3 Hallmarks of a Successful Dimensioning Program

dimensioning
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Print
Email

How you implement a dimensioning program can determine the level of efficiency your program ultimately achieves. Over the years, we’ve seen dozens of companies invest in dimensioning technologies, and truth be told, some have been more successful than others. Why? Most of it can be boiled down to three simple, but crucial things each of these companies did before they ever even turned their dimensioners on.

Ever heard the saying, “a failure to plan is a plan to fail?” The same applies to dimensioning. Companies that get the most from their dimensioning systems have all put serious thought into the way their new units will fit in with their operations. They’ve identified where the dimensioner will be installed, who’s going to use it, when it’s going to be used most, and how it will be triggered. All this information helps companies design a process that incorporates their new technology effectively.

If you’re new to automated dimensioning, you may think of dimensioners as fancy machines that let you quickly and accurately measure freight. And while that’s certainly true, they can actually do a whole lot more – if you’re ready to take advantage.

For instance, did you know that dimensioners also take photos of your shipments – photos that can be used to show the condition of your freight when it was dimensioned? Did you also know that the measurements and photos collected by your dimensioner can be integrated with your TMS, WMS or ERP systems? It’s true, and companies are already using this data in a variety of impactful ways.

We’ve seen forwarders and carriers use their data to create freight profiles for each of their clients, which helps them develop accurate costing information and identify their most profitable customers. Likewise, shippers are building detailed profiles of their own freight and using the information to negotiate lower rates with carriers. Distributors are feeding dimensional data into their WMS systems to improve slotting efficiency in their warehouses – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Before you invest in dimensioning equipment of your own, create a solid business case for your dimensioner and work with your equipment provider to execute an integration strategy that lets you capitalize on all the valuable data you’re collecting.

Communication is key, especially when introducing a new process into your workflow. Companies that share their plans for the new equipment and spend time educating their employees on how the dimensioning system will work almost always experience a smoother rollout and less pushback from staff than companies who neglect to inform their employees of upcoming changes. We can always tell which teams have been briefed on the dimensioner before we arrive as they’re more enthusiastic and receptive to training when we get there.

 

For more articles like this, subscribe to our newsletter!

Was this article helpful?

Michael Eichenberg is the co-founder and CEO of FreightSnap, allowing the supply chain, logistics, manufacturing, distribution and transportation industries to measure, weigh, photograph and ID pallets and parcels in just seconds. Learn more and share your ideas on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Subscribe to our Blog

Stay up to date with our latest news, receive exclusive deals, and more.

2023 Newsletter Subscription Contact Form

Subscribe to Our Blog

Stay up to date with our latest news, receive exclusive deals, and more.

If you’ve ever shipped anything through a less-than-truckload carrier, you’ve undoubtedly encountered the term “freight class.” And if you’re like a lot of shippers, you might only have a partial understanding about what freight class actually is. To help clear up the picture, we’re going to explain freight class, show...

What is Reverse Logistics? Reverse logistics is the process of planning and controlling the flow of goods from the end consumer back to the point of origin – typically the retailer, or even the original manufacturer. Having a well-thought-out, well-implemented process for handling the reverse flow of goods (returned items)...

Where you install your freight dimensioner can have a big impact on the efficiency of your operation. The following graphic lays out some basic rules regarding install location, which can help you get the most out of your automatic dimensioner. Download the PDF version to keep a copy for yourself,...

Measuring, weighing and photographing palletized freight by hand can be a time-consuming process that leaves room for measurement and transposition errors. The current generation of static pallet dimensioners have automated this process, allowing companies to capture this information and share it with their resource management systems in a fraction of...

Sr Partner Partner’s Primary Contact 1 Flexaust Leigh Elliot | [email protected] Hall 2 Freightsnap Michael Eichenberg | [email protected] 3 Motus Logistics Jaron Klopstein 4 Texcel Rubber Steven Dickson | [email protected] Partnership Date: Wednesday, August 21, 2019 #1 Describe the challenge that led to the formation of the partnership. * Flexaust:...

Challenges in Modern Shipping Shippers today are faced with all sorts of logistics challenges. Lost shipments, damaged freight, reweigh charges and size reclassifications to name a few. “Most of our Shipper customers have experienced all sorts of issues, which is why we decided to craft a great documentation solution to...

Air Distribution, a subsidiary company of Johnson Controls, Inc. was incurring freight reclassifications due to density challenges as well as a much higher rate of lost and damaged freight. The decision was made corporately to run a Pilot program with FreightSnap to better document their freight as it is tendered...

Subscribe to our Blog

Stay up to date with our latest news, receive exclusive deals, and more.

Warehouse management systems can increase inventory visibility, improve order fulfillment, enable automated data collection, and generally boost productivity across your operation. But, with so many options available, choosing the best system for your needs can be a challenge. So, whether you’re looking to update an old WMS, or invest in...

Challenges in Modern Shipping Shippers today are faced with all sorts of logistics challenges. Lost shipments, damaged freight, reweigh charges and size reclassifications to name a few. “Most of our Shipper customers have experienced all sorts of issues, which is why we decided to craft a great documentation solution to...

The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has released its 2018 report on the Cost of Congestion to the Trucking Industry, which showed that congestion caused nearly 1.2 billion hours of delay (the equivalent of 425,533 commercial truck drivers sitting idle for an entire working year) and cost the industry more...

The Custom Companies, a Less Than Truckload Carrier with operations in Chicago and Los Angeles has chosen the FreightSnap FS 5000 and installed four new units in their new Chicago Terminal operation.  With their expanding operations, The Custom Companies needed a reliable partner to help them determine the most efficient...

Sr Partner Partner’s Primary Contact 1 Flexaust Leigh Elliot | [email protected] Hall 2 Freightsnap Michael Eichenberg | [email protected] 3 Motus Logistics Jaron Klopstein 4 Texcel Rubber Steven Dickson | [email protected] Partnership Date: Wednesday, August 21, 2019 #1 Describe the challenge that led to the formation of the partnership. * Flexaust:...

Challenges in Modern Shipping Shippers today are faced with all sorts of logistics challenges. Lost shipments, damaged freight, reweigh charges and size reclassifications to name a few. “Most of our Shipper customers have experienced all sorts of issues, which is why we decided to craft a great documentation solution to...

Air Distribution, a subsidiary company of Johnson Controls, Inc. was incurring freight reclassifications due to density challenges as well as a much higher rate of lost and damaged freight. The decision was made corporately to run a Pilot program with FreightSnap to better document their freight as it is tendered...

Product Sheet - FS Parcel Dimensioner

2023 DimReimag LP - FSParcel PS Dwnld

Product Sheet - FS 5000 Dimensioner

2023 DimReimag LP - FS500 PS Dwnld

Request a Quote!

2023 DimReimag LP Pricing Request Form