Manual measurements created too many issues

Before we installed the FS 5000 pallet dimensioner, everything was measured manually with a tape and a scale. Obviously, manual measurements can be incorrect depending on the angles created by the freight and the tape. It was also difficult to pick out the furthest edge of the freight on both sides of the pallet, especially when they were on different layers. That made it hard to get an accurate measurement.

We were recording the information manually and then entering it into Reconex’s tmsConnect™ for each shipment, which could lead to transposing errors. We also didn’t have any photographic evidence of what each pallet looked like before loading it.

The disputes wasted too much time

In our industry, we’re responsible for paying freight in most cases, so we want a definite cost upfront. We often dealt with reweigh and reclass disputes because of inaccurate measurements — our freight tends to fall right on the line between sub-classifications. A half inch here or there could easily bump us into a different class and turn the cheapest quote into the most expensive.

Investigating those disputes took a lot of time, even when we won. If the carrier had pictures and there wasn’t obvious damage, fighting over a few inches was hard. And once some carriers had success with a few disputes, they started flagging all of our shipments for further investigation.

Why we chose the FS 5000

Several factors influenced our decision to choose the FS 5000. First, we recognized that more carriers were adopting dimensioning systems, making it increasingly difficult to challenge their data with our manual process. Additionally, we were aware that the NMFC changes set for 2025 would heighten the importance of accuracy.

The time we spent on disputes was increasing, and we no longer had that much time. We explored various dimensioning systems and found the FS 5000 to be the most cost-effective solution for our requirements.

Install was smooth, & they stuck with it

The physical install went fairly smoothly. In the first few days, we had trouble getting accurate measurements because we used black shrink wrap for security. FreightSnap was aware of the issue and took action. They sent another technician to reconfigure the sensor placement and continued to recalibrate until they dialed in the accuracy.

We were the first to implement the fully integrated FreightSnap and Reconex system, which required a learning curve for everyone involved. However, both teams worked closely with us to ensure that the integration and shipping processes met our needs.

Now we’re faster, & disputes are nearly gone

The time to process shipments has dropped dramatically. We no longer take manual measurements or enter that information into the TMS — it’s all done through an API call. Our disputes have dropped to nearly zero, saving us a lot of time on the backend investigation process.

One platform. Photos, weight, & dimensions.

We didn’t just add the FS 5000 for dimensions — we also integrated our scale. Now we have another layer of protection against reweigh claims. We’ve got photos and certified measurements for every pallet, and it’s all readily available in Reconex.

If a carrier sends a dispute, Reconex is able to fight it without involving us. And now that many carriers know we’re using the FS 5000, they’re more likely to accept our data. If there’s an error, it’s usually on their end after they’ve taken possession of the freight.

No regrets. Just results.

There isn’t one single benefit that stands out. It’s all of it! Faster processing, better accuracy, fewer disputes, no need to get involved in the disputes, and ease of use make the freight process smoother.

If I had to go back in time, I wouldn’t hesitate to make the same decision. I’d recommend this system to any shipper.