The Benefits of Automation in the E-Fulfillment Process

Online shopping has exploded with strong growth estimated at 6.2 billion euros in 2021, up 11% from 2020 in Romania. The domestic e-commerce sector accounts for nearly half of the total e-commerce turnover in Eastern Europe, estimated at 14 billion euros.

This surge in online orders puts pressure on fulfillment operations, making automation not just desirable, but necessary.

What Can Be Automated?

1. Order Processing

Automatic import from all sales channels
Automated data validation
Allocation to picking
Automatic AWB generation

2. Inventory Management

Real-time synchronization across all channels
Automatic reorder alerts
Availability updates
Automated reporting

3. Picking and Packing

Optimized picking systems
Barcode scanning
Automatic quantity verification
Label printing

4. Customer Communication

Automatic confirmation emails
Shipping notifications
Tracking updates
Post-delivery follow-up

The Benefits of Automation

1. Error Reduction

Error rate below 1%
Elimination of manual entry mistakes
Multi-point verification
Process consistency

2. Increased Speed

Processing in minutes, not hours
Faster delivery to customers
Improved response time
Instant scalability

3. Reduced Costs

Less manual labor
Operational efficiency
Fewer returns due to errors
Resource optimization

4. Improved Visibility

Real-time dashboard
Automated reports
End-to-end tracking
Data-driven decisions

5. Superior Customer Experience

Orders processed quickly
Accurate information
Predictable delivery
Problems resolved proactively

Steps for Implementation

Audit - Analyze current processes
Prioritize - Identify quick wins
Select - Choose the right solutions
Implement - In stages, with testing
Optimize - Continuous improvement

Conclusion

Automating e-fulfillment is no longer optional for online stores that want to remain competitive.