FAQ’s & Terms

3PL (Third-Party Logistics)

3PL refers to an organization’s long-term commitment to outsourcing its distribution services to specialized third-party logistics businesses. These providers offer integrated operations for warehousing and/or transportation, which can be customized to meet specific product demands and delivery requirements.

Bill of Lading (BOL)

A legally binding document outlining shipped goods’ type, quantity, and destination, acting as a receipt upon delivery. The customer service representatives will use this document to verify that the delivered goods match the purchase order. 

SKU (Stock Keeping Unit)

A unique identifier for each distinct product or item, including details like size, color, packaging, and manufacturer.

PO (Purchase Order)

A commercial document specifying product types, quantities, and agreed prices.

Pallet

Generally wood or plastic flat structure to store goods on. It generally has both a top and bottom deck that forklifts/pallet jacks can lift

Cross Docking

Cross docking is a logistics strategy where goods are transferred directly from inbound transportation (such as trucks or containers) to outbound transportation (like delivery trucks) without being stored in a warehouse or distribution center. This approach minimizes handling and storage time, improving overall efficiency.

Cycle Count

Cycle count is an inventory management practice where a small subset of inventory is counted on a specific day, week, or month, rather than conducting a full physical stocktaking.

Cooler Storage

WCS keeps our cooler at 35 degrees F to 45 degrees F.

WMS (Warehouse Management System)

Software that manages warehouse operations, improving inventory tracking, order processing, and space utilization.

FIFO (First In, First Out)

An inventory method where the earliest received goods are the first to be sent out, preventing perishables from expiring.

LTL (Less than Truckload)

A shipping term for smaller freight quantities, cost-efficient for smaller businesses.

JIT (Just In Time)

An inventory strategy that receives goods only when needed, reducing inventory costs.

Skid

A skid is the original pallet design but lacks a bottom deck.

EDI (Electronic Data Interchange)

EDI is the inter-company communication of business documents in a standard format. In simple terms, EDI replaces paper-based documents like purchase orders or invoices with a standard electronic format. Organizations use EDI to automate transactions, saving time and reducing errors. Information moves directly from one organization’s computer application to another’s, making data sharing faster and more efficient compared to traditional methods.

Dry Storage

Dry storage refers to the practice of storing goods in a controlled environment without exposure to moisture or excessive humidity.

Ambient Storage

Ambient Storage, also known as room temperature storage, refers to the practice of storing goods, products, or materials at the normal temperature of the surrounding environment.

Drop Trailer

A drop trailer is a semi-trailer that is uncoupled (also referred to as “dropped”) from the semi-truck and left at a facility for a period of time.