Kids Collective, an eCommerce children’s toy company, faced significant challenges in managing their order fulfilment process. Operating in a highly seasonal market, they needed a solution that could streamline their operations, reduce errors, and handle fluctuating order volumes efficiently.
Challenges
Prior to implementing Despatch Cloud, Kids Collective’s fulfilment process was manual and prone to errors. They relied on:
- Paper-Based Systems: Orders were printed on paper each morning, and labels were manually matched to these orders.
- This method led to frequent mix-ups and errors.
- Inefficient Warehouse Operations: Without an effective stock management system, locating products was a challenge, leading to overselling and misplaced inventory.
- High Staffing Costs: The manual process required more staff, especially during peak seasons, which increased operational costs.
“Costs with the software are incomparable compared to how much time is saved. We’d come in and see 50 orders on the system, and we’d be, oh, how are we going to get them out? Because each order took so long to do. Now, 50 orders are nothing. It goes out so fast.”
Solution
Despatch Cloud provided a comprehensive solution that addressed Kids Collective’s challenges:
- Automated Order Processing: Orders from multiple sales channels were integrated into a single system, eliminating manual order handling and reducing errors.
- Enhanced Warehouse Management: The system introduced a location-based inventory management system, improving product tracking and reducing the risk of overselling.
- Streamlined Picking and Packing: With digital picking and packing features, the process became more efficient and less error-prone, even accommodating temporary staff during peak seasons.
"One of the biggest benefits that it's given us is enabling us to set up a proper location system, because that means that we know where everything is, which means everything is where it should be."
Results
The implementation of Despatch Cloud led to significant improvements for Kids Collective.
- Efficiency Boost: Order processing times were drastically reduced.
- Reduced Staffing Needs: Despite handling higher volumes, Kids Collective now operates with fewer staff members, lowering overall staffing costs.
- Improved Accuracy: The digital system minimised human errors, ensuring accurate order fulfilment and better stock management.
Additional Benefits
"We only have four warehouse team members employed here, but coming into peak, we'll have temporary staff come in. So, it's easy for them to pick up the system fast. They don't have long to pick it up before it gets really busy."
Despatch Cloud also offered several additional benefits:
- Customisable Dashboards: The system allowed for customised dashboards and reports, making it easier for Kids Collective to track performance and adapt to their specific needs.
- Enhanced Usability: The intuitive interface facilitated quick adaptation, even for less tech-savvy staff. Emma observed, “The actual look of it is very easy to understand. We’ve got a couple of girls in the warehouse who are not techie at all… It’s so simple to use with minimal buttons to click to get where you need to go.”
- Efficient Support: Despatch Cloud’s support team provided valuable assistance in optimising the system for Kids Collective’s specific needs, further enhancing their operations.
"Even setting up the location system seemed hugely overwhelming, and I was really anxious by it because it was something I'd never done before. But Sam went through it all with us, showed us exactly how to do it and it was so simple. If we hadn't had that support, we probably would have thought it was beyond us, but it’s worked so well for us."
Conclusion
Despatch Cloud’s solutions have transformed Kids Collective’s order fulfilment and warehouse operations, delivering increased efficiency, accuracy, and cost savings. The ability to scale seamlessly during peak seasons and streamline daily operations has positioned Kids Collective for continued growth and success in the competitive eCommerce market.
