The past year has seen innovative technology advances in ecommerce fulfilment such as further exploration into the use of drones to deliver packages. As we move further into 2015, I wanted to shed some light on five hot ecommerce fulfillment trends that should garner a lot of attention this year.
The rising popularity of digital currency:
Digital currencies like Bitcoin will play a larger role in both B2B and C2B transactions. For companies looking to build a truly global platform, digital currency will be beneficial for both merchants and consumers.
Because getting into cross-border ecommerce in multiple countries requires merchants to work with a range of currencies, digital currencies help facilitate a seamless global marketplace, making it easier to get products into the hands of customers around the world.
Linking all aspects of ecommerce fulfillment via software:
When selling online, the most vital aspect of business is the ability to ensure the correct products are delivered to customers in a timely manner. Thus more ecommerce merchants are considering the use cloud-based fulfillment software integrated seamlessly with all major shopping carts and optimized for mobile.
Easier access to the global marketplace:
The right software can lower the barriers to entry for ecommerce so retailers of all sizes can enter a global market once reserved for the biggest players. Having technology that allows fulfillment centers to carry and deliver inventory from any country will be a key competitive differentiator for retailers looking to establish a global presence.
Security and cloud technology:
The past year has been dotted with major data security breaches, which underscores the ongoing need for secure and reliable systems that ensure the safety of sensitive consumer information.
Automation:
Many third-party logistics providers are automating their services to achieve greater efficiency, further fuelling the continuing debate of robots vs. humans. While automation may increase productivity, I believe over-automation compromises important functions that can only be carried out by humans, such as exceptional customer service.
Joe DiSorbo is the CEO of Rakuten Super Logistics