Person struggling to carry packages

Pandemic Increases Inbound Parcel Obligations

Inbound parcel processing has always been a task handled by mailrooms in corporate environments, universities, and large residential communities. Once the mailroom accepts a package, they assume the responsibility for the security and status of the material until they deliver it to the rightful addressee. While the volume of incoming packages was already on the rise, the surge in online shopping spurred by the Corona virus outbreak has resulted in even more packages arriving in mailroom facilities.

The typical response to an increased workload has been to add staff to carry out parcel sorting and distribution duties. This approach has drawbacks. Besides the expense connected with adding more employees, this solution increases the opportunity for error. Manually identifying recipients and routing parcels to the proper locations frequently relies on the knowledge and experience of the mail clerks. As the staff grows, the expertise is diluted. New employees will make mistakes.

Over the last few years organizations have experienced an uptick in package deliveries. With no one at home during the day, employees thwart porch pirates by shipping their purchases to their work addresses. Retailers or carriers may notify buyers of delivery, but getting parcels to the recipients becomes the responsibility of the mailroom. Mailrooms in even relatively small organizations are liable for the condition and status of hundreds or even thousands of packages. An automated solution is in order.

 

Speed Up Parcel Processing

 

Automated incoming parcel handling systems offer several benefits:

Tracking – Package recipients get better information about when their parcels will be delivered or can make plans to retrieve them. Tracking also provides metrics about how the organization handles packages internally and can be used to improve operations.

Speed – Automated sorting systems can trim hours from the handling and distribution tasks every day. Customers get their packages sooner.

Consistency – Staffing challenges like vacations, stay-at-home orders, or illnesses won’t affect the mailroom’s ability to distribute incoming parcels.

Accuracy – Eliminate errors introduced by hand-sorting which speeds delivery, lowers costs, and improves customer satisfaction.

Accountability – In some instances, such as in law firms, finance, and healthcare, maintaining a chain of custody for materials the organization receives is important. An automated system for inbound parcel handling allows companies to document the handling and movement of the parcels. They can replace the paper and ink method common in most small to medium-size firms.

Inbound mail, especially parcels, presents challenges for automated solutions. The packages come in all shapes, weights, and sizes with no standards for address label placement, orientation, or formats.

Tritek’s small footprint  Tritek Parcel Sorter handles packages with dimensions from 4 inches to 15 inches. Parcels may weigh up to 50 pounds and the sorter will still read, track, and sort the packages to the delivery bin hampers. Our proven scanning technology locates and reads the address information anywhere on the package. Guidelines established in the user-controlled Tritek rules engine ensures each parcel is handled as intended.

Challenges in handling incoming parcels are not likely to subside. As more transactions for physical goods are conducted online, tracking shipments becomes critical. By adding a parcel sorting and distribution system to their mail centers, organizations can bring automation to this area they have historically neglected. With better tracking and control, mailrooms can fill the gap between the time common carriers deliver packages to the mailroom and when the mailroom employees deliver packages to the addressees with current and accurate information.

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