The Startup Phenomenon: How 3PL’s Can Use it to Increase Value & Capture Market

It’s true that necessity is the mother of invention. Creativity, though, is the father, and knowledge is the midwife.

As people, we are wired for survival. When we are in tough times, our creativity and persistent shine through. By staying focused and thinking creatively, we can come up with solutions and take advantage of each opportunity as it arises. I know that from experience. When I graduated from college as a mechanical engineer, I was hired to do software development because I had math and public speaking skills. I wanted to succeed and thrive in that job, and I kept pushing even though software development wasn’t my forte when I started.  Later, I wanted new challenges, so I leverage my grit, persistence and necessity to reinvent myself as a solutions architect and a leader of consulting, technical, operations and integrator teams.

The challenging world of third party logistics (3PL) is ripe for a similar approach. Margins are thin. It’s hard to make money. Inventiveness becomes a critical skill.

When I worked for a supply chain software vendor, we courted luxury retailers and left 3PL service providers alone, knowing that these logistics providers would fight tooth and nail about our rates. I can think of examples when a 3PL would pass us over, though we were known for great execution, to take the lowest priced vendor. Often, that attempt would fail and they would end up back on our doorstep.

Now, I deal with 3PL executives nearly every day, to help them understand how to enable their supply chains with mobile devices.  I have found many of them to be great long-term partners to their customers. Another shift: some of these companies have started thinking in really smart ways about how to leverage their customer base and add value by transforming themselves into a full-fledged service provider at every possible level.

They are proving that there are plenty of opportunities for organizations that know what their customers need and who are willing to find startup companies who have developed innovative business technologies. Well-chosen technology has the potential to turn a vendor’s businesses upside down.

It’s something that has been true throughout history. India, for example, was a great maker of textiles since 1600.  We were taught poetry in our native language written passionate poets that said the weavers from the Bengal region in India made a special Muslin cloth that was woven of uncommonly delicate hand spun yarn. It was so wide and long that a lady could drape it nicely and so thin that it could be folded into a tiny ball and held inside a locket or a ring.

marie-antoinette

Marie Antoinette in her famous “muslin” portrait, 1783

Unfortunately India missed the industrial revolution and the technology that came from that and lost out big time. India’s gross domestic product (GDP) went from 25% of the world’s GDP in the 1700s to 4% of the world’s GDP in the 1950s. Any company that ignores the power of technology, innovation, and the opportunity to provide more value to its clients would does so at its own peril.

These same truths hold today. When I worked with one PC maker, I was asked to transition the company from using one small 3PL partner to a much bigger organization. The smaller 3PL partner was offering a shipping service to get the peripherals to enterprise customers. The larger company was tasked with shipping the CPU and the monitor. The OEM had decided to give all of the work to the one big partner.

As part of that switch, I visited the bigger 3PL’s warehouse, where I saw some amazing creativity. During WMS deployments it was uncommon to spend hours debating the benefits of various pick carts and we would often opt for the most expensive one if it was more picker friendly. At this 3PL, though, I saw that these workers had bought PVC pipes at the local hardware store and built some lightweight, sturdy carts that got the job done for much less.

Let us know where you have leveraged creativity in your distribution center in the comments section below.

Originally published at Smartgladiator.com on Feb 27, 2018.

28
Sep 2018
By Puga Sankara468 Comments
Author:
Puga Sankara
About:
Puga Sankara is the Founder, CEO of Smart Gladiator LLC. Smart Gladiator designs, builds, and delivers market-leading mobile technology for retailers, distributors, and 3PL service providers. So far, Smart Gladiator LoadProof has been used to ship, receive, and scan more than 100 million boxes. SG LoadProof is a patent pending Centralized Enterprise Photo/Video Document System on Cloud for Supply Chain. SG LP is built on the fact that photos & videos are vital docs as important as POs/SOs/Legal Contracts/Fulfillment Orders that reside in ERP/WMS/TMS systems, that serve as compelling, conclusive, unequivocal proof of crucial, critical, vital operations executed in Supply Chain within/across orgs when fulfilling customer orders as well as meeting contractual obligations between orgs as merchandise is transferred between different parties that partake in Supply Chain functions & operations. And these photos/videos data should not be stored in someone’s Smartphone or Email Inbox or in their personal/work Computer, but should be stored in a Centralized Enterprise system, where such data can be pushed into super-fast, stored securely, accessible to all stake holders (CFO/Sales Reps/Customer Support/AR/AP) in an org, as well as facilitates super-fast retrieval/sharing. LP is an Enterprise System of record for Photo/Video docs & is as important as an ERP which is an enterprise system of record for POs, SOs, Legal Contracts between parties etc. that have huge legal ramifications, also as important as a WMS (Warehouse Management System) that hold indispensable shipment & fulfillment data on orders. Like how Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat etc. have evolved into social media platforms/systems that enable individuals to showcase their beauty/pretty clothes/lovely cosmetics/hep coolness etc., LoadProof is an Enterprise system that holds similar photos/videos, but for a different reason, not for show off, but to serve as compelling, conclusive, unequivocal & indisputable system of record and proof that can be presented even in the court of law, when there is a dispute between parties while they execute many facets of the Supply Chain functions & operations. SG LoadProof is also an Enterprise System of Record for Photos, videos and any other digital documents for your Supply Chain Network. A system of record (SOR) or source system of record (SSoR) is a data management term for an information storage system (commonly implemented on a computer system running a database management system) that is the authoritative data source for a given data element or piece of information. The need to identify systems of record can become acute in organizations where management information systems have been built by taking output data from multiple source systems, re-processing this data, and then re-presenting the result for new business use. In these cases, multiple information systems may disagree about the same piece of information. These disagreements may stem from semantic differences, differences in opinion, use of different sources, and differences in the timing of the extract, transform, and load processes that create the data they report against, or may simply be the result of bugs. The integrity and validity of any data set is open to question when there is no traceable connection to a good source, such as a known System of Record. Where the integrity of the data is vital, if there is an agreed system of record, the data element must either be linked to, or extracted directly from it. In other cases, the provenance and estimated data quality should be documented. The “system of record” approach is a good fit for environments where both: 1. there is a single authority over all data consumers, and 2. all consumers have similar needs Here, LoadProof is the System of Record for pictures and videos for all the entities in Supply chain who uses pictures and videos to track using any Supply Chain System infrastructure. 1. LoadProof provides accurate, thorough, complete, and latest information in pictures and videos related to any entity in the Supply chain that is tracked. 2. LoadProof is the single authority on pictures and videos related to any entity in the Supply Chain that is tracked 3. LoadProof doesn’t let any external system to copy the records being stored in it, which eliminates the data being duplicated in multiple places to preserve the data integrity and credibility. 4. LoadProof has a secured login procedure which lets only users with select level access to view the data and modify the records which helps in maintaining LoadProof is becoming the Industry Standard System for Photo & Video Docs for Supply Chain Smart Gladiator is located in ATDC - Advanced Tech Dev Center (tech Incubator) in Georgia Institute of Tech. Click for a demo - https://loadproof.com/apply Puga is a supply chain technology professional with more than 25 years of experience in deploying capabilities in the logistics and supply chain domain. His prior roles involved managing complicated mission-critical programs driving revenue numbers, rolling out a multitude of capabilities involving more than a dozen systems, and managing a team of 30 to 50 personnel across multiple disciplines and departments in large corporations such as Hewlett Packard. He has deployed WMS for more than 30 distribution centers in his role as a senior manager with Manhattan Associates. He has also performed process analysis walk-throughs for more than 50 distribution centers for WMS process design and performance analysis review, optimizing processes for better productivity and visibility through the supply chain. Size of these DCs varied from 150,000 to 1.2 million SQFT. Puga Sankara has an MBA from Georgia Tech. He can be reached at puga@smartgladiator.com or visit the company at www.smartgladiator.com. Also follow him at www.pugasankara.com. [Read More]
More articles by: Puga Sankara

468 Comments

  113. вавада зеркало [url=https://vavadavhod.tech/#]вавада официальный сайт[/url] вавада зеркало

    Reply

  205. verified Modafinil vendors [url=https://modafinilmd.store/#]legal Modafinil purchase[/url] modafinil legality

    Reply

  210. safe modafinil purchase [url=https://modafinilmd.store/#]safe modafinil purchase[/url] Modafinil for sale

    Reply

  215. order Viagra discreetly [url=https://maxviagramd.shop/#]same-day Viagra shipping[/url] trusted Viagra suppliers

    Reply

  221. legit Viagra online [url=https://maxviagramd.com/#]no doctor visit required[/url] secure checkout Viagra

    Reply

  226. verified Modafinil vendors [url=https://modafinilmd.store/#]safe modafinil purchase[/url] purchase Modafinil without prescription

    Reply

  233. fast Viagra delivery [url=https://maxviagramd.com/#]discreet shipping[/url] cheap Viagra online

    Reply

  238. discreet shipping [url=https://maxviagramd.com/#]discreet shipping[/url] Viagra without prescription

    Reply

  243. doctor-reviewed advice [url=http://modafinilmd.store/#]buy modafinil online[/url] buy modafinil online

    Reply

  247. cheap Cialis online [url=https://zipgenericmd.com/#]secure checkout ED drugs[/url] buy generic Cialis online

    Reply

  251. cost clomid price [url=https://clomhealth.com/#]can i order generic clomid tablets[/url] how can i get cheap clomid no prescription

    Reply

  262. Amo Health Care [url=https://amohealthcare.store/#]order amoxicillin 500mg[/url] where can you get amoxicillin

    Reply

  269. get cheap clomid without a prescription [url=https://clomhealth.com/#]can you get cheap clomid without prescription[/url] buy cheap clomid price

    Reply

  273. PredniHealth [url=https://prednihealth.shop/#]PredniHealth[/url] buy prednisone online no prescription

    Reply

  281. shelf life of liquid tadalafil [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]Tadal Access[/url] sublingual cialis

    Reply

  287. cialis 10mg [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]cialis information[/url] erectile dysfunction tadalafil

    Reply

  291. cialis pills [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]Tadal Access[/url] buy tadalafil online no prescription

    Reply

  295. what is the generic name for cialis [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]how much is cialis without insurance[/url] cialis for sale

    Reply

  300. tadalafil with latairis [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]Tadal Access[/url] cialis black review

    Reply

  304. over the counter drug that works like cialis [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]para que sirve las tabletas cialis tadalafil de 5mg[/url] buy cialis no prescription

    Reply

  308. buy cialis online reddit [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]tadalafil citrate research chemical[/url] cialis meme

    Reply

  317. cialis generic overnite [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]TadalAccess[/url] letairis and tadalafil

    Reply

  321. cialis for women [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]TadalAccess[/url] cialis alternative over the counter

    Reply

  325. can you drink wine or liquor if you took in tadalafil [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]when does the cialis patent expire[/url] cialis daily vs regular cialis

    Reply

  329. cialis insurance coverage [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]where to get the best price on cialis[/url] is cialis a controlled substance

    Reply

  333. safest and most reliable pharmacy to buy cialis [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]Tadal Access[/url] walgreen cialis price

    Reply

  338. tadalafil 20mg [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]tadalafil 20mg canada[/url] cialis canada sale

    Reply

  342. cialis sample request form [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]cialis sample[/url] how to buy tadalafil

    Reply

  346. cialis price per pill [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]TadalAccess[/url] cialis with dapoxetine 60mg

    Reply

  351. tadalafil cost cvs [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]TadalAccess[/url] tadalafil generic cialis 20mg

    Reply

  359. cialis overdose [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]buy cialis canada[/url] generic cialis super active tadalafil 20mg

    Reply

  363. generic tadalafil canada [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]Tadal Access[/url] cialis once a day

    Reply

  367. sunrise pharmaceutical tadalafil [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]cialis daily[/url] can you drink alcohol with cialis

    Reply

  371. is tadalafil available in generic form [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]Tadal Access[/url] when is generic cialis available

    Reply

  374. cialis price per pill [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]buy tadalafil no prescription[/url] cialis for sale brand

    Reply

  379. how much tadalafil to take [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]cialis over the counter in spain[/url] stockists of cialis

    Reply

  384. cialis genetic [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]what is cialis prescribed for[/url] typical cialis prescription strength

    Reply

  387. does cialis lowers blood pressure [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]TadalAccess[/url] canadian pharmacy cialis brand

    Reply

  391. cheap tadalafil no prescription [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]cialis online aust[/url] how long does cialis take to work

    Reply

  395. canadian cialis online [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]Tadal Access[/url] tadalafil how long to take effect

    Reply

  399. where to get generic cialis without prescription [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]buy cialis united states[/url] cialis no prescription overnight delivery

    Reply

  403. where can i buy tadalafil online [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]best price for tadalafil[/url] cialis drug interactions

    Reply

  415. is there a generic cialis available in the us [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]how much does cialis cost per pill[/url] tadalafil online paypal

    Reply

  418. cialis over the counter usa [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]cialis online without pres[/url] how long i have to wait to take tadalafil after antifugal

    Reply

  421. ordering tadalafil online [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]cialis super active reviews[/url] does cialis really work

    Reply

  423. how much does cialis cost per pill [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]TadalAccess[/url] cialis maximum dose

    Reply

  426. cialis canadian pharmacy [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]cialis canada pharmacy no prescription required[/url] cialis bathtub

    Reply

  429. how long does cialis stay in your system [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]cialis overnight shipping[/url] most recommended online pharmacies cialis

    Reply

  432. cialis mechanism of action [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]Tadal Access[/url] cialis high blood pressure

    Reply

  455. best online doctor for antibiotics [url=http://biotpharm.com/#]cheapest antibiotics[/url] buy antibiotics over the counter

    Reply

  461. get antibiotics without seeing a doctor [url=https://biotpharm.shop/#]BiotPharm[/url] buy antibiotics over the counter

    Reply

  463. As a smart gambler, you know you need to find the slot machines with the best odds. It’s fine to play for entertainment, and that’s usually a priority for slots players, but it’s also more fun when you have the best chance of winning and you know you’re getting the best value for your money. Reels, Video, Progressives. The phoenix has landed! Phoenix Link™ is now blazing through our floor. Our newest slot machine is ready for action at Fallsview Casino. If you’re a Paragon Casino Resort aficionado Club Paragon is for you. Save more and earn more while enjoying exclusive benefits just for Paragon’s #1 fans. Join for free and start racking up rewards today! Over 1,000 new games have been added to our casino floor! Video slots are a great choice for any player, but we shouldn’t ignore other types of slot machines. Did you give these slots a try?
    https://thekolorgrid.com/where-aviator-is-blocked-and-why-that-matters-a-review-for-ugandan-players/
    Once you play your free spins, the winnings from them are added to your account as bonus funds. Similarly to free cash bonuses, free spins also come with wagering requirements and other terms and conditions, but the wagering requirements are usually calculated only after you play your initial free spins, as a multiple of your winnings from them. In recent years many online casinos have changed their marketing offers, replacing no deposit bonuses with free spin offers. While different, this option can still be an ideal way to play in real money mode with no risk to your bankroll for a chance to win cash money. If you’re on this site, that means you love online slots. And if you love online slots, then you’ve got to check out our top free spins online casino bonuses for 2024. With free spins you can test out new games and casinos, get extra chances to play, and keep what you win.

    Reply

  466. Este es un esfuerzo decente de Konami, es uno de los únicos sitios independientes exitosos de la industria. Algunos de los juegos más grandes del mundo son literalmente gratuitos, en lugar de usar un multiplicador fijo de 2x como antes. Tiene un aspecto moderno y un montón de promociones interesantes, no hay necesidad de preocuparse por los jugadores que solían jugar juegos de casino en sus computadoras. Jugar wish upon a jackpot gratis a veces tenemos ambas cosas, debe completar una apuesta antes de poder retirar. En 1win Peru le espera una gran variedad de tipos de apuestas. Casi cuatro docenas de deportes están disponibles en 1 win casa de apuestas. Explora todas las posibilidades de 1win apuestas deportivas y demuestra a todo el mundo de lo que eres capaz.
    https://miottodistribuidora.com.br/resena-del-juego-balloon-de-smartsoft-diversion-y-ganancias-para-jugadores-peruanos/
    Multiply your money with the penalty kick. With 5 chances to score a goal, you can get up to 32x multiplied profit if you score all the goals. It is literally a 1 vs 1 battle between you and the goalkeeper. Can you beat the goalkeeper with your skill and luck? ¡Por supuesto! Con el Penalty Shootout dinero, tienes la oportunidad de ganar premios en efectivo reales. Al jugar, cada penalti que marcas puede traducirse en ganancias significativas. La clave es elegir una plataforma confiable y aprovechar los bonos disponibles. Recuerda que la experiencia de apuestas puede ser emocionante y lucrativa si juegas de manera responsable. With the Crash Style mechanic, you can choose either stop or continue the bet. Stopping the bet restarts the multiplier while continuing the bet increases it with the limit of 32x. The demo mode helps first-time players to understand how the game works.

    Reply

  467. Our tool stands out for its unique approach. Unlike other tools available online that offer the same predictions, ours adapts to your gameplay. If you start losing, the system automatically switches to Reversed Mode or Smart AI Mode, which are exclusive to our app. This adaptability significantly enhances your chances of winning by providing tailored predictions based on your current streak. Our tool stands out for its unique approach. Unlike other tools available online that offer the same predictions, ours adapts to your gameplay. If you start losing, the system automatically switches to Reversed Mode or Smart AI Mode, which are exclusive to our app. This adaptability significantly enhances your chances of winning by providing tailored predictions based on your current streak. Our Dragon Tiger Prediction tool leverages machine learning and artificial intelligence to enhance your gaming experience. It features three distinct modes: Normal, Reversed, and AI-Based Smart Prediction. The tool automatically selects the best option for you.
    https://lajollawalkdogservices.com/best-tactics-to-earn-online-money-with-balloon-game/
    It’s that time of year to start Truckin’ down to Comerica Park to watch the Tigers with our Grateful Dead Special Ticket Package. You don’t have to be a Deadhead to score a ticket to the game plus this custom, one-of-a-kind co-branded Grateful Dead-themed Tigers album cover and slip mat. However, this is an ongoing process with current litigations in multiple forums, and we are keeping a careful eye on it. We also have a legal team that is continuously striving to ensure that the gaming regulations in India are becoming increasingly clear and solid. We are also engaged in litigation to bring about this clarity in the law, and while every step has been taken to ensure the website’s legality, gamers are recommended to check their local laws if they have any doubts. In this article, we’ll delve into the nuances of Dragon vs Tiger, exploring its rules, strategies, and tips to enhance your gaming experience. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the world of online card games, this guide aims to equip you with essential insights to navigate the game skillfully on 3 Patti Lucky or Teen patti room.

    Reply

  468. O jogo do foguetinho pode ser jogado 24 horas e, como os resultados são aleatórios, não há um período em que você terá mais ou menos ganhos, tudo dependerá da sua sorte. O jogo do foguetinho pode ser jogado 24 horas e, como os resultados são aleatórios, não há um período em que você terá mais ou menos ganhos, tudo dependerá da sua sorte. Além da coleção de troféus e aquisição de conquistas, jogar GTA 5 com o mero objetivo de “provocar o caos” é outra das formas de extrair o máximo de imersão que o título é capaz de oferecer. Existem muitos desses locais online, mas o melhor é o Pin Up Casino. Pin Up é um cassino online que vem operando com sucesso há 10 anos. Durante este tempo, Pin Up Casino conseguiu ganhar a confiança dos clientes e se tornar um dos líderes no mundo do jogo. O Pin Up – um estabelecimento legítimo que opera legalmente.
    https://tunasindahjayabeton.com/2025/06/04/como-ativar-o-modo-gratis-no-pg-fortune-tiger/
    Tamanho do arquivo Dê o próximo passo: Registre-se e jogue no Lucky Jet hoje mesmo!Você está pronto para decolar com o Lucky Jet? Crie uma conta no 1win hoje mesmo, solicite seu bônus de boas-vindas e comece a jogar. Não perca a chance de ganhar muito enquanto desfruta de um dos jogos mais emocionantes do mundo dos cassinos. 3. Inicie e aproveite o Aviator game aviator predictor Antes de depositar um programa de hack lucky jet, é necessário escolher uma opção de moeda adequada, bem como um instrumento de pagamento. O mesmo sistema será utilizado para depósito e levantamento. As opções mais populares são apresentadas abaixo: El equipo de soporte resuelve rápidamente cualquier problema, desde problemas técnicos hasta preguntas sobre bonos y transacciones. El chat en vivo es la forma más rápida de comunicarse, donde los empleados reales están listos para ayudar en cualquier momento del día. En caso de problemas complejos que requieran una respuesta detallada por escrito, es mejor buscar ayuda por correo electrónico. Si el jugador se considera víctima de un fraude, el servicio de seguridad responderá. Finalmente, si el objetivo del usuario es ganar dinero con el casino, deberá escribir al correo electrónico del programa de afiliados.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*