{"id":73196,"date":"2024-03-01T11:10:35","date_gmt":"2024-03-01T16:10:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radial.com\/?post_type=insight&p=73196"},"modified":"2025-04-17T08:00:03","modified_gmt":"2025-04-17T12:00:03","slug":"3pl-missing-slas-one-size-fits-all-automation-may-be-to-blame","status":"publish","type":"insight","link":"https:\/\/www.radial.com\/eur\/insights\/3pl-missing-slas-one-size-fits-all-automation-may-be-to-blame","title":{"rendered":"3PL Missing SLAs? One-Size-Fits-All Automation May Be to Blame"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Have you contracted with a third-party logistics<\/a> (3PL) fulfillment partner that promised its sophisticated robotic automation would create improvements in efficiency and cost-effectiveness? Only to find that the impact has been underwhelming? You\u2019re not alone. Many e-commerce fulfillment<\/a> providers have been quick to adopt impressive technology but are experiencing significant growing pains in the transformation. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Automation <\/a>sells; but optimizing it is more complex and nuanced. If you\u2019re a retailer that is wrestling with an underperforming 3PL or if you\u2019re in the process of evaluating 3PLs with robotic automation, here are some common automation challenges that 3PLs face and what you should look for in a 3PL that offers robotic automation.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Overselling automation before it\u2019s operationally mature <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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There\u2019s an old adage in Sales: under promise and over perform. Many companies overpromise and underperform, not necessarily intentionally. Robotic process automation advancements are exciting and the technology can definitely perform. But some 3PLs oversell their abilities before they\u2019ve had time to mature automation within their operations. Consequently, retailers see disappointing results and broken expectations.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Robotic automation is a major shift that takes time to fine-tune. While robots can outpace humans in pick-and-pack tasks, speed means little without accuracy and well-aligned workflows. Look for proven processes and ask for performance metrics to ensure reliable results.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Unexpected performance gaps as the 3PL grows <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Many 3PLs struggle with scaling robotic automation as their business grows. Adding more robotics is a process and there can be a gap between the need and 3PL\u2019s ability to reach capacity. This impacts performance for existing clients.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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3PLs that implement or expand robotic automation need to be transparent and set expectations accordingly. Ask about the business\u2019s growth strategies and how the 3PL will maintain performance during any gap in future implementation.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Applying a one-size-all approach to automation <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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3PLs often take a one-size-fits-all approach. Automation is a hefty investment and recouping ROI demands getting the most out of it for every client. So, 3PLs promise the same benefits to every client and use the same robotics solution for everyone. They do not account for the unique needs of each client or how the robotic solution may or may not provide the desired impact.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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One-size-all does not work in retail order fulfillment<\/a>.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Every retailer is unique, with needs that reflect its size, volume, customer base, peak seasons, and strategy to scale. For example, some retailers need personalized kitting with a human-written note inside \u2013 which means automation needs to support human employees in these efforts. Other retailers need high volume, high peak season scalability and need robots that can navigate high density, narrow aisles and robots that optimize pick and pack.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Partner with a 3PL that will tailor automation to your needs and not slap a one-size-fits-all approach on your fulfillment.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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How a 3PL can tailor automation to retailers\u2019 needs <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Several factors impact the type of automation you need in fulfillment: <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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