All fulfillment centers generally provide the same set of core services to help companies deliver packages both locally and internationally. In terms of these core services (receiving, storage, fulfillment, and shipping), most fulfillment centers do not differ much. However, some fulfillment centers specialize in certain aspects of fulfillment, delivering a more tailored service.
Some examples of fulfillment center specialization include:
- B2B fulfillment companies: they focus on fulfilling orders that are sent to businesses only. These companies are experts in providing EDI (electronic data integration) and retail compliance with major retailers, shipping orders to specialty and boutique businesses, and delivering orders to businesses. Order sizes for B2B shipments tend to be larger, encompassing many SKUs (stock keeping units) and items per order.
- B2C and E-commerce fulfillment companies: they focus on fulfilling orders place by online consumers made through e-commerce web stores, online marketplaces such as Amazon and eBay, and other direct to consumers channels like Kickstarter and Facebook. Individual orders placed by consumers tend to be smaller in nature. B2C e-commerce fulfillment companies may also be referred to as order fulfillment companies or pick and pack fulfillment companies.
- Omni channel fulfillment companies: they focus on fulfilling orders for all sales channels, including both B2B and B2C channels.
- Fulfillment and call center companies in one: they offer both fulfillment and customer care services under one roof, helping to deliver an exceptional customer experience.
