A fulfillment center offering same-day to two-day delivery was still measuring SKUs at receiving and parcels at packing by hand.
Those measurements were used across both inbound and outbound operations. SKU dimensions went into the WMS for slotting and storage planning. Final parcel dimensions were used for packaging, volumetric weight, and shipping charge calculations.
As volume increased, operators were spending more time measuring and entering the same type of data. When the dimensions were wrong, the effects showed up later in both inbound and outbound work.
Where Did the Delays Begin?
Receiving was one of the first places the problem showed up.
Operators measured each SKU manually and entered the dimensions into the WMS. If the dimensions were inaccurate, the WMS still used that record when assigning a storage location.
That affected slotting and added more time to picking.
A similar issue showed up at packing. Operators needed accurate parcel dimensions for carton selection, volumetric weight, and shipping calculations. If the measurement was wrong, the data used for those decisions was wrong as well.
Why Did the Fulfillment Center Need a Simpler Way to Automate Measurement?
The fulfillment center wanted to automate dimension capture without adding another computer at every station or changing the barcode scanning process operators already followed.
The new setup also needed to work with the existing WMS. Operators shouldn’t have to measure an item automatically and then enter the same data again.
The goal was to keep receiving and packing familiar while removing the manual measurement and data-entry steps.
What Changed at Receiving and Packing?
The fulfillment center installed the vMeasure DWS System at its receiving and packing stations and integrated it with the WMS.
Operators kept the same barcode scanning step. Once a barcode was scanned, vMeasure automatically captured the dimensions and transferred the measurement data directly into the WMS.
At receiving, the system captured SKU dimensions along with additional product attributes used for storage and handling.
At packing, it captured parcel dimensions and volumetric weight for packaging and shipping calculations.
The standalone touchscreen also meant operators did not need another workstation computer at each station.
What Changed Before and After vMeasure?
| Before vMeasure | After vMeasure |
|---|---|
|
Operators measured items and entered dimensions manually |
Barcode scanning triggered automated dimension capture |
|
SKU dimensions were entered separately into the WMS |
Captured dimensions moved directly into the WMS |
|
Parcel dimensions were measured by hand at packing |
Parcel dimensions and volumetric weight were captured automatically |
|
Another workstation computer would have been needed |
The built-in touchscreen supported the measurement workflow |
What Improved After Automated Dimensioning?
The WMS received more accurate SKU dimensions for slotting and storage planning. That gave operators better location data when picking orders.
At packing, operators no longer had to stop and measure each completed parcel by hand. Parcel dimensions and volumetric weight were captured as part of the packing workflow and sent into the system.
With manual measurement and separate data entry removed from both points in the process, the fulfillment center reduced pick-and-pack time by 30%.
How Did the Results Improve Inbound and Outbound Operations?
| Operations | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
|
Inbound – Slotting |
Inconsistent SKU dimensions affected storage location assignments |
Accurate SKU dimensions improved slotting decisions in the WMS |
|
Outbound – Pick and pack time |
Slotting and picking inefficiencies increased order preparation time |
Pick-and-pack time reduced by 30% |
|
Outbound – Shipping charges |
Manual parcel dimensions affected shipping charge calculations |
Verified dimensions and volumetric weight provided accurate data for shipping calculations |
Are Manual Measurements Still Part of Your Fulfillment Workflow?
If operators still measure SKUs or parcels by hand, those dimensions are likely being used for storage planning, picking, packaging, and shipping calculations.
Talk with our team about where the vMeasure DWS system fits into your warehouse operation.
Talk to the dimensioning experts
Explore how vMeasure Parcel dimensioner fits into your parcel measurement workflow.
Book a demo to discuss a similar setup for your operation.
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