Efficient fulfillment is essential for eCommerce success. Shopify Plus simplifies this with tools like Smart Order Routing, allowing you to automate order fulfillment across multiple locations. Here’s what you need to know:
- Fulfillment Priorities: Automatically assign orders to the best warehouse based on location, stock levels, and custom rules.
- Key Benefits: Lower shipping costs, faster deliveries, and fewer errors.
- Core Features:
- Location-based order assignment.
- Real-time inventory tracking to avoid overselling.
- Custom routing rules for special cases like express shipping or bulk orders.
- Setup Steps:
- Rank locations by proximity, stock capacity, and operating hours.
- Configure routing rules for primary, special, and fallback scenarios.
- Test and refine your setup with simulated orders.
Pro Tip: Regularly update priorities and use automation tools to adapt to changing inventory and customer needs.
Shopify Plus helps streamline multi-location fulfillment, ensuring faster and cost-effective order processing while improving customer satisfaction.
Shopify Plus Fulfilment Tools
Core Fulfilment Features
Shopify Plus includes built-in tools designed to simplify order processing. One standout feature is the Smart Order Routing system, which allows merchants to create advanced rules for routing orders based on various criteria.
Here are the key aspects of the Smart Order Routing system:
- Location-Based Assignment: Directs orders to the nearest fulfilment centre for faster delivery.
- Inventory Level Monitoring: Tracks stock across all warehouses to avoid overselling.
- Priority Queue Management: Organises order queues according to pre-set rules.
The platform also supports managing multiple warehouses, each with its own inventory and fulfilment setup. This is especially useful for businesses operating across Australia, from major cities like Sydney and Melbourne to smaller regional hubs. These tools work together with the routing rules to ensure orders are processed efficiently across different locations.
The order routing system uses a detailed algorithm to further optimise fulfilment decisions.
Order Routing Automation
Shopify Plus takes automation a step further by using an algorithm that evaluates multiple factors to determine the best fulfilment centre for each order. Here’s an overview of the key principles behind this process:
| Priority Factor | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Stock Availability | Monitors real-time inventory levels | Avoids split shipments and backorders |
| Geographic Location | Calculates delivery distance | Lowers shipping costs and speeds up delivery |
| Warehouse Capacity | Considers each centre’s workload | Balances distribution across locations |
| Custom Rules | Applies merchant-defined priorities | Supports specific handling needs |
When an order is received, the system follows a structured process:
- Inventory Check: Updates stock levels in real-time.
- Rule Enforcement: Applies custom rules and priorities.
- Order Assignment: Allocates the order to the most suitable fulfilment centre.
- Instruction Generation: Creates picking and packing instructions.
This automated workflow reduces the need for manual intervention and ensures orders are processed accurately. Merchants also gain clear visibility into order statuses and fulfilment progress, helping them fine-tune their operations and maintain efficiency. This complements the tools and features discussed earlier.
Setting Up Fulfillment Priorities
Accessing Fulfillment Settings
To manage your fulfilment priorities, start by logging into your Shopify Plus admin dashboard. Navigate to Settings and then click on Locations. This is where you control warehouse priorities and routing rules.
For advanced fulfilment options:
- Go to Settings > Locations
- Select Manage Locations
- Click Edit Priority Settings
- Choose Advanced Configuration
Ranking Your Locations
Once you’re in the fulfilment settings, rank your locations based on these key factors:
| Factor | Description | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Geographic Coverage | Proximity to metro or regional areas | Affects delivery speed and costs |
| Stock Capacity | Storage space available | Impacts how many orders can be processed |
| Operating Hours | Business hours in AEST/AEDT | Influences order processing times |
| Handling Capability | Staff and equipment resources | Determines fulfilment efficiency |
Setting Up Routing Rules
After ranking your locations, create routing rules to handle orders effectively.
1. Primary Rules
Set your core routing criteria, focusing on inventory availability and proximity. These rules should form the backbone of your fulfilment strategy.
2. Special Exceptions
Define rules for unique scenarios such as:
- Express shipping requests
- Bulk orders
- Items requiring temperature control
- Special packaging needs
3. Fallback Options
Prepare backup fulfilment paths for situations where primary locations cannot handle orders due to stock or capacity issues.
Once your routing rules are in place, make sure your stock management aligns with these rules.
Managing Stock Across Locations
To keep your fulfilment smooth, focus on these stock management tasks:
- Regularly update inventory levels in all warehouses
- Set minimum stock thresholds for each location
- Enable automatic stock transfers between warehouses
- Configure alerts to notify you of low stock levels
Testing Your Fulfillment Setup
Before going live, test your configuration to ensure everything works as expected.
1. Run Test Orders
Simulate different order scenarios to see how your fulfilment rules perform.
2. Analyse Key Metrics
Track important data points such as:
- Order processing times
- Shipping costs
- Frequency of split shipments
- Accuracy of stock allocation
3. Refine Your Setup
Use the performance data to tweak and improve your fulfilment settings. Regular testing and adjustments will help maintain a smooth and efficient process.
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Fulfilment Management Tips
Keep Priorities Up-to-Date
Running an efficient fulfilment system means keeping a close eye on operations and making timely adjustments. Regularly evaluate your fulfilment process to align with changes in inventory and customer demand. During busy seasons or special events, shift priorities as needed. Automated alerts for low stock can help you reassign priorities quickly.
Review processing times and delivery performance often to identify areas for improvement. Pair these reviews with automation tools to streamline your fulfilment process even further.
Use Apps for Custom Rules
Enhance your Shopify Plus setup by adding automation tools. These apps let you create custom routing rules based on factors like product type, order value, or shipping destination. Automation can help you adjust fulfilment priorities in real time, ensuring your system responds effectively to inventory changes and customer needs.
Conclusion
Shopify Plus tools and smart fulfilment strategies are key to success.
Key Takeaways
Focusing on fulfilment priorities can streamline multi-location Shopify Plus operations. A well-configured system ensures stock is managed effectively and shipping costs are kept in check. Automated routing and regular system reviews enhance order processing and improve customer satisfaction.
Combining location rankings with automated routing helps create a smooth fulfilment process. These features minimise stock shortages and ensure orders are shipped from the best possible locations.
Alinga‘s Expertise
Alinga, a certified Shopify Plus partner with two decades of experience, specialises in helping Australian businesses refine their eCommerce operations. Our team of Shopify Plus professionals can set up fulfilment priorities, customise routing rules, and implement automated workflows tailored to your needs.
We also provide ongoing support and growth retainers, ensuring you have quick access to our expertise. Whether you’re managing warehouses in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, or anywhere in Australia, our consultancy services can help you develop scalable Shopify Plus fulfilment solutions.
Get in touch with us to enhance your Shopify Plus fulfilment and improve order efficiency.
