ShipHero

What is ShipHero

ShipHero is a comprehensive Warehouse Management System (WMS) created for direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands and third-party logistics (3PL) providers. Its main purpose is to optimize all aspects of warehouse operations, from receiving inventory to picking, packing, and shipping orders. The platform provides tools to increase efficiency, improve order accuracy, and lower operational costs. Founded by Aaron Rubin and Nicholas Daniel-Richards in 2013, ShipHero was built to solve the complex fulfillment challenges faced by growing e-commerce businesses. The company is headquartered in New York, USA, and serves a global client base with its cloud-based software and fulfillment services.

ShipHero Features

ShipHero offers a suite of features designed to make warehouse management simpler and more effective.

• AI Picking: This feature uses artificial intelligence to calculate the most efficient picking routes in the warehouse. It helps reduce the walking distance for warehouse staff, which increases their productivity and lowers labor costs.
• Pack-to-Light: A system that uses LED lights to guide packers to the correct items for an order. This method simplifies the packing process, increases packing speed by up to 450%, and significantly reduces errors.
• Mobile Pick & Pack: Warehouse staff can use iOS devices with the ShipHero app to manage picking and packing tasks. The app provides guided pick routes and uses barcode scanning to ensure a 99.9%+ accuracy rate, minimizing wrong shipments.
• Rate Shopping: The system automatically compares shipping rates from multiple carriers in real-time. This ensures you always get the lowest possible price for your shipping labels, leading to significant cost savings on postage.
• Inventory Management: Provides a real-time view of your inventory levels across all locations. It helps prevent stockouts, manage purchase orders, and track stock movements accurately.
• Comprehensive Reporting: ShipHero includes built-in reporting tools that provide insights into key metrics. You can track picker and packer efficiency, cost of goods sold (COGS), shipment data, and sales performance to make informed business decisions.
• Batch & Cluster Picking: The software allows you to group similar orders together for picking. This method, known as batch picking, makes the fulfillment process much faster and more organized.

ShipHero Pricing Plans

ShipHero offers several pricing plans tailored to the needs of different business sizes and types. The pricing structure is typically based on the number of orders processed per month, the number of users, and the specific features required.

• WMS for Brands: This plan is designed for e-commerce brands that manage their own warehouse. It includes all the core features needed to run an efficient fulfillment operation.
• WMS for 3PLs: This tier is for third-party logistics providers. It includes advanced features for managing multiple clients, billing, and providing client-facing portals.
• Enterprise Plan: For very high-volume businesses with complex needs, ShipHero offers a custom enterprise solution. This plan includes dedicated support, custom integrations, and advanced functionalities.

For specific pricing details, businesses are encouraged to contact the ShipHero sales team for a personalized quote.

ShipHero Free Plan

ShipHero does not offer a free plan for its Warehouse Management System. However, they provide a free trial period for potential customers to test the software and see how it fits their operations. You can request a demo from their website to get a guided tour of the platform and discuss your specific business needs with their team.

How to use ShipHero

Getting started with ShipHero involves a few simple steps to integrate it into your workflow.

1. Connect Your Stores: The first step is to connect your e-commerce platforms, such as Shopify, Amazon, or BigCommerce, to ShipHero. This allows orders to flow automatically into the WMS.
2. Set Up Your Warehouse: Configure your warehouse layout within the ShipHero system. This includes defining bin locations, setting up packing stations, and adding your warehouse staff as users.
3. Receive Inventory: When new stock arrives, use ShipHero's receiving tools to scan items and place them into their designated bin locations. This keeps your inventory counts accurate.
4. Process Orders: As new orders come in, use features like AI-powered batch picking to create efficient pick lists. Your team uses mobile devices to scan items, ensuring accuracy.
5. Pack and Ship: At the packing station, packers verify the items for each order. ShipHero's rate shopping feature helps you select the best shipping carrier and print the label. Once shipped, tracking information is automatically sent back to your e-commerce store and the customer.

Pros and Cons of ShipHero

Pros:

• Increased Efficiency: Features like AI Picking and batch creation significantly speed up the order fulfillment process.
• High Accuracy: Barcode scanning at every step minimizes picking and packing errors, leading to higher customer satisfaction.
• Cost Savings: Real-time rate shopping for shipping labels helps reduce postage costs.
• Scalability: The software is built to support businesses as they grow, from small brands to large 3PLs.
• Strong Integrations: Seamlessly connects with major e-commerce platforms and shipping carriers.

Cons:

• Learning Curve: The system is powerful and may require some time for new users to learn all its features.
• Cost: The subscription fee can be a significant investment for very small businesses with low order volumes.
• Hardware Requirements: To use the system effectively, you need to invest in hardware like barcode scanners and iOS devices.

ShipHero integrations

ShipHero integrates with a wide range of e-commerce platforms, marketplaces, and shipping carriers to create a connected logistics ecosystem.

• E-commerce Platforms: Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, Magento. These integrations allow for automatic syncing of orders, products, and inventory.
• Marketplaces: Amazon, eBay, Walmart. Sell on major marketplaces and manage all orders from the ShipHero dashboard.
• Shipping Carriers: UPS, FedEx, USPS, DHL. Connect your carrier accounts to compare rates and print labels directly from the platform.
• ERP Systems: Oracle NetSuite. A direct integration helps sync financial and inventory data between the two systems.
• Other Tools: Shippo, Returnly. Connect with other shipping and returns management tools to extend functionality.

ShipHero Alternatives

• Fishbowl Inventory: A good alternative that combines manufacturing and warehouse management features. It is well-known for its deep integration with QuickBooks and is often used by businesses that manage production and inventory.
• NetSuite WMS: Part of a larger Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, NetSuite WMS is a powerful solution for large enterprises that need a single platform to manage all business operations, including finance, CRM, and logistics.
• Logiwa: A cloud-native WMS that focuses on high-volume DTC and 3PL fulfillment. It is known for its flexibility and ability to handle complex warehouse workflows.
• SkuVault: A platform that specializes in inventory management. It is a strong alternative for businesses whose primary challenge is preventing stockouts and managing inventory across multiple channels accurately.

ShipHero API

Yes, ShipHero provides a robust public API that allows developers to build custom integrations and extend the platform's functionality. The API is built on GraphQL, which offers a flexible and efficient way to query data.

To get an API key, you typically need to generate it from within your ShipHero account dashboard, usually in a developer or settings section. The API documentation provides all the necessary information on authentication and available queries.

Here is an example of a GraphQL query to fetch orders:

query {
  orders(first: 10) {
    edges {
      node {
        id
        order_number
        total_price
        line_items {
          edges {
            node {
              sku
              quantity
            }
          }
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

For more details, you can visit the ShipHero developer portal.

ShipHero Affiliate program

ShipHero offers a Partner Program for agencies, consultants, and technology companies that work with e-commerce brands. This program allows partners to refer clients to ShipHero and potentially earn commissions or receive other benefits.

Details about commission rates and payment structures are typically provided once you are accepted into the program. To join, you can visit the 'Partners' section on the ShipHero website and fill out an application form. The team will review your application and contact you with the next steps. If you cannot find a direct application, it is best to contact their sales or support team to inquire about partnership opportunities.