Say what??
The logistics world is filled with acronyms that can make your head spin. If you are new to buying wholesale, or just curious about what they mean, here is a quick guide to some of the most common ones you might see you on our communication with you:
3PL – Third-Party Logistics: These are logistics companies that provide services to support shipping, warehousing, and distribution. 3PL companies often offer a more cost affordable way to move individual cartons around the country, rather than full pallets.
LTL – Less Than Truckload: Ideal for smaller shipments that don’t require a full truck, often cost-effective. Manual loaded cartons from point A – point B; rather than forklift loaded pallets.
FTL – Full Truckload: For larger shipments that fill an entire truck, often faster but may cost more.
TMS – Transportation Management System: Software to optimise and manage transportation operations. We use a TMS that is owned by the 3PL that we work with. Cut-offs for our TMS Tuesdays at 5:30 pm, and Fridays at 1:30 pm.
WMS – Warehouse Management System: Software for efficient warehouse operations. We use a WMS that is owned by the three people that we work with. This helps us keep track of any stock we have on hand, and provides a portal for incoming and outgoing transfers for most of our farmed goods.
EDI – Electronic Data Interchange: Digital exchange of business documents like invoices and purchase orders. When we send you an invoice, or send you any transportation information, it’s considered part of our EDI.
SKU – Stock Keeping Unit: A unique identifier for each product in inventory. You’ll find your Hand Sourced SKU in the narrow side of the carton if it has come through our WMS.
POD – Proof of Delivery: Confirmation that a shipment was received, often a crucial document. All items that come through our WMS and TMS have a POD at the end. However, items that come from select farms or game harvesters directly, may not have a POD as the Farmer or harvester may use a private small contractor that doesn’t employ this service. It is a recommendation that you request a POD at the time of making your order. Often used for disputes or proof of temperature at the time of drop off.
ETA – Estimated Time of Arrival: Predicted delivery time for shipments. You’ll be able to track the ETA on your tracking information through the TMS document we sent you prior to delivery, if your product has come through our WMS.
Picking: whilst not strictly an acronym, the term ‘picking’ refers to the picking (selection) of your carton of products by staff at thewarehouse, as directed by the WMS. A carton is picked based on the SKU that you order, and as each carton is picked, it is then loaded into the truck bay ready for dispatch. Once picking has occurred, no alterations can be made to orders.
How did you go with that? Clear as mud? Let me know if you’ve got any questions and I’ll try and answer them in the comments.
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