Auto Pack is an add on capability within Dynamic Ship that automatically determines how a shipment should be packaged, most commonly used to calculate the number of pallets needed for a less than truckload freight shipment, though it can also apply to parcel shipments.
What Auto Pack Calculates
Rather than requiring someone to manually work out how many boxes, cartons, or pallets a shipment will need based on the items and quantities being shipped, Auto Pack takes on that calculation automatically. For less than truckload freight, this typically means figuring out how many pallets are required given the dimensions and weight of the items involved, which then feeds directly into the freight quoting process so that carriers can be asked for accurate rates based on the actual packaging configuration rather than an estimate.
Why This Matters for Freight Quoting
Accurate packaging information matters for getting a reliable freight quote, since carrers price less than truckload shipments based on factors like pallet count, weight, and dimensions. Without an automatic calculation, someone would need to manually estimate this information before requesting a quote, introducing both extra effort and the risk of inaccuracy that could lead to a quote that does not match the shipment once it is actually packed. Auto Pack removes that manual estimation step for less than truckload scenarios in particular.
Parcel Shipments Too
While less than truckload freight is the more common use case, Auto Pack can also be used for parcel shipments, automatically determining packaging needs in that context as well, rather than being limited strictly to freight scenarios.
Getting Auto Pack Set Up
Auto Pack is an add on within the Dynamic Ship product rather than a separate standalone application. Companies interested in using it, or looking to confirm it is enabled and configured correctly within their existing Dynamic Ship setup, should reach out for setup assistance to confirm the specific configuration needed for their shipment types and carrier arrangements, since packaging rules can vary based on product dimensions, weight, and the carriers being used.
Who Benefits Most From Auto Pack
Companies regularly shipping heavier or bulkier items via less than truckload freight, where pallet count and configuration directly affect freight pricing, see the most direct benefit from Auto Pack, since it removes a manual and error prone step from the quoting process. Companies focused primarily on smaller parcel shipments may find less need for the freight specific pallet calculation, though the parcel packaging calculation can still be useful there as well.
Related Tools
Dynamic Ship includes Auto Pack as an add on capability for automatically calculating packaging, most notably pallet counts for less than truckload freight, which then supports more accurate multi carrier freight quoting.
In summary, Auto Pack automates packaging calculations within Dynamic Ship, most commonly determining pallet requirements for less than truckload freight shipments to support accurate freight quoting.