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In today\u2019s ecommerce-driven supply chain, packaging has implications in both form and function.<\/p>\n
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Functionally, packaging\u2019s role is pretty obvious: boxes and shipping materials serve as protection against damage. If the right pack type is selected, goods will be able to withstand bumps in the warehouse and in transport.<\/p>\n
When it comes to form, the right\u2014or wrong\u2014packaging impacts a company\u2019s brand reputation. First impressions are lasting, and the box your goods arrive in acts as an extension of your brand. Trying to establish yourself as a high-end company that values great design? A plain brown box isn\u2019t a great way to meet this goal.<\/p>\n
Moreover, with the popularity of unboxing videos\u2014where people post videos of them opening their packages\u2014great pack type selection can serve as additional marketing for your brand.<\/p>\n
But, choosing the right pack type goes beyond protecting your goods or delighting your customers. It\u2019s also important at an operational level because it influences operating costs both inside and outside the warehouse.<\/p>\n
Clearly, packaging isn\u2019t as straightforward as piling a few corrugated boxes in the corner of your warehouse. It impacts your marketing efforts, operational efficiency, and bottom line, so it\u2019s worth taking a look at the big picture.<\/p>\n
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Contents<\/p>\n
\u201cPack type selection\u201d refers to how you choose packaging, usually using specifications like a product\u2019s weight, size, and special requirements like temperature control. It could also depend on how far an item travels. If it\u2019s going quite a distance, there\u2019s a higher chance of bumps and falls and more durable packaging may be needed to protect the product.<\/p>\n
Putaway is one of the most important processes in a warehouse. An efficient directed putaway<\/a> process means received goods leave the staging area faster. Items also get to customers faster because pickers can easily find goods rather than sifting through a disorganized stack of boxes at the staging area. Moreover, the risk of theft is minimized because goods are quickly entered into inventory.<\/p>\n That said, there\u2019s a risk of damage during <\/em>the putaway process, especially if you move items around using forklifts since items can fall off while they\u2019re being put away (and later during the picking process, too).<\/p>\n To avoid this, choose packaging that sits properly on your pallets. Conduct testing to find the ideal number of packages to store on your pallets.<\/p>\n Pile too many on a pallet and you risk your products falling off and sustaining damage. Pack too few on a pallet and you\u2019ll raise your operating costs by taking more trips than necessary to put items away.<\/p>\n Key Takeaway: <\/strong>Choosing durable packaging and finding the right number of boxes for each pallet prevents damage and makes your putaway process efficient.<\/p>\n Pack type selection is very important during the picking and packing process.<\/p>\n Generally, the packing process consists of these steps:<\/p>\n Oftentimes, the packing section is the source of all kinds of confusion and pain points. For example:<\/p>\n In disorganized packing environments, packers spend more time problem solving than packing! And, while you want employees with problem-solving skills, your packing process calls for efficiency, so there should be a standardized process.<\/p>\n There\u2019s one important element of the packing process that is often overlooked because it\u2019s faster to simply do the incorrect thing: pack type selection.<\/p>\n Choosing the right package is critical, but it takes time.<\/p>\n When you\u2019re constantly calling customer service to find the right address or sending orders back to pickers, protecting the bottom line is the last thing on your workers\u2019 minds. At best, they\u2019ll choose a box big enough for a given item – even if it\u2019s way too big.<\/p>\n But these quick choices add up. You may save time in the short term, but you\u2019re losing a lot of money in the long term. Large boxes are expensive to buy. They\u2019re also expensive to ship, especially due to dimensional pricing. In the past, carriers priced on weight, but they\u2019ve since realized that large boxes, even when light, take up space in their trucks. So they now use what\u2019s called dimensional weight pricing.<\/p>\n So, if you\u2019re using a massive box for a tiny item, you\u2019re paying for the cost of filling up the entire package. It\u2019s easy to see this is not a smart strategy.<\/p>\n And, here\u2019s the thing: Even if you have the most incredibly thoughtful warehouse packers, it would be highly inefficient for them to stand around assessing how many items they can pack into a box.<\/p>\n So, how can companies optimize pack type selection at the packing stage?<\/p>\n Bin packing algorithms are a notoriously thorny problem that mathematicians have been trying to solve for ages. The bin packing problem and the knapsack problem – two problems with exciting applications in supply chain management if ever solved – are types of P versus NP problems. This is one of the grand unsolved computer science problems that carries a $1 million prize<\/a> for the person who solves it. (In reality, the greater prize would be commercializing the solution and creating an awesome pack type selection software, but we digress!)<\/p>\n Why do we mention all of this? Because most bin packing solutions on the market use 3D visualization software to help warehouse workers see exactly how to pack items of varying dimensions into a box properly. So, when you see a solution touting a bin packing algorithm, it\u2019s likely a very sophisticated form of bin packing visualization.<\/p>\n A warehouse management system (WMS) with an integrated bin packing visualization tool can automate your pack type selection process. Here\u2019s how it works: Workers at the packing station view a monitor that tells them exactly which size of box to use, how to pack different items, and with which packaging materials, all the way down to the amount of packing peanuts or bubble wrap to scoop up.<\/p>\n In essence, all of the thinking is done by the algorithm and the worker simply follows the instructions, which come in the form of 3D visuals.<\/p>\n Boost efficiency by store your boxes, packaging materials, and any promotional items like brochures on shelves near your packing station.<\/p>\n Frequently used materials should be located on the closest shelf while infrequently used items can be placed on higher or lower shelves. Eventually, you want your packers to locate materials without thinking about it.<\/p>\n A packaging automation system brings together a number of automated tasks into one seamless end-to-end process. You can choose either out-of-the-box automated packing tools, based on your needs and budget, or work with a provider to come up with a customized, integrated solution. All automated packing tools are run by a warehouse control system (WCS).<\/p>\n These software-controlled machines ensure that specific requirements are met before a package leaves the door. For example, the automated packing system will confirm that a package\u2019s label matches the original order information.<\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve implemented cartonization techniques, there are a number of different packaging automation tools you can deploy to continue optimizing your processes.<\/p>\nHow Does Pack Type Selection Impact The Picking and Packing Processes?<\/h3>\n
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Use a WMS with Packing Algorithms and 3D Visualization Software for Effective Pack Type Selection<\/h3>\n
Organize Packing Materials and Store Them in an Accessible Location<\/h3>\n
Improve the Pick Selection Process with Packing Automation Systems<\/h3>\n