Ecommerce and fulfillment operations are experiencing significant growth with no end in sight. If you’re one of the lucky ones you are likely facing the need to process an increasing volume of parcels. This may be the time when it makes financial and operational sense to transition your sorting operations from manual to automated. Automated parcel sorting systems not only help you move packages out the door quickly, they can also help make the entire process more efficient and cost effective.
As you begin to evaluate your requirements for a new automated parcel sorting system, it’s important to understand the essential system components and how they work. At ID Parcel and Mail Solutions we build our Packet Parcel Sorting System (PPSS) custom for each client. We often advise our clients that not all of the bells and whistles will be required, and some may not be cost effective at all. Choosing the right features will depend on your specific throughput requirements as well as other factors. We work closely with clients to ensure they are choosing the right ones.
A few of the more common features include barcode readers that scan labels to establish sorting routes, dimensioning systems and scales that measure and weigh packages to assign the best shipping costs, and automatic labeling systems that speed up the process and provide better label accuracy. For an in-depth breakdown of available features for packet parcel sorting systems, view ID Parcel & Mail Solutions’ White Paper, Exploring The Range of Automated Parcel Sorting System Features For Improved Throughput And Cost Efficiencies.
To better prepare you for the shift from manual to automated parcel sorting, let’s take a closer look at the factors to consider before you make the transition.
Automated parcel sorting systems can be built with a wide range of functionality and to process different ranges of package sizes. One of the key factors to determining the required sizes and features needed will be required throughput. Technologies such as automatic labeling, dimensioning systems and high-speed sorters are designed to increase parcel throughput. Before diving into what type of system you will need, you’ll want to establish how many parcels need to be processed per hour, now and in the future with consideration for peak periods.
At ID Parcel & Mail Solutions we encourage our clients to consider the future requirements of the system. If your organization is growing, you’ll want to think about the value of building a modular system that can be added on to in the future, or more easily moved to new facilities.
Before designing an automated parcel sorting system it’s important to know the configuration and dimensions of your warehouse space. Systems can be built to accommodate tight spaces by incorporating curves and by using different sorter types. Knowing your restrictions, if any, will help avoid issues before the design process begins.
Additionally, when planning the space for the new automation, keep in mind that space will be necessary for processing manually while the Automated Parcel Sorting System is setup and prepared for operations. This usually requires reducing the allocated space for manual operations. Once the automation is online, then consideration of how the space usage changes as packages will process more quickly, and this will change the queuing space requirements. Ultimately, space consumption may be reduced if outbound shipping of packages is more frequent, and packages spend less time in the facility.
Some fulfillment setups are more prone to shipping and tracking errors. If tracking, labeling, and other data errors are persistent issues that negatively effect the customer service experience, you will want to consider incorporating features that can help. Automatic labeling is a good example. Auto labelers provide a much more accurate labeling solution – helping to cut down mislabels.
Manual parcel sorting requires a certain set of processes that can include input data capture, process flow, labeling specification requirements, etc. When you shift to automation some of these process requirements are likely to change. It’s important to carefully evaluate your existing processes, in depth, and establish what changes will be required to accommodate the processes of the new system.
Likewise, installing an automated parcel sorting system requires making space available for the machine while still processing packages via the manual methods. Rarely do clients have excess space for this change. Planning for the changes and working with an experienced partner who understands the challenge of this transition is critical to the success of the project. Depending on the size and scope of the system, ID’s modular PPSS can be installed and up and running very quickly to minimize operational disruption.
At the end of the day the investment in an automated parcel sorting system needs to not only pay for itself, but it should reduce the overall cost of processing parcels compared to doing so manually. At ID Parcel & Mail Solutions our PPSS is custom designed. This way we are able to incorporate only the features that are necessary to the achieve the client’s goals. Choosing the right types of features, and the level of feature sophistication, often leads to a more cost-effective solution.
Different features will be better suited to process certain parcel types. For example, a two headed opto-electrical dimensioner will provide more accurate dimensioning results when scanning irregular packages, such as poly bags. The two scanners capture the parcel at multiple angles, which provides a larger field of capture. Factoring in the various types of parcels that you will be processing will be key to choosing the right technologies.
If you’re processing large volumes of parcels, and anticipate growth in the future, moving from manual sorting to an automated parcel sorting system can pay off quickly. The ROI on automation, for the right operations, can be considerable. If you are considering this shift, please reach out to ID Parcel and Mail Solutions. We will help you from the very start through to service and maintenance after the equipment is up and running. And we’ll make sure you are getting a system that meets the specific needs of your operation.
