editor&39s note this article is written by felecia stratton, editor of inbound logistics, a thomas publishing co. sister publication providing the latest news about warehousing, logistics, supply chain management, transportation, cargo, freight, and more. inbound logistics is the information leader in supply chain and logistics management. to receive a free subscription to inbound logistics, follow the link at the end of this article.   as small and midsize manufacturers continue to search for costeffective and efficient transportation and logistics solutions, particularly for managing multichannel distribution, many are turning to packaging. the latest trend is packagingondemand solutions, which enable businesses of any size to create cardboard boxes from bulk corrugated material in a variety of sizes, saving inventory space and packaging and labor costs. here are 10 tips for using packagingondemand solutions efficiently. 1. select systems that can accommodate growth plans. consider planned product volume increases, and choose a system capable of handling those volumes or adapting easily once volume grows.2. look for userfriendly packaging systems. seamless implementation requires that operators fully understand how to run the system effectively. easytounderstand user interfaces minimize operating errors, and solutions providers that assist in training operators during installation and startup can reduce the learning curve and help businesses realize faster operational efficiency gains.3. determine your current total packaging costs. review all factors that contribute to your organization&39s existing packaging costs, then analyze this information to develop a baseline for measuring the return on investment a packagingondemand system can deliver for your business.4. identify the best materials for protecting your products. packaging&39s most important function is protecting the goods being shipped or stored. test your products&39 susceptibility to vibration, shock, and surface damage to determine the bestperforming material.5. determine if centralized or decentralized packaging is best for your business. shippers moving more than 500 packages per day usually benefit more from centralized packaging &mdash in which each worker is assigned a single packaging task &mdash than lowervolume shippers. decentralized packaging systems &mdash in which one worker is responsible for a shipment&39s entire packaging process&mdash offer greater personalization and customization, and are more efficient for companies shipping highvalue or fragile products.6. review your organization&39s sustainability objectives. select packaging that adequately protects products, thus preventing damage and the resulting increase in carbon footprint due to returns and reshipments. also consider packaging materials made from renewable or recyclable materials.7. examine available physical space. ensure your facility&39s existing space will accommodate the packagingondemand system for the materials your products require.8. decide if you can batch cushioning or voidfill. can you help manage peak production needs by producing cushioning or voidfill in advance this will help maintain the production line&39s flow and avoid packaging bottlenecks when product volume is at its highest.9. consider operational efficiency challenges. is your existing packaging process causing operational bottlenecks can space currently devoted to storing or handling prefabricated packaging be repurposed to help solve efficiency challenges elsewhere within the operation10. partner with a packaging solutions provider that offers responsive service. the unique operational characteristics of individual facilities or product lines may require finetuning packagingondemand systems to maximize efficiency, so choose a provider that offers excellent customer service.to receive monthly information on packaging, purchasing, manufacturing, and supply chain management, enter your free subscription to inbound logistics bit.lygetil.   source httpnews.thomasnet.comimt2014111810tipsforleveragingpackagingondemandsolutions
