The importance of inbound sorting
The way you receive goods determines how well you can perform further down the line. For sectors like e-commerce, retail, and 3PL, a flawless, fast, and scalable receiving process makes all the difference. This page explains how to improve your inbound processes and when automation becomes relevant.
What Is Inbound Logistics?
Inbound sorting refers to sorting goods arriving from manufacturers, suppliers, and/or returns. Purchase orders can be linked to the sorter, which then counts everything that comes in. This includes correct quantities and, in the case of apparel, the correct sizes, colors, models, patterns, and so on. This makes it easy to verify whether everything ordered has been delivered. Returns can be sorted in the same way, but are processed differently.
For goods coming from a supplier, it’s important to know whether the agreed items were delivered, and on time. The sorting solutions offered by DistriSort are multifunctional and can handle inbound, outbound, and returns on the same machine.
Inbound logistics plays a crucial role in the overall logistics process. Mistakes made here will inevitably resurface later. This includes:
- Procurement of materials
- Transport and freight management
- Goods receiving in warehouses
- Inventory management
- Returns handling (consumer and retail)
Automatically sorting inbound goods
Automatically registering and sorting all incoming goods at a distribution center or warehouse. Items are sorted via a connection with the WMS based on predefined criteria – both supplier deliveries and returns from retail and e-commerce. At the same time, the sorter can verify whether a supplier has delivered an order as agreed. For apparel, this includes quantities, models, sizes, colors, patterns, etc. Barcode errors can also be detected automatically.
The Challenge: prevent inbound logistics from becoming a Bottleneck
Suppliers deliver right on time, and everything arrives at once. Now, everything must be stored correctly as quickly as possible. A major challenge, that with the help of an automatic sorter, the inbound process can be significantly improved. It becomes better, faster, and more structured:
- You know exactly what’s coming in (WMS integration)
- Sorting based on your criteria
- Less dependent on staff (shortages)
- No errors
- Faster time-to-market
- Automating your goods receiving process results in a major efficiency boost. Plus, you always have a
- real-time view of your inventory.
Real-time inventory insight
Even before items are placed in the warehouse, you know exactly what you have in stock. And if something is wrong with a delivery, you can immediately contact the supplier. This allows for quick reorders. Any production errors can be automatically filtered out, reducing returns and disappointed customers later on. Returns can also be sorted inbound in the same way. Order-based sorting (outbound) is handled by the same sorter and WMS, keeping inventory management always up to date.
Sorting Returned Goods
These are goods returned from retail stores or items purchased through e-commerce and then sent back. Both return streams can be registered and sorted inbound again using barcodes—either back into stock, through cross-docking directly to sales, or redirected to another destination.
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FAQ Sorting Inbound
Specific questions or can't find your query? Contact us!
Inbound flows come from suppliers or returns; outbound logistics refers to all your orders that need to be processed.
Yes, in principle this is possible – for the sorter, it’s the same action. Whether it’s practical depends on your specific situation.
This depends on several factors. The fastest option is the Standard Fashion Sorter, operational within 4–6 months. It’s a 100% Split Tray sorter in a simplified, preconfigured version – ideal for scale-ups looking to grow, increase processing capacity, and reduce labor costs.
Yes – especially for mixed deliveries. That’s where a sorter really shines. If you want to sort a box of socks in various sizes and colors by size, brand, and color, that’s no problem.
Automatic inbound sorting becomes relevant from approximately 3,500 SKUs per hour.
