Key Points:
- Efficient inventory management is critical for success in international eCommerce operations
- Easyship, a leading global shipping platform, integrates seamlessly with inventory management systems Linnworks and SkuVault
- The combined power of Easyship, Linnworks, and SkuVault allows you to manage your inventory and print your shipping documents without leaving your platform
- Using Easyship's discounted shipping rates, you can save significant costs in your international shipping operations
The eCommerce industry has gone global, and so has the competition. Efficient inventory management is no longer a luxury—it's necessary for international selling and shipping success.
Trying to do this manually (like in a bunch of spreadsheets) is a fool’s errand.
This is where inventory management systems (IMS) platforms like SkuVault and Linnworks really shine.
But what if there was a way to streamline your operations even further?
Enter Easyship, a leading global shipping platform that integrates seamlessly with Linnworks and SkuVault, allowing you to manage inventory and print shipping documents without leaving the platform.
But that just scratches the surface regarding how much time, money, and sanity you can save by leveraging an IMS with Easyship integration.
By the end of this post, you'll be equipped with the knowledge to leverage these powerful tools to expand your business reach and improve your operational efficiency.
Let’s dive in!
What is an Inventory Management System?
An inventory management system (IMS) isn't just a tool—it's a comprehensive solution designed to control and oversee every aspect of a company's inventory. It acts as a central hub for managing stock across multiple warehouses, physical locations, and online sales channels.
These systems allow businesses to track inventory levels, orders, sales, and deliveries and maintain an accurate record of inventory in real-time. This functionality not only helps track items within the supply chain and manage quantities across different sales channels but also predicts when it's time to restock, thereby minimizing the risk of overselling or underselling items.
What are the Benefits of Using an Inventory Management System?
A well-implemented inventory management system (IMS) brings with it a multitude of benefits.
It's not just about having a handle on what products are on your shelves or warehouses; an IMS fundamentally transforms your business operations.
Here's how:
Real-Time Inventory Updates
With an IMS like SkuVault, you have the power to see exactly what inventory you have, where it is, and how it's moving across all your channels and warehouses.
This real-time visibility into inventory levels helps to prevent costly mistakes, such as selling an item that's no longer in stock.
By understanding your inventory's real-time status, you can make informed decisions about when to replenish stock, transfer products between locations, or adjust your sales strategies.
Reduced Risk of Overselling or Underselling
Overselling occurs when you sell a product that's not in stock, resulting in disappointed customers and potential damage to your business reputation.
On the other hand, underselling happens when you have more inventory than you can sell, tying up capital in stock that needs to generate revenue.
An effective IMS helps prevent both scenarios. By maintaining accurate inventory data, the system helps you ensure you have just enough stock to meet customer demand without overstocking.
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Better Forecasting
Historical inventory data can be an invaluable resource for predicting future demand.
By understanding trends, identifying sales patterns, and analyzing peak selling periods, an IMS provides the data you need for accurate forecasting.
This allows you to prepare for high-demand periods, plan for potential product shortages, and optimize your inventory to meet your customers' needs.
Enhanced Customer Satisfaction
When you know exactly what you have in stock and where it is, you can fulfill customer orders promptly and accurately.
This efficiency enhances customer satisfaction and fosters a positive reputation for your brand.
By reducing errors and improving fulfillment times, an IMS helps you deliver a superior customer experience that can drive repeat business and customer loyalty.
Cost Control
Investing in more inventory than you need can tie up capital and increase storage and carrying costs.
On the other hand, having enough inventory can lead to missed sales opportunities and potential revenue loss.
With an IMS, you can balance your inventory levels to avoid these costly scenarios, reducing expenses and enhancing profitability.
An IMS allows you to free up cash for other important areas of your business, such as marketing or product development, by maintaining optimal inventory levels.
So if I’ve Got an IMS… Do I Need Shipping Software, Too?
The answer is a resounding yes!
An IMS is a system of record — it will faithfully log all of your inventory information and present it in an easy-to-understand way. However, it won’t go out and negotiate better shipping rates for your business.
Shipping rates have steadily increased over the past few years, and shipping software like Easyship can provide you with pre-negotiated shipping rates of up to 91% off.
It's also important to remember that having just an IMS or warehouse management system (WMS) is only one piece of the supply chain puzzle.
You need a system that integrates with shipping software, marketplaces, and more to maximize your business efficiency.
4 Ways Companies Use Easyship to Grow Internationally
Access to the Biggest Range of Couriers
Easyship empowers eCommerce sellers with access to an extensive network of over 250 couriers worldwide.
This vast range of courier services includes well-known global entities and regional specialists, enabling businesses to select the most suitable, affordable, and efficient delivery options for every destination country.
By optimizing shipping choices, sellers can maximize their reach while keeping delivery costs in check, thereby driving international growth.
Seamless Delivery with Pre-Paid Duties & Taxes
Navigating through the maze of international shipping complexities, especially regarding import duties and taxes, can be a daunting task for sellers.
Easyship eliminates these headaches altogether by providing complete visibility of all expected import taxes, duties, and fees up front, minimizing the chances of unexpected costs.
Even better, Easyship allows sellers to pre-pay these expenses, ensuring a smooth delivery experience.
This preemptive handling of duties and taxes avoids delivery delays and unpleasant surprises for customers, improving customer satisfaction and retention rates.
Automating Shipping Processes with Shipping Rules
As part of our mission to streamline shipping, Easyship features a Shipping Rules feature that lets sellers automate their shipping processes.
This feature enables sellers to set up specific rules to select a courier based on various parameters such as the shipping destination, product type, weight, and more.
This high level of customization optimizes shipping operations, reduces manual errors, and ensures that the most efficient and cost-effective courier is chosen every time, saving both time and money.
Ensuring Shipments with Affordable and Fair Insurance
Shipping merchandise across borders can introduce some risks.
To safeguard against potential damages or loss, Easyship offers a more affordable and fair insurance option compared to traditional courier-provided insurance.
Our insurance policies are designed to cover shipments comprehensively, ensuring peace of mind for our sellers.
Furthermore, Easyship's process for insurance claims is quicker and more straightforward, reducing the time and stress typically associated with such processes.
How to Use Your IMS to Make International Selling Easier
In the age of global eCommerce, efficient inventory and shipping management are vital.
Both Linnworks and SkuVault provide seamless integrations with Easyship, facilitating a smooth and comprehensive approach to international selling and shipping.
Here's a deeper look into how these integrations enhance your global eCommerce operations:
Seamless Document Printing
One of the key benefits of integrating Easyship with Linnworks or SkuVault is the streamlined process it provides for printing shipping documents.
No need to juggle between multiple tabs or platforms; with these integrations, you can print your shipping labels, customs invoices, and other necessary documentation directly from the Linnworks or SkuVault platform.
This saves you valuable time and reduces the likelihood of errors that may occur during manual data transfer.
Unified Control Center
Integrating your IMS with Easyship creates a unified command center for your inventory, order, and shipping management.
This means you have a single source of truth to oversee your entire eCommerce operation, enhancing efficiency and reducing complexity.
With everything consolidated in one place, you can streamline workflows, increase productivity, and simplify the management of your online business.
Simplified Currency Conversion
Navigating currency conversion can be a tricky part of international eCommerce (as if things weren’t tricky enough!).
However, integrations with Linnworks or SkuVault simplify this process by automatically converting all major currencies into a single currency of your choice.
This gives you clear, accurate reporting and helps eliminate potential confusion and errors related to currency conversion—making it easier to analyze your sales and revenue data.
Worldwide Fulfillment
The combined power of SkuVault and Easyship opens your business to a global audience.
The SkuVault integration allows you to manage your inventory efficiently, while Easyship provides access to over 250+ shipping solutions and discounted shipping rates.
As a result, you can fulfill orders worldwide with ease, catering to international customers and expanding your market reach.
Grow Your Business Through Better Shipping
Managing a successful eCommerce business means juggling many moving parts, particularly when it comes to global selling and shipping.
Fortunately, leveraging an inventory management system (IMS) and integrating it with a comprehensive shipping platform like Easyship can streamline your processes, improve efficiency, and ultimately boost your bottom line.
Utilizing integrations like those between Linnworks or SkuVault and Easyship allows you to manage your inventory effectively and optimize your shipping processes.
This integration efficiently:
- Handles shipping documentation
- Manages global inventory
- Converts currencies
- And provides worldwide fulfillment
All from a single platform.
A good IMS and shipping software work together to simplify your operations, provide cost-effective shipping solutions, and improve customer satisfaction, thereby setting your eCommerce business up for global success.
So, what's the next step? If you haven't already, explore the functionalities and benefits of Linnworks and SkuVault, and see how these tools can transform your inventory management processes.
And if you're looking to unlock the full potential of international shipping, check out Easyship's shipping rate calculator to see how much you could save on your international shipments.
Remember, global eCommerce presents incredible growth opportunities.
With the right tools and integrations, you can seize these opportunities and scale your business to new heights. Your next level of eCommerce success is just a click away.
