Before we investigate the role of weighbridge truck scales in optimising an organisation’s logistics, let’s look at what logistics involves.

According to the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), logistics can be defined as ‘that part of supply chain management that plans, implements and controls the efficient, effective forward and reverse flow and storage of goods, services and related information between the point of origin and the point of consumption in order to meet customers’ requirements.’

Another way of understanding logistics is that it is about ‘getting the right product, to the right customer, in the right quantity, in the right condition, at the right place, at the right time, and at the right cost.’ The seven Rs of Logistics – from Supply Chain Management: A Logistics Perspective By John J. Coyle et al.  

Regardless of the size of a business or operation, optimised logistics will streamline the supply chain and make it more efficient by reducing costs when and where appropriate and avoiding unnecessary waste of time and materials.

In light of all of the above, it’s evident that accurate, reliable and user-friendly weighing equipment plays a valuable role in optimising logistics operations.

Truck scales can either take the form of a weighbridge (fixed or portable) or on-board truck scales with both types delivering a range of benefits including improved efficiencies, safer operations and regulatory compliance.  Add in the advantages that flow from having an automated weighing system that can be seamlessly integrated with the rest of the operation and the role of modern weighing equipment as a critical control point in logistics operations becomes even more evident.

Weighbridge truck scales are used across the spectrum of industry from agriculture and construction to mining and transport and they come in many different forms to suit different applications.  Take a company that handles shipping containers for despatch around the world for example.   Port operations are generally very busy, often operating 24/7. Therefore, the company needs to have user-friendly weighing equipment to process outbound containers quickly and accurately.  What’s more, given the new SOLAS laws, organisations in the shipping business need their equipment to be certified to ensure that the declared weight of containers meet legislative requirements.

Over the years, huge advances have been made in the digitisation of weighbridge truck scales which has led to even greater opportunities for optimising logistics.  Many elements of the equipment including the sensors, processors and output displays have been transformed by the advent of digital communications, with resulting benefits in terms of greater accuracy, automation, repeatability and speed.

The right weighbridge software also enables vastly improved controls, data handling and information management, as well as streamlined accounting functions.  What’s more, the system can be fully integrated into the business’s own internal software systems and customised to deliver important value-added information for customers and other relevant parties.

Weighbridge truck scales are a valuable asset and deliver a range of benefits, not least of which is a streamlined logistics process.  However, there are numerous types of weighbridge truck scales and accompanying software, and in order to reap the full gamut of benefits, including a substantial return on investment, it is important to partner with an experienced weighbridge supplier who will ensure that the equipment you select matches your requirements (both short and long-term).

If you’re interested in reducing costs, improving productivity, safety and efficiencies and optimising your organisation’s logistics, have a chat with one of the highly experienced team at AccuWeigh.  They’ll help you make the right decisions according to your unique operational needs.   AccuWeigh is Australia’s largest supplier of weighbridges, weighing equipment and product inspection equipment with branches across Australia and you can take advantage of their extensive experience by contacting one of their branches or by visiting their website, diverseco.com.au.