Reasons for Pallet Dimensioning

Shippers and carriers depend, now more than ever, on collecting measurements accurately, quickly, and efficiently.

With the implementation of a pallet dimensioners in their operations - a tool that retrieves the dimensional data (length, width, and height) of the pallet - shippers and carriers can avoid costly dimensional errors and incorrect invoicing.

Reasons For Dimensioning

Both shippers and carriers need a control mechanism for correct and exact delivery measurements and weights.

This control mechanism is dimensioning which ensures that invoices (or freight bills of lading) have accurate information about the dimensional weight of the shipped or received goods.

• From the shippers’ point of view the importance of dimensioning lies in knowing the exact measurements and weight of each pallet in the warehouse in order to have proof (or transport invoice control) for carriers that the dimensions for the shipped product are accurate in case of false volumetric surcharges, which otherwise could not be refuted without the necessary documentation.
• From the carriers’ point of view, the importance of dimensioning is to verify that the shipper has shipped the product with the exact measurements and weight they claim. This helps to provide accurate invoices and ensures that the carrier does not have to transport more volumetric weight than the carrier is supposed to. Correct dimensions directly impact their P&L.

Accurate dimensional data increases the accuracy of the information provided in invoices, making sure customers do not overpay for dimensions they did not pay for.

Parcel, LTL (Less-Than-Truckload), and groupage carriers invoice their customers based on the weight and dimensional weight of the items. Therefore, dimensioning is a crucial process in their business. Every mistake in the process has a direct impact on the profits and loss and profit margin.

   2. Quality control

Goods can get damaged during transport, but since automated dimensioning systems can take an image of the products – either of a pallet or a box – shippers can provide proof that the packaging was in perfect condition before transport.  In that case, the discussion arises if the goods were damaged before or during shipping. With a picture and a timestamp, you can protect yourself as a shipper.

In warehouse and fulfillment processes money translates to space and vice versa, so having the data for precise dimensional information of your product is crucial.

With an automated dimensioning system, pallet dimensions can be automatically imported into a warehouse management system (WMS) or transport management system (TMS) which simplifies the process of determining how and where to arrange products for optimized pick density and decreased order fulfillment time, by considering the size of the available warehouse slots and Ti-Hi.

For example, during inbound deliveries, the inbound pallets need to be positioned in a warehouse slot. The possible slots depend on the height of the pallet and the size of the slot. Therefore, you need to know the current availability of your warehouse slots, whether they can be stacked on top of other pallets due to the weight, and many other slotting criteria.

Dimensioning methods

There are two main types of dimensioning methods - traditional (or manual) dimensioning and automated dimensioning.

Traditional dimensioning means the manual way of measuring and weighing the product. This process entails measuring pallets with a tape measurer and then entering this data into a WMS or TMS.

Automated dimensioning entails measuring the same dimensions by using a dimensioner - a machine paired with cameras and a weighing scale to calibrate the dimensional weight (DIM) of items quicker and more accurately.

Automated vs. manual dimensioning

   1. Measuring speed and processing

While some forms of dimensioning are better than no dimensioning at all, previously mentioned manual ways of measuring can be quite tedious, time-consuming, laborious, inaccurate, and overall ineffective.

By using an automated pallet dimensioner one of the first noticeable improvements is in measuring speed which significantly accelerates dimensioning and data processing into WMS or TMS.

When implementing a pallet dimensioner two types of speed-ups can be noticed immediately:

• Measuring pallets takes seconds rather than minutes
• Entering dimensional data in WMS or TMS is automatic

In the context of automated pallet dimensioning, fast dimensioning does not mean low accuracy.

A pallet dimensioner provides a high dimensioning accuracy level for each pallet coming into a warehouse.

   3. Increased profits

The previously mentioned reasons and benefits of implementing a pallet dimensioner lead to an increase in profit.

Quicker and more accurate measurements translate to fewer delays in workflow and fewer errors in measurement operations. Automated dimensioning also ensures measuring more inventory in less time and a decrease in labor for dimensioning purposes.

Additionally, knowing the exact measurements and weight can help in determining current shipping costs as well as forecast shipping costs based on master data in your warehouse.

Solutions

Currently, many businesses offer multiple automated dimensioning solutions in the form of static dimensioning systems.

While these solutions can be effective, the price of these products can be very high, which is why many warehouses still rely on manual means of dimensioning.

Static dimensioning systems are set to only one specific warehouse location. While the measuring speed and data accuracy of the static and mobile dimensioning systems can be similar, the products in the case of the static dimensioning have to be moved to the dimensioner and then placed under it, which can be difficult in case of a heavy box or even impossible in case of a full pallet.

Mobile pallet dimensioner allows more flexibility in terms of item size and weight. With a mobile dimensioning device, items do not have to be moved to a specific location for them to be measured. Pallets can be measured in seconds without leaving their current location and this solution doesn’t have to cost thousands of dollars.

Conclusions

With a pallet dimensioner on your side, you can reap benefits in your operational workflow.  A quick win with a massive impact.

If you want to learn more about the benefits of dimensioning in a warehouse, check out our blog post on "9 Benefits of Dimensioning In a Warehouse."