Live search launched to match warehouse space with users

Zupplychain launched in February and has recruited a nationwide database of warehouse providers. Providers register how much space they have, what type of space it is, what sort of pallets it can accommodate and what price they want per pallet space.

Potential customers can then search according to their requirements – location, quantity of pallets, type of pallets – and have instant access to warehouse results that match their requirements, showing availability and pricing.

"Inspired by the success of peer to peer sites in the consumer sphere, we saw an opportunity in warehousing to make the market more fluid," explains Zupplychain MD, Martin Elgood. "Many businesses have seasonal or un-forecast stock swings and are forced to run more core warehousing to cope with it, or search for third party temporary warehousing. Zupplychain will help such businesses to quickly find solutions and have an instant view of pricing and availability. Also, it gives 3PLs an easy way of accessing a broader customer base."

In addition to matching customers to warehouses, Zupplychain has developed a proprietary operating system, accessible to registered users. This enables many communications between the parties to be automated and is integrated into an on-line stock management system, providing visibility to warehouses and customers of stock status, bookings and movements linked by a Zupplychain reference number per pallet.

"We have aimed to build a system that makes it much easier for a business to manage its stock – perhaps all of its stock – in multiple third party locations. Customers can send advanced delivery notice to warehouses, update transit status and request outbound movements," continues Elgood. "And if a customer has further storage requirements, he can use his own product library on Zupplychain for a quick and easy set up of a new despatch."