# Choosing a dimensioning system: criteria and checklist *The criteria that count in the selection, and a checklist for vendor conversations* What to look for when choosing a dimensioning system: items to measure, place in the process, legal-for-trade approval, space, connection and operation, with a checklist for talks with vendors. Canonical: https://metrilus.com/en/knowledge/choose-a-dimensioning-system Alternate (de): https://metrilus.com/de/wissen/volumenmesssystem-auswaehlen --- What you measure and how your process runs decide first which system suits you. The technology comes only after that. If you measure packages at a packing table, you need something different from a freight forwarder that bills pallets at the dock. This page puts the criteria in the order in which you should clarify them. You can compare the MetriXFreight product lines side by side in the [system comparison on the solutions page](/en/solutions#compare). ## What do you measure? What you measure determines the product line. The size and shape of your shipments narrow down the choice faster than any other criterion. - **Packages and polybags in high numbers:** a system at the roller conveyor or the packing table, such as the [L13x](/en/solutions/parcel-dimensioning-L13x). - **Individual items and master data:** a measuring station where you place items, such as the [S140](/en/solutions/master-data-capture-s140). It stands on casters and can be moved around the warehouse. - **Pallets and bulky goods:** a system above the area where the forklift briefly sets the pallet down, such as the [L23x](/en/solutions/pallet-dimensioning-L23x) or the [L33x](/en/solutions/pallet-dimensioning-L33x). - **Long goods such as pipes, profiles or long crates:** a system with a long measuring surface, such as the [L63x](/en/solutions/long-goods-measurement-L63x). If you have a mix of items to measure, look at the smallest and largest objects. They decide whether one system is enough or whether you need two measuring points. ## Where in the process do you measure? The second point is the location. In receiving, you avoid back-charges; in shipping, you bill correctly and plan the load space. Then there is the question of whether the forklift stops for the measurement or drives through. With static measuring, the system measures while the pallet stands briefly; with dynamic measuring, the forklift drives through a measuring gate. For throughput, the method matters less than the route to the measuring point: a single measuring gate in the facility forces detours, while measuring stations right at the loading doors save them. Two simulations show what this means for your throughput: - [Measure standing still or driving through?](/en/knowledge/measure-standing-or-driving-through) - [Static pallet dimensioning: what the stop costs](/en/knowledge/static-pallet-dimensioning-what-the-stop-costs) ## Do you need a legal-for-trade system? If you bill third parties based on the measured values, for example freight by volumetric weight, you generally need a legal-for-trade system. The responsible weights and measures authority has the final say on this. If you use the values only internally, for example for master data or load space planning, a variant that is not legal for trade is enough. What legal for trade means exactly and which certificates back it is explained on the page [Legal-for-trade volume measurement](/en/knowledge/legal-for-trade-volume-measurement). How volumetric weight is calculated is shown in [Calculate volumetric weight](/en/knowledge/calculate-volumetric-weight). ## Space, installation and environment Pallet systems usually hang from the ceiling, but they are also available as a frame that stands on the floor. Long goods systems such as the L63x are mounted on the ceiling. So clarify early how high the ceiling is at the planned spot and what is already hanging there. You need free space around the measuring point, also for the forklift routes. Also ask whether direct sunlight on the measuring surface, for example through an open door, disturbs the measurement. Power and network should be available at the spot. You can find the exact dimensions and mounting heights on the product pages. ## Connection to your systems A measured value is only useful once it arrives where you need it. So ask how the system triggers the measurement and how the data moves on: by barcode scan or automatically, via an interface to your WMS, TMS or ERP, as a file, or without integration via a QR code. What this looks like with MetriXFreight is on the page [The MetriXFreight platform](/en/the-platform-metrixfreight). ## Proof, operation and costs In a dispute over an invoice, a photo with every measurement helps, documenting the condition of the shipment together with the measured values. Also ask who looks after the system after installation: is measurement quality monitored continuously, is there remote maintenance, and how quickly does support respond? On costs, the price of the hardware is not all that counts. Weigh the one-time costs for hardware and installation and the ongoing costs for software and service together against the avoided back-charges and the saved working time. You can work this out with your numbers on the page [Is a dimensioning system worth it?](/en/knowledge/dimensioning-system-roi). ## Checklist for talks with vendors - **Items and process:** Ask for the smallest and largest objects the system measures, and ask about irregular shipments. Clarify whether it measures statically, while driving through, or both. - **Billing and technology:** Ask whether there is a legal-for-trade variant and for which countries it is approved. Clarify design, space required and required ceiling height, and how the measured values get into your system. - **Operation and costs:** Ask whether every measurement comes with a photo. Have them explain how measurement quality is monitored in operation, what the service includes, and which costs are one-time and which are ongoing. You learn the most from a visit to a site with similar items to measure. ## Frequently asked questions about choosing ### How do I find the right dimensioning system? Start with what you measure and where in the process you measure, then follow with legal-for-trade approval, space, connection and operation. Packages, pallets, long goods and individual items each need a different design, and whether you measure statically or while driving through determines installation and routes. ### What do I need to look for when choosing a DWS system? The size and shape of your shipments, the connection to your WMS or TMS, legal-for-trade approval if you bill by measured values, and service and monitoring in operation. A photo with every measurement helps if there is a dispute over an invoice. ### Do I need a legal-for-trade dimensioning system? Generally yes, if you bill third parties based on the measured values, for example freight by volumetric weight. The responsible weights and measures authority has the final say on this. For internal purposes such as master data or load space planning, a variant that is not legal for trade is enough. ### Static or dynamic dimensioning, which is better? The better method is the one that costs your process less travel and waiting time. If every pallet passes a fixed point anyway, a drive-through measuring gate fits. If pallets are spread over many loading doors, static measuring stations at the doors save travel. ### Which system measures long goods? For long goods such as pipes, profiles or long crates, you need a system with a long measuring surface. At metrilus, that is the L63x.