A common trend in the 2018 MLB Draft was player versatility. Teams are looking for players with a diverse skillset to round out their pool of talent. The same can be said when evaluating whether to manage your logistics in-house or outsource transportation management to a third-party. What if you could draft a team of experts to take your company to the next level? When logistics management isn’t the primary focus of your business, outsourcing this function to a 3PL can provide clear advantages.
Subject matter experts in a 3PL, like the bench strength of a baseball team, cohesively work together towards a common goal. Each team member has a specific role, ensuring your logistics needs are met and your transportation network runs efficiently.
Like a catcher, a valuable 3PL must be a good communicator. As an integral partner, a 3PL keeps your business informed of industry trends and prepares the team for strategies that could adversely affect their transportation network.
Defensive players guard and protect the team from risk – runners on base. They are quick on their feet and together, cover a wide range. Choose a 3PL that guards and protects your business like their own. Do they offer Risk Management Services? Do they service your entire supply chain with a wide range of service offerings? Is their team experienced enough to field your toughest challenges?
A comprehensive 3PL, or one-stop-shop, is an ideal solutions provider and can examine your supply chain from a holistic approach. By outsourcing your logistics to a 3PL, you need less staff in general. Our “coaching staff” becomes one with your company and provides consultative services and strategic account management without adding unnecessary overhead costs to your business.
Another advantage to partnering with a 3PL is access to the latest technologies. When you’re thrown a curve ball, you need stats and data to make better informed business decisions. Advanced reports and analytics provides visibility into shipping costs, trends and outliers, enabling your business to combat challenges that arise in today’s complex logistics market.
A baseball team is comprised of people with a variety of special skill sets that when combined, creates a synergy that becomes a competitive advantage. Don’t watch from the stands. Explore how a 3PL partnership can enhance your shipping operations to provide efficiency, costs savings and lower overhead. Let AFS manage your supply chain so that you can focus on coaching your team on the core business.
