Dimensioning is the process of measuring the cubic space that a package or object occupies. It is the method of calculating dimensional weight

Dimensional weight

Dimensional weight, used in shipping and freight, is a billing technique which takes into account the XYZ axis dimensions of a package.-Significance:Shipping costs have historically been calculated on the basis of gross weight in kilograms or pounds...

 for the storage, handling, transporting and invoicing of goods. Vehicles and storage units have both volume and weight capacity limits and can easily become full in terms of volume before they reach their capacity in weight. By dimensioning objects, parcels and pallets, shipping companies and warehouses can make optimal use of space and charge for services accordingly.

The background behind dimensioning

In 1985 a Norwegian company called Cargoscan, which officially became part of the Mettler Toledo

Mettler Toledo

Mettler-Toledo is a manufacturer of scales and analytical instruments. It was formed by the merging of two companies: Mettler, based in Switzerland, and Toledo Scale, based in Columbus, Ohio, USA...

 group in 2000, began supplying dimensioners

Dimensioners

Dimensioners are weighing and volume measuring systems for measuring three dimensional or cube shaped objects such as packages, parcels, pallets, cartons or boxes. Dimensioners are an important part of a much larger logistical system in a distribution center or warehouse...

 and data capture solutions to transport and logistics companies around the world. The aim was to provide the industry with a system for revenue recovery and protection. It seemed that if carriers were to take both weight and volume into consideration when invoicing, they could charge customers more fairly according to services provided and make better use of resources.

In transport and logistics

Shipping costs have historically been calculated based on weight alone. By charging only by weight, lightweight, low density packages become unprofitable for freight carriers due to the amount of space they take up in trucks/aircraft/ships in proportion to their actual weight. By using dimensioning technology to calculate an item's dimensional weight, carriers are able to charge based on either volume or weight, depending on which is greater.

In the warehousing industry, dimensioning is used to provide an overview of the volume items in stock which can reduce the costs of materials, return handling, shipping and manpower.

The main reasons that companies choose to invest in automated dimensioning systems include revenue recovery, increased throughput, reduced returns and quality control.

Dimensioning Systems are not only used by the biggest companies in the industry such as DHL

DHL

DHL Express is a division of the German logistics company Deutsche Post providing international express mail services. DHL is a world market leader in sea and air mail....

, UPS

United Parcel Service

United Parcel Service, Inc. , typically referred to by the acronym UPS, is a package delivery company. Headquartered in Sandy Springs, Georgia, United States, UPS delivers more than 15 million packages a day to 6.1 million customers in more than 220 countries and territories around the...

, FedEx

FedEx

FedEx Corporation , originally known as FDX Corporation, is a logistics services company, based in the United States with headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee...

 and TNT

TNT N.V.

TNT N.V., more commonly known as TNT, is an international express and mail delivery services company with headquarters in Hoofddorp, Netherlands. In the Netherlands, TNT operates the national postal service under the name TNT Post. The group also offers postal services in eight other European...

but also by postal companies, shipping retailers, and small handling companies around the world.