FAQ

Online Distribution Services conducts a self-risk management assessment on a quaterly basis. This includes Health & Safety, Security and Electronic Information Security. In addition to this, computer systems are backed up regularly and our computerised freight systems can operate manually if there are unexpected problems.

Furthermore Online Distribution Services operates 18 different Distribution Centres, therefore decreasing the risk and exposure of your business. 

Staff at Online Distribution Services take great care in ensuring no harm comes to your product. This includes utilising packaging to suit the product and ensuring all appropriate stickers (i.e. breakable, fragile etc.) are attached.

In addition to this a claims procedure is available on request from the Claims Manager.

Online Distribution Services has Bailees Insurance cover of over $5,000,000 ensuring your stock is covered in the event Online Distrbution Services is at fault.

Online Distribution Services has two facilities for the safe storage of Dangerous Goods and Hazardous Materials including Chemicals Storage. These are conveniently located in Christchurch. All Staff handling Dangerous Goods are fully trained and qualified.

Online Distribution Services has Bailees Insurance, that will cover your stock in the event that we become legally liable through negligence for loss, damage or destruction of goods held. Online Distribution Services welcomes your insurer's inspection.

The on-call labour rates will be provided in your quotation. All work done is itemised on a 'Miscellaneous Labour Sheet' and is attached to the monthly invoice. No work is carried out without authorisation from you. Ongoing regular low skill work can attract a reduced labour rate or be incorporated into the contract as a piece rate.

Online Distribution Services use chep pallets for transfers onto transport companies and traditionally for receiving inventory from clients. We also have our own 'Online' pallets for internal storage. These pallets are available for product storage where full pallet lots and layers are not sent out. These are available at a reduced rental rate from Chep pallets.

All Online Distribution Services sites have 24 hour security monitoring and our own covert surveillance equipment. We have an excellent record of staff honesty.

Online Distribution Services staff are familiar with client confidentiality issues and the signing of a confidentiality agreement would present no difficulties. We have a 'Confidential Information' section in our Individual Employment Agreement which all staff must sign. You would be advised of any sharing of resources such as staff or warehouse site with you and a competitor.

Like most companies, our staff come from a variety of backgrounds and have specialist knowledge in their areas of interest. Each Distribution Centre (DC) has a Site Manager who is directly responsible for the smooth running of the DC and is the first person accountable for your satisfaction.

Where necessary each DC has auxiliary staff who are either full time, part time or casual. In addition to this Online Distribution Services has developed a group of  'elite troops' who can be deployed at anytime to any DC to ensure any potential problem is resolved immediately. Online Distribution Services spend a great deal of time and effort on cross-training staff so staff are solution focused.

All stock stored with Online Distribution Services will be kept in a secure, clean and moisture free warehouse. Most of our warehouses have been built specifically for us in the last 8 years and most are North facing to ensure maximum sunlight and minimum wind blown dust.

Our invoice structure is simple to understand, transparent and detailed. Payments are to be made within 20 days from date of invoice.

Online Distribution Services is a major purchaser of freight and consequently can pass on significant savings to clients. A freight schedule is available on request and these rates are based on a mixture of courier and long haul services. Online Distribution Services outsources to a number of different carriers ensuring you get the best freight service prices available. 

Online Distribution Services can manage your freight at competitive rates in New Zealand and Australia.

Online Distribution Services has opened 1-2 new sites every year for the last 10 years. We foresee no issue where we would not be able to accommodate any companys growth and can offer ongoing flexible solutions to this issue.

Online Distribution Services pride themselves on their ability to accommodate their client's growth by offering flexible solutions to meet their logistics needs.

Online Distribution Services prefers to work with, and alongside our clients stock management system as the favored method of stock management. Online Distribution Services currently operate many terminals for clients in-house, and find this method preferable for the following reasons:

• Enhanced flexibility
• Inexpensive to operate. Online Distribution Services does not include extra charges for unnecessary technology / upkeep.
• Stock levels are always up to date.
• Less errors due to no duplication of data.
• Labelling requirements are easier to satisfy.

Online Distribution Services can assist in providing suitable hardware free of charge where we share the same needs. Online Distribution Services staff are trained to use a range of recognised Warehouse Management Systems including;

• BPCS
• Management 2000
• Logistic Software
• SAP
• MYOB
• TIMS
• Oracle
• Accumen

If you do not have a warehouse managment system Online Distribution Services can work with you to find a solution that best suits your needs.

We contract for a large range of companies. We have clients who require up to 25 full time staff in their peak season through to small businesses who require perhaps only 1-2 hours of work a day. Online Distribution Services, position clients in Distribution Centres with an office if required, or can place them in a Distribution Centre where we have spare capacity and/or specialist equipment.

Online Distribution Services can provide different levels of service to suit your needs. Online Distribution Services will work with you in aligning your freight requirements to suit your customers requirements. This ensures the right level of service is provided at the right price delivering your product at the right time and right place. Online Distribution Services can provide, on request, a detailed dispatch schedule outlining the different delivery times available. 

In addition to this Online Distribution Services presence in Christchurch, Auckland and Sydney provide you with the opportunity to place your stock close to your market ensuring minimal lead times between you and your customer.