On-demand warehousing
platforms have one thing in common: they are all different. But some features
matter more than others.

An optimized supply chain can set one company apart from the pack.
Yet, more than three-quarters of executives and their companies are not
leveraging the power of the supply chain as a driver of revenue growth,
according to a new
Accenture report.

That has left the playing field open to companies that do. They have
expanded the role of the supply chain beyond a tool to push cost efficiencies
to something that can actually power competitive agility and growth
opportunities.

At the heart of the transformation is the warehouse network. Far from
the static point A-to-point B approach of the past, it now needs to be:

  • scalable
  • cost competitive
  • responsive to opportunities
  • resistant to shocks
  • agile enough to support growth and contraction in an increasingly
    volatile market

In this brand-new Warehowz video, we show how our cloud-based, on-demand warehousing software platform can help your company introduce these important features into your supply chain. On-demand warehousing brings flexibility to a marketplace that traditionally has emphasized long-term warehouse contracts, accurate growth forecasts, and high minimum space requirements. In essence, it helps you gain access to the space and services you need, when you need them.

The concept has gained
such traction that a number of on-demand warehousing
platforms have emerged. How do you select one over the other?

Based on my personal experience of running several product companies
and the industry knowledge of the seasoned Warehowz team, we created an
on-demand warehousing platform that includes all the features that we believe
will make a difference for companies on a quest to:

  • explore new markets
  • quickly scale up and down
  • store seasonal inventory
  • maintain brand control
  • speed up deliveries

Here are 3 qualities you should look for in an effective on-demand warehousing platform:

1. Ease
of use

We built the Warehowz platform by answering the following question: How
do we make the process and information gathering as painless as possible for
the client and as helpful as possible for the warehouse? After all, one of
the primary goals of on-demand warehousing is improved agility and speed. That
fact alone means ease of use should be the foundation of an on-demand
warehousing platform.

Anyone who has filled out a 200-question form by a 3PL knows that,
while it may serve a purpose for that particular exchange, it is a
time-consuming undertaking most of us want to avoid. And for a short-term
contract, such elaborate questionnaires simply defeat the purpose of on-demand
warehousing. In fact, requiring companies to fill out a lengthy questionnaire
before they can access the database of warehouse listings causes unnecessary
delays and can even be a fruitless exercise if no match is found.

An effective on-demand warehousing platform, by contrast, takes a different approach:

  • It is easy and free to create an account.
  • It asks the minimum number of questions possible about a project that will enable a number of warehouse partners to quickly ascertain if they can assist.

Based on the information, you can immediately
browse the Warehowz database of fully vetted, professional warehouses in North
America. Our
partners will then engage with you through the platform, ask any follow-up
questions, and make you offers. You are in charge and can decide at this point
whether you want to proceed.

2. Ease
of communicating and streamlining

Most
on-demand warehousing platforms either feature open or closed networks. The
former means you browse and decide which warehouse appears to suit your needs
without input from the on-demand warehousing company. The closed network takes
the decision of selecting a warehouse out of your hands and you never see any
listings. In the same vein, some platforms play no part in contracting.

Warehowz
has chosen a different path to facilitate both the ease of communication and
streamlining. Here is how:

  • The Warehowz on-demand warehousing platform is a hybrid of the
    open and closed models    : You are free to submit your information straight to
    an individual warehouse or enlist the assistance of our team to locate a match,
    perhaps one that is in the process of being listed.
  • All contracts on our platform are governed by a standard
    contract    . In other words, when a warehouse has issued an online offer, all
    you are really negotiating is a 3-page addendum, which addresses the
    unique scope of your project. This speeds up the process and streamlines
    contract negotiations since you do not need to start from scratch with each
    warehouse. The hard work is already done.

3. Ease of
tracking

Some on-demand warehousing platforms stay out of inventory tracking altogether. Others have created their own custom warehouse management systems that run parallel to the warehouse’s original WMS. The Warehowz platform, on the other hand, is like a visibility tool that lets you easily track orders and shipments of all your projects as well as communicate with the warehouse. Everything is gathered in one place for your convenience.

Do you want to see what space and services are available? Sign up and get started today.

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