Order fulfillment is the process of managing and completing customer orders, from receiving orders to delivering the product to the customer. It can involve tasks such as processing payments, pick and packing products, and sending an automated email to the customer to let them know the order is in transit. Ecommerce companies and smaller businesses often outsource this aspect of the business to companies that specialize in ecommerce fulfillment.

Inventory management refers to the process of ordering, storing, using, and selling a company’s inventory. It involves managing the stock mix of a company and understanding the different demands on that stock. The goal of inventory management is to efficiently streamline inventories to avoid both excess inventory and shortages.

An important aspect of inventory management includes the types of inventory. Inventory management encompasses the management of raw materials, components, and finished products. It includes tracking inventory from manufacturers to warehouses and from these facilities to the point of sale.

An Amazon prep center is a third-party service provider that helps Amazon sellers by preparing, packaging, and shipping their products to Amazon fulfillment centers. The prep center will handle everything for the seller, including bubble wrapping, bagging, labeling, packaging, and shipping.