Product Spotlight: fitPACK500™ Right-Sized Packaging System

tensionapdev on March 7, 2024

With its variable length, width and height capabilities, the fitPACK500TM is a right-sized packaging system that creates packages based on product dimensions, yielding shipping cost savings without compromising throughput.​

Growth in direct-to-consumer (DTC) business and labor shortages have led to increased investments in warehouse and packaging automation. Distribution operations are faced with needs for more throughput, cost performance in automated packaging equipment and sustainable solutions – all demands in addition to a changing warehouse model from eCommerce to a hybrid of eCommerce and retail fulfillment where split-case fulfillment and smaller pack sizes are needed to satisfy the new business model for warehouses. 

Our product innovation team is equally aware of the growth and changing needs in order fulfillment and have come up with the perfect solution in our new, innovative fitPACK500TM Right-sized packaging system. 

What is the fitPACK500 Right-sized Packaging System?

Designed by Tension Packaging & Automation, the fitPACK500 is a “right-sized” order fulfillment packaging system. It is designed for efficiency, reduces waste and creates cost savings. Tailored for variable sized items with capabilities to adjust package length, width and height for each product, it packages without compromising speed. Because the fitPACK500 can create a package according to size, it yields smaller, tighter, right-sized packages that lead to lower shipping costs.   

fitPACK500 Right-sized Packaging System Benefits

Through its innovative design, fitPACK500 offers warehouse distribution operations the ability to create packages according to the product size. This allows distribution centers to process orders with multiple products in varying sizes with right-sized packages, yielding reduced shipping costs and without compromising throughput. 

  • Productivity – fitPACK500 is custom-designed to create a right-sized package without compromising throughput.
  • Reduced Package Waste – Because fitPACK500 creates each package according to product size, package recipients receive packages with reduced package waste. A waste collection bin collects any excess width trim material.
  • Lower Shipping Costs – Because many carriers assign shipping costs according to package size, having the right package size helps get the correct shipping rate and can lead to significant savings on shipping costs over time.
  • Product Protection – Packages are custom-made to fit each product or grouping, creating secure, tight packages to protect the contents better.
  • Intuitive HMI – fitPACK500 is powered by Tension’s proprietary TensionCONNECTTM software that integrates any 3rd party systems. Its smart features include an intuitive user interface that reduces operator training time.
  • High Versatility – fitPACK500 can run different product sizes that call for different film widths through an intelligent 3D scanner. Its unique design allows operators to feed products without batching products or performing manual film changeovers.
  • Modern Modularity – fitPACK500 has enhanced options for further improving productivity. Available upgrades include complete packaging tracking capabilities and an option for “two-way” packaging with a perforation and adhesive strip for package returns.

Who Needs fitPACK500 Right-sized Packaging System?

Tension’s fitPACK500 Right-sized Packaging System is ideal for direct-to-consumer (DTC), business-to-business (B2B) or third-party logistics (3PL) order fulfillment operations who need automated packaging solutions. 

And as a full solutions provider, we offer integration solutions for any existing hardware or software solution in your facility. We also offer comprehensive service and support plans to lend our partners peace of mind in their dynamic and sometimes demanding warehouse environments.

Take a Tour of the Interactive fitPACK500 Product Video

With capabilities to adjust package length, width, and height, the fitPACK500 can create a package according to product dimensions, yielding smaller, right-sized packages that lead to lower shipping costs. Please tour fitPACK500 through our interactive video experience and learn why fitPACK500 is the perfect fit for your order fulfillment. Request your demo of this revolutionary right-sized packaging system here.

Contact Us

Give your order fulfillments operations the perfect fit for growth with Tension’s new, innovative fitPACK500 Right-sized Packaging System. Contact us to get started today or check our product page for more details. 

Spotlight on Service & Support: Going the Extra Mile

tensionapdev on June 27, 2023

More than 80% of warehouses today lack automation, highlighting significant opportunities for improvement in efficiency and scalability. Tension Packaging & Automation specializes in designing, building, and supporting automation solutions for eCommerce and pharmacy operations, powered by intuitive TensionDirector software. With dedicated service, proactive training, and 24/7 support, we’re your true partner in creating reliable and stress-free automation experiences.

More than 80% of warehouses today have no automation. This statistic was presented at MHI’s (Material Handling Industry) spring meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina where Tension Packaging & Automation joined MHI’s SLAM and Solutions Community industry groups.  

MHI, the nation’s largest material handling, logistics and supply chain association, has more than 800 members and offers a powerful resource for knowledge, networking and solutions sourcing for manufacturing and supply chain professionals. The Solutions Community group represents a network of thought leaders in automation, software, hardware, equipment and services that support a fully integrated supply chain. 

Who Is Tension Packaging & Automation? 

Tension Packaging & Automation is a full solutions integrated provider; we design, build, install and support warehouse automation solutions for: 

  • eCommerce Order Fulfillment Automation to include packaging, conveying, labeling, manifesting, and sorting solutions for distribution centers, 3PLs and warehouse management.  
  • Pharmacy Automation to include dispensing, verification, packaging, labels, sorting and manifesting solutions for central-fill, mail-order, specialty, hospital outpatient and pet pharmacies.  

Many of our solutions run on our innovative, intuitive TensionDirector software architecture aimed at seamlessly integrating your complete suite of automation solutions. 

We’ve Got Your Back: Your True Partner for Service, Support & Success 

Due to the complexities involved in integrating and operating warehouse automation, such projects require a high level of dedicated, responsive and thorough support through the life of the product or contract.

From installation to training and from service to support, our team is committed to providing expertise to our customers through every step. And in doing so, we strive to provide the best possible service and support in the industry — our team of experienced professionals seeks to anticipate customer needs and provide solutions that minimize downtime and maximize efficiency through: 

  • Proactivity: We support our products with on-call troubleshooting and complete training opportunities. Our team teaches your team best practices for running your new equipment, equips them with reference manuals and ensures your operators and technicians are prepared and confident to run it.  
  • Thoroughness: From troubleshooting to maintenance and repair services, our technicians are thorough in their approach, ensuring that all needs are met, and no detail is overlooked. Our team has the dedication and determination to correct the issue and to exceed customer expectations.  
  • Timeliness: We respond to service requests in an extremely timely fashion. All requests are submitted though our Service Portal where they are immediately assessed and assigned for deployment. 
  • Expertise: Our technicians specialize in equipment from sorting machines and conveyor systems to our proprietary pharmacy automation equipment and software solutions. Organizing our team by equipment subject matter experts (SMEs) enables us to quickly and effectively solve inquiries and transfer knowledge to other projects. 
  • Service with a Smile: In addition to our technical expertise, our team is conscientious, courteous, respectful and attentive to the needs of our customers. We are available 24/7 to provide advice, technical support and maintenance services. 

Overall, we pride ourselves on being your true partner; we want your company to be a success. You can rely on us for service and support through available standard and premium service plans for ongoing support needs, or you can select a flexible maintenance plan that works for you. 

Contact Us 

Whether you are considering new warehouse automation solutions or need assistance with an existing system, our team is here to help. We believe that everyone should have access to the highest quality of service and support. It is our mission to make sure your pharmacy or eCommerce warehouse automation experience is successful, reliable and stress-free. Contact us today to get the conversation started. 

Product Spotlight: Tension PharmaPATH™ Back-End Pharmacy Workflow Software

tensionapdev on November 9, 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the vital role pharmacies play in healthcare, driving demand for efficient management tools like Tension’s PharmaPATHTM Back-End Pharmacy Workflow Software. Designed to streamline operations, PharmaPATH integrates seamlessly with front-end systems, ensuring accuracy, adaptability, and maximum performance for mail order, specialty, and central fill pharmacies. Transform your pharmacy workflows with intuitive, high-performing solutions from Tension.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical role pharmacies play in American healthcare. As the demand for high-value pharmacist services such as vaccinations, medication therapies, and drug management for acute illness remains strong, so does the need for effective pharmacy management software and workflow tools.

Pharmacy workflows can assign pharmacy technicians various tasks in the pharmacy, allowing pharmacists more bandwidth to provide high-value services and ultimately deliver more satisfying patient experiences.

Infuse intuitive, efficient, and intelligent pharmacy software solutions in your pharmacy with Tension’s PharmaPATHTM Back-End Pharmacy Workflow Software.

What is PharmaPATH Software?

Through an interface with front-end pharmacy software systems, the PharmaPATH is a back-end pharmacy workflow management software system that accepts order requests that have been fully adjudicated and confirmed ready for processing. Then, it facilitates the prescription through dispensing, pharmacist verification (PV), packaging and manifesting.

WFS helps all types of pharmacies, including mail order, central fill, and specialty pharmacies, seamlessly manage the back-end processing of prescription and non-prescription items.

PharmaPATH Workflow Software Benefits

PharmaPATH software is well-suited for automated pharmacy dispensing systems:

  • Easy to Use – Dedicated workstations allow operators to focus on the task at hand in your automated pharmacy.
  • Streamlined – Process a prescription in a fraction of the time it takes to process a prescription with a manual process.
  • Adaptable – Easily integrates with front end pharmacy technology applications. This back-end workflow software system can be modified to fit your unique workflows or customized to meet your specific pharmacy needs.
  • Accurate – Accuracy is built into every step of the process with barcode scan verification of products, patient labels, documentation, and packaging.
  • Intuitive – Intuitive user interfaces are efficiency-focused and designed to reduce training efforts, increase throughput and eliminate mistakes in your pharmacy operations.
  • Performer – The entire workflow is designed toward maximum throughput and performance without sacrificing quality.
  • Intelligent – Intelligent order induction for the pharmacy dispensing software determines the best processing method for each item dispensed.

Who Needs PharmaPATH Software?

Tension’s PharmaPATH software is ideal for pharmacies that need an easier-to-learn and intuitive processing system for their pharmacy workflow.

Pharmacy managers seeking to increase accuracy and performance in their pharmacy operations can benefit from Tension’s PharmaPATH, as it offers an environment that minimizes operator error as medications are scanned, logged and tracked in efficient, dedicated workstations.

Pharmacy technicians/operators will also appreciate the ergonomic, minimalistic approach and ascetically pleasing user interfaces.

Because it is so versatile and easy to use, Tension’s PharmaPATH software can be integrated into any pharmacy looking for a new workflow management system or an upgrade to improve existing processes. From specialty to pet & livestock to long term care to mail order pharmacies, Tension has the innovative tools you need to revolutionize your pharmacy operations.

Want More Information?

Download our case study to learn how one Tension customer implemented our PharmaPATH Back-End Pharmacy Workflow Software System to launch their online pharmacy. Click here to access the case study.

Contact Us

Give your pharmacy operations a boost with Tension’s PharmaPATH pharmacy management software. Contact us to get started today, or check our product page for more details.

Product Spotlight: BPM (Bottle Packaging Machine)

tensionapdev on July 21, 2022

The online pharmacy market is set to soar to over $210 billion by 2028, presenting significant opportunities—and challenges—for mail-order and central-fill pharmacies. Tension’s Bottle Packaging Machine (BPM) is a high-output, automated solution designed to scale with demand, offering unmatched accuracy and efficiency. With a multi-stage verification process, on-demand printing, and throughput rates of 600+ packages per hour, the BPM streamlines pharmacy operations while ensuring patient safety.

The global online pharmacy market is expected to reach more than $210 billion by 2028, up from $69 billion in 2020. This significant growth represents exciting opportunities for mail-order and central-fill pharmacies yet it can also pose a sizable operational challenge as business needs are scaled.
 

What is the BPM?

The BPM or Bottle Packaging Machine is a high output bottle and vial packaging system for mail-order and central-fill pharmacies. With throughputs* of up to 10 times that of a packing clerk in a high output pharmacy, this fully automated system packs prescriptions and patient-specific documents in bags that are printed on-demand.
 

*Actual throughput is dependent upon multiple factors including staffing productivity and performance, workflows, data interfaces and availability of product to the system.

Automated Bottle Packaging Equipment for Pharmacy Fulfillment

The BPM offers best-in-class bottle automation and fill-pack technology for pharmaceutical filling machines with its:

  • Scan–Print–Pack–Seal™ configuration
  • Print on-demand patient documents
  • Tension’s Auto-Fold Technology
  • Power unwind feature for positive bag-web control
  • Multi-step verification

Additionally, multiple configurations for a customized BPM system are available based on your needs and configurations.

Ensure Accuracy and Efficiency with the BPM

  1. The BPM features a multi-stage scan verification process and remains the most accurate and efficient solution on the market today:
    Each patient-specific barcode is automatically scanned and matched to an order.
  2. Patient-specific documents are printed, scanned for verification and folded without human intervention.
  3. All prescriptions and documents are inserted into the printed or labeled package, and the patient’s order is sealed.

If any of the scans do not read or do not match, the system rejects the order for review by a technician.

The BPM is the Ideal Bottle Packaging Machine for Pharmacies

Tension’s BPM runs in mail-order and central-fill pharmacies at rates of 600 packages per hour and higher. Easily interfaced to single bottle lines or puck-based conveyance systems, the BPM provides the accuracy, throughput and efficiency of space to optimize your pharmacy.

Want More Information on Our Pharmacy Automation Solutions?

Give your mail-order or central-fill pharmacy operations an efficient boost with the Tension BPM. Contact us to get started today, or check our product page for more details.