Expedited Logistics: Four Benefits of Working with a 3PL Provider

Expedited logistics are required for many reasons—especially with retail logistics and pharmaceutical logistics—primarily for ensuring that a product launch is made on time, that products are available at a manufacturing site or that a time-sensitive shipment gets to a customer quickly and undamaged. Expedited logistics have played a major role in the economy and throughout the supply chain process to meet time-sensitive deadlines while still upholding the quality that the client requires. These fast freight shipping services are typically carried out through air freight preferences – although, a savvy 3PL provider may be able to provide ground and ocean options, depending on the transit times, weather forecasts and other factors.

Logistics

Determining the Best Schedule

When a business decides to work with a 3PL for expedited logistics, they’re able to attend to their own schedule without being hindered by an extremely regimented shipping routine. The 3PL can determine the most direct shipping schedule for reliable logistics, leaving the business to only worry about their customers’ needs.

Additionally, customers often appreciate being given several options for freight shipping, such as same day, next day, weekend and 3-5 day services. Small businesses can gain more favor with their clients if they are able to meet last-minute deadlines which expedited logistics allow them to.

Customer Choice & Satisfaction

One of the main reasons 3PL offersexpedited logistics is that it gives the customer a choice. If they are missing critical fixtures from a time-sensitive campaign or have received the wrong equipment, they can have peace of mind that an expedited service will help them resolve the issue. While this service is available for an increased cost, the benefits far outweigh any risks.  Using a 3PL for expedited logistics gives a business the ability to make an informed choice for their most demanding needs.

Another equally important reason to have expedited logistics is customer satisfaction. When a customer is in jeopardy of missing a launch or needs help, demonstrating the flexibility of providing on-time delivery allows a 3PL to prove as a dependable freightshipping source in the eyes of the client.

Improved Processing Time

When placing an order, part of the time spent waiting for the shipment is processing time. This is the time it takes to pick the product from the warehouse, load it onto a method of transportation and actually ship it out. Expedited logistics minimize the amount of processing time therefore decreasing delivery time to the consumer. This leads to a satisfied and potentially repeat customer. Client retention and loyal relationships is crucial to having a successful 3PL connection.

Experienced Service

By using a 3PL for expedited logistics, a business can rest easy knowing that they trust their freight with a company that providesreliablelogistics in all shapes, sizes, time zones and time frames. 3PL are well equipped to handle any shipping issue that might arise, whereas a hiccup in a small business’ shipping plans could very well cripple sales.

Expedited logistics has considerably improved with technology. From improved shipment visibility to the more accurate tracking of information, to quicker speeds, expedited shipping services are assisting the largest and smallest customers by ensuring deliveries are on-time and with the utmost standards of quality.As technology continues to improve, expedited logistics will become even more critical to the success of an organization, and utilizing a 3PL to accomplish these needs will reduce risk.

STC Logistics is one of the most trusted logistics companies in NJ and offers expedited logistics that are especially important for retail and pharmaceutical industries. To learn more about our shipping options, click below!

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Logistics Technology and the Role in Pharmaceutical Shipping

distributions side bar 1-resized-292.jpgTransporting a product to market is important in business, but in the pharmaceuticals industry, extra precautions are necessary. Logistics technology and the role in pharmaceutical shipping provide methods of getting products to destinations with proper temperature management and correct coding. Pricing may also allow a client to extend their share of the market with efficient delivery. The transportation of drugs requires constant monitoring and special handling. STC Logistics and ShipPharma work to provide an on-time delivery service with minimal product handling.

Latest Software and Technology

Efficient 3PL providers use the latest software and technology to control the movement of pharmaceutical merchandise between destinations. With such technology, special arrangements can be made, allowing clients to track their merchandise with complete visibility. Software acts as a window for customers to monitor products while in transport in real time. The need to constantly reenter data is removed with software use. Compliance requirements are automatically updated and contact with clients is more efficient. The process lets customers read all discussed information during shipping, avoiding anxieties concerning product quality on arrival. At least 36 points are registered for monitoring while products are in transit.

Most pharmaceutical companies are not in the business of shipping and logistics. They provide the development of drugs and need to get the product to medical facilities efficiently and safely. It is important that shipping facilities meet regulatory statues and security needs. STC Logistics and ShipPharma’s partner facilities are designed to accommodate large and secure pharmaceutical transport needs.

Care in Handling Pharmaceutical Cargo

STC Logistics and ShipPharma transport medical samples sent throughout the U.S. This delicate cargo is carefully handled by 3PL with a large connection network that guarantees delivery within a two-hour radius. The movement of merchandise is managed and transferred across the country at a cost-effective rate with the help of sound software management. Once information is placed into the system, it is automatically sent out to those in need of the information. This creates a more efficient shipping arrangement for customers and better internal operations for any business housing and shipping pharmaceutical products.

Advanced pharmaceutical logistics involve material handling, the management of packages, maintaining records throughout transport and using temperature-controlled environments to keep products in optimal conditions. The information flow between shipping points assures cargo safety. Our distribution management system uses airfreight and trucks to ship products. Once arrived, this sensitive freight is installed and assembled at delivery point, completing the delivery process.

Contact a 3PL Provider that Specializes in Pharmaceutical Logistics

The wide reach of logistics technology and the role in pharmaceutical shipping extends to intermodal, ocean transport and truckload shipping. Delicate management may require the 3PL to use floor delivery assuring the merchandise is placed in the hands of the designated recipient through product placement. High-quality product shipping requires a quality logistic distribution system to get the product to a delivery point. Top-notch logistics technology is necessary at every level of delivery.

STC Logistics and ShipPharma offer logistics solutions that boast the highest technology for clients for all pharmaceutical shipping needs. Click below to visit the ShipPharma website to learn more or call 1-800-547-4324 today!

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White Glove Services for Retail and Pharmaceutical Logistics

sidebar white glove warehouseSensitive freight requires top-notch logistics solutions—especially in the retail procurement and pharmaceutical industries. One way to make sure delicate freight makes its journeys end, intact, is by utilizing white glove services. These specialized logistics services ensure utmost precision and include real-time freight tracking, lift-gate services, special handling care, and additional staff/drivers on hand for last-minute, unforeseen events.

For example, planning a national, time-sensitive retail product campaign requires high-quality logistics services to make sure displays and merchandise arrive to all locations undamaged and on time. White glove solutions offer helpful services like inside and floor delivery, as well as product placement. Installation and assembly services are also available with detailed instruction to get a campaign up and running.

In the pharmaceutical industry, white glove services are necessary for many clients because temperature-controlled environments are needed for most medical freight. Specialized handling and satellite shipment tracking are also available to clients to have complete transparency during the shipment process.

STC logistics specializes in white glove services for the retail and pharmaceutical industry, but serves clients in industries across the board. While customer retention remains a top priority, our services are driven by maintaining the highest-quality logistics solutions. Our pride is derived from the ability to safely deliver your freight, whether it’s to one location or hundreds.

White Glove Services at STC Logistics

for future bannerThere are different options for white glove services, depending on the size of your freight. For relatively small freight, or less than truckload (LTL), we provide the following logistics solutions:

  • Inside delivery / On the floor / Product placement
  • Pin point or window appointment delivery 24/7/365
  • Removal of debris off site
  • Uncreate and unpack
  • Meet point of contact/installer/representative on site
  • Driver assist – 2 man
  • Blanket wrap and straps
  • Palletize and package
  • Air ride service
  • Reverse logistics
  • Liftgate service
  • Before and after pictures
  • Call prior
  • Cross dock and storage
  • Small truck delivery for dock restrictions
  • Installation and assembly services available (detailed instructions must be provided to determine STC capabilities)

If your business anticipates moving a large amount of freight, you will most benefit from full truckload (FTL) white glove services. This is the best option for when your freight must go direct and dedicated. This includes no handling, complete security and satellite tracking that can pinpoint the location of your freight while in transit. For FTL shipments, we provide the following white glove services:

  • Padded logistic vans with blankets straps and vertical e-trak system
  • 22-53FT dedicated trucks with lift gate service
  • Milk runs (multiple stop deliveries)
  • Driver assists
  • 2 man team
  • Labor ready services (extra men)
  • Blanket loaded and secured on site
  • Pin point delivery
  • Call prior

To learn more about our specialized white glove services, call STC Logistics at 1-800-547-4324 or visit our website today.

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Shipping Medical Equipment with a Reliable Logistics Provider

medicalequipment-resized-600.jpgFor those who are in the medical industry, the partnership created with logistics professionals can impact the way that life and death decisions are made. This could involve moving new medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, biological samples heading off for lab analysis or life-saving artificial organs. While saving lives is always the top priority, there are many risks involved in the transport process that can affect the reliability of those goods.

While there is a lot at stake in regards to the life saving capabilities of doctors by transporting artificial organs or medicines efficiently, there is no greater risk during the supply chain process than when medical equipment is being moved. In fact, just one piece of medical equipment can cost millions of dollars. Fortunately, the best and most reliable logistics companies know how to deal with such matters accordingly.

Organization

With the integrity of expensive pieces of medical equipment being at stake, a company’s ability to transport such equipment safely begins with better organizational practices. Technology plays a huge role in this through the deployment of cloud-based enterprise solutions that make the organization of medical equipment inventory simple while creating a lightning-fast internal communication stream to forward concepts such as:

  • Stocking locations
  • Special packaging and handling instructions
  • Temperature control instructions (when applicable)
  • Real-time tracking information
  • Delivery confirmation electronically of all medical equipment

Being able to provide detailed reports about how a shipment is being organized from beginning to end will not just lend credence to the abilities of the logistics company, but will also help them to save time and money for their customers.

Creating an Air of Complete Transparency

It is important that the customer is able to see the nature in which their medical equipment is being shipped just as much as it is for different parts of the supply chain to be on the same page. Fortunately, the same cloud-based systems used internally can be made accessible to customers as well. From any internet capable device, the customer could look up information about their shipment including but not limited to, tracking status, the scheduled delivery time and who signed for delivery. With the right digital solutions, logistics outfits make it easy for their clientele to feel completely comfortable with how their situation is being handled.

Responding With Adaptability

Just as there are certain precautions that must be taken when handling hazardous chemicals or other temperature sensitive goods, the same meticulousness must be applied to the handling of medical equipment. There are some pieces of medical equipment such as x-ray machines or MRI devices that are extremely sensitive to problems such as:

  • Vibrations or jostling during transit
  • Shock
  • Dirt and dust
  • Corrosion or oxidation

Since even the smallest transit issues can lead to medical equipment needing to be recalibrated or becoming unusable, logistics companies respond by offering packaging assessments.  Suggestions for the use of foam packaging, including bumpers and floating bases, both of which can effectively cushion equipment properly, adequate crating, and weight distribution. This, combined with accurate dimensions and weights, valuations and pictures will allow even the most sensitive pieces of equipment to be handled properly.

A Complete Solution:

The most reliable logistics companies know how to handle all aspects of medical equipment shipping. This means that their customers can count on complete service solutions. Thanks to concepts like proper packaging, real-time tracking, and white glove service, these delicate yet expensive shipments will always be handled with grace. STC Logistics is a trusted provider of logistics solutions for the medical industry. Call us at 1-800-547-4324 or click here to learn more.

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The Importance of Reliable Pharmaceutical Logistics Practices

pharmaceuticals-resized-600.jpgWhile logistics is a most crucial matter to companies in any industry, getting pharmaceutical logistics solutions right can be a matter of life and death, depending on the situation. Hospitals, primary care physicians, urgent care facilities, pharmacies, and a number of other establishments need to have medicines readily available in order to care for their patients; sometimes for life threatening situations. Fortunately, the top pharmaceutical logistics companies have specific services tailored to the unique demands of this industry.

Shipping Checks and Balances:

Whether pharmaceutical logistics solutions involve goods that are being shipped by air, land or sea, the most reliable companies will take measures to ensure that cargo arrives promptly and in one piece by performing the following procedures:

  • Creating temperature controlled environments
  • Utilizing the correct padding, boxing and stacking methods to prevent jostling or breakage
  • Taking extra security measures to ensure the correct parties are handling and receiving the goods from when the cargo is picked up until it is delivered
  • Offering several transport methods to offer rush delivery if necessary

By offering such a broad range of shipping services, the most elite pharmaceutical logistics companies can help customers with even the most specific needs. This allows their patients to receive the medicine they will ultimately need for recovery. Even under strained circumstances, there are always pharmaceutical logistics choices that top providers can decide on to ease stress of those who need the product the most.  

Management Solutions:

Companies that offer all of the most reliable and trusted pharmaceutical logistics solutions are also experts at knowing how to manage even the most complicated of orders. These notions go far beyond getting the timing, packing and shipping methods correct. Customers in the pharmaceutical industry have specific demands that need to be met in a timely manner, and pharmaceutical logistics companies can respond successfully by offering the following:

  • Tracking with technology that allows up to the minute real-time reporting so that customers always know where their shipment is
  • Vast and far reaching distribution services to ship any freight just about anywhere in a specific time frame
  • White glove services that compliment courier, fulfillment, delivery and customer service solutions so that both the merchandise and customer are treated with respect

Pharmaceutical logistics companies are aware that there are not just lives, but a tremendous amount of money at stake with each shipment. One false move can cause a shipment of medicine to break, expire or end up lost and can result in a loss of tens or hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. This is why the nature of the pharmaceutical logistics solutions that specialized companies offer is so vast.

The Importance of Building Trust with Your Logistics Provider:

When handling incredibly sensitive materials, there is nothing more important than facilitating an air of truth between customer and pharmaceutical logistics providers. While the act of trust may begin with promises, it always ends in the deeds of both parties involved in each transaction. This is why top pharmaceutical logistics companies go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure long and lasting relationships. Successful logistics companies dealing with the pharmaceutical industry pride themselves on building a series of connections with lifelong customers who trust many of the lives of their patients to the overall performance of the logistics company itself.

STC Logistics strives to continue to be a trusted partner for pharmaceutical logistics solutions, including air shipping and ground shipping. Contact us today to learn about all of the logistics solutions that we can provide for your pharmaceutical shipping needs.

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Top 3 Considerations for Shipping Pharmaceutical Products

Shipping pharmaceutical products is more complicated than shipping any other item. There are specific guidelines and regulations involved in shipping. It’s important to take the necessary steps to ensure that the pharmaceutical products are intact and useful to the end consumer after shipping.

There are a number of things to keep in mind when choosing a logistics company to ship pharmaceutical products:

  1. Temperature Control – Temperature is a primary concern when shipping pharmaceuticals. Products must be shipping in containers that are well insulated. Temperature-controlled shipments ensure that delicate pharmaceuticals are kept in optimal conditions.
  2. Security – Pharmaceutical cargo types are susceptible to theft and can be extremely dangerous, depending on the type of pharmaceuticals. The greater the number of people who handle the freight, the greater the likelihood that the shipment would be lost, damaged or stolen. Direct, non-stop routes ensure that the delivery is secure with the least amount of handling. Other important security precautions that a logistics company should take into consideration are cameras in the warehouse, satellite tracking and total visibility.
  3. Proper Licensure –When choosing a logistics partner, verify that the company has all of the proper licenses and equipment necessary to ship pharmaceuticals.

Using a third party logistics company can help your pharmaceutical company pinpoint the exact mode of transportation necessary for your highly valuable products. ShipPharma is a pharmaceutical shipping provider servicing pharmaceutical companies and their fulfillment partners. With ShipPharma, appointment deliveries are guaranteed to arrive in a two-hour window. Additionally, customer service reps are carefully trained to manage your shipments while maintaining the software.

pharma shipping

For more information on ShipPharma or to find out more information on shipping requirements for pharmaceuticals, contact STC Logistics today.