Every logistics solution starts with a problem
Dietikon, 6 March 2024
Guest article by Webwirkung
Automating the order process and handling the logistics are among the key e-commerce challenges that our ‘Plug & Planzer Parcel’ plug-in solution aims to address.
If a producer has a vision for the logistics of its online shop, their approach is considered to be a crazy idea. But as soon as this vision becomes reality, this crazy idea is transformed into innovation. This is what happened at Macardo Swiss Distillery, which is embracing modernity and innovation by operating one of Switzerland’s most sustainable distilleries along with its globally unique barrel warehouse. In partnership with Planzer Parcel and Webwirkung GmbH, the transformation from vision to innovation was launched.
From crazy idea to automated e-commerce logistics
With growing sales in its online shop, Macardo realised that it needed a new, optimised logistics solution. The aim was not only to optimise, but also to automate the increasing volumes of parcel deliveries. Because this is the only way that e-commerce can meet its own demands for delivery quality, reliability and speed, while minimising the overall effort.
Following in-depth benchmarking, with a particular focus on Macardo’s sustainability concept, Planzer Parcels finally emerged as a suitable partner for this ambitious project.
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The stated objective:
To fully automate the entire picking process, from customer order to collection by Planzer Parcel.
The challenge of plug-in development & go-live
As well as designing a plug-in, coordinating the parties involved also posed a real challenge. This was easily overcome using the ‘Plug & Planzer Parcel’ plug-in. The initial version for WordPress Stores (WooCommerce) was launched in December 2021, followed by the smooth go-live of plug-in versions for Shopify and Shopware in 2023. This means that automated e-commerce logistics from Planzer Parcel are now available for the majority of the Swiss e-commerce market.
How does the plug-in benefit shop owners?
- Incoming orders are automatically logged and the delivery details sent to Planzer Parcel.
- So all the shop owner has to do to process the order is package the goods and prepare them for collection.
- Order processing errors are minimised and the workload is reduced.
How does the ‘Plug & Planzer Parcel’ plug-in work?
The initial objective of fully automating the entire logistics process can only be achieved by means of an optimised process that takes account of retailer, customer and shipping perspectives. So the plug-in process works as follows:
Integrating the plug-in into the e-commerce structure not only benefits the retailer themselves, but also improves the customer’s shopping experience. After successfully placing their order, they receive an automated order confirmation and an immediate shipping notification, including a delivery date. The ability to change this delivery date completes the buyer experience.
The retailer’s logistics department are the first to come into contact with the order. Once the order has been received, it is automatically logged in the system and forwarded to Planzer Parcel. Logistics simultaneously receives the customer order and electronically notifies staff of the number and content of the parcels to be delivered. Thanks to the intelligent link between the plug-in and the retailer’s output devices, the delivery note is printed automatically.
At the logistics partner, Planzer Parcel, the order is received directly by the relevant branch, which schedules both the collection of the parcels from the retailer and their delivery to the customer.
Finally, all the retailer needs to do is make the parcel available at the agreed time and Planzer Parcel will then deliver the order the following day.
Figure 1: Optimised logistics process using the Plug & Planzer Parcel plug-in
One of the plug-in’s fundamental attributes is its excellent scalability. Everyone can use ‘Plug & Planzer Parcel’, from small online shops to high-volume e-commerce retailers. And thanks to the close cooperation between new and existing e-commerce retailers and Planzer Parcel, the plug-in is continuously evolving and adapting to the ever-changing requirements of e-commerce.
Next steps
Over 60 Swiss shops are now using the logistics plug-in. Owing to the different requirements of every retailer, it is constantly evolving, thereby offering new features that are intended to improve the customer experience. One example is the recent integration of a feature to select a delivery time for the order (by 10.00 am or by 12.00 noon), which not only allows buyers to optimise their parcel delivery, but also allows retailers to improve their delivery quality and offer special goods delivery options (e.g. refrigerated goods).
Simply download the free ‘Plug & Planzer Parcel’ plug-in via your CMS app store or from the Planzer Parcel website and optimise up to 70% of your total e-commerce logistics workload in just a few steps.
