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AUTOMATED PACK
Invoice, Shipper Label, Literature, Fully Automated
This page covers a variety of equipment that can help to partially or completely automate the packing process. Elements may be used individually or they may be combined. Automated pack technology can significantly reduce the labor requirements for your packing operation.
If you need help evaluating or deploying any of these technologies, click here.
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In the vast majority of operations, invoice printing is done at the very beginning of the order fulfillment process. When a company goes to an advanced picking method (pick to light, voice, RF, or super batch paper) the individual invoices are no longer needed in order to fill the order accurately. The problem is that printing an invoice on the back end is horribly slow (10-30 seconds) and it also requires printers at each and every pack station. An alternative is to print the invoice automatically either at the start or on the back end, and have the invoice inserted into the order without human labor. There are always IT decisions to be made, but printing the paper automatically will definitely save labor.
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Applying a manifest label automatically is a relatively easy task, as long as you are able to identify each carton uniquely (usually with a bar code license plate). Eliminating the manifesting function saves a little labor, but it also eliminates the need in many operations for computer workstations at every pack table.
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If you have a requirement to place literature, either a sheet or a full catalog into particular customer orders, automated literature insertion equipment can help. The equipment can dispense a single item or you can purchase multiple machines to dispense multiple items. You can even operate the machines under computer control to randomly insert literature based on a customer profile.
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Various technologies, such as the invoice printer, manifest label print and apply, literature insertion, and even bagging or sealing can be combined to create a 100% automated process. Fully automated processes must be designed for the specific product you are handling, and there are limitations. The best application is flat and ships in single unit quantities. Other types of products can be accommodated depending upon the fragility of the product and the expectations of your customer. Fully automated pack can save a lot of time, but you also need to look at equipment and packaging costs.
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