Author: Jason Martin
Reviewed by: Senior 3PL Implementation Lead
Last updated: September 30, 2025
Executive TLDR
- Lock four inputs on day one: SKU data, barcodes, packaging rules, ASN fields.
- Start with a small pilot. Ship top movers first.
- Target 1–3 days dock to stock for direct inbound.
- Right-size packaging to avoid DIM surprises.
- Ship from the central U.S. to reach most customers in 1–3 days by ground.
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Table of contents
- What slows most 3PL launches
- The 10-day blueprint
- What to standardize for day one
- Stage inventory without stopping orders
- Why Product Fulfillment Solutions
- FAQ
What slows most 3PL launches
Problem. Teams jump in before the basics are set. Product data is messy. Labels do not match. Packaging rules are unclear. The ASN is missing fields.
Agitation. Pallets sit. Receiving takes too long. Costs rise.
Solution. Lock the inputs first. Run a small pilot. Then scale.
Useful guardrails: many providers quote 30–90 days to launch. You can go faster if inputs are clean. When dock to stock slips past 3 days, look for data gaps and label issues. Oversized cartons raise billable weight and can cut into margin.
The 10-day blueprint
Day 0 — Triage and scope
Share SKU count, daily orders, channels, special handling, kitting, returns. Pick a pilot set, often 20% of SKUs that drive 60–80% of orders.
Day 1 — Data lock
Finish the product master: SKU, title, sellable unit, inner, case, pallet, weight, dimensions, hazmat, shelf life, lot/expiry. Confirm barcode type and placement.
Day 2 — Systems and labels
Connect marketplaces or your OMS. Finalize ASN fields. Make sure carton and pallet labels match IDs in the ASN.
Day 3 — Ship the pilot
Send a small, clean inbound. Book a dock time. Pre-alert receiving.
Day 4–5 — Dock to stock and smoke test
Receive. Stow. Ship live orders from the pilot SKUs. Fix slotting, pack-out, and rate-shop exceptions.
Day 6–10 — Expand
Add the next SKU tier. Turn on retail or EDI needs. Start weekly exception reviews. Set a simple replenishment SOP.
What to standardize for day one
Barcodes and GTIN mapping
Use one clean barcode per sellable unit. Map it to a single SKU. Avoid glare and curved placement.
ASN and labels
ASNs that match reality reduce check time. Include counts, SKU IDs, carton IDs, pallet IDs.
Dock to stock targets
Hold to 1–3 days for direct inbound. Track daily. Clear blockers fast.
Packaging and DIM risk
Right-size packaging. Update cartonization rules by SKU. Fractional inches can change billable weight.
Regulated or dated items
Capture lot, batch, and expiry at receiving. Pick by FEFO to cut waste.
Stage inventory without stopping orders
- Wave 1: Top movers only, clean data, clean labels
- Wave 2: Medium movers, kits, bundles
- Wave 3: Retail or EDI overlays with stickers and ASNs
This keeps orders flowing while you finish the long tail.
Why Product Fulfillment Solutions
- FEFO with lot and expiry at receiving speeds sellable inventory and reduces waste.
- Retail and EDI compliance from day one: accurate ASNs, case labels, and set markings.
- Dock-to-stock speed with barcode-first receiving and ASN validation.
- Central U.S. hub in Cincinnati for 1–3 day ground to most of the country.
- Rate shopping and pack-out standards to control DIM and protect margin.
As you scale, fold in 3PL fulfillment, ecommerce fulfillment, pick and pack services, kitting assembly services, and EDI solutions and connections where they fit.
FAQ
How fast can we go live
With clean data, labels, and an ASN, a small pilot can ship in days. Big launches with messy inputs take weeks.
What is dock to stock
Time from arrival at the dock to pickable inventory. Shorter dock to stock means fewer backorders and better cash flow.
Do we need an ASN
If you sell wholesale or retail, yes. Even DTC gains speed when carton contents line up with receiving.
How do DIM rules affect week one
If boxes are too big, billable weight goes up. Right-size packaging and validate with rate shopping before volume ramps.
What if our catalog is complex
Start with top movers. Prove the flow. Add kits and retail overlays in waves.