A postal sortation method is an important part of an efficient distribution center. It uses an integrated material handling conveyor system to automatically divert products to the correct conveyor or chute for delivery to other areas of the DC. This helps keep the distribution center running smoothly and efficiently.
COVID-19 has had a significant impact on consumer shopping habits. The pandemic has resulted in a surge in online shopping as people seek to avoid crowded areas and the potential for exposure to the virus. This has placed an even greater strain on businesses, which are already struggling to keep up with the increasing demand for parcel shipments.
Traditional postal services are no longer adequate for handling the volume of e-commerce traffic, and many companies are turning to private courier services to meet their needs. This is causing a rise in the cost of shipping, as well as increased competition among courier services.
The COVID-19 pandemic is thus having a major impact on the global consumer purchasing trends and fulfillment centers need to be equipped with all sorts of automation technologies to maintain their efficiency.
The order can be big or small, the consumer needs to be confident that it will arrive quickly, and most importantly, intact. That’s where a good postal sortation system comes in to play an important role. It is designed for handling large volumes of envelopes and parcels in a short period.
How can automated fulfillment center help in postal sorting
Fulfillment centers can help with postal and parcel sorting by using AMR like tsort which can handle items like envelopes and packages of various sizes. Often these systems are used with an AS/RS to optimise space and further speed up the process. Utilising software, implementation of these technologies can be completed in a short time frame with little to no shutdown required for installation.
Benefits of automated postal and parcel sorting
Some benefits of automated postal and parcel sorting are that it can help reduce labor costs, improve accuracy and efficiency, and free up staff for other tasks. Automated systems can also provide real-time tracking of packages and parcels, which can help to improve customer satisfaction.
In addition, automated systems can help to reduce the risk of injuries associated with manual sorting. Automation can help sortation in various ways and a few are given below:
- Reduced labor costs: Automated systems can help to reduce the number of employees needed to sort packages and parcels. This can lead to significant labor cost savings.- Improved accuracy and efficiency: Automated systems can sort packages and parcels more accurately and efficiently than manual sorting methods. This can lead to reduced shipping times and improved customer satisfaction.
- Free up staff for other tasks: Automated systems can allow staff to be reassigned to other tasks, such as packing and shipping orders, rather than sorting packages and parcels. – Real-time tracking: Automated systems can provide real-time tracking of packages and parcels, which can help to improve customer satisfaction.
- Reduced risk of injuries: Automated systems can help to reduce the risk of injuries associated with manual sorting. This is due to the fact that automated systems can handle packages and parcels of all sizes, which can reduce the need for employees to lift heavy objects.
What are some challenges of implementing an automated postal and parcel sortation system?
There are a few challenges that need to be considered when implementing an automated postal and parcel sortation system. These include the cost of the system, the need for training employees on how to use the system, and the potential for disruptions to the sorting process. Additionally, it is important to ensure that the system is compatible with the existing infrastructure and that it can handle the volume of mail and parcels that are being processed.
