SKU is an acronym for Stock Keeping Unit.  It is a unique identification number each product has.  Every product we produce and fulfill for yo must have a unique SKU.  This number identifies specifically for us which item needs to be shipped, which is extremely helpful when you have several products that might be similarly named.

If your products do not have an SKU we will work with you to assign a suitable SKU.

Some products already have a number that can serve as its SKU number.  For example, books use a unique numbering system called an ISBN.  This is either a 10-digit or a 13-digit number printed above the barcode or on the back cover of a book.  Each version of a book – hardcover, softcover, ebook, audiobook, etc. will have its own unique ISBN.  We use the ISBN when available as the SKU number internally.

Some CDs and DVDs may also have an iSBN number preassigned and printed on the packaging.  Again, we use this preassigned number as the SKU whenever possible.

At Speaker Fulfillment Services we are firm believers in the importance of getting your products shipped out the door right away.  These keeps your customers happy and reduces refunds.

In order to follow through on our promise of orders in by noon are shipped the same business day you need to have inventory on hand.  You don’t want your customers to have to wait so the product can be manufactured, which can take from 4-10 days depending upon the complexity of the product and how many jobs are in our production queue at a given time.

So, what we strive to do is maintain your inventory within a range so that you never run out of product all the way so orders have to be held.  At the same time, we don’t want to produce any more than necessary so you have a minimal amount of money tied up in inventory.

Let’s say you’re selling 10 units of a given product per week.  That means we might set a reorder point at 20 units.  So, when your inventory level was down to 20 units we’ll automatically generate a work order to produce 40 more units.  That is the reorder quantity.

Your inventory would fluctuate between around 5 – 45 units overall in this example.  Obviously, your particular needs for reorder points and reorder quantities will vary by product.  The specific numbers will be worked out jointly between yourself and your Client Care Representative here at Speaker Fulfillment Services.

If you’re a new client to Speaker Fulfillment Services we request an initial good faith deposit on your first production run of 50% of the estimated cost of the job.

For all subsequent jobs, as long as you’ve kept your account in good standing, a 50% deposit will be required only when the total estimated cost of the job exceeds $1000.

In a pinch, you can.  But we prefer to work from known good master discs rather than downloading the content and burning a master here.  Why?  Because if something “hiccuped” during the download process we’d have no easy way of knowing if the master we created was 100% spot on.

So we prefer to work from a known good master disc that you provide.  Then we’ll do a straight disc to disc copy of your CD or DVD project.

If that “in a pinch” situation arrives send your files over via www.YouSendIt.com.  It’s a free service that allows you to send large files to us.  Normal email services will choke on larger files, so use the YouSendIt service if you’re unable to provide a physical master due to time constraints.

Many of the materials we utilize for production of your products are made from recycled items.  For example, most all of the DVD style cases used for disc packaging are made from recycled plastic.

Recycled paper for print products is available upon request, however it is a more expensive option than the 24 lb. paper we traditionally use for printing the pages of binders, manuals and workbooks.

Internally, we try to run as environmentally friendly of a fulfillment operation as possible.  We recycle our paper, plastic, cardboard, aluminum cans, and CDs and DVDs rather then depositing them in a landfill.

Speaker Fulfillment Services has been providing manufacturing of information products for our clients for a few years. Typically these products contain CDs and/or DVDs as part of the package. We’re frequently asked if we replicate or duplicate the discs we produce for people.

Since most of our clients are doing smaller production runs here at SFS we provide duplication of discs.  Replication only becomes feasible if you are ready to commit to producing 500 units of your product.

CD/DVD duplication in its purest definition means to copy discs. Actually, there are two different means to copy a disc – replication and duplication

Replication – Starting with a glass master that contains the data for the disc, a metal stamper is formed. The stamper is loaded into a molding machine and molten polycarbonate is injected into the mold thereby manufacturing the disc with the data stamped into the disc. A reflective aluminum layer is applied and the discs are printed with artwork.

Duplication – Starting with pre-manufactured blank recordable discs, the data is “burned” onto the discs one at a time. The process takes several minutes per disc depending on the speed of the recorder and the amount of
information you are recording.

Does It Matter?

Some people will tell you not to duplicate audio or video but only replicate. Others say there’s no difference at all. There is no data difference between a processed duplication and a glass mastered replication disc. But, there
are some differences and sometimes they do have an impact.

The reality has more to do with the playback equipment than the manufacturing process. Older, “set top” DVD players (hooks to your tv) sometimes have problems playing duplicated discs but rarely have problems with replicated discs (rarely doesn’t mean never).

Industry experts estimate that among the current installed drive base (computers and players) about 98% of the CD players will play duplicated CDs, and about 90% of the DVD players will play duplicated DVDs.

The ultimate decision is yours of course as to whether you’ll have your discs replicated or duplicated. You’ll have to weigh the larger up front cash commitment with replication vs. your ability to sell your product and the
potential differences between replicated and duplicated discs.

Some fulfillment companies simply throw away any products that have been returned to them, but that’s not how we handle it at Speaker Fulfillment Services.

Repackaging and rework come into play when a product has been returned by your customer for a refund.  If the bubblewrap obviously hasn’t even been broken into by your customer we’ll simply repackage your product into a clean white box and return to your inventory.  The cost of any repackaged item is a flat $3 to cover our labor and the cost of a new box.

Rework comes into play if the product has obviously been opened up and inspected or used by your customer.  All print manuals must be discarded because it’s not feasible to inspect page by page to make sure something hasn’t been underlined or highlighted.  But since we can reuse binders, disc cases, CDs and DVDs we rework only those components that need attention and then return the product to inventory for you.

Since some components are reusable the price of a “reworked” unit is less then that of a new unit produced from scratch, saving you money.

Normal production runs take from 5 to 7 days to complete and have the product in our distribution center ready to ship.

Rush service is available (2-4 days) for a 15% surcharge on top of the normal unit price.

Yes, we can print softcover and hardcover books. Minimum quantity on book printing in either of these formats is 250 books. Turn time on book printing runs around 4 weeks. Pricing depends upon quantity, trim size, and page count primarily. Call us at 812-877-7100 to discuss your perfect bound book printing needs.

Yes, tell us what your needs are.  Most binders are customized by inserting a printed piece into a clear overlay on the front, spine, and back of a typical 3-ring binder.  Binders are available in 1/2″, 1″, 1-1/2″, 2″ and 3″ sizes.

If you are looking for a higher end look we suggest entrapped or turned edge binders.  For entrapped or turned edge binders to be cost effective you usually need to be producing 500 or more units of a product.

Call us to discuss your particular needs.