Features
3 min read
Ship Orders Out in the Right Packaging, Every Time
Sait Cham
We've built a great tool to ensure you're sending orders out in the right packaging, 100% of the time.
Running an ecommerce operation comes with its fair share of challenges and one of the most frustrating issues we faced running our 3PL business was packers selecting the wrong packaging at the packing station. They often opted for packaging that was easier to reach or more convenient for packing.
Warehouse operatives love a shortcut, but these can lead to significant problems and it's not always clear to staff how these choices impact costs and customer satisfaction. This might be manageable when you have a small team shipping a few orders, but when you're dealing with tens of thousands of orders, multiple product sizes and packaging options and staff coming in and out, it can quickly become chaotic and costly.
What Goes Wrong When Packaging Isn't Controlled
Without proper guidance, mistakes slip through the cracks, resulting in inefficiencies that affect the bottom line, customer experience and more:
Impact on margins - Larger boxes are more expensive. Sending a single item in an unnecessarily large box eats into margins and these small choices add up over time.
Volumetric misalignment - Oversized boxes lead to higher shipping costs due to volumetric weight calculations. You end up paying to ship air.
The 'Amazon problem' - We've all received a pencil in a box the size of a suitcase. It screams wastefulness and leaves the wrong impression with customers.
Increased handling and storage costs - Wrong packaging means more space needed and higher costs throughout the operation.
How Pimento Solves It
Our approach revolves around Pimento's box containerisation algorithm, which ensures packers select the right box every single time.
Here's how it works:
Accurately input each product's dimensions into the system.
Add your packaging options, including internal dimensions and weight.
Set specific rules to determine which packaging should be used for different orders, based on order size, brand, products, shipping service and more.
When an order comes through, the system checks product dimensions and other criteria. For example, if it's clothing, Pimento understands it can be folded and applies the correct packaging accordingly.
Before a parcel heads out the door, turn on the weight check feature. If the weight is heavier than expected, Pimento flags it and ensures the right box is selected before a label is issued.
Built for Real Warehouse Complexity
Pimento adapts to various packaging needs, accounting for factors like clothes folding and mailer bag flexibility. It even factors in void fill, ensuring parcels are packed securely without unnecessary space. The result is a 100% accuracy rate in selecting the correct box, eliminating incorrect selections entirely.
The Result: Lower Costs, Smoother Operations
By ensuring the correct box is used every time, Pimento helps reduce shipping costs and improve the overall packing process, creating a better experience for both packers and customers.
