Fulfilment models
Manage stock from home without running the business from a spreadsheet.
Keep the setup simple, control costs and put the right inventory processes in place before volume grows.
A practical way to start or stay lean
Home and small-scale fulfilment can be a sensible model for a new product range, a low-volume operation, a side business or a business with compact, manageable stock.
It can also remain viable for longer than people expect when the products are small, order volume is predictable and the process is organised.
When home fulfilment works well
- Order volume is still manageable by a small team
- Products fit safely within the available space
- Receiving and dispatch don’t disrupt the rest of the business
- The business wants to keep fixed costs low
- Direct control over customer orders is important
What to plan for when fulfilling from home
- Stock accuracy becomes harder when shelves, rooms and temporary storage aren’t clearly defined
- Packing can take over the available workspace
- Carrier pickups, returns and incoming stock can create congestion
- Security, insurance and lease conditions may matter
- The business may eventually need better separation between home and work
A simple technology setup
- Tall Emu for products, orders, purchasing and stock
- A phone camera or low-cost USB barcode scanner
- An A4 printer or entry-level thermal label printer
- Clearly labelled shelves and storage areas
- Freight through a direct carrier account or aggregator
Signs it is time to move beyond home fulfilment
- Orders are delayed because stock can’t be found
- Packing blocks normal work or living space
- More people are needed, but there is nowhere sensible for them to work
- Receiving large deliveries has become difficult
- The cost of mistakes is starting to exceed the savings from staying small
Start simple, but keep the system ready to grow
Tall Emu can move with the business into a warehouse, 3PL or hybrid model without losing the customer, product and order history.
Prefer to talk? Call 02 9299 9959 or talk to a real person.