ChannelApe Empowers Birdies' Supply Chain with Flexibility and Scalability

• Functional Applications - Inventory Management Systems
• Functional Applications - Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)

• Marine & Shipping
• Transportation

• Logistics & Transportation
• Warehouse & Inventory Management

• Picking, Sorting & Positioning
• Smart Shelves

• System Integration

Birdies, a shoe company founded by Marisa Sharkey and Bianca Gates, experienced unexpected growth since its launch in 2015. The company's unique product, a slipper that combines the comfort of a sneaker with the style of a designer flat, quickly gained popularity, leading to an increase in demand and logistical challenges. Initially, the founders managed the shipping process from their garage, but as the company grew, they started working with third-party logistics providers (3PLs). However, they soon realized that they needed more control over their logistics and were not satisfied with being dependent on a single 3PL and their technology. They sought a solution that could help them scale to more than one warehouse with one or more 3PLs, and that could route orders to the right place with easy technology and flexibility to adjust over time.

Birdies is a shoe company founded by longtime friends Marisa Sharkey and Bianca Gates in 2015. The company's unique product is a slipper that combines the comfort of a sneaker with the style of a designer flat. The founders initially managed the shipping process from their garage, but as the company grew, they started working with third-party logistics providers (3PLs). Despite their success, the founders were not satisfied with being dependent on a single 3PL and their technology. They sought a solution that could help them scale to more than one warehouse with one or more 3PLs, and that could route orders to the right place with easy technology and flexibility to adjust over time.

Birdies found the solution they were looking for in ChannelApe, a platform that provides flexibility and seamless warehouse integrations. ChannelApe enabled Birdies to use two warehouses, routing orders accordingly. The platform also allowed Birdies to add a different 3PL if needed, making them less dependent on where their inventory was located. ChannelApe provided real-time visibility into Birdies' inventory across multiple warehouses, stores, and physical locations, and managed preorders to maximize sales and fulfillment processes. The platform also enabled Birdies to manage the entire fulfillment lifecycle and provided complete visibility into that process. ChannelApe's technology also managed the rules for backorders and preorders, ensuring that only orders that could be fulfilled were sent to the warehouse. This resulted in successful fulfillment from the warehouse's perspective and in the eyes of the customer.

• ChannelApe's solution has significantly improved Birdies' operational efficiency. The platform's ability to manage the entire fulfillment lifecycle and provide complete visibility into the process has allowed Birdies to have a hands-off approach and focus on the bigger picture. The reporting system has improved visibility into inventory, which is shared with the team and partners. The platform also raises any problem orders, reducing the need for manual checking. ChannelApe's preorder capabilities have transformed Birdies' previously manual pre-order process into a properly flowing process. The platform's best practices, based on years of experience, are made available to all clients, providing Birdies with scalable solutions. Since Birdies started using ChannelApe, they have been able to ship to their customers more quickly and affordably, resulting in significantly fewer shipping issues and happier customers.

• ChannelApe enabled Birdies to use two warehouses, doubling their storage and distribution capacity.

• The platform provided real-time visibility into Birdies' inventory across multiple locations, improving inventory management efficiency.

• ChannelApe's technology ensured that only orders that could be fulfilled were sent to the warehouse, reducing the number of unfulfilled orders.