What challenges are logistics departments facing?
Shipping frequency has increased in the last few years and it isn’t slowing down. Many providers have struggled to ensure they have enough resources to accommodate this growth, so they’re seeking additional methods to increase efficiency and optimize the resources they currently have.
Carriers are investing in dimensioning and weighing equipment to ensure the Bill of Lading (BOL) submitted by shippers is accurate. Carriers will verify weight and dimensions of the shipment and, if an error is found, shippers will receive a chargeback.
Because most carriers rely on dimensional weight (dim weight) to determine prices, it is critical for logistics personnel to accurately determine dim weight. Dim weight is the amount of space, or the volume, that a parcel or pallet occupies in relation to its actual weight. Using dim weight to plan truck loading also ensures carriers are optimizing truckload potential.
While carriers have been increasing fees to help enforce compliance, shippers need to have evidence that proves a parcel or pallet was properly weighed and dimensioned. Without an image of the shipment captured by a dimensioning system, it is very difficult for a shipper to contest chargeback fees.
How do dimensioning systems help?
Dimensioning systems, or dimensioners, can calculate precise shipment dimensions, ensuring logistics personnel correctly determine package or freight class and shipping rates. Not only are automatic dimensioners more accurate than manually determining dim weight, but some dimensioners can provide measurements in less than 2 seconds, giving logistics operations a big efficiency boost.
What should someone look for when they’re ready to integrate dimensioning with their material handling operations?
Key features to look for in a dimensioner include speed, accuracy, installation flexibility, automatic scanning, full data capture, API integration and network connection. Ultimately, the dimensioning system needs to integrate with existing operations without creating extra work.
Capturing dimensions, weight and shipment images, and storing that data in internal databases gives managers greater data visibility. Stored shipment images can also assist with any damage claims by allowing shippers to verify shipment condition when it left their facility
