Electronics and semiconductors fulfillment can take a lot of time, but you can find several options to make your life easier and your profit margin more comfortable. You need to focus on designing, manufacturing and selling your product; you don't want to devote significant in-house resources to monitoring order status, inventory levels, warehouse management and transportation issues.

If you just started your business, or want to keep it small, you may prefer handling your own semiconductors fulfillment or electronics fulfillment. Look for different places to save money, and you will likely decide to outsource either some or all of your fulfillment operations. The other option is to look for some kind of software solution that can streamline your back end. As you research semiconductors fulfillment companies and electronics fulfillment houses:

1. Analyze your back-end processes to see where you can maximize effectiveness while ultimately reducing electronics fulfillment costs.

2. Check on the equipment and technology used by your outsourcing electronics fulfillment partners to ensure they're capable of meeting your demands.

3. Look for just-in-Time delivery of services and products from suppliers -- it will make all the difference in selecting which electronics and semiconductors fulfillment houses to go with.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consider distribution and packaging solutions for electronics and semiconductors fulfillment

If you don't necessarily need a full-service fulfillment package from an electronics fulfillment company, you might at least think about outsourcing your distribution and packaging fulfillment tasks. Allowing another company to handle these fulfillment tasks can potentially save you money in the long run by eliminating some costs associated with employees, transportation and storage space.

I recommend: Contact Axis Electronics to discuss a lower-cost distributor fulfillment solution for your semiconductor or electronics business. Visit the DCL website to learn more about the packaging services they provide for fulfillment in the electronics industry.

Outsource to full-service electronics fulfillment companies

If back-end tasks overwhelm or frustrate you, get relief from a fulfillment center. Electronics fulfillment services can reduce your burden significantly, leaving you to focus on your core competencies.

I recommend: Titan Supply Chain Services can handle all your global electronics fulfillment needs with its centralized system and regional global facilities. Contact RPC Electronics to discuss the electronics fulfillment services they can take over for you.

Think about a software-based electronics fulfillment solution

You may feel more comfortable and confident in your business if you hang on to all your back-end operations, but you can still get help to ensure you have the most streamlined and effective fulfillment operations possible by investing in software programs designed with companies like yours in mind.

I recommend: Consider an integrated software solution from IBM that can take your semiconductor manufacturing from sourcing to fulfillment. Take a look at the FKI Logistex order fulfillment software that supports multiple pick methods and can increase your order accuracy and productivity while helping reduce your labor costs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check with other electronics manufacturers you don't compete with directly and ask about how they accomplish their electronics fulfillment. You may hear a solution that appeals to you, and it may also lead you to an answer you wouldn't have considered otherwise.
• •  Request that semiconductors fulfillment houses provide real time tracking capabilities for your orders.