Susan Lacefield has been working for supply chain publications since 1999. Before joining DC VELOCITY, she was an associate editor for Supply Chain Management Review and wrote for Logistics Management magazine. She holds a master's degree in English.
If it seems you're hearing a lot about warehouse dimensioning systems these days, there's a reason for that. Now more than ever, warehouses and DCs need to have accurate measurements for all of their products and shipments. For parcel shipments, that dimensional data is crucial for accurately calculating shipping costs and choosing the right carton. For pallet shipments, dimensional data can help users calculate exactly how much room a load will occupy in the trailer. And inside the DC, accurate dimensional data makes it easier to slot items and optimize the facility's storage space.
While you could send an employee out with a tape measure to record the height, width, and length of each product or carton, that approach is time-consuming and error-prone. One small improvement is using an electronic tape measure (e-tape) or digital tape measure that will take and record the measurements for you. But the more products your distribution center deals with, the more sense it makes to use automated dimensioning equipment that requires minimal human involvement.
Before you begin looking at dimensioning equipment, however, it helps to know what your options are and which types of units work best for what applications. In general, dimensioning systems fall into two major categories: systems that are designed to measure pallet loads, and systems designed to measure parcels or individual items. That second category—parcel dimensioners—can be further broken down into two types of units: static tabletop dimensioning systems and in-motion systems that measure items as they pass through a tunnel. What follows is a look at these systems as well as some of their strengths and weaknesses.
DIMENSIONING FOR THE WHOLE PALLET
As its name suggests, a pallet dimensioning system is used to calculate the exact volume of a pallet load before it's placed in a trailer. Typically, these systems are mounted on the ceiling or on a column, says Jason Wiley, business manager of Mettler Toledo, which makes dimensioning equipment. Under this method, the pallet to be measured is transported via forklift to the system, where it is scanned and dimensioned.
Pallet dimensioners are a good fit for trucking companies looking to calculate shipping charges based on the exact volume a load takes up in the truck, not the overall dimensions of a standard pallet, says Justin Headley, marketing manager for the dimensioning system manufacturer CubiScan. They also provide a way for shippers to avoid freight-charge surprises at the end of the month and to collect data that can be valuable in resolving disputes with carriers, he says.
Headley warns, however, that not all pallet dimensioners are created equal. "Do your homework before choosing a vendor," he says. "Make sure they have the technology to 'see' all five sides of the load, can properly scan the entire load for bulges or bumps, and have a software interface that integrates with your shipping software."
For all their strengths, pallet dimensioners also have their weaknesses. Perhaps the biggest downside to using these devices is that the process of picking up, moving, and scanning pallets is a bit cumbersome, says Jack Ampuja, president of Supply Chain Optimizers, a consulting firm that's been involved in numerous packaging optimization projects. "I don't know how many minutes the process takes, but it certainly isn't a five-second deal," he says.
The good news, Ampuja says, is that "in-line" pallet dimensioning systems are on the horizon. He reports that manufacturers are currently testing a couple of different solutions, including one in which laser sensors are placed on the forklift itself to measure the load as it's picked up, and one that captures the load's measurements as a truck drives through a tunnel outfitted with sensors.
DIMENSIONING FOR PARCELS
In contrast to pallet dimensioning systems, parcel dimensioning systems are already available in both static and in-line varieties. The first type, the static dimensioning system, could be considered a "semi-automated" solution. To use this type of machine, an operator places a parcel or item on the dimensioning system, which then measures (and often weighs) the product. The equipment can be stationary—for example, located at a packing station—or placed on a cart and wheeled around the distribution center.
With an in-line/in-motion or dynamic dimensioning system, by contrast, a package or parcel moves down a belt and passes through a tunnel, where its dimensions are captured by either a 3-D camera or laser sensors. These tunnels are usually placed after pick and pack stations and before labeling and shipping stations, says Dan Hanrahan, president of warehouse automation specialist Numina Group.
Both static and in-line dimensioners can be used in DCs at the outbound end to gather dimensional data needed for calculating shipping costs. They can also be used at a facility's inbound end to gather the dimensions of stock-keeping units (SKUs) in order to calculate how much storage space the item will require or determine what size carton to use for shipping.
THE SCOOP ON STATIC
Static dimensioners come in an almost dizzying array of varieties, with different brands providing varying levels of accuracy and requiring varying amounts of labor. With respect to accuracy, for example, some dimensioners can provide a very precise 3-D image of an irregular-shaped item, while others provide more rectilinear dimensions, says Will Crosby, director of marketing for the dimensioning system provider QubeVu. Wiley of Mettler Toledo further advises potential buyers to make sure that any machine they're considering is NTEP (National Type Evaluation Program) certified by the National Conference on Weights and Measures.
Different static dimensioners use different types of sensing technology to take measurements, including laser triangulation, which measures the reflection or displacement of a laser beam; sonic transducer technology, which does the same with sound waves; and optical imaging technology, which often uses 3-D cameras. Some systems may use a combination of these methods because different technologies provide more accurate measurements for different types of items. (For example, lasers might be better at measuring shiny objects than cameras are.) Users should also be aware that a dimensioner's accuracy depends not only on the quality of the equipment—the actual laser or camera—but also on the software that analyzes the information received from the camera or laser, Crosby says.
Different static dimensioners also require different amounts of labor, according to Crosby. Some require the operator to line up the box or item precisely with the dimensioner's edge and press a button or pass a metal bar over it to get the measurements. These types typically use laser-based technology, he says. Other dimensioners simply require the operator to place the item on or under the dimensioner, which then automatically detects the item and dimensions it in tenths of a second.
MEASURING ON THE MOVE
Compared with static dimensioners, in-motion parcel dimensioners are typically faster and better suited for high-throughput operations. As for how manufacturers define "high-throughput" operations, that can vary. But Hanrahan says that in-line systems are good for operations that ship out 700 cartons or more a day.
In many cases, these tunnels serve not just as dimensioners but also as in-line inspection points that capture the carton's weight, bar code, and other text-based information. Some even take pictures of the parcel to provide a record of its condition at that point in the handling process. Units with these capabilities can be used for pick validation or defect detection before an outbound item or parcel is placed in a truck, Hanrahan says.
In-line systems are typically more expensive than static solutions, but prices have been dropping as camera technology advances, Hanrahan says. He reports that dimensioning software can currently be added to a scanning tunnel for under $5,000.
The one drawback of in-line tunnels is that they don't always work with every shape, says Kim Karvonen, senior sales and business development executive for QubeVu. For this reason, Hanrahan recommends that companies use static dimensioners if they're trying to obtain cube dimensions for slotting, storage, or cartonization purposes.
THE FINAL TEST
Once you've decided what general type of system is right for your operation, it's time to begin evaluating different manufacturers' products. To ensure a fair comparison, Wiley recommends conducting a "bake off" where the systems are compared side by side using the same types of parcels or loads you handle in your daily operations. "Don't take the manufacturers' word for it," he says. "Measure and test for yourself, so that you get the right technology and solution for you."
Eight questions to ask before choosing a dimensioning system
What's the best dimensioning system for you? The answer will depend on your slotting and shipping volume, the size and types of items you handle, and how much you want to spend. Here are some questions to ask yourself as you narrow down your search:
1. What are you dimensioning? This is more than just a matter of knowing whether you'll be measuring parcels, pallets, or letter packs, says Jason Wiley of Mettler Toledo; you also have to consider factors like the items' shape (that is, whether they're regular- or irregular-shaped). Don't immediately assume that all your items are regular-shaped, adds Will Crosby of QubeVu. For example, polybagged items might seem regular-shaped but a package may bulge depending on what's in it or how it's packed—which could prevent some machines from obtaining accurate measurements.
2. What are the maximum/minimum lengths, widths, and heights
3. What is your throughput? Often, this will determine the degree of automation you need.
4. What is the surface of the item that you're dimensioning? Is it shiny? Is it dark? Some systems will have a harder time measuring those items than others, Wiley says. For example, a dimensioner that uses lasers may be better at measuring items with reflective surfaces than one that uses a camera.
5. How much are you willing to invest? When determining how much you can spend on dimensioning equipment, be sure to take into consideration any labor savings that the equipment might provide.
6. How well will the dimensioning system interface with your shipping software—such as UPS WorldShip or FedEx Ship Manager—or your warehouse management system?
7. How fast do items need to be dimensioned? Crosby notes that when comparing the speeds of various models, it's important to consider not just the speed of the equipment itself but also how long it takes the operator to place the object on the dimensioner and complete any steps—like moving arms or pressing buttons—necessary for taking the dimensions.
8. Do you want to capture other information along with the dimensions? In addition to taking an object's measurements, some tabletop and tunnel systems can also determine the item's weight, scan bar codes and text, and even capture an image of the item itself.
Nearly one-third of American consumers have increased their secondhand purchases in the past year, revealing a jump in “recommerce” according to a buyer survey from ShipStation, a provider of web-based shipping and order fulfillment solutions.
The number comes from a survey of 500 U.S. consumers showing that nearly one in four (23%) Americans lack confidence in making purchases over $200 in the next six months. Due to economic uncertainty, savvy shoppers are looking for ways to save money without sacrificing quality or style, the research found.
Younger shoppers are leading the charge in that trend, with 59% of Gen Z and 48% of Millennials buying pre-owned items weekly or monthly. That rate makes Gen Z nearly twice as likely to buy second hand compared to older generations.
The primary reason that shoppers say they have increased their recommerce habits is lower prices (74%), followed by the thrill of finding unique or rare items (38%) and getting higher quality for a lower price (28%). Only 14% of Americans cite environmental concerns as a primary reason they shop second-hand.
Despite the challenge of adjusting to the new pattern, recommerce represents a strategic opportunity for businesses to capture today’s budget-minded shoppers and foster long-term loyalty, Austin, Texas-based ShipStation said.
For example, retailers don’t have to sell used goods to capitalize on the secondhand boom. Instead, they can offer trade-in programs swapping discounts or store credit for shoppers’ old items. And they can improve product discoverability to help customers—particularly older generations—find what they’re looking for.
Other ways for retailers to connect with recommerce shoppers are to improve shipping practices. According to ShipStation:
70% of shoppers won’t return to a brand if shipping is too expensive.
51% of consumers are turned off by late deliveries
40% of shoppers won’t return to a retailer again if the packaging is bad.
The “CMA CGM Startup Awards”—created in collaboration with BFM Business and La Tribune—will identify the best innovations to accelerate its transformation, the French company said.
Specifically, the company will select the best startup among the applicants, with clear industry transformation objectives focused on environmental performance, competitiveness, and quality of life at work in each of the three areas:
Shipping: Enabling safer, more efficient, and sustainable navigation through innovative technological solutions.
Logistics: Reinventing the global supply chain with smart and sustainable logistics solutions.
Media: Transform content creation, and customer engagement with innovative media technologies and strategies.
Three winners will be selected during a final event organized on November 15 at the Orange Vélodrome Stadium in Marseille, during the 2nd Artificial Intelligence Marseille (AIM) forum organized by La Tribune and BFM Business. The selection will be made by a jury chaired by Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of the Group, and including members of the executive committee representing the various sectors of CMA CGM.
The global air cargo market’s hot summer of double-digit demand growth continued in August with average spot rates showing their largest year-on-year jump with a 24% increase, according to the latest weekly analysis by Xeneta.
Xeneta cited two reasons to explain the increase. First, Global average air cargo spot rates reached $2.68 per kg in August due to continuing supply and demand imbalance. That came as August's global cargo supply grew at its slowest ratio in 2024 to-date at 2% year-on-year, while global cargo demand continued its double-digit growth, rising +11%.
The second reason for higher rates was an ocean-to-air shift in freight volumes due to Red Sea disruptions and e-commerce demand.
Those factors could soon be amplified as e-commerce shows continued strong growth approaching the hotly anticipated winter peak season. E-commerce and low-value goods exports from China in the first seven months of 2024 increased 30% year-on-year, including shipments to Europe and the US rising 38% and 30% growth respectively, Xeneta said.
“Typically, air cargo market performance in August tends to follow the July trend. But another month of double-digit demand growth and the strongest rate growths of the year means there was definitely no summer slack season in 2024,” Niall van de Wouw, Xeneta’s chief airfreight officer, said in a release.
“Rates we saw bottoming out in late July started picking up again in mid-August. This is too short a period to call a season. This has been a busy summer, and now we’re at the threshold of Q4, it will be interesting to see what will happen and if all the anticipation of a red-hot peak season materializes,” van de Wouw said.
The report cites data showing that there are approximately 1.7 million workers missing from the post-pandemic workforce and that 38% of small firms are unable to fill open positions. At the same time, the “skills gap” in the workforce is accelerating as automation and AI create significant shifts in how work is performed.
That information comes from the “2024 Labor Day Report” released by Littler’s Workplace Policy Institute (WPI), the firm’s government relations and public policy arm.
“We continue to see a labor shortage and an urgent need to upskill the current workforce to adapt to the new world of work,” said Michael Lotito, Littler shareholder and co-chair of WPI. “As corporate executives and business leaders look to the future, they are focused on realizing the many benefits of AI to streamline operations and guide strategic decision-making, while cultivating a talent pipeline that can support this growth.”
But while the need is clear, solutions may be complicated by public policy changes such as the upcoming U.S. general election and the proliferation of employment-related legislation at the state and local levels amid Congressional gridlock.
“We are heading into a contentious election that has already proven to be unpredictable and is poised to create even more uncertainty for employers, no matter the outcome,” Shannon Meade, WPI’s executive director, said in a release. “At the same time, the growing patchwork of state and local requirements across the U.S. is exacerbating compliance challenges for companies. That, coupled with looming changes following several Supreme Court decisions that have the potential to upend rulemaking, gives C-suite executives much to contend with in planning their workforce-related strategies.”
Stax Engineering, the venture-backed startup that provides smokestack emissions reduction services for maritime ships, will service all vessels from Toyota Motor North America Inc. visiting the Toyota Berth at the Port of Long Beach, according to a new five-year deal announced today.
Beginning in 2025 to coincide with new California Air Resources Board (CARB) standards, STAX will become the first and only emissions control provider to service roll-on/roll-off (ro-ros) vessels in the state of California, the company said.
Stax has rapidly grown since its launch in the first quarter of this year, supported in part by a $40 million funding round from investors, announced in July. It now holds exclusive service agreements at California ports including Los Angeles, Long Beach, Hueneme, Benicia, Richmond, and Oakland. The firm has also partnered with individual companies like NYK Line, Hyundai GLOVIS, Equilon Enterprises LLC d/b/a Shell Oil Products US (Shell), and now Toyota.
Stax says it offers an alternative to shore power with land- and barge-based, mobile emissions capture and control technology for shipping terminal and fleet operators without the need for retrofits.
In the case of this latest deal, the Toyota Long Beach Vehicle Distribution Center imports about 200,000 vehicles each year on ro-ro vessels. Stax will keep those ships green with its flexible exhaust capture system, which attaches to all vessel classes without modification to remove 99% of emitted particulate matter (PM) and 95% of emitted oxides of nitrogen (NOx). Over the lifetime of this new agreement with Toyota, Stax estimated the service will account for approximately 3,700 hours and more than 47 tons of emissions controlled.
“We set out to provide an emissions capture and control solution that was reliable, easily accessible, and cost-effective. As we begin to service Toyota, we’re confident that we can meet the needs of the full breadth of the maritime industry, furthering our impact on the local air quality, public health, and environment,” Mike Walker, CEO of Stax, said in a release. “Continuing to establish strong partnerships will help build momentum for and trust in our technology as we expand beyond the state of California.”