The Cartonization Software Buyer’s Guide: What to Ask Before You Buy

Choosing the right cartonization software is a big decision. It’s not just about fitting products into boxes. It’s about cutting shipping costs, speeding up fulfillment, and making your warehouse more profitable.

Before you sign a contract or start an integration, here are some important questions to ask that can save you time, money, and a lot of headaches later.

1. Does it optimize for cost or just space?

A lot of tools only care about fitting items into the smallest box. That might seem efficient, but it often leads to higher shipping costs.

Great cartonization software looks beyond space. It should factor in things like:

• Carrier rates and DIM weight pricing

• Product margins

• Delivery zones and surcharges

• Special business rules (like HAZMAT or FBA compliance)
  

Ask this: "Does your software use real shipping rates and margin data to make decisions?"

2. How quickly can we get it running with our WMS?

No one wants a months-long integration process. A good system should plug into your existing tech stack without needing a complete overhaul.

Ask this: "Can you integrate with our WMS or ERP like Deposco, NetSuite, or 3PL Central?"

Packers at Medusa Distribution facilities utilize Perseus Cartonization Software to optimize parcel packaging processes, ensuring efficiency and accuracy in operations.

3. Can we apply our own packing rules?

Every warehouse has its quirks. You might have rules around not packing certain SKUs together, or handling fragile items a specific way.

Ask this: "Can we configure packing rules that match how we already operate?"

4. What kind of onboarding and support do you offer?

Even the best software won’t deliver results if your team isn’t trained properly. Look for a provider that supports both your ops team and your packers on the floor.

Ask this: "What does onboarding look like for managers and pack station teams?"

5. Can we test the ROI before making a decision?

Cartonization software should prove its value before you pay for it. Some providers (like Perseuss) will run your historical orders through their engine and show you potential savings up front.

Ask this: "Can we test it using our past data to see how much we could actually save?"

6. Does it work for different shipping types?

If you ship parcels, pallets, or full truckloads, your solution should be flexible enough to handle all of them.

Ask this: "Will it work for cartons, pallets, and load planning across our different workflows?"

7. How does the system guide packers?

Smart cartonization only works if your team can follow it easily. Whether it’s screens at the pack station or put-to-light systems, the tool should be simple to use on the floor.

Ask this: "How does the software show packers what to do in real time?"

Final Thoughts

Smart cartonization is about more than packing boxes. It’s about protecting your margins, reducing waste, and helping your team pack faster and smarter.

At Perseuss, we help fulfillment teams validate their ROI upfront. You get to see the results before making a commitment. That way, you know it’s the right move.

Want to try it for yourself? Book a quick demo and see how Perseuss helps your warehouse reduce costs, increase efficiency, and make smarter packing decisions.