Cross-docking is a means to transfer incoming merchandise from receipt to shipment, and removes extra touches by receiving, then shipping all in one pass. This process quickly moves product through a system and ensures incoming goods are identified, received, processed (such as weights and dimensions, labeling, etc), then sorted to an outbound destination.
Incoming cases are put onto a flex conveyor (best to use a powered flex). Packages are typically conveyed to a fixed line such as transport or accumulation conveyors. Each package is identified with barcode scanning, weights and dimensions may be captured (often for revenue recovery chargebacks), then packages are sorted to an outbound destination lane.
Crossdock has become quite popular with last mile carriers and third parties who consolidate packages in a sortation hub. After packages are sorted to various sort destinations, bulk packages are then transported via air or truck to a final mile destination such as a local sort center or even USPS and other carriers who receive pre-sorted packages to optimize volumes of packages at that particular sort center and not overwhelm localized systems, thus drastically reducing labor and pushing that labor/automation as far upstream as possible.
Warehouse processes are never a single-size solution. Our specialists will evaluate the warehouse inventory receipt, identity, and shipment specifications to figure out the right approach. Phase models can be used to classify the right ROI solution visually. Contact us now for more information on how we can help.
