How ShipBob Delivers Consistent, Accurate Fulfillment At Scale

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When you’re evaluating fulfillment partners, you want to know your inventory counts will be accurate, your orders will ship on time, and your operations will run smoothly. Let’s address how ShipBob tackles these critical aspects of fulfillment.

Why some merchants worry about ShipBob’s inventory accuracy, carrier reliability, and operational consistency

Concerns about fulfillment accuracy and consistency often stem from experiences with other providers or assumptions about how outsourced fulfillment works. Here’s what merchants typically worry about:

• Inventory counts won’t match between systems or channels, leading to overselling or stockouts.
• Different fulfillment centers will handle orders differently, creating inconsistent customer experiences (especially if they don’t use the same connected technology). 
• Carrier delays or issues will reflect poorly on their brand, even though they don’t control shipping.
• Lack of inventory visibility means they won’t know about problems until customers complain.

These concerns make sense. After all, you’re entrusting another company with your products and the final touchpoint before the customer receives them. Let’s look at how ShipBob has built its operations to address each of these challenges.

How ShipBob improved fulfillment accuracy and consistency

ShipBob has invested heavily in technology and standardization to deliver reliable fulfillment at scale. Our proprietary, integrated platform (WMS, IMS, OMS, and more) combines real-time inventory tracking with standardized processes. All of ShipBob’s fulfillment centers run on the same technology and SLAs, and the same Control Tower team oversees every granular update. Additionally, we partner with multiple national and regional shipping carriers to ensure the fastest, most cost-effective shipping and to maintain flexibility when issues arise (e.g., inclement weather, strikes, performance, etc.).

ShipBob’s regional hub-and-spoke receiving model and Inventory Placement Program ensure inventory moves quickly and accurately through our US network. These improvements mean fewer errors, faster receiving, and consistent operations regardless of which fulfillment center handles your orders.

4 ways ShipBob helps to deliver exceptional fulfillment

Here’s how we’ve built our fulfillment network to give you the accuracy and reliability your business needs.

1. Technology creates multiple checkpoints for accuracy

ShipBob’s technology includes built-in checks and balances throughout the fulfillment process, with a scan and digital counterpart to every physical action or touch of your products.

Our system provides location-specific inventory visibility with scans at every stage, from receiving through picking and packing. This means we know exactly where your products are and can catch potential errors before they become customer issues. Intelligent cycle counts and restocking recommendations help maintain accuracy over time, along with photos of your products used throughout each step to verify ordered items and prevent mis-picks.

What this means in practice

When inventory arrives at our receiving hubs, it’s verified before moving to its spoke fulfillment center(s). Each unit gets scanned when it’s picked for an order and again during packing. These multiple touchpoints, with on-screen prompts and photos for verification, create a clear audit trail and catch errors early.

What changed

ShipBob has an automated, technology-driven approach to managing inventory. Rather than relying on manual processes, we’ve built algorithms, machine learning, and AI decision engines into our systems to reduce human error and increase consistency.

Why it matters to merchants

• Real-time inventory updates prevent overselling.
• Multiple scan points catch errors before shipping.
• Clear visibility into stock levels across locations.
• Reduced customer service issues from mis-ships.

Case study proof

Pit Viper saw dramatic improvements after outsourcing fulfillment to ShipBob and  implementing ShipBob’s WMS in their own warehouse. The multiple checks from start to finish make it really hard to send the wrong product, cutting labor costs, reducing lost inventory, and eliminating the need for double shipping.

“Before we implemented ShipBob’s WMS, our order accuracy rate was around 92%. Now we’re at 99.7% for order accuracy, which equates to 2,100 less mispicks a year on average.”

Jourdan Davis, Operations Manager at Pit Viper

2. Standardized systems ensure consistency across locations

Every ShipBob fulfillment center runs on the same integrated technology stack.

Our full-stack fulfillment solution combines four key components: the merchant dashboard where orders flow in, our AI-decision engine that determines system logic, our WMS that standardizes operations and guides fulfillment teams, and the physical logistics network that’s proactively managed by our 24/7 Control Tower. This integrated system means every fulfillment center operates the same way.

What this means in practice

Rather than leaving decisions up to individual warehouse associates, like choosing which carrier to use or what box size to use, ShipBob’s box selection algorithm automates these choices to ensure the most suitable package type and size is used.

Associates simply follow what appears on their screens, ensuring orders are handled consistently and based on their unique product combinations, weights, dimensions, shipping speed, and more.

What changed

ShipBob has evolved from manual, discretionary processes to automated, standardized workflows. We provide the same blueprint of technology, equipment, and services to each fulfillment center in our network.

Why it matters to merchants

• Same fulfillment experience and SLAs regardless of fulfillment location
• Automated decisions reduce human error
• Real-time visibility into operations
• Customization and packaging preferences applied consistently
• Unified system that tracks inventory, orders, and more in one dashboard

Case study proof

Elle Sera has experienced remarkable consistency with ShipBob’s standardized approach.

“The fulfillment is so accurate, we’ve only ever had a single packing mistake in 10 months with ShipBob!”

Kelly Bond, Operations Manager at Elle Sera

3. Carrier flexibility keeps orders moving

ShipBob partners with multiple carriers to maintain shipping flexibility and reliability.

This allows us to choose preferential rates and the most optimal carrier for each shipment. This means if one carrier experiences issues, we can quickly pivot to alternatives without disrupting your fulfillment. We also hold carriers to the highest standard and will turn them off if they’re not meeting expectations. ShipBob considers the most optimal last-mile carrier for each route at the zip code level to ensure the best possible delivery experience.

What this means in practice

During events like the Canada Post strike or pandemic-related capacity issues when carriers stopped working, ShipBob switched to alternative carriers to keep orders flowing at no disruption to merchants.

We also handle filing carrier claims on your behalf, saving you time and hassle.

What changed

ShipBob has expanded our carrier network and built stronger partnerships over time. We closely monitor carrier performance and maintain high standards, ending relationships with carriers that don’t meet expectations.

Why it matters to merchants

• Orders ship even when individual carriers have problems
• Rate shopping keeps shipping costs competitive
• No need to manage carrier relationships directly
• Consistent delivery times despite external disruptions

Case study proof

Arrae experienced ShipBob’s carrier flexibility firsthand during a major disruption. ShipBob acts as their built-in supply chain control tower, proactively finding solutions to problems (before they even become problems).

“During the recent Canada Post strike, ShipBob handled the situation with such grace, shipping orders with alternative carriers without interruption. I didn’t even have to think about it.”

Jessica Stoller, Director of Supply Chain and Operations at Arrae

4. Smart inventory placement speeds up receiving and accuracy

ShipBob’s Inventory Placement Program (IPP) streamlines inventory distribution across the US, allowing you to send it to one location while we do the rest.

You send inventory to one regional hub, where it’s received and then distributed to the regions of your choosing (informed by data we provide based on your order patterns and demand), so each order is shipped from the closest, most cost-effective location each time.

What this means in practice

Instead of managing shipments to multiple locations, you send inventory to a single hub. ShipBob handles the distribution to the most optimal fulfillment center locations. You can track every step through your merchant dashboard.

What changed

ShipBob has developed algorithms that intelligently distribute inventory based on real-time data and historical patterns, automatically choosing the fastest, most affordable location to fulfill each order.

Why it matters to merchants

• Complete visibility into inventory movement
• Automated distribution and replenishment based on actual demand
• Reduced freight costs from consolidated shipments and time spent on coordination

Case study proof

EZ Bombs relies on ShipBob’s fast receiving to keep up with viral sales. When they stock out on marketplaces or get backlogged, they route orders through ShipBob to ensure products reach customers quickly.

“With ShipBob, we’re able to get inventory into locations, stowed, and ready to ship out in 2 to 3 days. Just 2 days compared to 2 weeks is a huge advantage.”

Brandon Castaneda, CEO of EZ Bombs

Get the fulfillment accuracy and consistency your brand deserves

ShipBob’s technology-driven approach, standardized operations, intelligent carrier flexibility, and automated inventory placement work together to deliver the accurate, consistent fulfillment your customers expect. 

Ready to see how these solutions can work for your business?

FAQs about how ShipBob supports operational excellence

Here are answers to common questions about ShipBob’s fulfillment accuracy and consistency.