Warehouse operations are under pressure to move goods fast, whilst simultaneously ensuring accuracy, efficiency and operational flexibility remain. In response to the growing demand from expanding ecommerce business, providers have needed to adapt. Recent years have seen improvements made to logistics visibility through real-time tracking and warehouse automation. This in turn has accelerated the adoption of cross docking strategies, enabling warehouse operators and third-party logistics (3PL) companies to deliver the speed of turnaround required for today’s retailers.
The maintenance of these cross docking operations relies on more than just warehouse automation and visibility alone. Integrated printing solutions underpin successful performance, proving essential as one of the most critical components of the cross docking process: which needs to be fast, accurate and provide reliable relabelling. The robust and high-quality print solutions that should be used in these processes play a critical role during the unload and reload processes; and in optimising warehouse space, improving worker safety and meeting clients’ diverse label requirements. Here’s how BIXOLON can assist.
Cross Docking Demands Faster, Smarter Warehouse Labelling
The rise in ecommerce has accelerated demand for cross docking, the process that allows companies to transfer goods from inbound to outbound docks with little or no storage in between. Effective cross docking enables faster turnaround times, quicker order fulfilment and reduced warehouse storage and handling costs.
With the global cross docking services market expected to reach US $340 billion by 2030, speed and operational efficiency are becoming increasingly important competitive differentiators of 3PLs. By reducing the amount of time inventory spends in the warehouse, and consolidating shipments from multiple suppliers, efficient cross docking processes can transform speed of delivery and optimise transport models. This enables ecommerce providers to cost effectively meet customer expectations.
While warehouse optimisation techniques and real-time tracking have enabled the rapid expansion of cross docking, fast, effective printing is vital to ensure efficient operations. Every inbound item must be quickly unloaded, assessed, redirected and accurately relabelled to ensure goods continue moving.
Flexible Printing Supports Consistent Warehouse Efficiency
While the objectives of cross docking are consistent, every 3PL operation will have different operational requirements, shaped by technology investment, client demands and space constraints. With these differences, it is essential printing solutions are flexible and easily integrated across warehouse operations.
Printing solutions can be integrated to support efficient cross docking in several ways, such as:
- Rugged, mobile printers such as BIXOLON XM7 series can allow operatives to easily access and label pallets and boxes.
- Printers such as the XM7-20 can be integrated into forklift trucks to help streamline warehouse workflows.
- BIXOLON Desktop and Industrial label printers can provide faster throughput in high-volume warehouse environments.
These varied options to embed printers into workflows helps optimise warehouse space and provide a more intuitive print experience for staff. By using a consistent range of print solutions from one provider, it helps maintain the high levels of reliability and print availability required within fast-paced warehouse operations. Additionally, it can also reduce training requirements and simplify maintenance, providing further efficiency.
Future-Proofing Logistics with Linerless and High-Resolution Printing
Looking towards the future, reliable printing solutions in warehouse operations will play an increasingly critical role.
With the increasing use of camera based visual inspection systems and next generation technology, including augmented QR codes from GS1, reliable and high-resolution printing is quickly becoming a fundamental requirement across warehouse environments. After all, poor print quality impacts scanning accuracy of codes and disrupts warehouse productivity.
Linerless printing such as BIXOLON’s dedicated desktop XL5-40 or mobile label printing range also continues to grow in popularity and importance. These kinds of labels do not come with a plastic backing, so don’t need to be disposed of. Therefore, linerless solutions eradicate the risk to warehouse operators traditionally associated with wasted liners left on the warehouse floor. Linerless print material also demands less storage space, which, combined with the flexibility of mobile printers, enables operators to further optimise the existing warehouse space.
Linerless printing also allows companies to seamlessly manage varying client label requirements. Unlike standard sized labels – which often require constant changes to meet different client requirements – linerless labels can be printed to the exact size required each time, improving operational flexibility while also reducing waste. This also enables organisations to seamlessly support evolving packaging regulation, especially across Europe, which demands more information on each label.
Ultimately, as cross docking services fast becomes a competitive differentiator for 3PLs, the pressure is on to scale to meet evolving demands. Reliable and integrated print solutions underpin this evolution, enabling the speed, flexibility and accuracy required within modern cross docking environments, while also helping organisations adapt to evolving automation technologies and labelling requirements.
Interested in finding out more about BIXOLON’s integrated warehouse printing solution range and how it can support fast, accurate and flexible cross docking operations? Visit www.BIXOLONEU.com or speak to your local BIXOLON sales representative.
