Master data is indispensable for Van Moer Logistics for shipping less air.
In the logistics industry, e-commerce success and minimizing shipping costs are closely intertwined. Four years ago, as Van Moer Logistics ventured into the world of e-commerce, they were aware of this challenge.
It wasn't long before Optioryx and Van Moer Logistics crossed paths, offering a solution: 3D bin packing software, which calculates the optimal packing configuration for every product set.
Helping Van Moer Logistics Ship Less Air
"A solution was needed to know what we should and could put in one box, because we didn't know beforehand which items would fit in a box," explains Sophie De Vleeschauwer, Solution Design Manager at Van Moer Logistics.
"To address this challenge, our first step was determining the optimal box size for each order. Previously, we relied on random boxes without considering the specific order profile."
Sophie De Vleeschauwer, Solution Design Manager at Van Moer Logistics:
"Our pickers didn't know in advance how many and which items would fit in a box.
We also sometimes ordered too many shipping labels."
This approach resulted in packing a lot of air, leading to higher transportation costs, and the order picking process itself was suboptimal.
"By checking afterwards how many items could fit in one box, we experienced time delays and made mistakes. We also ended up requesting an excessive number of labels from the carrier, resulting in unnecessary costs for unshipped packages because it turned out that fewer boxes were required."
‘The Perfect Fit’
Optioryx's 3D software helps companies pack less air in boxes while providing more efficient stacking of boxes on pallets and in trucks. The start-up was aware that many commercial players operate with a box assortment that is not aligned with the order and item profile of their customers, nor with the transportation cost structure established by their parcel carriers.
Optioryx's 3D algorithm optimizes box assortment using artificial intelligence. Optioryx provides a box assortment that strongly matches the order or item profile and the transportation used.
In the case of Van Moer Logistics, that includes seven types of boxes and two types of cardboard envelopes. However, Optioryx's solution is aimed at all players in the e-commerce world: from web shops over suppliers to warehouses, in addition to 3PLs facing the omnichannel evolution.
Thanks to Optioryx's software, order pickers know in advance which of the
seven types of boxes to take. The advantage is that for each order, they
can be sure that all items will fit into the specified box.
A Quick Win & Implementation
Optioryx makes the case that their 3D software enables companies to save an average of 7 to 12 % compared to the traditional way of packaging. Moreover, in doing so, a company does not have to change anything to its operational process.
The experience of Van Moer Logistics illustrates the smooth implementation and compatibility with WMS and TMS packages.
Sophie De Vleeschauwer: "The use of the 3D solution is quite unique, especially in terms of speed. Every order we receive, we first send it as an EDI message to Optioryx's system, after which we immediately receive a message back with information about which products to pack in which boxes."
In other words, each customer order gets translated into an order profile with a list of products.
"The system contains information about the dimensions of each product and of our different types of boxes and envelopes. The 3D software then determines the right box for the best possible 'fit' for the order. Transportation costs and weight are also a driving force in this process."
It was revealed that significantly more items could fit into a single box, resulting in substantial savings in terms of the number of shipping labels required.
Closing The Gap
Optioryx aims to continue to broaden the utilization of 3D applications at Van Moer logistics. Optioryx has now also introduced mobile dimensioning, enabling service providers to enhance their master data and close the gap that exists between inaccurate or lack of data, optimization, and the utilization of precise dimensions. This advancement benefits all supply chain operations – from receiving and put-away and order fulfillment to transport cost calculations, invoicing and packing operations, as well as shipping endeavors like vehicle forecasting and truck load planning.