Selecting an E-commerce Fulfillment Partner with AJ Khanijow AJ Khanijow and Joe Lynch discuss selecting an e-commerce fulfillment partner. For e-commerce companies the difference between success and failure is fulfillment. As the founder of an fulfillment company that specializing in e-commerce, AJ knows what companies should look for in an e-commerce fulfillment partner. About AJ Khanijow AJ Khanijow is the founder of Fulfyld, a warehousing and fulfillment company based in Huntsville, Alabama. AJ and his team at Fulfyld specialize in e-commerce fulfillment. Prior to founding Fulfyld, AJ held business development and leadership positions in the manufacturing, technology, packaging and consulting industries. AJ earned an industrial engineering degree from Auburn University. About Fulfyld Based in Huntsville, Alabama, Fulfyld has offered e-commerce fulfillment services for every step of the supply chain since 2016. Our customers range from local to global companies, each with unique e-commerce fulfillment needs. Fulfyld integrates directly with e-commerce marketplaces and shopping carts to simplify your shipping process. We ship same-day, every day, for one flat-rate. Key Takeaways - Selecting an E-commerce Fulfillment Partner First e-commerce companies should conduct a thorough internal assessment of their company to determine what they want from an e-commerce fulfillment partner. Companies should understand all the moving parts internally and what exactly your partner is going to be doing vs what will be managed in-house. Next, determine suitable locations for e-commerce fulfillment. Fulfillment locations should be close to carrier transportation hubs, ports, customers, and suppliers. Decide if you would like to fulfill externally or internally. Figure out how your ERP and e-commerce platform will integrate with your e-commerce fulfillment partner. Cultural Fit: How does your business fit within the culture of your fulfillment partner? I always look to see if I can hang out with potential partners, that way you knows if it will be a good fit. Range of Services: Ensure they offer all the services necessary for your supply chain to succeed. If your partner makes a critical mistake, it could be detrimental to your business. Third-Party Logistics: Will they be able to accommodate all of your SKUs? Technology Integration: Many traditional 3PLs specialize in TL and LTL shipping so their systems may not be suitable for managing small parcel shipments. Booking a dozen TL shipments is very different from processing thousands of small parcel shipments. To manage that volume of customer orders, you must have the right systems (technology) for the job. Location: Your partner needs to be in close proximity to the carrier terminals. For instance, Huntsville is great for us because it is close to three of the biggest hubs (terminals) for small parcel carriers: Louisville, Memphis, and Atlanta.  Make sure you are in a state that is low cost and good for business. The labor rate in L.A. is almost double what it is in Alabama. Dedicated Customer Service: The ability to pick up the phone and talk to someone who is dedicated to your account is something I highly recommend. Essentially, your e-commerce fulfillment partner is running your supply chain so communication is critical. Problems must be identified and solved quickly, which means you can't be directed to a call center - you need an account manager who knows your business. E-commerce Experience: Having experience in the e-commerce business is a requirement.  E-commerce companies are usually young companies, so they need to select an e-commerce fulfillment partner who is experienced in e-commerce fulfillment, small parcel and B2C shipping. There are large, established 3PLs who have great capabilities but know very little about e-commerce fulfillment. Operational Excellence: To be successful, your fulfillment partner must have great operations. Ask questions about how they manage orders. D