CASE STUDY: Parcel Manifesting Solution

The Problem: Replace manual process with automatic shipping/manifest system

A distributor of cell phone accessories needed a better way to automatically manifest envelopes and small parcels. The system needed to be able to scan an order ID, weigh, make shipping decisions, and interface back to the host system.

The Solution: ShipMaster 800 Automatic Shipping System

CASI utilized the ShipMaster 800 as a turkey system, complete with host interface, low profile conveyor, scanners, print/apply, reject, and multi-carrier shipping interface.

Parcel Manifesting System Overview

Operator loads the infeed conveyor with packed orders. Each order has a license plate barcode (order ID) that drives the shipping/manifest system.

As parcels move down conveyor, each is scanned by a fixed position scanner, then weighed in the second zone by a CASI 851 small parcel checkweigher.

After the weighing zone, packages enter the printing zone and are stopped briefly so the placement of the shipping label is exact. Given that many small parcels have limited surface for labeling, this is ideal to ensure carrier label does not cover the order identification.

The printer applicator applies the correct shipping label based on carrier rules set by host system. In this case, the end user chooses a method of shipping and they system automatically generates a UPS or USPS shipping label. A second scanner verifies the right shipping label was printed in sequence with that parcel.

Any exceptions such as order not found, wrong label, etc. are automatically pushed off to an exception bin for manual QC.

Benefits from the new efficiencies

The system processes about 3,000 pieces per day average, and 15,000 per day during peak (10 hour day). ShipMaster 800 occupies a very small footprint and may be moved easily if space is needed.

The time savings using ShipMaster 800 translates into labor savings of about 10-15 hours of labor per day thus producing a very solid ROI.