UPS backs end-to-end fulfillment platform for ecommerce
UPS has signed a multi-year deal to integrate its warehouse management and logistics systems with a US website development platform that builds ecommerce stores for retailers. The deal with Massachusetts firm Bridgeline Digital is giving rise to a new “Total eCommerce” service that promises an end-to-end online retail supply chain fulfillment solution.
The two firms said the solution was designed for the mid-market and larger online commerce players in both B2B and B2C markets, making use of Bridgeline’s iAPPS Web Engagement platform.
They said Total eCommerce would manage front-end and back-end ecommerce requirements to simplify operations and reduce deployment times.
Alan Amling, marketing director for UPS Global Logistics and Distribution, said: “Fulfillment and delivery are critical to the customer experience in eCommerce. Through this alliance with Bridgeline and the iAPPS Product Suite, UPS is making it easier for more businesses to tap into a world class end-to-end platform engineered to support their business needs.”
Along with the development of an ecommerce platform for online retailers, the Total eCommerce solution offers access to online marketing expertise and mobile solutions, as well as the ongoing upgrade of infrastructure when needed.
The companies said that integrating with UPS supply chain services would mean well-planned and executed efficiency in the supply chain, helping retailers cut costs and improve customer service.
It could see retailers’ inventory stored at any of the 820 UPS warehouse management facilities in more than 120 countries, with UPS staff handling picking, packing and shipping. Total eCommerce uses UPS tracking systems to provide visibility for shipments, and offers returns logistics.
It will mean “seamless” fulfillment connected in with the global UPS shipping network, the firms added.
“Milestone”
“Customers have continuously asked for a simplified end-to-end web store and fulfillment model”
“Bridgeline’s partnership with UPS represents an important milestone in the eCommerce market,” said Thomas Massie, chairman and CEO of Bridgeline Digital.
“Both UPS and Bridgeline have continuously heard their customers ask for a simplified end-to-end web store and fulfillment model – we feel that we’ve hit the mark with the combined Total eCommerce offering.”
The new UPS solution comes as a growing number of postal operators also look to extend their reaches within the ecommerce chain, providing support to get particularly SME retailers selling online in the hope of capturing market share in ecommerce delivery along the way.
Royal Mail is currently in a beta phase with its simplewaystogrow.com platform, La Poste took over the Mixcommerce business earlier this year, while SingPost launched its EZ Suite last year.
UPS revealed earlier this year that its business is being significantly affected by the global boom in online shopping, which it said accounted for 480m of its packages during the recent festive season, almost 50% of volume within the US in December.
