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Automated Outbound Pallet
Shipping

Computer Vision Verification of Outgoing Pallets

In most warehouses the outbound pallet shipping process remains highly manual and labor intensive.  Prior to shipping, associates examine all visible pallet faces, packages and scan outgoing label barcodes. The pallet is also usually dimensioned, weighed and inspected for damage, which is also time consuming.  This process can take 3-5 minutes (or longer) per pallet and occupies the time of both the clerk and MHE (Material Handling Equipment), in addition to taking up valuable space in the shipping docks. Major 3PLs and Brands have reduced the time, labor, and effort involved in shipping by deploying automated vision solutions from Vimaan.

pallet shipping
Outbound shipping processes have been proven be made much efficient and faster with Vimaan computer vison

DockTrack Pallet: Automating and Digitizing the
Pallet Shipping Process

VIDEO: Optimizing Outbound Pallet Shipping Demonstration

Vimaan’s DockTrack Pallet solution completely automates, streamlines and digitizes the outbound pallet shipping process. This reduces labor and MHE requirements, reduces clutter and real estate usage at the shipping gate, and provides extensive searchable data that can be used for subsequent dispute resolution or analytics. Vimaan sensors automatically read pallet labels from all five visible sides of a pallet, inspect for damage and even measure package dimensions – all from simply driving or walking through an outbound “gate”.

Pallet Shipping Automation Implementation

Vimaan automates the outbound pallet shipping process using a combination of sensors, cameras and proprietary computer vision and machine learning technology.  The solution comprises two components:

  • In order to read the face (side) of the pallet that is facing the forklift driver (and is therefore obscured by the forklift), cameras and sensors are mounted on forklifts..
  • In order to read the other four visible faces of the pallet (the top, the sides, and the “back face”), Vimaan’s sensors and cameras are mounted on a “gate” that is designed to fit around the dock door, or can also be placed at any location inside a warehouse facility. 

How Pallet Shipping Automation Works

During the automated shipping process, Vimaan PickTRACK sensors automatically detect when drivers approach and pick up outgoing pallets.  The front face of the pallet is scanned automatically, once the driver starts to drive through the DockTRACK Pallet “gate” the sensors automatically detect the presence of the pallet and then proceeds to capture and read attached labels. Vimaan’s proprietary computer vision and machine learning software collates data collected from the sensors and cameras to extract label information, dimensions, and examines for damage, and other anomalies. 

If there are errors in the shipment, the driver is notified through a beacon – which allows him to fix an error prior to loading the pallet in the outbound truck. Images of the pallet and the labels are captured for every outgoing pallet,and can be easily searched and retrieved through Vimaan’s easy to use ViewDeck application.

It is important to note that NO change to the normal shipping workflow is required. If shipping is done on an MHE, the driver simply picks up the pallet and drives through the gate.  If shipping is done with electronic pallet jacks, the associate simply picks up the pallet and walks through the gate.


Pallet Shipping Capabilities and Metrics

5-Sided Pallet Shipping

  • Includes label detection, barcode identification and reading
  • Interprets readable text on all labels on all sides
  • Isolates the label(s) and text or barcode field(s) of interest to customer
  • Highlights missing or unreadable labels
  • Reads through shrink wrap (provide the label is readable by the human eye)

Multi Case Label Reading and Association

  • Counts cases on a pallet and read labels associated with each case
  • Highlights if any particular case is missing a label
  • Validates cases on a pallet against a WMS or ASN

Pallet Dimensioning

  • Provides max length, width, height of pallet
  • Provides shapes and 3D composite views of the pallet
  • All above data can be automatically integrated with the customer’s WMS or other shipping software to update and highlight discrepancies
  • Vimaan ViewDeck: App to review, search, and view data, highlight discrepancies, and generate valuable analytics by dock door, associate, vendor, etc.
  • Throughput: 3-5 pallets per minute per gate
  • Dimension capability: 12” – 120”

This enables significant cost savings through lower labor requirements, while making the process of pallet shipping faster with higher quality results. Using Vimaan’s solutions, process times can improve from ONE pallet every THREE minutes (or longer) to THREE pallets (or more) every minute! This includes the automation of 5-sided pallet capture, 1D/2D barcode reading, label text reading, damage detection, dimensioning, WMS (Warehouse Management System) validation, and image capture and archiving.

Featured Outbound Pallet Shipping Process

<strong>Inbound and outbound pallets are quickly processed with 5 sided scanning<strong>


5-Sided Pallet Scanning

Vimaan sensors and computer vision equipped on DockTRACK Pallet and added to material handling equipment quickly and efficiently scan all 5 sides of inbound and outbound pallets up to 3X faster than traditional manual methods. Learn More

WHAT IS INVENTORY ACCURACY… AND WHY 3pLs and brands need to care

Outbound Pallet Shipping is the last and most critical step to ensure customers receive appropriate goods fast and error-free

Inventory accuracy is a challenge in almost every warehouse we walk into, and the reasons behind the inaccuracies vary. Understanding the truth behind your inventory involves not just cycle counting of stored inventory, but also accurate tracking of inventory movement starting with inbound pallet receiving to outbound shipping all while reconciling it in near real time against your WMS. 

 

Outbound Pallet Shipping Resources

Warehouse Shipping Solutions

DockTRACK Pallet

Inbound palleted goods are automatically scanned, tracked and inspected faster with greater accuracy.

PickTRACK

Combined with DockTRACK, MHE equipped with PickTRACK provides automates inbound and outbound pallet receiving.

DockTRACK Parcel

Scans, Tracks and INSPECTS High Volume Packages during inbound receiving and outbound shipping.

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