UC alum delivers virtual startup in e-commerce fulfillment
Flowspace levels the playing field for brands
Every click counts in today's fast-paced world of e-commerce, and the backbone of its success lies in efficient logistics and fulfillment operations.
Jason Harbert, co-founder and chief technology officer, Flowspace. Photo/Flowspace
Enter Flowspace, an industry disruptor pioneering a new era of independent fulfillment solutions.
University of Cincinnati alumnus Jason Harbert attended the College of Engineering and Applied Science. He is the co-founder and chief technology officer (CTO) of Flowspace, partnering with CEO Ben Eachus. They combined their passion, skillsets and experience to create a cutting-edge full-service fulfillment management solution for direct-to-consumer (DTC) and business-to-business (B2B) models.
“Flowspace works with hundreds of brands to help orchestrate and optimize their fulfillment operations. These brands are selling physical products online and in retail channels and use the Flowspace platform to manage orders, inventory and fulfill their goods through our optimized network,” Harbert said.
Flowspace helps brands manage their orders and inventory and handles the complexity of running a large fulfillment operation with industry-leading service-level agreements. Flowspace's software facilitates all of this daily, giving clients transparency to know where everything is in real time and the ability to focus on building their brand.
Jason Harbert Co-founder and chief technology officer, Flowspace
No warehouse, no problem
Flowspace software platform tracks client orders in real-time. Photo/Flowspace
A typical challenge e-commerce businesses face is where to house their goods and how to unlock timely and accurate delivery to compete with tech giants like Amazon.
Flowspace enables an industry-leading fulfillment experience for its clients, though it does not own or operate any warehouses itself. Flowspace has built a network of existing third-party logistics providers (3PLs) across the country.
Embedded within is Flowspace’s proprietary software and data platform, powering fulfillment for brand customers. From burgeoning startups to large, seasoned retailers, Flowspace enables its clients to efficiently manage the complexities of modern logistics by navigating pick up, storage, packing and delivery of products.
Harbert said Flowspace customers incorporate its software beyond fulfillment operations, using the platform to design their optimal fulfillment network, forecast inventory levels, route orders and rate-shop across many regional carriers. As CTO, he is highly familiar with technology, supervising the team-building software that empowers e-commerce businesses and enables their success.
With decades of experience in large-scale software development, and prior to co-founding Flowspace, Harbert led engineering teams at Oversee.net and played pivotal roles in several thriving internet startups. His early investigations into phishing attacks resulted in the creation of widely adopted anti-spam, anti-phishing and anti-virus fingerprinting algorithms.
"Flowspace helps brands manage their orders, inventory and takes care of the complexity of running a large fulfillment operation with industry-leading service level agreements. Flowspace's software facilitates all of this daily, giving clients transparency to know where everything is in real-time and the ability to focus on building their brand," Harbert said.
Out-of-the-box innovation
Flowspace's advanced software design empowers businesses to streamline operations and fulfillment. Photo/Flowspace
Raised in the shadow of a DHL facility, where his family was employed, Harbert got his first job packing boxes, so he knows a thing or two about logistical challenges for brands. Harbert's passion was to create technology that simplifies logistical tasks, tracking and warehouse operations.
At the heart of Flowspace's success story lies its innovative approach to fulfillment. By seamlessly integrating advanced software with a flexible network and top-tier services, the company empowers businesses to streamline operations, drive down costs and exceed customer expectations in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
“Our service identifies ways we can maximize our client’s needs,” Harbert said. “For example, they may be located in Los Angeles and it’s convenient to store and fulfill goods from a warehouse nearby, but if they have customers on the East Coast then they’re losing a lot of money by not fulfilling from an optimal location. We look at the client’s sales history and model what an optimal fulfillment network could look like. With an optimized network, brands can lower fulfillment costs, unlock one and two-day delivery and reduce carbon emissions.”
For e-commerce startups, navigating this logistical maze can be daunting. The challenges are many, from managing inventory to processing orders and ensuring timely delivery.
As the e-commerce landscape continues to evolve in today's era of instant gratification and heightened consumer expectations, businesses that master the art of fulfillment stand poised for success. In fact, Flowspace was recently selected by TikTok as its first-ever U.S. partner, powering fulfillment for TikTok Shop. It also was named as Fast Company’s 2024 Most Innovative Companies.
"Flowspace understands this reality and empowers brands of all sizes to leverage their supply chains as a competitive advantage. With our innovative model, software platform and extensive network, brands stand to gain a competitive edge, enhancing efficiency and meeting the ever-growing demand for seamless shopping experiences." Harbert said. “Fulfillment is not merely a logistical hurdle but a strategic asset.”
Featured image at top: Supply chain management graphic. Photo/Adobe stock image
Innovation Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
UC alum delivers virtual startup in e-commerce fulfillment
April 2, 2024
University of Cincinnati alumnus Jason Harbert attended the College of Engineering. He is the co-founder and chief technology officer (CTO) of Flowspace, partnering with CEO Ben Eachus. They combined their passion, skillsets and experience to create a cutting-edge full-service fulfillment management solution for direct-to-consumer (DTC) and business-to-business (B2B) models.
UC-backed, alum-founded startup featured in Business Courier
November 23, 2022
From a pool of more than 1,000 applicants nationally, a University of Cincinnati Venture Lab-backed startup was one of just six companies selected for a 12-week accelerator program.
Delivering fresh discoveries
November 21, 2022
A boomerang best describes Dan Whitacre’s career path. No matter where the flight course led, he always returned to Kroger. Five times over the last four decades. As senior director of Kroger Labs and Transformation, a University of Cincinnati alumnus and adjunct professor, Whitacre is the first to tell you that his career journey studying to be an electrical engineer and computer programmer has had many twists and turns.