Six Reasons Why You Need to Automate Order Completion Processes

Customer expectations and order fulfillment process challenges have driven the need for order completion technologies like automated product bagging, boxing, carton print-and-apply labeling, document insertion, manifesting, scan verification, and check-weight systems due to the following factors:

1. High Customer Expectations for Speed and Accuracy

Fast Delivery: Customers expect faster delivery times, with many demanding next-day or even same-day shipping. Manual processes can’t keep up with this pace, and automation is essential to maintain rapid order fulfillment.

Accuracy in Orders: Errors in product selection, labeling, or packaging lead to customer dissatisfaction and more returns. Automated scan verification and check-weight systems reduce mistakes, ensuring the right product reaches the right customer.

Personalization: Many customers expect orders to be accurate down to the specific SKU, packaging type, and accompanying documents. Automated systems help manage these complexities efficiently.

2. High Order Volumes and Peak Season Fluctuations

Scalability: During peak seasons, order volumes can spike, creating the need for systems that can scale without requiring extensive human resources. Automated bagging, boxing, and labeling systems ensure operations can handle fluctuations without disrupting order processing times.

Capacity Management: High order volumes mean manual systems are often not enough. Automated processes help fulfillment centers operate at maximum capacity with fewer delays and bottlenecks.

3. Demand for Transparency and Tracking

End-to-End Tracking: Customers expect real-time tracking and visibility into their orders. Technologies like scan verification and manifesting enable accurate, real-time data updates, allowing fulfillment centers to meet transparency demands.

Inventory Management: Effective order fulfillment requires precise inventory control to avoid stockouts or overstocking. Automated systems support accurate inventory management, helping fulfillment teams to maintain optimal stock levels and minimize order delays.

4. Labor Shortages and Rising Labor Costs

Reduced Labor Dependence: Labor shortages and high turnover make manual processing increasingly unreliable. Automated systems reduce reliance on human labor, ensuring consistency in operations.

Cost Control: Labor costs are rising, especially for repetitive tasks in fulfillment centers. By automating processes like boxing, bagging, and labeling, companies can control costs while maintaining service levels.

5. Compliance and Standardization Needs

Regulatory Requirements: Many industries have regulatory requirements for packaging, labeling, and shipping documentation. Automating order completion processes ensures compliance by enforcing standard practices, minimizing the risk of errors that could result in fines or delays.

Consistent Customer Experience: Automating order processing systems helps deliver consistent packaging, labeling, and document insertion, contributing to a standardized customer experience across all orders.

6. Sustainability and Waste Reduction

Efficient Resource Use: Automated boxing and bagging optimize packaging material usage, reducing waste and associated costs. Check-weight systems ensure that the correct product quantities are used, minimizing excess or short shipments.

Eco-Friendly Practices: With increasing customer concern over environmental impact, automated systems can help companies reduce waste and create eco-friendly packaging solutions that align with customer values.

In Summary 

Automation technologies in order completion are crucial for meeting today’s high standards for speed, accuracy, and transparency while minimizing labor reliance and maintaining scalability and sustainability. By automating key parts of the fulfillment process, companies can meet customer expectations more reliably and efficiently, adapting to the demands of modern e-commerce.