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3PL and E-Commerce: 10 B2B Stats
Scott Hothem • Aug 13, 2014
It’s that time of the year again. The time of year when we see more school buses than cars on the street. The time of year when school zones are bustling with kids and crossing guards as we make our way to work. The time of year when aisles at Wal-Mart and Target are buzzing with parents trying to find those last minute school supplies.
In a growing trend, more parents are skipping the long lines and crowded aisles in favor of ordering online. With the increase in free shipping and second day delivery options, having schools supplies neatly delivered to your doorstep is an attractive option. The shows that 31.7% of consumers shopping for K-12 will shop online this year, compared to 30.8% in 2013. Furthermore, a survey by shows that 70% of those shopping online for school supplies expect to save money.
With something as traditional as school supply shopping moving toward an e-commerce solution, how are business to business companies adjusting to this growing platform? Here are 10 facts, stats and trends that describe the current landscape of B2B e-commerce.
- Digital buyer penetration is at an all-time high and forecasted to grow. research shows that 41.3% of internet users purchased products online in 2013. That number is expected to grow to 47.3% by 2018.
- reveals that 60% of respondents believe that B2B commerce is shifting from offline or in-store to online and self-service.
- The same shows that 97% of B2B retailers currently offer their products online.
- 37% of companies plan on spending a larger portion of their budget online in the next year, according to an Acquity Group .
- Only 13% of companies with budgets of $500 million or more purchase directly from a supplier’s website. 50% of these companies spend at least 90% of their budget online. Third party websites are earning 37% of this business, based on an Acquity Group .
- 97% of retailers believe that mobile commerce initiatives will be important in next 12 months, per 2013 report.
- Acquity’s shows that 30% of companies make a major purchase online 2-4 times each month.
- Internet Retailer and Forrester Research conducted a that shows that 86% of B2B companies surveyed had recently transitioned offline customers online.
- 70% of B2B e-commerce professionals have plans to increase their technology budgets in the coming year, according to .
- 44% of B2B retailers believe that moving customers online can result in more return customers and increased brand loyalty, per .
Much like the growing trend of customers using online shopping services like Amazon, business to business firms are doing the same. The value and efficiency that come from e-commerce platforms not only benefits the consumer’s bottom line, it can increase your revenue as well. A major component of this new online terrain falls directly on logistics. Ramping up your e-commerce efforts will require distribution resources and fulfillment expertise.
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By deploying a drone-based inventory monitoring solution at its Hillsborough, N.J., facility, ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½Centers, a growing 3PL, has taken license plate accuracy to the next level, helping with order picking and eliminating time spent on manual cycle counts.
As a third-party logistics provider with over 80 years of experience in the industry, ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ understands that speed and accuracy are crucial. E-commerce brands need their orders picked, packed and shipped to customers within minutes. ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ meets these demands by offering a wide range of integration options tailored to its client's specific needs. ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½'s Expertise in Simplifying IT Integration for Clients ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ supports everything from traditional, straightforward system integrations like flat files transferred to an SFTP site to more sophisticated solutions such as Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) over AS2 or a value-added network (VAN). However, the real innovation lies in ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½’s robust stack of REST APIs. These APIs allow clients to programmatically interface with various systems within ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½, including the Warehouse Management System (WMS) layer, providing a future-ready technology solution. For tech-savvy clients, this means the possibility of integrating with ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½’s systems even before operations go live, ensuring a smooth transition and continuous operation. Additionally, ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ offers quick and effective plug-in solutions for popular platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and QuickBooks Online through its partnership with Pipe17. This enables rapid integration, making connecting with ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½'s systems easier for clients using these platforms. For brands using NetSuite, ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½'s long-standing Oracle SDN partner expertise provides a best-in-class interface. Whether a client uses TrueCommerce, SPS Commerce, or another EDI provider, ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ can integrate seamlessly, making NetSuite the central hub of operations. This flexibility extends to environments with pre-existing customizations, allowing clients to benefit from ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½’s solutions without disrupting their current setups. How ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Prioritizes Security and Integrity in a Digital Landscape As the digital landscape becomes increasingly complex, the security and integrity of client data have never been more critical. ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½takes this responsibility seriously by adhering to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, which guides its technology choices and security posture. ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ has established long-term partnerships with industry-leading cybersecurity providers including Okta, CrowdStrike, Arctic Wolf, and GuidePoint Security. These relationships ensure that ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ remains at the forefront of IT security, leveraging the best technology to protect client data from a rapidly evolving threat landscape. Investment in IT security is a top priority at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½. Unlike some organizations that operate under the principle of "no budget" for IT security, ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ carefully allocates significant resources to this area. This strategic investment ensures ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ can provide a secure environment for client operations and data, safeguarding against potential data loss and other cyber threats. How ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Stands Out in IT in the 3PL Industry ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Distribution's approach to IT infrastructure combines innovation, flexibility, and robust security. For many years, ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ has been a cloud and SaaS-first company, giving it a significant advantage over its peers. ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ can deliver tailored innovations quickly and efficiently by maintaining deep partnerships with commercial software providers while developing in-house capabilities. This unique approach allows ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ to react swiftly to client needs, whether implementing a small yet impactful change or responding to an urgent business opportunity. In contrast to competitors relying solely on off-the-shelf packages, ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½’s ability to innovate internally ensures that it can provide the right solution at the right time, keeping client operations running smoothly and securely. Conclusion ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½is a third-generation 3PL leader in IT integration and security within the 3PL industry. With a comprehensive approach that includes advanced integration options, strong cybersecurity measures, and a commitment to innovation, ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ ensures its clients can operate seamlessly and securely in today’s digital landscape. Ready to Enhance Your Logistics with Cutting-Edge IT Solutions? We understand that your business demands more than just logistics—it requires seamless integration, robust security, and innovative technology—partner with us to experience a long-term 3PL partner that aligns with your digital needs. Contact us today to learn how our tailored IT solutions can uplevel your operations and keep you ahead of the competition.
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