How to Choose the Right DWS System for Your Fulfilment Centre
- Mark Neville
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Key Takeaways
A dimensioning weighing scanning system captures parcel dimensions, weight, and barcode data in a single automated pass, eliminating costly manual data entry.
Speed, accuracy, integration compatibility, and durability are the four non-negotiable benchmarks to evaluate before buying.
Inline DWS suits high-throughput conveyor environments; desktop DWS suits smaller, station-based operations.
Ask your vendor the right questions before signing — contract terms, SLA commitments, and WMS integration support matter as much as hardware specs.
Emerdis DWS workstation is purpose-built to solve the most common inbound accuracy and throughput challenges.
Every parcel that enters your fulfillment centre without accurate data attached to it is a liability. Wrong dimensions mean incorrect shipping charges. Unrecorded weights create billing disputes. Missing barcode scans produce inventory blind spots that cascade downstream into mis-picks, failed deliveries, and customer complaints.
The dimensioning weighing scanning system — DWS — is the technology designed to close that gap at the point of receipt. But not all DWS systems are equal, and choosing the wrong one for your operation can mean investing significant capital in hardware that either underperforms or doesn't integrate with the systems your team already relies on.
This guide walks you through exactly what to look for, how to compare your options, and the questions you must ask before committing.
What Is a DWS System and Why Does It Matter for Inbound Logistics?
A dimensioning weighing scanning system is an integrated automated platform that captures three critical pieces of data simultaneously: the physical dimensions of a parcel (length, width, height), its actual weight, and its barcode or label data. A DWS system handles various package types, including parcels, polybags, and cartons, by accurately capturing dimensions, weight, and barcode data in a single workflow.
Before DWS technology, this process was manual — operators would use handheld scanners, tape measures, and separate weighing scales, entering data by hand or across multiple systems. The result: slow throughput, high error rates, and a chronic mismatch between what the WMS records and what's physically on the shelf.
Inbound is where this matters most. The data captured at receipt forms the foundation for every downstream process: slotting, billing, pick assignment, dispatch, and returns. A single inbound error doesn't stay at inbound — it ripples.
DWS systems should integrate seamlessly with existing Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) to ensure smooth data flow and automate workflows. That integration isn't a nice-to-have; it's what transforms a hardware purchase into a genuine operational upgrade.
Key DWS Metrics: Speed, Accuracy, and Integration Readiness
When you're evaluating DWS systems, three performance metrics should anchor every conversation with a vendor.
Speed (Parcels Per Hour)
High-volume operations — particularly those handling e-commerce returns or multi-carrier inbound receipts — need to know exactly how many parcels per hour the system can process without creating a bottleneck at the dock door. Inline conveyor-based DWS systems are built for continuous-motion scanning, capturing data without stopping the belt. Conveyor-based dimensional scanners capture dimensions, weight, and barcodes in under one second, even at speeds up to 1.0 m/s. That's the benchmark for high-throughput inbound environments.
Accuracy
Dimensional accuracy and weight accuracy aren't interchangeable, and both matter. Dimensional weight is how carriers calculate shipping costs — an error of even a few centimetres can result in systematic billing discrepancies at scale. Look for systems that specify accuracy tolerances clearly: ±2mm for dimensions and sub-gram precision for weight are reasonable thresholds to demand.
Integration Readiness
Compatibility with existing Warehouse Management Software (WMS) and Transportation Management Systems (TMS) will leverage the full potential of real-time data processing and information sharing. Before evaluating any hardware, map your existing IT stack. Know which WMS version you're running, what APIs are exposed, and whether your vendor is prepared to support the integration with documented connectors — not just a vague promise of compatibility.
Inline vs. Desktop DWS: When Each Model Makes Sense
The market offers two primary form factors, and the right choice depends entirely on your throughput volumes and operational layout.
Inline DWS (Conveyor-Integrated)
Designed for operations where parcels move continuously along a belt. The scanner, dimensioner, and scale are all built into the conveyor line, capturing data without any manual intervention or stopping. Inline systems measure items moving on a conveyor or similar system without stopping and are designed for high-speed operations like shipping hubs or e-commerce facilities.
Inline DWS is the right choice when:
You're processing more than 500 parcels per hour at inbound
You're running 24/7 operations where manual bottlenecks are unacceptable
You have dedicated conveyor infrastructure at the receiving dock
Integration with a sortation or labelling system is required immediately downstream
Desktop DWS (Station-Based)
Operators place parcels manually onto the platform, which then captures all three data points in a single reading. This model suits lower-volume operations or specific workstation environments where a conveyor line isn't viable. Desktop systems measure items that are stationary or manually placed on the system and are ideal for smaller operations or environments where speed is less critical.
Desktop DWS is the right choice when:
Your inbound volumes are moderate and variable
You need a cost-effective entry point into DWS automation
Floor space or infrastructure doesn't support conveyor integration
You're piloting automated data capture before a wider rollout
Many operations run both in parallel — inline for the high-volume conveyor lane and desktop units at overflow or specialist receiving stations.
Questions to Ask Before Signing a DWS Contract
Buying a DWS system is a capital decision. The hardware conversation is only half of it. The questions below separate vendors who deliver operational value from those who sell equipment and disappear.
Performance and Validation
Can you provide independent accuracy test data, not just marketing specifications?
What throughput rates have been verified in live deployments at a comparable operation size to ours?
What is the system's downtime rate, and how is that measured?
Integration
Which WMS and TMS platforms do you have certified integrations with?
Who manages the integration project — your team, a third party, or ours?
What does the data output look like, and how is it structured for our system?
Suppport
What does your SLA look like for hardware failures? Is there a replacement unit guarantee?
Is remote diagnostics and monitoring included, or is it an add-on?
What training is provided for operators and IT teams?
Commercial Terms
What is included in the warranty, and what voids it?
Are software updates included in the purchase price, or billed separately?
What does the roadmap look like for hardware upgrades over the next three years?
There is often little communication between the Warehouse Management System and the Transport Management System despite the globalisation of exchanges. Linking the two will allow you to optimise costs, facilitate the work of operators, and monitor product quality while optimising space and storage. A reputable DWS vendor, like Emerdis, should be actively helping you bridge that gap, not leaving the integration challenge to you.
How Emerdis DWS Workstation Addresses Common Inbound Challenges
The DWS workstation from Emerdis is built around the specific operational realities of high-volume fulfilment inbound — not around a generic logistics use case.
Where most inbound operations suffer from fragmented data capture (one system for scanning, another for weighing, manual tape measurements for dimensions), Emerdis DWS consolidates everything into a single-pass workflow. Every parcel that moves through inbound leaves with a complete, verified data record — dimensions, weight, and barcode — is pushed directly to your WMS in real time.
The system is designed with integration as a first principle, not an afterthought. Emerdis DWS connects to the WMS and TMS environments that UK and EMEA fulfil operations actually run, with documented APIs and a dedicated integration support process. For operations running mixed parcel profiles — varying sizes, weights, and label quality — the system is calibrated to handle edge cases that cause other DWS units to misread or flag exceptions unnecessarily.
The result: inbound data you can trust from day one, at the throughput rates your operation demands.
Frequently Asked Questions: DWS System
What does DWS stand for?
DWS stands for Dimensioning, Weighing, and Scanning. A DWS system captures all three data points — physical dimensions, actual weight, and barcode/label data — in a single automated pass.
How fast can a DWS system process parcels?
Inline, conveyor-integrated DWS systems can process parcels in under one second per unit at conveyor speeds up to 1.0 m/s. Throughput depends on the specific system and conveyor configuration, but high-performance setups comfortably handle hundreds of parcels per minute.
Does a DWS system work with my existing WMS?
Most modern DWS systems offer integration with major WMS and TMS platforms, but you should confirm certified compatibility with your specific software version before purchasing. Ask vendors for documentation, not just a verbal assurance.
What's the difference between dimensional weight and actual weight?
Actual weight is how heavy a parcel physically is. Dimensional weight (also called volumetric weight) is a calculated figure based on the parcel's size — carriers use whichever is higher to determine shipping costs. A DWS system captures both, ensuring accurate billing and preventing revenue leakage.
Is a DWS system only useful at inbound?
No — DWS systems are valuable at multiple touchpoints, including outbound shipping lanes, returns processing, and mid-warehouse quality checks. Inbound is typically the highest-priority deployment because it's where foundational inventory data is first established.
Ready to find the right DWS solution for your operation? Contact Emerdis DWS Automation Specialists on sales@emerdis.com.
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