efficiency and Time Savings

The primary advantage of using shipping software that allows for comparing carrier rates is cost-efficiency. Businesses can quickly evaluate various shipping options and select the most economical one without sacrificing delivery speed. SKULabs’ integration with multiple carriers means you’re always getting the best rate possible for your shipping needs. With their robust shipping rules, the cheapest carrier can be chosen automatically while still accounting for the strict delivery deadlines of your various sales channels such as Amazon. SKULabs takes the stress out of this process for you and completely automates the correct selection, enabling you to focus on more important aspects of your daily operations.

Labeling Precision

Being able to print labels such as ‘Picked Up,’ ‘Ready for Pick Up,’ ‘Local Delivery,’ or ‘Manual Shipment‘ directly from the software streamlines the fulfillment process. Many eCommerce operations have their own couriers or a will call station for customers to come pick up their purchases. Having detailed instructions, right on the packages with the customer name and order number significantly improves the warehouse logistics and ensures the right package gets to the right customer. These labels can help coordinate between the warehouse staff and delivery personnel, reducing errors and improving operational efficiency. SKULabs offers customizable manual fulfillment label options that make it easy to implement a system that works for your business’s unique processes. Check out our video on how to set this up within the software.

Enhanced Tracking and Accountability

Local label options enhance the accountability of the shipping process. With labels indicating specific statuses like ‘Local Delivery,’ businesses can track packages more accurately within the local distribution network. This feature of SKULabs is particularly useful for businesses that handle a significant volume of local deliveries or in-house shipments.

Flexibility and Scalability

For businesses that are growing or have fluctuating shipping volumes, SKULabs’ scalable solution is ideal. It adapts to your business size and volume, ensuring that you can always print whatever labels you need, whether you’re shipping two packages a day or two thousand.

Customer Satisfaction

Improved labeling clarity leads to better customer service. With labels that clearly state the shipment status, customers and vendors can easily understand where their items are in the shipping process. SKULabs helps in creating a transparent and reassuring experience for the end-user.

Integration and Compatibility

SKULabs’ shipping software integrates with a variety of eCommerce platforms and marketplaces, making it a versatile choice for many businesses. Its compatibility with different printers and scanning devices ensures that you can print labels efficiently, regardless of your existing hardware.

Environmental Impact

The ability to print only the necessary labels reduces waste, making SKULabs an environmentally friendly choice. By optimizing label usage, businesses can minimize their carbon footprint, contributing to a more sustainable operation.

The right shipping software can transform your logistics operations, providing cost savings, improved efficiency, and enhanced customer satisfaction. SKULabs stands as a shining example of such software, offering flexibility, integration, and a suite of features that cater to the modern business’s shipping needs, including the valuable ability to print various local labels. Whether you’re a small startup or a large enterprise, SKULabs’ solution is designed to grow with your business, ensuring that your shipping operations are as streamlined and efficient as possible.

Connect with SKULabs Today

Now is the perfect time to discuss how we can help you automate your day to day processes and let you focus on the more important aspects of your business!

Chat with one of our experts today. Schedule a meeting or give us a call at 1800-243-2986 to learn more.

Automate and Elevate: The Power of SKULabs’ Innovative Shipping Rules

Innovative software in today’s eCommerce-driven world have made leaps and bounds over the past few years in helping companies that sell their products online automate many of their daily processes. Whether you are selling on Shopify, Amazon, eBay or BigCommerce, each channel has their different nuances and requirements in how and when orders need to be shipped. If you are selling products multi-channel, this can be an arduous task to consolidate. Timely and efficient shipping can be the difference between a satisfied customer and a missed opportunity. For businesses, finding ways to optimize and automate their shipping processes can result in significant overhead savings. One platform that’s helping businesses achieve this is SKULabs. Among its plethora of features, SKULabs’ shipping rules stand out as a game changer for automating and enhancing the shipping process. Let’s delve into how these rules can reshape the shipping landscape for companies.

What are SKULabs’ Shipping Rules?

Shipping rules in SKULabs are customizable conditions and actions that automate how orders are handled and shipped. By setting up these rules, companies can dictate which shipping methods are used and automate tagging of orders on data such as sales channel, order weight, destination, warehouse location, included SKUs, days of the week, product type as well as countless other criteria.

Streamlining Shipping Choices

Selecting the appropriate shipping method for each order can be time-consuming. With SKULabs, businesses can automatically assign the optimal shipping method based on the order’s specifics. For instance, you might have rules like:

For orders over 5 lbs, use “Carrier X’s Ground Service.”

For international orders, use “Carrier Y’s International Service.”

For orders containing SKUs (xyz), “tag orders with (dry ice or fragile and use Carrier Z’s specific packaging and method)”

Zone-Based Shipping Decisions

Geographical locations play a crucial role in shipping. Using SKULabs’ Geo-Routing Rules, companies can define which carrier or service to use based on destination zones or warehouse locations. For example, orders heading to the West Coast might be best served by a different carrier or warehouse than those going to the East Coast. Automating these decisions ensure faster delivery times and lower landed costs.

Product-Specific Rules

Some products may have unique shipping requirements. Whether it’s perishable goods needing expedited shipping or fragile items requiring special packaging, SKULabs allows businesses to set rules that cater to these needs automatically. This ensures products arrive in optimal condition without manual intervention.

Automate Handling of High-Value Orders

High-value orders might require additional insurance, signature confirmations, or even a specific carrier known for secure deliveries. Instead of manually reviewing these orders, SKULabs’ rules can identify and process them appropriately and automatically, ensuring they’re handled with the necessary care and attention while you focus on the more vital matters of your business.

By setting rules for returns and exchanges, businesses can offer faster and more reliable customer service. For instance, certain items might have a “no return” policy, while others could be directed to a specific return center. Additionally you might have some products that will always require a return label for instance. Automating these processes minimizes errors and enhances the customer experience.

Integrations and Synchronization

One of SKULabs’ strengths is its ability to integrate with a host of carriers and sales channels. Once shipping rules are set up, they synchronize across all integrated platforms. This ensures a unified shipping approach irrespective of where the order originates.

Seasonal and Promotional Adjustments

During peak seasons or promotional periods, shipping dynamics can change. Maybe there’s a free shipping promotion, or perhaps there’s a temporary shift to a different carrier due to volume. SKULabs allows for temporary rule adjustments, ensuring businesses remain agile and responsive to changing market dynamics.

Analysis:

With automated shipping rules, businesses can easily analyze which rules are most effective and where adjustments are needed. This data-driven approach ensures continuous optimization of the shipping process and freeing up valuable time to focus on growing your operations.

Afterthought

In an era where shipping efficiency can make or break a business, SKULabs offers a powerful suite of tools to ensure companies remain at the forefront of eCommerce excellence. By harnessing the power of SKULabs’ shipping rules, businesses can save time, reduce errors, and most importantly, enhance the overall customer experience. Automation isn’t just the future; it’s the present, and with platforms like SKULabs, companies are well-equipped to navigate the evolving eCommerce landscape.

Connect with SKULabs Today:

Now is the perfect time to discuss how we can help you automate your day to day processes and let you focus on the more important aspects of your business!

Chat with one of our experts today.Schedule a meeting or give us a call at 1800-243-2986 to learn more.

Understanding Why Replacing eBay Shipping for SKULabs is Best for You

Understanding Why Replacing eBay Shipping for SKULabs is Best for You

As an eBay seller, you are probably wondering if moving to a third party software like SKULabs makes sense and how it can benefit you meet your shipping needs.

When you started using eBay’s platform it felt easy enough to use. The volume may have been lower and with everything in the same interface didn’t seem complicated. Familiarity is always hard to move away from, but finding a better platform is what every growing business has to do at some point or another.

Starting Up with eBay

Whether it’s a garage, a basement or even an extra room turned into a home office, the small business starts as a one person or family affair. Keeping it simple is the name of the game. Having a one stop do it all platform on your eBay seller’s account feels adequate. At this stage, you can even take advantage of some of the promotions they offer on supplies and others. Like most sales channels, they provide you with the basic shipping functions as long as your provide them with the product and package information to get all the orders to your customers.

As with most sales channels, their strength lies in the selling tools. However, there are more factors involved after the customer pays for the order and a single mistake can lead to decreased sales. You must keep into account these other variables such as delivery time, accuracy and workflows which become more difficult as the business grows. These are often too much to handle for just one person or small team. Now you need more tools to handle this new chapter. Your high sales brought you success, but also other challenges. Suddenly more staff, complaints, orders and returns seem big for your usual fulfillment you are accustomed to.

Enter SKULabs

Success shouldn’t equate to harder management. SKULabs can provide you with all the features you will need to make this transition from “home to a warehouse” as easy as possible. It is time to handle what might seem too complex and make it simple. An automated workflow will speed up your process. Unlike eBay, you will be able to verify the correct item goes to the right customer. Whether it’s a seasoned fulfillment manager or a fresh hire, the software guides best practices and your company policy. Our shipping audits will allow you to be confident on your fulfillment process regardless of your workflow.

Your shipping and fulfillment process will also improve the more you ship due to memorization. Proper verification and management of every step in the process will help you keep up with your new growth.

SKULabs provides the ability to scan verify your barcodes on the way out the door for ultimate accuracy. Having this function can give you the piece of mind that your staff is sending the right item to the customer. Barcode scanning will let you scan your items, kits and bins. You will also have the ability to create your own in case some products do not have one. Everything with the goal in mind of 100% accuracy. So give SKULabs a shot and watch your workflow and shipping improve drastically.

SKULabs as a Strong Replacement for BigCommerce Shipping

SKULabs as a Strong Replacement for BigCommerce Shipping
Atlas carrying a shipping package – OpenAI

Has your business already outgrown fulfilling your orders through the BigCommerce’s platform? Looking for a more efficient way to ship your BC orders? Here is how to know if you are ready to move to next stage with a bigger more robust shipping software and how SKULabs can get you there.

BigCommerce Shipping

BigCommerce is great for light fulfillment allowing you to input weights, dimensions, and purchase shipping labels from USPS, FedEx and UPS through their in-app platform.

You also feel secure that BigCommerce is your one stop solution for all the needs of a small business and seems simple enough to get your packages out the door.

But while it gets the job done at first, BigCommerce describes their shipping function as basic. As your business grows, so does the personnel working on shipping – you need to streamline your process rapidly and automate it as much as possible. The good news is that BigCommerce integrates with other WMS/IMS software platforms for larger shipping needs.

That’s Where SKULabs Comes In

However, there are a few advantages to having SKULabs in charge of your shipping:

  • Print more that one label at a time.
  • Get better shipping rates with cubic discounts
  • More shipping carriers, means more shipping options.
  • Customizable workflow for your business.
  • Ability to verify the right product goes out and mistakes are minimized.
  • The more you ship, the faster you ship with built-in shipment memorization

SKULabs can help you fulfill those orders faster, more efficiently and also with as little mistakes as possible. Because you have more options, you have more control. And this doesn’t even take into account reporting. By shipping with SKULabs, you can keep track of your shipments through reporting. This way your work and employees have a smooth fulfillment process regardless of how big the operation is. Happy shipping!

Atlas carrying a package – OpenAI

Automating Decisions in Order Fulfillment

Automating Decisions in Order Fulfillment

OpenAI - Robot holds two packages with red and green lights on either side of him.

Fulfilling ecommerce orders has never been a more demanding task. Not only are there more shoppers ordering online than ever, but buyers have come to expand faster and cheaper shipping over time. Orders must be shipped as soon after they were placed as humanly possible in order to satisfy your customers and keep them coming back for more.

The problem is that your day-to-day focus isn’t on getting your orders out the door — at least, it shouldn’t be. Fast-growing brands can’t afford to spend all of their available hours on shipping orders. You need to be working on growing your business, not just satisfying existing sales. So how can you automate the work that goes into daily order fulfillment?

The simple answer is to mimic what’s already being automated in your operation. Let’s take payment processing as an example: the whole pipeline of card verification, charging, address validation, and customer notification is (most likely) handled by your shopping cart or marketplace. This is an incredibly valuable innovation we’ve enjoyed over the last few years, and it’s made possible by a few simple tenants of automation: memorization, automation, and calculation. Let’s apply those same concepts to automating your order fulfillment decisions.

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