Fulfillment
Definition
Fulfillment is the entire process after an order: preparing, packing and shipping the product to the customer. It covers both the physical handling in the warehouse and the coordination from the web shop or ERP.
What happens between ordering and delivery
As soon as a customer places an order, fulfillment starts: reserving stock, picking the order, packing it, and handing it to the carrier. Errors in this process directly lead to late or wrong deliveries.
In-house fulfillment versus outsourced
Some companies handle fulfillment entirely themselves. Others outsource it to a 3PL partner, especially when order volume grows quickly.
Practical example
A web shop confirms an order. The system automatically sends a pick instruction to the warehouse, and the customer gets a tracking code as soon as the package ships.
Related terms
Third-party logistics (3PL) · Warehouse Management System (WMS) · Dropshipping
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