Logistics outsourcing allows enterprises to focus on their core business, while contract logistics/third-party logistics (3PL) has certain counter-cyclical characteristics. All kinds of logistics companies will use 3PL’s customer development, quality control and project management methods to a greater or lesser extent: sign a service contract with the customer with a clear period, operate in accordance with the terms of the contract during the performance of the contract, and agree on terms such as rates, service scope, rights and responsibilities. 3PL companies have great flexibility in operation. Their key capabilities lie in resource integration, project management, customized solutions, network linkage, and technical support. Through the system, all resources are connected in an orderly manner to provide customized services for the client.
Today, many cross-border logistics rely on upstream and downstream channels to provide a product or solution, sign service contracts with foreign trade merchants, and have transparent billing and standardized operations. Traditional 3PL hopes to maintain long-term cooperative relationships by serving large customers well, but the diversity of services means that the back-end support is relatively complex, the operation cannot be standardized, and it is difficult to establish economies of scale. New logistics prefers to achieve business expansion through a rapid replication method, or pursue asset-light and system capabilities, and lean towards the concept of platform-based 4PL (fourth-party logistics). Any changes or personalized needs in project operations will bring greater cost pressure to the enterprise. Continuing to invest in costs is marginally decreasing, while standardized network organizations are the opposite. Business growth can dilute the cost of each link. One-stop service is the mainstream propaganda of 3PL, but the real end-to-end solution is still difficult to find, especially for cross-industry categories. After digital upgrading, 3PL should move towards platformization, team makerization, and online service.