FAQ
OUR SERVICES
What is 3PL?
3PL stands for Third-Party Logistics. It refers to the outsourcing of logistics and supply chain management duties to a third-party provider. Companies often use 3PL services to handle various aspects of their supply chain processes, such as transportation, warehousing, distribution, and fulfilment.
Here's a breakdown of the key components of 3PL:
- Transportation: 3PL providers may handle the transportation of goods, including shipping, freight forwarding, and managing carriers.
- Warehousing: This involves storage and inventory management. 3PL providers may operate warehouses where they store and manage the distribution of products.
- Distribution and Fulfilment: 3PL companies may be responsible for order fulfilment and distribution processes, ensuring that products reach their final destination efficiently.
- Technology and IT Solutions: Many 3PL providers offer technological solutions such as inventory tracking, order management systems, and other tools to enhance visibility and efficiency in the supply chain.
Using a 3PL can help companies focus on their core business activities while relying on experts to manage the intricacies of the supply chain. It can lead to cost savings, improved efficiency, and greater flexibility in responding to market changes.
Click here to learn more about Spectrum 3PL Services.
What is Print Management?
Print management refers to the processes and strategies implemented to efficiently control printing activities.
This includes planning and designing, selecting and managing print suppliers, optimising resources, and ensuring that printing tasks are carried out cost-effectively and securely. In this process, the relationship with the client is managed through a dedicated Print Manager.
In summary, print management allows companies to delegate the design, procurement, printing, and distribution of marketing collateral to expert professionals, who will guarantee not only print quality but also a competitive price.
Click here to learn more about Spectrum Print Management Services.
What is Kitting & Assembly?
Kitting: It involves bundling individual items into convenient kits, offering numerous benefits across supply chain management, operations, and marketing.
Assembly: This process involves putting together individual components to create finished products, offering even more advantages for businesses. Assembly allows for product customisation, giving businesses a competitive edge in a crowded market. It enables them to offer unique, tailored products that meet the specific preferences of customers.
The most common use cases are:
- Product Bundles
- Promotional Kits
- Employee Onboarding Kits
- Seasonal Kits (e.g.: Christmas Hampers)
- Team Engagement Kits
- Client Appreciation Kits
- Conference Packs
- Office Essentials Kits
- Bespoke Product Assembly Services
Click here to learn more about Spectrum Kitting & Assembly Services.
ONBOARDING PROCESS
What is included in the Onboarding Procedures?
Spectrum engages with any new customer via an onboarding process. This involves the exchange of information to ensure a smooth transition. This includes (but is not limited to):
- Account setup form
- Bank account details
- Delivery specification
- Assignment and presentation of a dedicated account's CSR (Customer Service Representative);
- Product upload file
- Business One Analytics notes
- Sales order upload template*
- Purchase order upload template*
As part of the onboarding process, all new customers will be provided with login details to our Client Portal and Ordering Portal (if purchased).
*Note: Must adhere to the CSV format supplied by Spectrum.
CLIENT & ORDERING PORTALS
What kind of information is available on the Client Portal?
Our Reporting & Analytics Portal supports daily, weekly, monthly, or Ad hoc reports such as:
- Current stock
- Historical stock
- Pallet Current stock
- Pallet Historical stock
- Out of stock
- Summary stock
- Goods receipt PO
- Customer distribution
- Traceability reports that are used to have a full traceability for a specific batch/BBD/Item. It documents all manipulations and transitions of an item from:
- Goods receipt
- Deliveries
- Internal movements
- Quality status changes Issues for production Receipts for production
- Current stock situation of the batch/item
- Serial number information
Click here to access Spectrum's Client Portal
What is the main benefit of the Ordering Portal?
The Online Ordering Portal is an additional service provided for warehousing customers who wish to streamline their ordering process. It allows marketing staff, remote employees, salespeople, franchisees, and others to access and order materials at the moment they need them.
Click here to access Spectrum's Ordering Portal
CUSTOMER SERVICE
What are Spectrum's Business Hours?
Customer services - Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5.00pm
Warehouse - Monday to Friday 7.30am – 5.00pm
Collections -Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5.00pm
Goods In - Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5.00pm
How to get in touch with my Customer Service Representative?
Each Spectrum customer has a dedicated CSR and also a Print Manager. These contacts are passed on to customers at the time of Onboarding, but if you are already a customer and do not have the contact details of your Customer Service Representative and/or Print Manager, please contact us by phone or email, and we will help you out.
Phone: +353 1 403 9600
Email: custservice@spectrum.ie
SUSTAINABILITY
What is ISO 14001?
ISO 14001 is the principal management system standard that specifies the requirements for the formulation and maintenance of an environmental management system (EMS). This helps to control your environmental aspects, reduce impacts, and ensure legal compliance.
Through our ISO 14001 accreditation from both the NSAI and IQ Net, we have stringent policies and procedures to ensure that we optimise environmental impact for ‘An Taisce’ and reduce its carbon footprint. Sustainability in the procurement of goods Spectrum acknowledges that the type of service we offer can have an impact on the environment, and it is our policy to carry out all activities with a responsible attitude. For example, where possible, we strive to use print companies that are FSC or PEFC accredited. This contributes to the sustainable agenda of using raw materials from managed forests.
Click here to learn more about Spectrum's accreditations.
What are the Procedures for Waste Disposal?
SPECTRUM disposes of waste and redundant point of sale material in an environmentally friendly manner i.e. all Cardboard & Paper is disposed and recycled, and this is done on-site. SPECTRUM use approved waste disposal companies and as such can provide stock destruction certificates were necessary.
All stock for destruction is isolated and then priced. Once price has been agreed it is sent for destruction. Once destroyed, certificates, if required, can be obtained. No stock will be destroyed without permission from a suitably elected representative of the customer.
We provide a comprehensive range of services to dispose of unwanted material. These include on-site confidential shredding and out sorting of materials for re-use, refurbishing, re-cycling. Ultimately the level of reporting will provide you with the data to reduce / optimise your stock holding.
QUALITY CONTROL
What is ISO 9001?
Spectrum obtained ISO9001 accreditation from the National Standards Authority of Ireland in 2008 and still holds this accreditation. The scope of the Quality Management System addresses all of Spectrum's services, which include design and development, print management, storage, kitting, mailing, and distribution. Bearing ISO9001 accreditation assures that we have met all of the requirements in ISO9001 including:
- A set of procedures that cover all key processes in the business;
- Monitoring processes to ensure they are effective;
- Keeping adequate records;
- Checking output for defects, with appropriate and corrective actions when necessary;
- Regularly review individual processes and the quality system itself for effectiveness.
Click here to learn more about Spectrum's accreditations.
BILLING
What is a Rate Card and How to Use It?
A Rate Card is a list that includes service details and rates. It enumerates specific services, the associated costs (either hourly or per project), any package deals, and any terms or conditions that may apply.
All 3PL (Third-Party Logistics) customers have a rate card used to calculate charges related to storage, pick and pack, delivery, etc.
To learn more about how your Rate Card works, click here to enter the access password provided by us. If you do not yet have this password, please contact our Customer Service team.
What are the Guidelines for sending Artwork to the team?
Sending the files that contain the design of your company's marketing collateral, when the design is not made by Spectrum itself, needs to follow some important guidelines to guarantee a high standard of printing quality. Click here to access our guidelines.
