Technical connection to a fulfillment service provider – this is how it works

More and more online retailers are using external fulfillment providers or are planning to do so – but how can the existing system be connected to an external service provider?

Fulfillment, the outsourcing of logistics activities to a service provider, is being used by more online retailers. Focusing on one’s own core competence, distribution of products, and eliminating the need for one’s own warehouse with personnel saves time and money. At the same time, the shipping volume can be scaled as required. All together, this gives the online retailer the chance to grow faster.

Before the cooperation with a fulfillment provider can start, the technical connection to the existing store or merchandise management system must be clarified. A reliable connection is a prerequisite for the smooth running of logistics processes. But what is important for the connection?
A large number of store systems and merchandise management systems lead to a large number of different connections. In addition, there are various shipping service providers that are used depending on the retailer’s preferences.

Harald Subke was himself an online retailer for many years and offers fulfillment with his company Subke GmbH. He explains what online retailers need to look out for in connections and why ultimately all connections are relatively similar.

Regardless of which store system or merchandise management system is used, two data sets must always be synchronized: the item data and the orders. In addition, there may be orders for delivery, but these are not mandatory for every fulfillment service provider. In order to be able to transfer this data to the fulfillment service provider, the retailer must give the service provider access to its system, e.g. via the API (Application Programming Interface) of its store system or its merchandise management system. After that, the data can be reconciled on both systems. Important to know: Data exchange is not a one-way street – data transfers take place in both directions. First, let’s take a look at the reconciliation of the

Before the cooperation with a fulfillment provider can start, the technical connection to the existing store or merchandise management system must be clarified.