Dimensioning systems have proven themselves to be a great tool for companies all over the world in a variety of industries. This technology continues to be a productive way to boost revenues, reduce expenses, increase efficiency, and cut down on human errors. Several companies are now offering dimensioning systems. With many options available, how does someone choose a partner to help them with their dimensioning? In this article, we'll discuss what to look for in a dimensioning system provider.
PEOPLE
Yes, technology is fantastic. However, like all equipment, it’s important to have great people behind it. A quality dimensioning system provider will have a team composed of people experienced in the industry. Pay close attention during your interactions with a provider. Ask about their support and take your time getting to know them to get a feel for the type of people you would be working with. Oftentimes, relationships are just as important as the equipment and technology.
What Type of Systems do they Provide?
There are three main types of dimensioning systems. Static, in-motion, and pallet. Static systems capture the dimensions and weight of an item as the item sits motionless. You bring the product to the dimensioner, or move the dimensioner to the product with a mobile cart. In-motion systems capture the dimensions of items as they pass through a tunnel or underneath a sensor. Pallet dimensioners are typically mounted to a warehouse ceiling and measure palletized freight placed within a measurement zone beneath the system. All three dimensioning systems have their benefits. It all depends on your operation.
DO THEY SPECIALIZE IN PARCEL OR PALLET
DIMENSIONING?
This is an important question to ask. Parcels are single packages while a pallet can be numerous packages wrapped together. Pallets can be quite large and require the use of a forklift to move around in a warehouse and place on a delivery vehicle. Therefore, a bigger dimensioning system is necessary to effectively collect the essential dimensional data for shipping and transport. If you’re receiving hundreds of individual parcels every day, a smaller parcel dimensioner is probably the best choice.
HOW GOOD ARE THE ACCESSORIES?
Modern dimensioners are equipped with an assortment of accessories used to collect dimensional data including but not limited to, mobile carts, barcode scanners, laptop tray kits, and more. These options vary in cost and they all have pros and cons. Decide what kind of accessories would best suit your company's needs.
What kind of technology collects the data?
Every dimensioning system has integral technology and equipment that gathers the dimensional data of items. This technology ranges from 3D cameras, to lasers, to ultrasound. Like all equipment, they each have their strengths and weaknesses. When speaking with a potential provider, let them know what kind of items you commonly need dimensions for, and make sure they have a system with the necessary technology to tackle the challenge.
IS THEIR HARDWARE BUILT IN-HOUSE OR DO THEY WORK WITH A THIRD PARTY?
Some providers build their systems in-house while others opt to outsource production. Generally speaking, in-house production is a major plus for anyone interested in purchasing dimensioning equipment. If a company does run production through a third party, it can affect the cost and quality of equipment as well as customer service and support such as repairs or replacement parts.
Software INTEGRATION WITH EXISTING WORKFLOWS
Great software is essential for any dimensioning solution. If the dimensioning system software can't easily integrate with your existing Warehouse Management System (WMS) it won't help your business as much as it could or should. Make sure the software offered by a dimensioning system provider can smoothly integrate into your existing WMS and other software you may have in place. This could mean the provider provides training resources or sends someone to do some onsite training to make the transition as easy as possible.
CONCLUSION
Dimensioning systems are a great step forward for several industries. They make things cheaper, faster, and easier for everyone involved in the process. There will continue to be innovation in the world of dimensioning and here are at Cubiscan, we’re at the forefront of those innovations.
To learn more about our dimensioning systems, click the button below, send an email to info@cubiscan.com, or call us at 801-451-7000.
