What is the process for switching to a fulfillment partner?

Switching to a fulfillment partner is a step-by-step process, and each step has a clear endpoint. You don’t transfer your online store overnight: you build the new operation alongside your existing one and only make the switch once everything is in order.

1. The Meeting and the Proposal

It starts with your order profile. How many orders do you ship, how many items are in an order on average, what kinds of products are they, and where are they going? Based on that information, we’ll provide a proposal tailored to your actual operations. We’ll respond to your request within one business day.

2. The Agreements in Writing

Whatever you agree upon will be included in the contract, along with the terms and conditions. Be sure to carefully review the notice period and the terms that apply if you decide to leave. At Cenfil, there is no minimum contract term, and the notice period is six calendar months.

3. The integration with your online store

Your online store will be connected to the fulfillment system, so orders will be automatically processed there. You’ll keep your own online store and your own e-commerce platform. Nothing will change for your customers when they place orders.

4. Sending Your Inventory to the Warehouse

Your inventory is registered and delivered according to the delivery instructions. That is when the item numbers, barcodes, and quantities must match. If everything goes smoothly, your inventory will be in the correct locations shortly afterward, and you’ll see it in your Picqer account.

5. The Test Order

Before going live, send a test order through the entire supply chain. This will show whether the order is received correctly, whether the right item is picked, whether the packaging is correct, and whether the shipping label is generated correctly.

6. Live

Then you’ll switch over. From that point on, your orders will be processed through the fulfillment operation, and you’ll have a dedicated contact person who is familiar with your business. You’ll continue to manage your online store, your product lineup, and your customer interactions.

What Happens to Your Pending Orders

Your old and new situations will coexist for a while. You’ll complete orders that have already been picked at the old location, and starting at the switchover time, new orders will go through the new process. Agree in advance on the exact time this will take effect, so that no orders fall through the cracks.

What Determines the Lead Time

How long the transition takes depends mainly on you: how quickly you can get your product data and barcodes in order and when your inventory can be delivered. There are no setup costs, so the main hurdle lies in the preparation, not in an upfront investment.