What Is Order Fulfillment
Order fulfillment refers to the complete process involved in receiving, processing, and delivering orders to customers. It is a critical component of supply chain management, ecommerce, retail, and distribution businesses.
Types of Order Fulfillment Models
In-house Fulfillment: The fulfillment center handles all steps internally, owning its own warehouses and staff.
Third-Party Fulfillment (3PL): An external logistics partner manages storage, picking, packing, and shipping.
Dropshipping: The supplier or manufacturer ships directly to the customer on behalf of the seller.
Hybrid Fulfillment: A mix of in-house and outsourced solutions, depending on order volume, geography, and product type.