Case Study
How did a transportation company improve fleet management and reduce truck loading time by replacing manual dimensioning with automated dimensioning?
Industry
3PL
Product
Automated Package Dimensioner
Process
Outbound Logistics
Use case
Fleet Management
Truck load optimization
Integration
Wireless Barcode Scanner
Warehouse Management System
Case Study Summary
The client is a 3PL who deployed vMeasure at the pack station to quicken the pace of their packing and loading process by replacing manual dimensioning.
In addition to replacing the manual dimensioning process, vMeasure integrated a wireless barcode scanner to provide easy mobility to the warehouse staff.
The implementation of vMeasure decreased their truck loading time by 30% as the manual dimensioning process was replaced by automated dimensioning.
Problems faced by the Client
- Business Problems
- Logistics Problems
- IT Problems
Missed Delivery Schedules
The company missed its delivery timelines which decreased customer satisfaction and faith in its services.
Unproductive Fleet Management
The company felt it difficult to onboard new customers since its existing fleet was not operating productively.
Packing Area Congestion
The packing area would sometimes get congested as the workers could not improve their order processing speed.
High Truck Loading Time
Manual dimensioning in the pack station slowed down loading as the trucks waited in the loading bay for far too long.
Underutilized Truck Capacity
The truck’s capacity was not used to the fullest, so the trucks made more trips than necessary.
Low Order Processing Speed
At times, the staff could not keep up with the influx of orders into the pack station because manual dimensioning restricted their order processing speed. Hence, orders piled up in the pack station.
Manual Data Upload to WMS
The IT Team had to do most of the heavy lifting concerning data upload to the WMS as the dimensioning was manual.
Non-compatible dimensioning solution for WMS
They could not find a suitable dimensioning solution that seamlessly integrates with the company’s WMS without demanding drastic makeovers of their existing IT systems.
Inadequate Technology
The company’s technological infrastructure at that point did not support sophisticated integrations.
Business Problems
Missed Delivery Schedules
The company missed its delivery timelines which decreased customer satisfaction and faith in its services.
Unproductive Fleet Management
The company felt it difficult to onboard new customers since its existing fleet was not operating productively.
Packing Area Congestion
The packing area would sometimes get congested as the workers could not improve their order processing speed.
Logistics Problems
High Truck Loading Time
Manual dimensioning in the pack station slowed down loading as the trucks waited in the loading bay for far too long.
Underutilized Truck Capacity
The truck’s capacity was not used to the fullest, so the trucks made more trips than necessary.
Low Order Processing Speed
At times, the staff could not keep up with the influx of orders into the pack station because manual dimensioning restricted their order processing speed. Hence, orders piled up in the pack station.
IT Problems
Manual Data Upload to WMS
The IT Team had to do most of the heavy lifting concerning data upload to the WMS as the dimensioning was manual.
Non-compatible dimensioning solution for WMS
They could not find a suitable dimensioning solution that seamlessly integrates with the company’s WMS without demanding drastic makeovers of their existing IT systems.
Inadequate Technology
The company’s technological infrastructure at that point did not support sophisticated integrations.
Why did the customer choose vMeasure over other dimensioners?
- Dimensioning Capability
- Hardware Integration
- Software Integration
- Physical Characteristics
vMeasure covered all the product/SKU sizes which need to be dimensioned within <1 second.
The accuracy and repeatability metrics aligned with the Operations teams’ expectations.
The client wanted to ensure the free movement of their warehouse associates at the packing station.
The vMeasure team integrated a wireless barcode to provide more mobility to the warehouse associates.
The vMeasure team built the workflow to suit the dimensioning flow of the client.
The wireless barcode was seamlessly integrated with the dimensioner without requiring drastic software changes.
vMeasure was small and compact, leaving more space for the warehouse worker to move freely.
The device came with minimal parts and can be installed in 15 – 20 minutes.
Dimensioning Capability
vMeasure covered all the product/SKU sizes which need to be dimensioned within <1 second.
The accuracy and repeatability metrics aligned with the Operations teams’ expectations.
Hardware Integration
The client wanted to ensure the free movement of their warehouse associates at the packing station.
The vMeasure team integrated a wireless barcode to provide more mobility to the warehouse associates.
Software Integration
The vMeasure team built the workflow to suit the dimensioning flow of the client.
The wireless barcode was seamlessly integrated with the dimensioner without requiring drastic software changes.
Physical Characteristics
vMeasure was small and compact, leaving more space for the warehouse worker to move freely.
The device came with minimal parts and can be installed in 15 – 20 minutes.
The vMeasure Dimensioning Solution
vMeasure Dimensioning system acts as an entire dimensioning + order verification solution for the client. The following business process was completed using the vMeasure UX on the touch screen
- The order details, along with the SKUs to be packed for the order, are displayed.
- The warehouse associate then scans the individual FNSKU to verify.
- Once all the items are verified using the FNSKU, the warehouse associate then packs the order and places the package on the vMeasure system.
- The warehouse associate scans the confirmation barcode to trigger the measurement on the vMeasure system.
- Once the measurement is triggered, the vMeasure system automatically dimensions the package and updates the corresponding data to Ship-Station
- The vMeasure system returns to the order ID scan screen automatically once the data upload to ShipStation is complete.
How did the client benefit from vMeasure package dimensioner?
- Business
- Operational
- Administrative
The current fleet was optimized, enabling the company to commit to more deliveries which meant more business.
Customer satisfaction grew as the company met the promised delivery timelines.
The subscription pricing model proved very feasible for the company as they did not have to make a capital expenditure on the dimensioner.
The company was able to reduce its carbon emission levels as the trucks’ capacity was fully utilized.
The wireless barcode integration improved ergonomics as the warehouse associate’s movements weren’t restricted anymore.
vMeasure seamlessly integrated with their WMS without needing a complex operational overhaul.
Warehouse associates processed more orders since their dimensioning workflow was reduced from 6 manual steps to 2.
The trucks were fully utilized as accurate dimensions went into the planning of the load.
The vMeasure workflow was so easy to integrate that it acted as a part of the larger enterprise software.
It was much easier to reduce the risk of overcharging customers as the team had accurate dimensions at hand.
The elimination of manual dimensioning reduced workforce fatigue and enabled them to switch to high-value activities.
The quality of data improved and became well-organized, making it easier for decision-makers to analyze.
What makes vMeasure the only vMeasure Package Dimensioner
capable of solving your needs?
vMeasure is an highly adaptable dimensioning as a service solution which can capture the height, length, width, weight and image of the parcel/SKU in <1 second. With an ability to dimension anything from envelopes to refrigerators using three different mount heights/modes (Small Sku Mode, White goods mode, All Parcel mode) all starting at just 130 USD a month. Check out the complete dimensioning range in the interactive below
- Small SKU Mode
- All Parcel Mode
- White Goods Mode
- Mount Height
- Min and Max Measurable Size
- Measuring Accuracy
- Dimensioning Size Range
- Additional Data Capture
- Mount Height
- Min and Max Measurable Size
- Measuring Accuracy
- Dimensioning Size Range
- Additional Data Capture
- Mount Height
- Min and Max Measurable Size
- Measuring Accuracy
- Dimensioning Size Range
- Additional Data Capture
- Small SKU
- All Parcel
- White Goods
Mount Height
Min and Max Measurable Size