I know many online retailers who use Metapack, often in conjunction with multi-channel management software, to streamline their shipping. The big advantage is that you can put in place rules to automatically despatch parcels by the most efficient and/or the cheapest method. This becomes particularly advantages when a customer purchases multiple items as it can for example ship a single product via Royal Mail but when combined with multiple products ship via courier.
We asked Metapack to tell us more about their service and you can of course find more information on the Metapack website.
Now responsible for a large percentage of all items shipped online, MetaPack’s unique service has streamlined the despatch function for hundreds of online retailers, bringing ‘intelligent despatch’ to large multi-channel clients such as M&S, John Lewis, ASOS and DGSi as well as smaller pure-play e-tailers.
MetaPack’s service is based around a web-based, pay-as-you-go software solution which intelligently streamlines the despatch process through efficient carrier management and effective communication. This impacts on several aspects of the e-tail operation, delivering flexibility and contingency to operations, expanding delivery options, reducing costs, and improving customer experience. Some clients even use MetaPack to introduce multi-channel initiatives, control activity at their fulfilment houses or facilitate drop-ship despatch direct from their suppliers whilst retaining control of how, what, where, and when items are being sent at a fraction of the cost. It even manages returns cost-effectively.
Increasing first time delivery success means giving customers the options they want and keeping clear, continual communication between all parties throughout the process. However, achieving the best mix of delivery options for your business often means utilizing multiple carriers and delivery solutions which can become difficult while trying to juggle a number of systems at once. MetaPack is a multi-carrier platform helping you integrate into carriers inexpensively with ease, plan for any contingencies such as postal strikes and manage the disjointed allocation and delivery information bringing it all together through one system. MetaPack can then keep both your customer service teams and your customers informed every step of the way through emails and texts, meaning no more failed deliveries.
The solution is fully scalable and can handle as few as 30 parcels a day to 30,000 an hour with no need to upgrade. There are no huge up-front costs, and is simply charged on a small fee per consignment. MetaPack’s extensive partner network also means integration into existing systems is easy with no further IT costs.
Operationally, the system links your web front end or warehouse management system directly with over 20 carriers, managing the packing process through automatic carrier assignment, booking, label production and manifest functions. They are also able to consult detailed, but simple-to-operate reporting tools to pro-actively root out process inefficiencies, monitor carrier performance, keep management informed and even identify delayed deliveries before receiving “where is my order” calls.
MetaPack provides a single screen support for Customer Services and can even automate informative messages to customers by interpreting carriers’ own status reports from their disparate systems or, offer real-time delivery options specific to customers (based on their location, parcel type, time of day etc) at time of purchase from your website. The system can also be used by your external suppliers or fulfilment houses.
In short, we’ve seen our system save our clients 20% on average in operating costs and, given that 68% of shoppers abort their online purchase due to delivery issues, MetaPack will enables its customers to strengthen their firm’s overall commercial proposition.
