I-Fulfilment | Blog

SmartBase: The Co-working Space for eCommerce Businesses

Written by Darren McDonnell | Jan 24, 2023 4:24:05 PM

If your eCommerce business is growing and you can no longer handle all the orders, it may be time to scale your shipping, warehousing, and fulfilment processes. All of this may require the use of warehouses and fulfilment centres.  

Many businesses consider renting a self-storage unit or leasing a traditional warehouse for product storage. Co-warehousing is a practical solution that allows businesses to store inventory or equipment without buying or leasing an entire facility. It also eliminates the need for companies to invest in infrastructure for their products and employees. 

How will flexible workspaces evolve in 2023?  

The evolution of flexible workspaces in 2023 will likely be characterised by a focus on technology and wellness, as well as increasing demand for hybrid work models and a more excellent choice for users. 

 The co-warehousing trend has recently taken over the flexible office space industry. The model facilitates growth for small companies by giving them cheaper access to more extensive storage facilities.  

 Co-warehousing provides access to a wide variety of warehouse spaces. Loading docks, goods equipment, on-demand labour, meeting rooms, and enterprise security may all be part of the amenities offered by these facility suites. Your location can adapt to the changing needs of your company.  

How to find the perfect workspace as an eCommerce professional  

As an eCommerce professional, finding the ideal workspace can be crucial, but understanding your needs can simplify the process and help you make an informed decision. Below are some tips on how to find the perfect workspace: 

  • Determine your specific workspace needs:Consider the nature of your business and what type of workspace you require. Do you need a warehouse for storing inventory or an office space for handling administrative tasks? 

  • Location is key: Choose a workspace that is conveniently located and easily accessible for your staff, suppliers and customers. A central location can also help with branding and marketing efforts. 

  • Look for the right amenities:Depending on your needs, you may require specific amenities like high-speed internet, parking, meeting rooms or kitchen facilities. Be sure to choose a workspace that offers these amenities. 

  • Consider your budget: Your budget will dictate the type of workspace you can afford. Consider co-working spaces or shared workspaces as an affordable option. 

  • Think long-term: Consider your business’s long-term prospects when choosing a workspace. Will your chosen space accommodate your growth plans in the future?

What Are the Benefits of Joining a Co-working Space?  

Coworking spaces can be shared locations where people with different business ideas can get together and learn from one another, from meeting other business professionals to collaborating on independent projects.   

SmartBase offers modern facilities and infrastructure that can help businesses thrive. The following are some of the advantages of co-working spaces: 

A Culture of Collaboration and Community

Networking with other people is a significant perk of using a co-working space. Working from home or in an independent office has advantages, but you may miss opportunities to network with other professionals who can help your business grow. Proximity to other thriving companies can provide the much-needed spark that is sometimes lacking in a small enterprise. 

Integration of Advanced Tech and at SmartBase

Co-working spaces are equipped with modern technology to meet your needs and assist you in completing your work without stress. They use technology to provide high-quality office tools and equipment, ensuring you deliver consistently. You won’t have to put up with faulty technology or wait for your internet to load. 

Increased Productivity and Creativity

Co-working spaces can provide bursts of creativity by allowing you to collaborate with other people and expose yourself to new perspectives. The flexible workspace and community atmosphere can motivate workers, increase focus, and reduce distractions, leading to increased productivity and better-quality work.  

U.K.’s newest warehouse combined with modern Workspace: SmartBase  

I-Fulfilment is proud to partner with SmartBase in offering a combined solution of modern office space and high-tech warehousing. This unique partnership provides businesses the flexibility and convenience of having their warehouse and office space under one roof.   

Office Space 

SmartBase modern office spaces are designed to provide businesses with a flexible and collaborative workspace. With various private offices and co-working spaces, companies can find the perfect space to suit their needs. SmartBase offices have all the amenities to help companies to work more efficiently. 

Meeting Rooms & Events 

SmartBase meeting rooms and event spaces are designed to provide businesses with a professional and comfortable setting for meetings and events. The rooms are equipped with modern furnishings and state-of-the-art technology to accommodate groups of various sizes. 

Co-Working Spaces 

SmartBase co-working spaces provide a flexible and collaborative workspace for businesses of all sizes. With a range of workspaces available, including hot desks and dedicated desks, companies can find the perfect workspace to suit their needs. 

Member Facilities 

SmartBase also offers a range of member facilities, including a sky lounge, sky deck, gym, photo studio, treatment room, Wi-Fi and more, to ensure businesses have everything they need to work comfortably and efficiently. 

Warehouse & Fulfilment 

SmartBase state-of-the-art warehouse and fulfilment facilities have the latest technology and systems to manage inventory and fulfilment needs. Businesses can rely on SmartBase’s efficient and secure facilities to store, manage and ship their products. 

Our collaboration with SmartBase ensures that businesses can seamlessly manage their operations and focus on the growth and success of our clients. 

Why is co-warehousing important now?

Co-warehousing gives you the flexibility to grow and change as your company does. Third-party logistics providers (3PLs) have assisted businesses with warehousing and distribution needs for years by providing shared services and expert knowledge.  

As an eCommerce, you know the importance of having a safe, clean, and easily accessible warehouse to store your inventory and office space to run your operations. SmartBase approach to co-warehousing solves both problems while keeping you in the loop about your company. 

What are the advantages of co-warehousing?

Co-warehousing, or shared warehousing, is a practice where multiple businesses share a single warehouse space. This approach to warehousing offers several advantages, including:  

An environment for new connections and opportunities at SmartBase

Co-warehouses provide opportunities to interact with entrepreneurs operating the same business type. This community environment can lead to new connections, partnerships, and expansion opportunities for companies. In addition, these connections can extend to include collaborations with shipping, delivery, or supply services that collaborate with other warehouse clients.  

Added operational flexibility

With co-warehousing, businesses only pay for the space they use and can expand into more storage as needed. This is especially important if the company only needs the storage facility during certain times of the year. By committing for a shorter period, co-warehousing allows you to rent out storage spaces as needed rather than for an entire year. 

Shared costs and services

Co-warehousing gives companies access to other necessities. For instance, warehouse operations frequently fail to properly account for the importance of adequate indoor air quality. Companies can rest easy knowing their employees will be safe and healthy in a shared warehouse because it already has ventilation and security measures. These characteristics also guarantee adherence to  health and safety regulations in the workplace.  

SmartBase and I-Fulfilment Partnership  

SmartBase provides a convenient on-demand combination of warehouse and office space and has recently partnered with I-Fulfilment, a premier provider of fulfilment services. This partnership brings together the expertise of two industry leaders to offer a comprehensive eCommerce solution to businesses of all sizes. 

Multi-channel fulfilment capabilities   

One of the key benefits of the SmartBase and I-Fulfilment partnership is their multi-channel fulfilment capabilities. This means businesses can sell their products on multiple channels, such as Amazon, eBay, and their website, and have all orders fulfilled by SmartBase and I-Fulfilment. This reduces the complexity of managing multiple fulfilment channels and ensures a consistent and efficient service across all platforms. 

Product photography studio   

Businesses can have professional product photos taken for their online stores, ensuring their products are presented in the best possible light. This is especially important for eCommerce businesses, where product images can significantly impact the competitive market.  

On-site tech team   

An on-site tech team to support businesses with any technical issues related to their fulfilment processes. Businesses can rely on a team of experts to help them with any technical challenges, ensuring a smooth and efficient fulfilment process for their customers. 

Multilingual support   

Businesses can communicate with the fulfilment team in their preferred language, making it easier to work with the team and reducing the risk of miscommunication. This is especially important for businesses that operate internationally and must work with partners who speak different languages. 

Latest technology   

With the latest technology, businesses can ensure they can deliver the best possible service. This includes automated warehouse management systems, advanced order tracking, and real-time inventory management. By using the latest technology, SmartBase and I-Fulfilment can provide businesses with a fast, efficient, and accurate fulfilment service. 

Dedicated account management team 

SmartBase and I-Fulfilment offer 5-star account management to businesses. Businesses can rely on a dedicated account manager to fulfil their needs. This personalised approach ensures businesses feel valued and supported and can trust SmartBase and I-Fulfilment to handle their logistics and fulfilment needs. 

Warehouse your Products with SmartBase  

Are you looking for a reliable and secure warehouse to store your products? At I-Fulfilment, we understand that logistics and fulfilment can be complex and time-consuming for businesses. That’s why we’ve partnered with SmartBase to offer clients a comprehensive range of fulfilment services.  

As a member of the SmartBase community, you’ll have access to a range of support services and networking opportunities to help your business grow and succeed. And with I-Fulfilment as your partner, you can rest assured that your logistics and fulfilment needs are in expert hands. 

So why not warehouse your products with SmartBase and partner with I-Fulfilment for your fulfilment needs? Contact us to learn more about our fulfilment services and how we can help your business thrive.