Instead of reading this text – play Tetris. The legendary puzzle is a great demonstration and exercise of the use of space (packages, containers, trucks). It proves the unreliability of human intuition (in combination with the algorithm) and shows the difficulty in maintaining the continuity of the packaging process under time pressure (with the increasing pace at which new blocks/tasks appear). If you do not want to pay for the transport and storage of air, you are looking for a way to reduce packaging costs and increase work efficiency, you should be interested in the algorithms that
The goal of any optimisation is to convert losses into savings. In the case of packaging (wider logistics), every success and failure contains two key components:
- time – needed to plan the optimal filling of containers used for transport or to determine what dimensions of container will best suit the dimensions of the packed items;
- space – when well used it avoids paying for the transport and storage of air, i.e. for unused capacity (of packages, container, car or storage space).
Do not waste time and space
Optimisation of the packaging process is a struggle to shorten the time of the entire operation and to maximise the usage of your space. The possible savings and their scale depend on the effective management of these two values.
The process starts with a single package. Then, at the level above there is placing the packages on a pallet or in the packaging, and in the final deployment of packages (containers, pallets) in the delivery truck (or in the warehouse).
In the case of a dozen shipments a month you can rely on intuition and experience. However, when there are several dozen, it is difficult to avoid errors in the optimal selection of the right parcels, the number of pallets or the type (tonnage and capacity) of delivery vans. With several hundred monthly shipments, the application of an algorithm (application) to calculate the space needed (of the package, car, warehouse) is an economic necessity.
Cut costs with an algorithm
The use of algorithms optimises the packaging planning process. At the same time, it guarantees the optimal usage of space.
All you need to do is to enter the dimensions and weight of the items to get the optimal dimensions of the boxes immediately. Or the other way around: give the dimensions of your package and find out how many boxes with specific dimensions can be placed into it. The package can be a box, a container, a storage rack or a lorry semi-trailer. When you use the algorithm, you shorten the planning process to the time needed to enter the data.
The benefits are obvious:
- labour cost savings – a well-planned system improves the efficiency of packers and forwarders, and as a result, increasing the number of shipments does not require more staff;
- maximum usage of the storage and transport space – lower storage and transport costs (both internal and external);
- precise selection of package dimensions – lower expenditure on container production and packaging process (optimising the use of packaging materials), as well as reducing the risk of damage in transport.
Be competitive
Regardless of whether you run a store, a warehouse or provide logistics services, the use of algorithms will immediately bring noticeable cost optimisation and streamline logistics. This is especially important in the case of e-commerce: with a wide range of comparable goods (price, quality), the decision to buy in a specific e-store often depends on how long it takes from placing the order to delivery and on the shipping costs that the customer has to pay.
The 3DBinPacking.com system is an extremely helpful tool in achieving these goals. You can check it out today, without any risk and free of charge – just register at https://www.3dbinpacking.com/en/register/
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