Arsen Janikyan, founder and CEO of Ops Engine, launched his Direct-to-Consumer fulfillment center in July 2023 with a clear vision: to offer a solutions-based, high-quality service.
Coming from a background rooted in operations and a deep understanding of the eCommerce landscape, Janikyan knew the right Warehouse Management System (WMS) would be foundational to his company’s success. Ops Engine handles a diverse range of products, from footwear and apparel to sensitive items like fertility home test kits and supplements, demanding a robust and adaptable logistics partner.
“When you have an amazing warehouse management system and strong operational rigor, that’s where you create the magic.”
Highlights:
- Rapid Client Onboarding: Seamlessly integrate new brands thanks to intuitive system design.
- Enhanced Inventory Freshness: Automated lot management prevents expired products.
- Customized Workflows: Utilize powerful automation rules for bespoke fulfillment services.
- Operational Control: The ‘Hospital feature’ ensures error-proof order processing.
The Challenge: Building a Modern Fulfillment Powerhouse from Scratch
Before establishing Ops Engine, Janikyan spent five months rigorously evaluating various warehouse management systems. He quickly identified a common pain point in the industry: outdated software that made crucial tasks unnecessarily complex. Integrating with essential eCommerce platforms like Shopify, for instance, often demanded “tons of settings” and cumbersome processes, hindering efficiency and client onboarding. This presented a significant hurdle for any new fulfillment center aiming for rapid growth and operational excellence. Clients often ask, “How can I streamline my eCommerce integration?” or “What are the common challenges with older WMS solutions?” Ops Engine sought to bypass these issues from day one.
The Solution: ShipHero’s Intuitive and Robust WMS
After extensive research, Janikyan chose ShipHero due to its remarkably user-friendly interface, real-time customer support, and lean receiving processes. A critical deciding factor was ShipHero’s robust automation rules and seamless integration capabilities, particularly with Shopify. Where older systems required complex configurations for Shopify, ShipHero made it a “two, three clicks” process. This ease of integration meant Ops Engine could swiftly connect with brands, minimizing setup time and potential errors. Ops Engine particularly valued ShipHero’s development approach, as Janikyan noted, “ShipHero really understands warehouse operations, not just from a technical perspective. Because most softwares are built by engineers for operators, not built by engineers with operators for operators. ShipHero is different. It understands what it needs to be successful.”
Driving Results: Efficiency, Control, and Customization
ShipHero quickly became integral to Ops Engine’s operational rigor, yielding significant results. The lot management feature proved invaluable, especially for their four brands requiring strict expiration date tracking. This capability, combined with automated email notifications and manual follow-ups, ensures no expired products are shipped, a critical differentiator from previous providers. For handling high volumes, Ops Engine leverages ShipHero’s efficient outbound shipping with both single and multibatch pick carts.
Another key feature, the “Hospital feature,” provides an “errorproofing” strategy for order review, using a “red, yellow, green” alert system to prioritize urgent issues and ensure robust quality control before shipment. Furthermore, the extensive automation rules are a favorite feature, allowing Ops Engine to offer “almost if not unlimited amounts of customization” to brands, truly embodying their slogan: “Your warehouse department.” As Janikyan proudly states, “We happily mention it on our prospect calls because, one: we know it has a great reputation. Two: it has great features.” This transparency fosters trust and attracts new clients seeking a superior fulfillment partner.
Future Vision: Scaling with a Trusted Partner
Ops Engine is poised for significant future growth, with Janikyan envisioning expansion to multiple locations and scaling to handle massive volumes. He attributes the “speed in which we’re able to act and react” to ShipHero, enabling Ops Engine to “onboard brand after brand after brand.” This ability to rapidly grow the client base while maintaining lean and efficient operations is a direct result of ShipHero’s intuitive design and powerful features. Ops Engine continues to build on this foundation, confident that ShipHero will support their trajectory as they evolve and expand their boutique fulfillment services.
A Partnership That Delivers Excellence
Ops Engine’s partnership with ShipHero underscores the power of a WMS designed by operators for operators. By embracing ShipHero’s user-friendly interface, robust features like lot management and automation rules, and seamless integrations, Ops Engine has not only resolved common fulfillment challenges but has also established itself as a highly efficient and reliable Direct-to-Consumer partner. This strategic alliance allows Ops Engine to consistently deliver quality service, prevent issues like expired inventory, and maintain strong client relationships, all while laying the groundwork for ambitious future expansion.
Ready to take your fulfillment operations to the next level? Learn how ShipHero can help your business scale and succeed. Contact us today!
