A 3PL handling outbound shipments across healthcare, automotive, FMCG, consumer durables, and other product categories needed a more reliable way to manage package dimensions during shipping.
The problem was not simply getting length, width, and height. Those measurements had to support carton selection, package volume calculation, order verification, customer billing, and the shipment record in the WMS.
When dimensional data was missing or handled separately, those shipping decisions became harder. The 3PL needed the measurements to stay with the order throughout the outbound process, rather than being treated as a separate step.
Where Was Dimensional Data Causing Problems?
The issues started showing up while operators were getting orders ready to ship.
When dimensions were missing or unreliable, choosing the right carton became harder. Some items went into boxes that were too large or too small, which also made it harder to plan available cubic space for transportation.
The warehouse was also handling a wide mix of products, so accurate SKU data mattered. If that information was incomplete, operators had less to work with when deciding how fragile items should be placed. Damaged goods were already adding to the number of returns.
The WMS added another complication. The existing integration did not always carry the data through correctly, and some information was occasionally lost from the system. When that happened, the SKU profiles stored in the WMS were affected too.
Why Was Measuring the Package Alone Not Enough?
The 3PL did not simply need a device that returned package dimensions.
Each measurement had to stay with the correct customer and order. That information then needed to move into the WMS without asking operators to enter it again manually.
The existing process handled dimensioning, customer identification, carton decisions, and WMS records as separate steps. That became more difficult to manage as outbound activity increased across different customers and product types.
So faster measurement by itself was not enough. The dimensional record also had to become part of the normal outbound workflow.
What Changed at the Outbound Station?
The 3PL installed a vMeasure parcel dimensioning system at the station where operators were already preparing shipments.
Operators could place SKUs on the weighing platform without having to carefully line up each item. For the required SKU range, the system captured dimensions in less than one second, even when items were placed in a rough orientation.
The next question was making sure each measurement belonged to the correct order.
The interface was customized so operators could select the customer name and required volume unit while processing the shipment. Each order could then be mapped to the correct customer through a no-code workflow.
The dimensional shipping system was also integrated with the existing WMS. This allowed the captured dimensional data to move into the system the 3PL was already using. The customer’s IT team completed the integration with minimal time and effort, and additional workflows could be created without coding.
The device could be assembled, set up, and used for its first dimension within 20 minutes.
How Did the Day-to-Day Workflow Change?
| Before vMeasure | After vMeasure |
|---|---|
|
Package dimensions were not consistently available for carton decisions |
Dimensions were captured in less than one second |
|
Customer and order data required separate handling |
Orders could be mapped to the correct customer |
|
The existing process had WMS integration limitations |
Dimension data moved into the existing WMS |
|
Carton selection was affected by insufficient dimensional information |
Operators could choose cartons using measured SKU dimensions |
What Improved After Dimensioning Became Part of the Workflow?
Operators spent less time dimensioning parcels, which increased throughput at the outbound station.
More importantly, those measurements were available while shipments were being prepared. The 3PL could use them for carton selection and other outbound decisions instead of treating dimensioning as a separate activity.
The customer reported faster carton selection, lower shipping costs, less packaging waste, and a lower risk of overcharging customers.
Other parts of the process improved as well. The customer reported fewer damaged orders, more accurate order verification, less paperwork, and parcels reaching the outbound station ready for shipment faster than before.
For a 3PL managing shipments for multiple customers, the value was not simply measuring a package faster. The measurement stayed with the correct order and moved into the WMS, where it was available while the shipment was still being prepared.
If your operation still handles package dimensions separately from the rest of the outbound workflow, this approach may be worth considering.
Talk to the dimensioning experts
Talk with our team about how vMeasure can fit into your existing WMS and shipping process.
Book a demo to discuss a similar setup for your operation.
What do our customers say?
"…They are now indispensable components in our shipping process and have allowed us to predict shipping costs accurately…"
Bargain Book Stores
"...vMeasure provided excellent support throughout the product integration process, with readily available and effective after-sales assistance…"
Holisol
"...With vMeasure, we were able to take the cloud-based solution literally under a day and under a far more achievable budget..."
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