RETURNS SOFTWARE FOR 3PLS

Unlock Operational Excellence for Returns Management

Improve visibility, accelerate processing speed, and drive incremental revenue opportunities with Optoro’s RMS.

Optoro’s cloud-based returns management system (RMS) spans the entire lifecycle of a return — from initiation, to receiving, restock, and resale — giving 3PLs the ability to deliver unmatched value to retail clients.

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Win & Retain More Business

Returns are top of mind for brands and retailers, and not getting it right means they may look towards a dedicated returns-processing vendor. With Optoro’s end-to-end returns management system, 3PLs uncover a greater competitive advantage to win (and keep) business returns business — unifying outbound and reverse operations.

Say Adios to Manual Processes

Unlike outbound fulfillment, returns require unique, high-touch processes with varying operational procedures. Ditch spreadsheets and checklists by automating return workflows, reducing processing errors, minimizing exceptions, and improving inventory accuracy.

Banish Backlogs

Managing returns is complex and usually requires 2x+ more labor to manage than outbound fulfillment. With Optoro’s RMS, 3PLs see 2-3x faster processing times, reducing stockpiles and freeing up needed space & labor for outbound fulfillment.

Improve Insights

You cannot fix what you cannot measure, yet most 3PLs lack data and reporting into the true cost and impact of returns on operations. With Optoro’s RMS, 3PLs unlock optionality for continuous improvement initiatives, sustainability efforts, and margin improvement opportunities.

Optoro’s Solution for 3PLs and contract logistics providers

Returns are a headache for both retailers and 3PLs

47%

Returns management climbed to the top operational challenge cited by 47% of warehouse decision-makers surveyed

Source: Zebra Technologies

2-3x

Processing returns can require 2-3x or more labor and space than outbound fulfillment

47%

47% of retail executives report that the main pain point they experience with their current returns processes are slow time to restock

Top priorities for retailers and 3PLs have shifted to focus on Returns since 2018.

Create More Value for Clients

As a fulfillment provider, you are the behind-the-scenes hero of the brands and retailers you serve. Yet when things go wrong, shoppers tend to blame the brand — making third-party fulfillment a high-stakes game.

Optoro’s RMS helps fulfillment providers win and delight customers by:

Helping retailers improve financial recovery

Speeding up restock time frames for available-to-sell (ATS) inventory, often the largest capital expense for brands

Offering valuable insights on returned inventory to help make better merchandising decisions

Delivering a solution-oriented offer to a complex challenge for retailers

Drive Operational Efficiencies

Efficiency is the linchpin to a buttoned-up supply chain. Yet, without the right technology in place, it can be challenging to create and manage an efficient returns process for your clients.

Optoro’s RMS empowers third-party logistics (3PL) providers by creating the ability to:

Reduce processing costs

Increase units per hour (UPH) by 2-3x

Decrease dependencies on labor by automating returns processing

Mitigate error-prone processes that impact your net promoter score (NPS)

See Optoro’s RMS in Action

Don’t settle for “good enough” for returns management. Want to see how Optoro’s RMS is changing the game for high-volume 3PLs?

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partners & integrations

RMS in the 3PL Technology Stack

Technology and automation play a critical role in third-party logistics. Optoro’s returns management system dovetails nicely into both your (and your clients’) technology stacks.

Our system-agnostic, API-first approach to integrations enables you to quickly integrate RMS into the systems that matter most.

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Where Optoro's Returns Management System (RMS) fits into the retail tech stack

Features and Functionality

Receiving

Purpose-built receiving technology for unit-level and non-happy-path returns

Test & Grade

Configurable grading functionality to reduce subjectivity, errors, and ditch paper processes

Intelligent Dispositioning

Automate and optimize routing of returned inventory faster, improving inventory accuracy

Directed Sorting

Streamline put-away to reduce inventory stock-outs and backlogs

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3PL Returns Management Playbook: Creating a Center of Excellence

Endless Tech Integrations, Blind Returns, & Lagging SLAs… Handling omnichannel returns with operational accuracy, efficiency, and growth can only be achieved with an end-to-end RMS technology. This playbook transforms returns management into a true center of excellence— increasing customer satisfaction, expanding share of wallet, and differentiating you from your competition.

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Why more 3PLs are investing in RMS

“Our strategic warehouse management system isn’t built for returns. Our WMS treats returns as a different type of manufacturing inbound which we know is not the same workflow. So technologically, we weren’t set up to really be able to create value for our customers in the space… we could manage it, but it was just a kinda clunky and poor experience for us.”

Product ManagerGlobal 3PL

“If we want to be a player and have a high-quality ecommerce fulfillment solution, we need to have a return solution that adds value for our customers as well.“

Product Lead3PL

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How is an RMS different from a WMS?

Warehouse Management Systems were built primarily for outbound, pick-pack-ship fulfillment. Returns are often high-touch, complex processes that require some subjectivity. An RMS is purpose-built to handle the challenges of managing the complexity of returns. Read more about WMS vs. RMS.

How does an RMS help 3PLs?

Returns require unique standard operating procedures within a warehouse. A modern RMS helps 3PLs drive operational efficiencies with returns while creating meaningful value for retailers like improving financial recovery for returned merchandise and speeding time to restock to avoid markdowns and out-of-stocks.

What if our retail clients already have a returns portal? Can we still use Optoro to process returns in the four walls?

Yes! Our solution is fully composable and system agnostic, so you (and your clients) can use the components that make the most sense for the business.

What if retailers don’t have a returns portal? Can we still use Optoro?

Yes! While having a returns portal is a best practice for returns, it does not prohibit a 3PL or retailer from using our returns processing (RP) capability. Our modular solution is fully composable and built with an API-first framework and integration in mind.

Does Optoro have consolidated inbound shipping for returns?

Yes! We have a network of third-party returns bars that consolidate returns for inbound receiving. Read more about our Express Returns offer.

Is there value to having both Optoro’s portal and returns processing applications?

While our system is headless and does not require use of our portal, there is added value to offer your clients from tying front-end returns data to processing and dispositioning data. (i.e. reducing returns by understanding SKUs with higher-than-average returns rates.) With an end-to-end returns management system 3PLs can package this insight to deliver additional value to clients.