1、2021 State of the Third-Party Logistics Industry ReportTrends for Becoming a Resilient and Innovative 3PLEcommerce and Omnichannel Fulfillment: The New Norm for 3PLs SECTION ONE5Table of ContentsTechnology and Integrations: Meeting Customer DemandsSECTION TWO9IoT and Big Data: End-to-End VisibilityS

2、ECTION THREE14The Amazon Effect: Why 3PLs Need to PrepareSECTION FOUR18Supply Chain as a Service: The Wave of OutsourcingSECTION FIVE23Conclusion27About 3PL Central282017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025285,912319,771360,099431,648469,245502,577529,772548,764563,388IN JANUARY OF 2020, THE LOG

3、ISTICS INDUSTRY WAS RIPE WITH OPTIMISM.This was especially true for third-party logistics warehouses who were hopeful to take advantage of what was predicted to be a year of growth. Fast forward only a few months into the new year and the world changed. Many logistics and supply chain businesses exp

4、erienced unprecedented challenges and were left to navigate a quickly evolving landscape due to a global pandemic. Overall, the impacts to the supply chain were varied based on the fulfillment or services offered. For businesses who were able to pivot, the latter half of 2020 offered valuable opport

5、unities. For example, many warehouses who offered ecommerce fulfillment actually thrived in spite of an uncertain economy in the background. With ecommerce revenue seeing a record 45% jump from Q1 to Q2 in 2020, the challenges of last year bring to light just how crucial the supply chain truly is an

6、d how third-party logistics businesses must prepare for flexibility and growth in 2021. REVENUE IN THE ECOMMERCE MARKETProjected growth in millions, USDSource: StatistaNow, as we enter another new year, the 3PL industry continues to develop amid a shifting landscape. One of the greatest opportunitie

7、s for growth will be for businesses who are looking to transition to offer ecommerce and omnichannel fulfillment, as well as warehouses who have proved their abilities to adapt and diversify. Whichever bucket a 3PL warehouse is in, they must continue to meet the rising demands of consumers and learn

8、 how to maneuver the COVID-19 era of logistics.2021 State of the Third-Party Logistics Industry ReportThis years State of the Third-Party Logistics Industry Report shares the latest trends and best practices todays warehouses need to consider to be successful in 2021including technology, outsourcing

9、, and Amazon. It also reveals why 51% of warehouses polled have already invested in creating long-term shifts in diversifying their warehouse businesses to adopt ecommerce and omnichannel fulfillment.Ecommerce and Omnichannel Fulfillment: The New Norm for 3PLsWith unprecedented growth and disruption

10、s facing many players in the supply chain, third-party logistics warehouses must look for new strategies to meet revenue goals and remain competitive in an already assertive marketplace. In many cases, this means new customer acquisition and finding fulfillment opportunities. The most common in 2020

11、 was ecommerce.Ecommerce fulfillment comes in many shapes and sizes. For 3PLs, it is the process behind fulfilling orders placed online for their customers. Basic services include storing inventory, picking, packing, and shipping orders placed on websites that are linked to shopping carts integrated

12、 with their warehouse management system (WMS).In a recent McKinsey analysis, the United States experienced 10 years of ecommerce growth in just 90 days due to the pandemic.10 YEARS OF ECOMMERCE GROWTH IN THREE MONTHSEcommerce and Omnichannel Fulfillment: The New Norm for 3PLs10%20%30%40%200920112013

13、201520172019Q1 2020Source: McKinseyUS ECOMMERCE PENETRATION | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3PL Central 6Automating Warehouse Processes 54% Growth Related to Ecommerce 65%Acquiring New Customers 77% Adding Warehouses In New Locations 41% Other 2%Creating A 4PL Network 10% Diversifying Services 43% TOP OPPORTU

14、NITIES IN 2021 In addition to the 79% growth seen by 3PLs linked to ecommerce fulfillment, warehouses who also offered omnichannel fulfillment were 271% more likely to be fast growers as noted in the Third-Party Logistics Benchmark Report. Its no surprise that 65% of warehouses also shared that thei

15、r 2021 top opportunities were related to ecommerce or that 43% are planning to diversify their services.Omnichannel fulfillment is one of the biggest growth opportunities as it revolves around a warehouses ability to fulfill orders from multiple channels. This includes ecommerce orders via shopping

16、carts, as well as marketplaces or store fulfillment and direct-to-consumer (D2C). A 3PLs ability to properly capitalize on these opportunities is driven by having the right technology that allows them to integrate via APIs and meet growing consumer demands. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3PL Central 7Key Tak

17、eawaysOmnichannel fulfillment will be a major growth driver for 3PLs. Ensure your warehouse can fulfill from multiple channels or purchase options to remain competitive.3PLs who offer ecommerce and omnichannel fulfillment should offer a variety of add-on services that not only showcase their value b

18、ut also build extra revenue. These include kitting and assembling, personalized experiences, as well as multiple shipping options or last-mile delivery.Utilizing warehouse technology that allows for easy and quick integrations will be key to a 3PLs success and their ability to meet customer demands.

19、 From small parcel shipping needs to custom invoicing, a warehouse must use a WMS that meets the needs of todays consumers.From how consumers shop to where and when they buy, a 3PLs ability to support ecommerce fulfillment is a must for 2021. In fact, the rapid adoption of ecommerce-buying is slated

20、 to transform the entire supply chain with an influx of new buyers. In 2020, 29% of buyers are now over the age of fifty-fiveand let us not forget about the expectations of Gen Z and their purchasing power. Overall, the demand for 3PL services will nearly double to $408 billion in the next five year

21、s. 3PLs must be ready to offer comprehensive solutions for optimized productivity, inventory management, and improved efficiencies for picking, packing, and shipping for their customers in order to remain relevant in a growing ecommerce marketplace. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3PL Central 8Technology and

22、Integrations: Meeting Customer DemandsAs mentioned, the rise of ecommerce and omnichannel fulfillment is slated to make a direct impact on 2021. For third-party logistics warehouses, that means they must have the right technology to meet customer demands for a seamless experience. It is also expecte

23、d that modern 3PLs will be able to help guide their customers to new opportunitiessuch as new marketing channels or marketplaces to increase order volume. However, 3PL warehouses must make sure their investments and strategies will do double duty. Warehouses need to adopt technology that will not on

24、ly improve their own customers experiences but also optimize the experience for consumers. For many 3PLs, this starts with their WMS softwarewhich ranked as the number one system used to manage warehouse activities, serving as the backbone of their operations. One of the best ways to scale a warehou

25、se business is to consider which additional systems need to integrate into a warehouse management system to improve efficiency throughout the supply chain and ecommerce lifecycle.Technology and Integrations: Meeting Customer DemandsDocumentationTrackingInventoryOMSMarketplace PlanningWMSOperations a

26、nd Best PracticesTMSCarriers and TransportationFulfillment | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3PL Central 10“THE MOST SUCCESSFUL DIGITAL TRANSFORMATIONS ARE PHASED OVER TWO TO THREE YEARS AND PRIORITIZE THE BUSINESS AREAS PROVIDING THE BIGGEST BENEFIT DURING THE INITIAL PHASES OF IMPLEMENTATION.”When considering

27、 which warehouse management system should be positioned at the center of a 3PLs fulfillment ecosystem, it is important to understand what operations need to be optimized. Whether its better handling of increased order volume, dock scheduling, or revising labor inefficiencies, using WMS technology in

28、creases productivity and accuracyenabling warehouses to grow and remain competitive in this changing landscape. For this reason, it is crucial for a warehouse to understand the current and future needs of their business and their clients.It is not just major systems that need to be considered either

29、. Technology evaluations should also include mobile scanners or consumer-grade devices like tablets and smartphones, accounting and invoicing integrations, small parcel shipping and label solutions, or other future integrations built on REST APIs. Mark Burstein, president and chief strategy officer

30、for NGC Software, who blogged in Forbes that “retail supply chains are brokenheres how to fix them.” | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3PL Central 11While it has been noted that 3PLs have been slow to adopt new technologies, they are often seen as experts when it comes to innovation, services, consulting, and m

31、ore. In most cases, technology is key to how 3PLs appeal to their customers and defines what services they can offer to create a beneficial relationship. When third-party logistics warehouses were asked how to measure their success metrics, 3PLs called attention to their innovative ways to improve l

32、ogistics effectiveness and the impact on the customer. With more and TECHNOLOGIES TO IMPLEMENT IN 2021ERP or New Accounting Software 10% Warehouse Management System 7% Reporting and Analytics 36% Robotics 11% Rate Shopping 22%Billing and Invoicing 30% Mobile Barcode Scanning 31%Pick To Light 3% Dock

33、 Scheduling 15% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3PL Central 12Key TakeawaysTo meet the rising demands of todays consumers, third-party logistics warehouses must use a variety of best practices and technologies to accommodate ecommerce fulfillmentincluding shopping carts, marketplaces, and other systems like o

34、rder or transportation management. Choosing systems that use REST APIs to successfully build and control the entire fulfillment network is essential in creating the connections needed by warehouse customers to appeal to their consumers.Assess the needs of both customers and prospects, understand wha

35、t systems competitors are using, and choose partners that will help offer greatest opportunity success and scalability.more retailers looking to implement curbside pickup or BOPIS (buy online, pickup in store) buying programs, the relationships 3PLs build with their customers must be solid to ensure

36、 consumers are satisfied with their current ecommerce options. Have successful customer relationshipsOffer innovative ways to improve logistics 92% 96% Reduce overall logistics costs99% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3PL Central 13IoT and Big Data: End-to-End Visibility It was not that long ago when the enti

37、ties in the supply chain capturedand reported “their” portion of data. Manufacturers, retailers, warehouses, and transportation providers operated separately and focused solely on their areas of expertise within the ecosystem. As with many things in logistics, ecommerce connected these fulfillment c

38、hains. The demand for data to improve customer experience led to the need to optimize the supply chain network and turn the players into collaborative partners. In a study of 400 logistics professionals, 62% of third-party logistics warehouses placed an emphasis on data and analytics. Today, many 3P

39、Ls already use dashboards for real-time visualization to track daily productivitybut it is the historic data that plays a vital role in future ventures. Analyzing data can help warehouses learn where to automate, invest, cut back, and more importantly, build predictive business models for growth. Fo

40、r some, this brings the Internet of Things (IoT) or Big Data to the forefrontespecially when considering the complexities of typical logistics warehouses. In fact, 26% of logistics businesses use machine-to-machine technology and 46% plan to deploy this in the future. IoT and Big Data: End-to-End Vi

41、sibility | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3PL Central 15Improve operational efficiencyPromote complete transparencyCreate competitive advantageDrive revenue opportunitiesThe IoT generally refers to anything connected to the internet and the information we can gather from using such a device, which is then anal

42、yzed and used to create an actionable workflow. 3PLs are already using applications like this to track the fulfillment and shipping processes for complete visibility.BENEFITS OF IOT TO THE SUPPLY CHAINBig Data, on the other hand, is quite literally what it suggestslarge volumes of data. It is catego

43、rized as volume, velocity, and varietyotherwise known as the three Vs.VOLUMEData is collected from a variety of sources such as IoT or smart equipment.VELOCITYSpeed in which data is collected and handled.VARIETYFormats of data from structured databases to unstructured documents or emails.While these

44、 types of technologies are often thought of for larger logistics and supply chain businesses, the reality is that many 3PLs are already utilizing the IoT and Big Data to optimize services, provide visibility, and improve operations. For example, inventory data captured in warehouses or fulfillment c

45、enters is gathered instantaneously, measured in sufficient granularity, and available for reporting in near real-time. When you consider wearable technology or robotics, the IoT is already working hard for logistics businesses. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3PL Central 16Key TakeawaysThe IoT can help 3PLs i

46、ncrease transparency and enhance visibility throughout their entire supply network and improve ROI of technology and customer satisfaction.Capturing data from all parts of a third-party logistics warehouse business will help measure performance and show where improvements can be made for service-lev

47、el tracking, receiving operations, order fulfillment, and other business results.Timely and transparent data is key for developing sustainable customer relationships to build healthy and profitable businesses from beginning to end.And what do you do with all that Big Data? Many of todays warehouses

48、are analyzing this data to share with their networks to improve productivity, quality, and efficiency for their customers.TRANSPARENT DATATIMELY DATAYour 3PL Services, SLAs, and RatesContinuous productivity, quality, and efficiency improvementYour 3PL ResultsDaily 3PL service, execution, and statusC

49、ustomer Experience Customer LoyaltyDaily Customer ConfidenceCustomer Business Results | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3PL Central 17The Amazon Effect: Why 3PLs Need to PrepareThe Amazon Effect: Why 3PLs Need to PrepareNote: This represents the gross value of products or services sold via the internet (browser

50、 or app), regardless of the method of payment or fulfillment; excludes travel and event tickets.Source: eMUS TOP 10 RETAILERS, RANKED BY RETAIL ECOMMERCE SALES, 2020Retail Ecommerce Sales (in billions, USD)Percent ChangePercent of Total Retail Ecommerce Sales1. Amazon$309.5839.1%39%2. Walmart$46.206