Business Process Outsourcing

IMS also manages smaller labor-intensive business processes for clients. These processes can include shipping/receiving, assembly and packaging operations at the client’s location. IMS works with the client to map out the specific processes to be followed and then determines the goals and metrics that will be used to track performance. IMS then provides experienced supervisors and the staff needed to handle the production requirements. This approach works well for clients who are looking to increase their flexibility while reducing the amount of management time spent on non-core processes.

Business Process Outsourcing Features

Dedicated Recruiting Team
Labor Flexibility
Full-time and Backup Supervisors
Experienced Management Oversight
Documented Training Program
Performance Metrics

When Does Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Work For You?

Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) is an excellent solution for a company that has a small warehouse, shipping/receiving department, or production operation but does not consider that function as one of their core competencies. Companies in this situation can improve the performance of the department or function while significantly reducing the management and recruiting hassles they are currently experiencing. The cost associated with the BPO approach is generally equivalent to a company’s current cost, but significant benefits can be generated by enabling the company’s management team to focus on other critical areas.

Dedicated Recruiting Team: IMS has teams of recruiters in Puyallup and Renton who focus primarily on recruiting employees for the distribution industry. Our recruiters interview hundreds of applicants each month for a variety of positions in warehousing, shipping/receiving, pick/pack, assembly and cross-dock operations. The recruiting team is constantly screening applicants against the needs of our BPO clients to ensure that they have qualified employees ready to fill any open positions that arise.

Labor Flexibility: Labor requirements can fluctuate frequently depending on customer orders, product availability and seasonal variations. IMS is often able to move employees around to other job sites during slower periods, or to add additional employees during peak periods, in order to minimize downtime and overtime costs.

Trained Supervisors: IMS assigns one or more full-time supervisors to manage a BPO process. These supervisors are experienced at running production crews in a highly productive manner under a variety of circumstances. Additional IMS supervisors are also cross-trained on the job requirements at BPO locations in order to fill in on a temporary basis when needed.

Management Oversight: IMS managers have decades of experience in warehousing, production and distribution. These managers oversee the IMS supervisors and work closely with the customer to solve problems, overcome constraints and reduce labor costs. Our experienced management team is one of the main reasons that many of our customers regard IMS as a true strategic partner.

Training Program: The IMS management team works with a new BPO client to document the critical functions of the outsourced process and then develops the necessary training materials and procedures. The documentation and periodic requirements are uploaded into Harmoni, IMS’ proprietary web-based process management system.

Performance Metrics: Accurate and timely metrics can play a key role in reducing the overall cost of labor. IMS managers are experienced at analyzing complex processes and building accurate models that project labor requirements and determine actual workforce productivity. Employee performance is tracked on a weekly basis and these scores are used for wage reviews and retention decisions.