Common E-Commerce Challenges And How Sortation Conveyors Solve Them

Introduction

The e-commerce sector faces numerous challenges when it comes to fulfilment/delivery on time in the form of higher order volumes, increased SKU counts, complex routing requirements, shorter delivery windows, and a lack of labour availability. Norpak Handling, a leading distributor of conveyors such as chain conveyors, roller conveyors, belt conveyors, and more in Port Hope, Ontario, explores these challenges in detail and how sortation systems, particularly the shoe sorter, meet these challenges in this blog.

Common Challenges Facing E-commerce Fulfilment

Higher Order Volumes

An increase in order volumes during certain seasons is to be expected. However, higher order volumes combined with smaller shipment sizes pose a unique challenge for e-commerce fulfilment.

Increase SKU Counts

SKU, or stock keeping unit, is an important metric for e-commerce as it helps businesses track product inventory, variations, and pricing. While it is important for maintaining and tracking stock, an increase in SKU counts can place undue load on the floor and lead to errors.

Complex Routing Requirements

With a globalized delivery system, product routing is becoming increasingly complex. This places undue stress on e-commerce distribution facilities, as any delays will complicate the entire routing system.

Shortened Delivery Windows

Most e-commerce orders are expected to be delivered on the same day or the next day at most. The combination of complex routing requirements in conjunction with shorter delivery windows poses a unique challenge for e-commerce fulfilment. 

Lack Of Labour Availability

With a rise in product volume, SKUs, batches, and shortened timespans, there is a requirement for labour to keep up with the rising demands. However, labour shortage is already a challenge in this sector, further complicating the problem of e-commerce fulfilment. 

Importance Of High-Speed Sortation

To address the problems stated above, high-speed conveyor sortation becomes paramount. This is because a properly designed sortation conveyor system can:

Increase Throughput Without Increasing Labour

High-speed sortation can go through a large volume of products within a given workday without increasing labour. This is because the process is more or less automated. Once set up, it can make short work of increased shipment volume.

Reduce Instances Of Manual Handling

The extensive automation of high-speed sortation can reduce instances of manual handling in the e-commerce sector. Now, manual handling can be implemented only if absolutely necessary.

Improve Order Accuracy

Proper sortation is a key part of ensuring e-commerce fulfilment. And high speed sortation conveyors are an excellent way of ensuring this accuracy without compromising on speed/throughput.

Support Rapid Carrier Routing

Highly time-sensitive operations, such as rapid carrier routing, actually complement high-speed sortation. Since the sortation process is significantly faster, it ensures compliance with rapid routing mechanisms.

Scale Up During Peak Season

A properly installed and calibrated sortation conveyor system can be scaled up during peak seasons as required. This means that it has modular features that can be added or removed at short notice when the demand arises.

 

Why Are Shoe Sorters Perfect For High-Speed Sortation?

Conveyor systems, particularly sortation conveyors with shoe sorters, are the perfect choice for the e-commerce sector. This is due to the following features:

Handling Versatile Parcel Sizes

Shoe sorters are perfect for high-speed sortation as they handle a wide variety of parcel sizes. This versatility gives them a distinct edge over other options.

Gentle Product Handling

Shoe sorters enable gentle product handling even at high speeds. Therefore, more fragile products can also be sorted effectively without compromising on speed.

Bi-Diretional Diverting

Shoe sorters can divert products in both directions, enabling even faster sortation in high-demand environments.

Suitable For Medium-To-Large Operations

They are perfect for handling extensive throughput for medium-to-large e-commerce fulfilment centers.

Can Handle Irregularly Shaped Products

Products with challenging dimensions or irregular shapes can still be sorted effectively at high speeds with a shoe sorter.

Durable To Withstand Heavy Weight

Shoe sorters are made to be robust and durable to handle heavy weights while diverting.

Precise Diverting Action

The diverting action is precise, meaning the product will reach where it has to go.

Maintains High Speed

Lastly, it can keep up with the high-speed throughput of modern e-commerce fulfilment centers in even the most challenging conditions. 

How It Supports Scalability And Peak Demand?

Shoe sorters are a type of high-speed sortation accessory that can support scalability and peak demand as they:

- Are suited for rapid carrier assignments
- Are suited for faster processing of product batches
- Can reduce backlog before or during peak season
- Can offer consistent and reliable throughput across multiple shifts

Conclusion

To summarize, e-commerce fulfilment centers face many challenges, but high-speed sortation conveyors, particularly with the aid of shoe sorters, can resolve them with ease and ensure excellent efficiency even during peak seasons. 

Interested in learning more about sortation conveyors? Norpak Handling is here to help. As a major conveyor system distributor in Port Hope, Ontario, our collection of conveyors includes roller conveyors, chain conveyors, belt conveyors, and more. For more details, contact us at 905-885-7674.

FAQs:

Can shoe sorter conveyors minimize product damage?

Yes, shoe sorter conveyors can minimize product damage as they have a smooth and controlled motion.

Can shoe sorters handle a wide variety of goods?

Yes, shoe sorters can handle a wide variety of goods ranging from furniture, appliances, bulk goods, and more.