Varying Cross Docking Systems
A direct shipping system can be used for a variety of methods to deliver goods to various vendors. A cross docking system can be used to eliminate unnecessary storage, but the setup of the system will vary based on the types of goods to be shipped and the location of the participating venues.
Types of Cross Docking
There are a number of docking scenarios that can be applied to warehouse management, based on the types of products which are being stored or shipped.
- A manufacturing truck partial loading system will focus on receiving shipments of inbound or purchased products that a manufacturing outlet requires. Warehouses may receive sub-assemblies or the products themselves.
- Opportunistic cross docking can be used for any transfers between warehouses with any goods. Warehouses may use partial loads logistic shipping to transfer these good from the receiving dock to the outbound shipping docks as demand requires.
- Cargo reloading for distributors will consolidate incoming products from a variety of vendors. Pallets will often include a mix of parts such as components that are required to make a singular product.
- Transportation docking will combine shipments from a variety of carriers and divide them amongst smaller carriers so they may reach the appropriate customers. This will vary based on the economies of scale included in a given company.
A cross dock system for a retail outlet will often focus on taking in products from a variety of vendors. These products will then be divided and shipped as necessary to meet the needs of individual venues within the company–as stock requires replenishing or new products become available.
Products that May be Used During Cross Docking
The length of time that can be dedicated to pallet storage will need to be varied, based on the nature of the products that are being shipped.
- Promotional items will typically need to be shipped quite quickly to ensure they arrive in time for the given event.
- Immediate truck reloading is often ideal for items that are already tagged, have a ticket included or are otherwise prepared for sale so they can be deposited directly at a retail establishment.
- Semi trailer reloading may also be ideal for items that are prepackaged or pre-picked so they can move directly from the plant to the point of sale.
- High quality goods that will not require an inspection before their sale are ideal for a crossdock shipping program because they can be taken directly to the point where they need to be.
- This system is also designed for the better management of perishable items that will need to be shipped as quickly as possible. However, precautions will need to be taken to ensure these delicate items will not be damaged en route.
Items that may be found in a varying shipment schedule include staple items for a retail establishment. These items can be delivered regularly by the truckload or stored for long periods of time, based on the needs and growth of the company.
Evaluating your options when determining the proper setup for a crossdock system will be most appropriate for a given retail establishment.