Optimize pallets and packages

How much unused space do your pallets and packages contain? Order pickers are faced with the impossible task of generating pallets or packages without air between the products. This can be extremely difficult, especially with deviating shapes and sizes. Just think of long products that should be placed at an angle because they would not fit otherwise. The result is a larger transport volume and therefore also higher transport costs.

Warehouse management systems (WMS) make a rough estimate of the volume of an order in advance. However, that estimate is not accurate enough to choose the right box size for each order. A WMS does not take into account the optimum position of the products in the box. The result: employees still have to switch boxes or grab an extra box during the packaging process.

Our solution

With IPS you realize pallets and packages with an optimal load factor, taking into account customer requirements. For each order, the tool calculates which combination of products with which stacking pattern leads to maximum filled load carriers.

IPS takes into account all aspects that influence the degree of filling of load carriers, such as:

  • shape of articles, whether round, triangular or L-shaped.
  • quality of packaging such as with trays or shelf-ready boxes.
  • the way in which goods must be placed (upright, lying or sloping).
  • nestability of products such as crates or bins.
  • extent to which packaging sag as with bagged goods.

IPS also calculates which combination of box sizes leads to a minimum amount of air and a minimum use of filling material. This not only saves on packaging costs, but also transport costs. More and more package carriers base their rates not only on weight, but also on volume.

Remember

  • Optimal load factor almost impossible with different forms
  • IPS takes into account, among other things, nestability and sagging of products
  • Fewer load carriers lead to lower transport costs

Your benefits

  • More efficient packaging process
  • Fewer pallets and packages
  • Less packaging material

Why choose IPS?

Crucial in automated order picking or packaging processes is the question of how products should be stacked on the load carrier or in the box. IPS has the answer. The tool calculates how to optimally position the products and gives instructions to the system, whether it is a robot, palletizer, packaging machine or manual stacking station.

A choice for IPS is more than a choice for an IT system. You choose an optimization process that can intervene in many processes in the warehouse. Each process therefore starts with a situation description and a problem analysis, which makes clear on which points IPS can improve. This is followed by a feasibility study, supplemented with simulations and demonstrations to further elaborate the application possibilities.

IPS is not a stand-alone tool, but an add-on. This means that the tool must be integrated with the system that controls the operation in your warehouse. This can be a warehouse management system (WMS), but also an ERP system or a self-developed system. By using web services, we can easily integrate IPS with every system.

Are you interested?

If we have aroused your interest, do not hesitate to contact us. We are happy to show you a free demo of the possibilities.