Top 5 Reasons Your Distribution Center Needs Mobile Dimensioning

In today's fast-paced e-commerce world, efficiency and accuracy in the distribution center (DC) are paramount. To keep up with demand and ensure the smooth flow of goods, innovative technologies are emerging as essential tools for DC managers. One such tool is mobile dimensioning. Here are the top 5 reasons why your distribution center should consider investing in mobile dimensioning:

1. Improve space utilization

Space is a premium asset in any distribution center. Every square inch counts. Mobile dimensioning can help DCs optimize their storage by precisely measuring the dimensions of incoming and outgoing packages. With accurate dimensional data, you can stack individual items and pallets more efficiently, avoiding wasted space. This leads to a better-organized warehouse, quicker inventory turnover and potentially reduces the need for additional storage space. 

2. Reduce shipping costs

Shipping costs are often determined by the dimensional weight (determined by dividing the volume by a carrier’s unique divisor) of a package, not just its actual weight. Accurate measurements and weights of parcels can easily be obtained in just seconds with mobile dimensioning, ensuring you don’t overpay for shipping. This accuracy can also reduce disputes with carriers over dimensional weight discrepancies, saving time and money in the long run. 

3. Increase worker agility

Traditional dimensioning methods can be cumbersome and time-consuming. Mobile dimensioning devices are portable and easy to use, enabling workers to measure packages anywhere in the DC, even when on a lift at the top level of shelving. With mobile dimensioning, there's no need to move packages to a specific measuring station, saving substantial time. 

4. Support capacity planning

In the ever-evolving landscape of distribution, forecasting and capacity planning are crucial. Mobile dimensioning can provide data analytics on package dimensions over time. This data can be used to forecast future space requirements, plan for peak periods, and ensure that the DC can handle incoming and outgoing volume efficiently. 

5. Optimize cartonization

Cartonization, the process of determining the best box size for shipping a particular item or set of items, plays a pivotal role in reducing shipping costs and ensuring products arrive safely. Mobile dimensioning enables workers to quickly measure products and select the optimal carton size, reducing the use of filler materials and decreasing the chances of products moving or getting damaged during transit. 

Time to consider mobile dimensioning? 

Distribution centers are at the heart of the modern supply chain, and as demands increase, so does the need for accurate and efficient processes. Mobile dimensioning solutions, like xDIM, offer a host of benefits that can address many of the challenges faced by DCs today, proving to be an indispensable tool for modern distribution centers. If you're aiming for peak efficiency and cost-effectiveness, it might be time to consider this innovative solution.