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STORAGE, HANDLING & LOGISTICS

Most transport companies weigh pallets for transport, while others dimension them or take a
picture too. However, combining all these data sources takes pallet handling to a higher level
of measurement accuracy and profitability.

Pallet Handling and Dimensioning

Start with weighing basics: There is no reason not to weigh – but it’s not just parcel operations that benefit from best-in-class
1when a scale can be installed on the forklift truck used to dimensioners. No matter what you measure, make sure you capture all
transport it. Profitable logistics starts with pallet weight to ensure your data with ease.
you get paid properly (and do not overload your vehicles). We regularly talk about read rate on an automatic sorting line, as any
object not read first-pass requires additional handling, directly impacting
Get paid for space: If you don’t dimension, chances are you efficiency and operational costs. Although operations in freight terminals
2are not getting paid properly for storage space. Transport are more manual by nature, the ability of your dimensioner to measure
providers lose the most money on big, bulky freight. Space creates all shapes and surfaces still has a clear effect on both productivity and
huge revenue potential for companies that either charge by weight revenue.
alone or have a set pallet price. Pallet dimensioning can be used Why dimensioners fail? Dimensioners often struggle with freight that
for dimensional weight pricing and revenue recovery or density is covered with reflective wrapping or has a dark, dull surface. Shiny
classification. surfaces reflect light and can “blind” the dimensioner. Dark surfaces
absorb light and can make it difficult for the dimensioner to “see” enough
Have the right pricing structure in place: A switch to light to make an accurate measurement. If your dimensioner can’t read
3dimensional weight pricing drives efficiency in packing and a pallet, that pallet may go unmeasured if the operator doesn’t have time
handling for environmental gains. Your operations department to measure it. Each pallet that goes unmeasured represents unrecovered
will benefit as a whole and quickly learn to identify the pallets that revenue.
have the best potential for revenue recovery. Unread pallets are equal lost profits. If a freight carrier sends 500
pallets a day and 10 percent of those go unread by the dimensioner, it
Use cameras for quality: Quality control is achieved by can be costly. If the average revenue recovered on each pallet is $60
4adding cameras to your system. Taking a picture of each dollars, that amounts to $3,000 per day, which quickly adds up to $75,000
pallet helps to track if and when damage occurred. This information per month. It is easy to understand the impact this loss would have on
can help with customer communication, damage claims or a company’s annual profits. The fewer limitations your dimensioner has,
disputes. the more revenue you recover.

Benefit from a fully integrated solution: The best way to
5automate pallet data capture and improve handling efficiency
is to have one solution that does it all. A
single solution that combines a dimensioner,
scale, barcode reader camera and is
seamlessly interfaced with an additional
hand-held device with the right data-
management software offers transport
providers all the information they need for
profitable, efficient logistic.
The importance of read rate on an
automatic conveyor line is well documented

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