Warehousing, mailing fulfilment and distribution

Core services:

Ordering and stock control – Portal Requirement

The successful tenderer will must provide an online AHDB portal to include, but not limited to, the following features:

• e-commerce style shop front format
• Managed logins with access to all AHDB sectors for authorised staff with variable permissions
• Ease of navigation for all AHDB sectors
• Picture images of materials
• Global search facility across site by SKU or description
• Multiple operators processing orders simultaneously
• Priority and urgent order facility
• Multi sector selections added to common basket
• Delivery and mailing options displaying costs and time order constraints
• Delivery instructions for non-standard timed/dated deliveries and where to leave
• All chargeable items must require a purchase order number to be given by the customer to activate the request
• Order amendment and cancellation facility
• Order confirmation email
• Order status indication
• Order history-who has ordered and when
• Inventory management, stock level re-ordering points
• Back-order management including partial delivery notification
• Low stock level indicators
• SKU creation
• Link to AHDB CRM for client, record and order history update
• Returns section from AHDB to warehouse.

Ordering and stock control – Client to Warehouse

Bespoke ordering, communication and reporting systems – including the need to answer phones on behalf of AHDB sectors, and emails on behalf of some AHDB sectors with designated phone lines and email address. Telephone lines and email addresses must be operational by contract commencement and be located on the supplier’s premises. One existing telephone number (STD), will need to remain the same for external customers calling following marketing campaigns, currently circa 15 a month. The detail of these will be provided to the successful supplier upon contract award and call diversions may be required for a short interim period.

Warehousing, mailing fulfilment and distribution

• Secure warehouse facility, protected by a Fire and Security accredited system e.g. NACOSS/NSI .
• Long- and short-term storage of AHDB pallets, publications and materials.
• Located in the UK for ease of access for supplier same day site to site deliveries and same day despatch.
• Orders placed via online portal, email or telephone.
• Fulfilment and mailing of printed material such as newsletters, booklets, marketing and promotional materials. Packaged according to format (supplier provided enveloped, poly-wrapped or carton boxed etc). Printing of relevant delivery notes / mailing labels or address inserts.
• Mailed or delivered to meet any specific requested time and location instructions. For fulfilment and mailed jobs, the price for postage should be quoted at the recognised rate for the requested type (eg 1st or 2nd class post etc) with no profit added. Use of cheaper comparable services is welcomed.
• Itemised invoicing for sectors
• Notification of deliveries and fast integration into inventory
• Secure disposal facilities for destruction of AHDB materials as requested
• Stock levels, controls and parameters updated on portal
• Downstream access by most cost-effective methods