Brian Barry

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Brian Barry, president of F. Curtis Barry & Co., has 24 years’ experience consulting with clients on multichannel operations and systems projects. He started his career working on IT projects include developing client strategies for selection and implementation of ERP, OMS and WMS. Brian has worked with hundreds of clients on warehousing and supply chain operations. He helps them develop multi-DC strategies, including network planning and site location; apply automation and technology; reconfigure existing centers to increase capacity; process improvement; and customer service excellence. He also works with a network of 3PLs and service providers to help craft client solutions that deliver results within budget constraints.

ecommerce fulfillment center

Is Your Ecommerce Fulfillment Center Ready for a Recession?

| Brian Barry

Building operational resilience and developing problem/solution scenarios for your ecommerce fulfillment center prior to a recession will allow you to be nimbler. Have a plan vs. just hoping it doesn’t occur; hope is not a strategy. Include department heads early, identify areas to review and develop a course of action.

Using a 3PL to Save on Operational Costs

| Brian Barry

Using a 3PL isn’t for everyone. But escalating labor costs, requirements for a new facility, starting a new business or channel and avoiding capital costs are reasons we see companies comparing internal fulfillment to 3PL. Here are six major ways businesses have traditionally saved money and reduced capital using 3PLs in their supply chain.

11 Ecommerce Fulfillment Center Layout Design Principles

| Brian Barry

There are several basic principles that apply to ecommerce fulfillment center layout and design that tie into operating an efficient facility. Without them, you’ll face capacity issues, decreased productivity and storage inadequacies. Here are 11 key principles to consider when looking at FC layout, design and productivity.

wms workstation

Your WMS Hardware Budget: 8 Things to Consider

| Brian Barry

As you plan your WMS budget, two main areas that get initial budget attention are user licenses and costs and professional service fees. But companies often underestimate the equipment requirements, server capacity and communication bandwidth. You may find the needs are larger and more complex than you thought.

15 Ways to Improve Warehouse Space Utilization

| Brian Barry

During evaluation of multichannel warehouse operations, the efficiency of storing and moving goods typically drops when between 80% and 85% of available space is being used. With new fulfillment center locations at a premium and costs rising, here are 15 ways you can improve space utilization in your ecommerce facility.

Ecommerce Returns: Reducing the Profit Hit

| Brian Barry

For decades, studies show a high percent of customers feel ease of returning products impact their purchasing decisions. “Free” returns shipping makes shopping even more attractive. Who wants to buy a product that can’t be returned or carries onerous conditions? Here are 7 ways to lessen the profit impact of ecommerce returns.

Is a New Ecommerce Fulfillment Center Right for You?

| Brian Barry

Your company’s ecommerce fulfillment center is running out of space. You have been tasked with determining whether the existing facility can scale up to the five-year business plan, or a new facility is required. Here is a helpful checklist to use in evaluating both your existing and potential new ecommerce fulfillment facilities.

ecommerce fulfillment AEO workers

Improving Ecommerce Fulfillment Productivity, Decreasing Labor Costs

| Brian Barry

In calculating ecommerce fulfillment cost per order, labor generally makes up more than 50% of the total. As labor costs continue to increase, overall fulfillment center productivity in many companies has remained flat. What are you doing to manage your labor and reduce costs? Here are five tactics companies should consider.

dock-to-stock feature

Assessing Your Dock-to-Stock Efficiency

| Brian Barry

Dock-to-stock time is a KPI measuring the time from receipt on your dock to a pickable or bulk reserve location. The process involves aspects of purchase order writing, inbound transportation, receiving, staging, inspection and put away. Here’s eight steps to help you assess your processes, identify problems and lay out an action plan.

3PL illustration feature

A 3PL-to-Insourcing Switch: 10 Considerations

| Brian Barry

Merchants that utilize third-party fulfillment (3PL) services sometimes consider transitioning back to internal fulfillment operations. Sometimes it’s to control costs, while others have had a bad experience with 3PLs and now only trust themselves with their operations. Here are 10 factors to consider if you’re looking to insource.