Choosing a 3PL—The Key is Technology

As leading global organizations continue to outsource to reduce costs and focus on core competencies, it's no surprise that the market for third-party logistics (3PLs) is seeing steady growth. With all this vigorous growth, the company looking to outsource its supply chain should find it easy to select a qualified 3PL. But rapid growth is always followed by "shakeout"—when the market chooses the real market leaders. Today, it's looking like one of the ways to identify those leaders is to look for third-party logistics providers who have a fully developed systems backbone.

Integration is key
Integration and what those backbone systems are going to be is the biggest issue for 3PLs..The backbone systems include a tier-one warehouse management system and transportation management system that can be deployed over and over at multiple customer sites.

Make sure that the 3PL you choose has a WMS system that is integrated with a tier-one transportation management system (TMS). In addition, look for some kind of visibility software on top of the TMS and WMS that lets your customers see the process.

Wagner Industries possesses the integrated tier-one technologies required by global and leading companies. With its Red Prairie and Freight Logix systems, Wagner Industries can offer a suite of services for any business need that might arise. Each system offers a Web-based customer portal with real-time information tracking throughout the Supply Chain Cycle. The Wagner solution also offers a customer tailored solution without costly delays in implementation.

Wagner also offers a wide variety of integration methodologies and has even partnered for “off the shelf” integrated solutions to exchange data between the customer‘s system and Wagner’s solution. No more guess work and no more missed deadlines!