5 kinds of future 3PL and Logistics Platform

3PL logistics industry is the most important business entities, is the production of various types of manufacturing and trade circulation logistics solutions provider and organizer. 3PL form an independent group since its establishment for treasure, so far more than 20 years, development has reached a bottleneck. 3 billion yuan basically become the pinnacle of 3PL development, while the other hand express and LTL network industry, has long vessel passed $ 10 billion. 3PL logistics industry is the earliest and most mature market groups, why it can not be bigger? Faced with the rapid growth of the past three years the logistics platform, which will face the challenges and opportunities for the future?

1, customer relations + customized customer service restricted the development of 3PL
The industry has such analogy: "tripartite dealer, is dedicated foundries," In fact, this analogy is inappropriate. The owner is the purchaser programs and services, is the product of tripartite design + marketing + QC + customer service line is the manufacturer. Since many different types of customers, so the three parties need to customize products for each client, part of the transport service by the green to complete, so almost all of the logistics service is in fact a non-standard.

2, lack of money: Accounts receivable hindered the expansion of 3PL
Tight cash flow is the current plight and all 3PL Line encountered. Cash flow management and receivables cycle is too long a major factor hindering the expansion of 3PL. In gross margins continued to decline, although 3PL billing period can be shared by the green, but inevitably face continuing pressure on cash flow during expansion. 3PL companies typically do not have collateral, you can not get credit and loans from banks, so most rely on the development of its own funds.

3, unstable quality of service: Supplier Quality Management + during transport
Most 3PL take into account the viscosity of the owner, will warehouse management, IT systems, plus other value-added self-service transportation and distribution outsourcing services package provided to the owner. Self-service can control the quality of service, as it involves a number of outsourcing service providers, we can not guarantee the quality of service, especially in green transport and urban distribution sectors. Green transport and distribution of many suppliers, IT systems use very complex, completely unable to achieve transparency in the transport process through a unified management information system, even if more than one billion turnover 3PL companies in the small volume of some of the same lines and distribution sectors Unable to control the quality of service.

4, issue tax invoice
This is a common theme, due to lack of 3PL own vehicles, so each month the amount of the invoice does not match with the actual tonnage of vehicles, lack of presence of the proceeds, with the ticket does not match the number of vehicles refueling and so on VAT deduction process, so that operators always 3PL in the shadow of non-compliance.

based on operating experience, we believe there are at least five ways 3PL "Open" logistics platform, help their own development, rapid expansion, to share with industry peers, Paizhuan welcome!

First, the use of logistics platform reduces transportation costs
The maximum cost of 3PL company is transportation costs, how to effectively reduce the cost of transportation is a problem for all 3PL company focused considered before selecing the appropriate line company, but in fact, due to the logistics platform linked to rejection by the trunk transport can greatly reduce the transport route cost, through freight APP + selec cattle offer the lowest individual drivers can effectively reduce long-distance car costs temporary.

Realistic example is, CH.Robinson acquisition Freightquote, Debon and bliss cooperation is an effective temporary proof reduce long-distance car costs. And by "car carrier" direct sourcing platform capacity can be greatly reduced 3PL main transport costs.

Second, the use of logistics platform solutions Loaning
Since a large number of small and medium micro logistics platform logistics business transactions and precipitated a lot of transactions, but can manage the quality of transport, then a large number of financial institutions gave huge credit logistics platform, and therefore can use the credit funds 3PL logistics platform to carry out operations, a move 3PL can quickly solve the financing problem. Both for small and medium 3PL company, but also for a large number of customers relationship, but have no personal funds. Third, the use of transport logistics platform to solve the transparency problem
Logistics platform typically have strong IT system that can be applied to the allocation of orders from 3PL TMS, and finally to the fleet and driver management can apply. Since most companies do not 3PL IT systems or IT systems are imperfect, in fact, can do with the logistics platform interface or directly using logistic platform IT system, downstream suppliers shipping transparent management.

Fourth, the use of logistics management platform solutions provider
Previously described, 3PL bear primary function is to design + marketing + QC + customer service, whether the opportunity to outsource some services functionality to the platform? In fact entirely feasible. 3PL companies and logistics platform that will truly simplify 3PL into sales and service companies. 3PL customer solutions can design, operation and control of the quality of service is completed by the platform, only assume the sales and customer service work. Since transparency and improve transportation management IT systems, customer service work will be greatly reduced, 3PL's actual operating costs will be greatly reduced.

Fifth, use the proceeds to solve the problem of logistics platform
As the domestic transport industry special circumstances, but in reality for a large number of logistics platform logistics subcontractor, transportation invoices can be issued. Business logic is actually 3PL transportation services outsourced to logistics platform by using an integrated logistics platform capacity or crowdsourcing complete transport capacity, a high degree of fit with the carrier ready to come out of the car-free. Many domestic logistics platforms are trying to solve the problem of individual drivers billing and tax relief issues, this article does not go into details.