3D scanning is changing the game for warehousing logistics. With the use of this technology, millions of dollars can be saved from product losses per year. Just in the USA alone, billions of dollars are lost annually to damaged products and loss of inventory. Often it is hard to thoroughly and accurately track shipments from leaving the warehouse to arriving at their destination.
Often inventory is lost or damaged during the shipment of the product without anyone being able to recover the product or know how it happened so it can be prevented in the future. 3D scanning is a new kind of technology that helps to monitor and track shipments to prevent loss and damages, and when they do occur a record is kept determining how the product became damaged.
3D scanning can be used to determine box dimension needs prior to products being packed. By scanning the products, you can determine what size box is needed and have it pulled to ensure efficient packing. Once items are loaded into the box a 3D scan is taken of the images inside the box to show what state they are in at the time they were packed, and also to show all of the boxs contents.
Once the box has been packed with the product a RFID tag is placed on the outside of the box for tracking the box. Rugged tablets and handheld tablets can be used to scan RFID tags from several feet away, making it efficient and easy to log shipments into the system quickly, thus improving the logistics and productivity on the warehouse floor.
Rugged tablets can be used for the 3D scanning and then capture the dimensions and weight of the shipment to definitively track the package to its destination, monitoring the process all the way to the end. When it comes off the truck you scan it again and look to see if there has been anything that has changed with the shipment. With built-in GPS capabilities, the tablet can monitor the location of the shipment at all times.
Essentially scanning the shipment and its contents with a 3D camera can save millions of dollars in lost claims every year. 3D scanning is especially great for high-valued assets and shipments.
Medication, for example, is monitored through the FDA, and theft and damage caused high claims costs. A lot of time is wasted trying to track down these kinds of shipments. 3D scanning is perfect for tracking medication shipments as the warehouse employee can scan the pallet and record it for digital representation. As the items are placed on the truck, the tablet be used on the truck, and travel is monitored to the end. Upon arrival, the product is scanned again and then can be compared both before and after. If the product was damaged in any way or something was taken out it will be detected, saving time and money in trying to find and recover lost or damaged products.
3D scanning is the answer for improving warehouse logistics and efficiency while also helping to save millions a year in lost or damaged products. The integration of rugged tablets into warehouse management allows employees to communicate in real-time and log all product information into a secure network that can be accessed anytime by anyone with network access.