QC Software's Cartonization Application Is Essential for Efficient Order Fulfillment
If the packer chooses a carton that is too large, they may overload the carton which can cause problems with the conveyor system, or they may have to add extra dunnage to fill the container. Choosing a carton that is too small means that too many cartons are used to pack an order. Either way, the company is spending too much on shipping and materials.
"The cartonization function is the best way to determine carton size. This function is incorporated into our order management application to analyze the makeup of each order and select the proper sized shipping container. Using sophisticated algorithms, cartonization allocates items to specific containers based on weight, volume, dimension, business rules, and other factors," states Rich Hite, President of QC Software, a leading provider of software for the material handling industry.
Cartonization is a planning tool that improves throughput in a number of ways. The operator at the pack station receives an order with instructions that include container specifications, thereby automating the decision process. Cartonization allows orders to be picked directly into shipping cartons, saving time and labor. Cartonization facilitates batch orders based on packing requirements. Batch orders are generated and allocated to specific packing lines according to carton size. Orders with special packing needs can be separated and sent to a separate station, thereby streamlining the packing process for regular orders.
When USANA Health Sciences, one of QC Software's customers, separated and packed small orders, they saved an estimated 2.2 metric tons of cardboard in the first six months of operation.
"Cartonization takes the guesswork out of packing and makes the process more efficient. This function enhances green initiatives and reduces the cost per order. For a high-volume operation, cartonization is essential," states Hite.
QC Software is recognized as an industry leader in providing innovative and adaptive software solutions for order fulfillment and distribution centers. Their warehouse control system provides advanced management capabilities for inventory control, resource scheduling and order management. For over 16 years, these solutions have enabled customers in North America and Europe to streamline their warehouse operations with the lowest total cost of ownership in the industry.
For more information, contact Jerry List
Phone: 513.469.1424
Website: www.qcsoftware.com
Email: info@qcsoftware.com
