Supply chain management in e-commerce (III.)

E-commerce supply chain network mainly by the supplier of DC (distribution center), E-commerce Enterprise FC (fulfillment center), the distribution of distributors of the center, distribution providers of distribution stations, customer receipt points. If the enterprise to do their own distribution, the warehouse can be directly picked up and sent to their own distribution station, the last one kilometer distribution.

Supply Chain network is to connect these elements organically, complete the logistics process of goods. and supply chain optimization is to make the network efficient and low-cost operation, the customer needs of the goods according to the time, place and number of customers to send to the hands of customers. It is often said that E-commerce is to move boxes, but this move box is no less than the knowledge of any design and production of products.

In the E-commerce supply chain network Architecture design considerations, the most important points are:

1 FC site selection, 2 FC capacity and throughput design, 3 the distribution of goods in each FC, 4 FC and the transfer of goods between the FC; 5 if you distribute, also consider the location of the distribution site;

The main considerations for FC site selection are:

1 in the promised delivery time can be covered by the customer scope; (2) warehouse leasing costs; 3. Availability and cost of local labor force; 4) cost to logistics (from supplier's DC to e-commerce Enterprise FC), and 5 to outward logistics (from FC to distribution center) cost; 6) if you distribute, Also consider the logistics time and cost from FC to the surrounding key cities.

The main considerations for FC capacity and throughput design are:

1 The number of customer groups covered and the expected frequency of purchase; 2 the current daily volume and planned growth; 3 The relationship between FC and other FC (parallel warehouse, mother and child warehouse, etc.); 4) The type and sku;4 of the commodity have special warehousing and logistics needs;

The main factors of commodity distribution in FC are:

1 The geographical nature of the customer's demand for goods, 2 the geographical distribution of the suppliers of various commodities, 3 the storage cost of each FC and the logistics cost of the goods, 4 the correlation degree between the goods;

The relationship between FC and the transfer of goods between FC are mainly considered:

1 which warehouse is the main storehouse which is the auxiliary storehouse, or the storehouse parallel; 2 The goods that are not in the area covered by the warehouse are directly distributed or allocated to the warehouse after the customer is distributed, 3 of the goods are voluntarily allocated, which are passive allocation, what conditions to meet the allocation; 4. How to make a commitment to the goods that need to be allocated ;

The main factors to be considered for distribution site selection are:

1 Site rental costs, 2 coverage and single volume, 3 commodity safety and community restrictions, etc.

Next time use some examples to illustrate several main points. Examples are many of the enterprises I have served, not necessarily suitable for all enterprises, but consider the methods and factors should have a common place.

Date of writing: December 27, 2010