The Benefits of Scanning

Feb 07

philsnyLot Numbers, Order Fulfillment, Scanning , , , , , , , , No Comments

In fulfilling orders the difference between picking an order manually and scanning the same order via a computer system is huge and should never be taken for granted. The error rate between using your eyes to check that an item in your hand is the same as an item on the page is much much higher than letting a computer do the work. Even though fulfillment companies do their best to accurately pick, pack and ship their client's orders via a manual process it is still to everyone's benefit to ensure that products are bar coded and scanned out of inventory.

At ProPack was have traditionally picked orders manually. Over the past 20 years we've developed manual double-check systems to ensure that the correct product is placed in the correct box. This entails having one person (the picker) pick the orders into a box or bin and another person (the packer) double-check that the items are correct. This takes extra time and resources as well as slows down our response time for getting orders out the door for out clients.

Six years ago we began developing custom software to facilitate scanning orders whose items all contain bar codes (or UPC Codes). This quickly improved our own performance by removing the need to have a second person double-check the order. We made a rule that the picker remove the items from the shelf one at a time and scan each in midair before placing the item in the box. The scanning system would notify the picker if the item was incorrect. This improved our accuracy from around 97% to 99.9%.

In addition, since our software was custom-built we've been able to enhance the system to allow for the scanning of lot numbers and locations. Lot numbers are assigned to food products and are allocated to orders in a First-In-First-Out (FIFO) fashion. Getting the correct lot number in the right order is as important as getting the correct item. Locations allow us to electronically manage the physical layout of our client's inventory and quickly locate and pick their product. By added both these elements to our scanning process we ensure that the exact right product is picked from the correct location 100% of the time.

Scanning benefits fulfillment warehouses, clients and customers. At ProPack we're more efficient (and thus more profitable) by using scanning. Our clients are ensured of accurate inventory, quick order processing and minimal customer service issues. Finally, the end customer receives their package quickly and with right items included.

Scanning is a win-win for all parties involved and at ProPack we continue to use our custom technology to implement scanning into all areas of our operation.

For more information please visit our website at www.propack.com.

The Path of an Order

Jan 10

philsnyOrder Fulfillment, WMS , , , , , , , , , No Comments

Orders are the lifeblood of any Fulfillment Warehouse. At ProPack we are not in the business of storing product, but in the business of shipping orders. Thus we’ve worked hard over the years to build custom technology to facilitate the path of an order through our system. We’ve done this not only to make our internal processes more efficient but to build value for our clients through faster service and greater supply chain visibility.

First, orders need to be input into our WMS system – www.p3pl.com (ProPack 3rd Party Logistics) . This can be done through web-to-web transactions, direct online entry, by emailing an Excel sheet, or by using our QuickBooks interface.

Once orders are in P3PL an order release specialist uses our automated system to allocate inventory to the order. If problems arise in this process such as inventory shortages the client is notified immediately.

Next the order is taken to one of our experienced order pickers who (again using P3PL) scan the order off the shelf by location, and lot number if necessary. Scanning product reduces errors by close to 1 in 10,000.

After scanning, the contents of the order are taken to the packaging stations where they are arranged into their shipping packages.

Finally the closed and sealed packages are processes on our customized multi-carrier manifest system for FedEx, UPS, USPS or DHL. After they are processed packages are then picked up by their respective carriers and leave our building.

However, the process does not stop there. Each evening nightly transaction reports are sent out containing all shipping and inventory transactions for the day. As well, all information is available on www.p3pl.com to any of our clients.

The path of our client’s orders through our system is a well thought out science that let’s our clients get product to their customers as quickly and accurately as possible. This builds value for ProPack, adds value to our client’s and delivers value to our client’s customers.

For more information please visit our website at www.propack.com.