An adaptive packing station is a packing station wired with buttons connected to an Xbox Adaptive Controller. A packer presses a button to enter a package type, print a label or invoice, or complete an order, instead of picking up a handheld barcode scanner.
Before You Begin
- Account: You can adapt your packing stations to use game controller buttons if you are a current ShipHero WMS client.
- Operating system: Each adaptive packing station must run a Windows operating system.
To build an adaptive packing station, see How to Set Up an Adaptive Packing Station. If a button or the AntiMicro program does not work, see Troubleshooting: Adaptive Packing Station.
Table of Contents
- Why Use an Adaptive Packing Station
- How an Adaptive Packing Station Works
- Adaptive Packing Station Cost and Availability
Why Use an Adaptive Packing Station
An adaptive packing station removes the lag between picking up the scanner, scanning the barcode, and putting it back down. Handheld barcode scanners revolutionized warehouse picking and packing by reducing errors, improving quality assurance, and saving time. Even so, that lag adds up during the critical packing phase. One or two seconds per order adds up significantly across your entire operation.
The solution came from the gaming community. Xbox® released an adaptive game controller designed for gamers with limited mobility, and ShipHero found that it could be repurposed for packing stations. Combined with a Logitech® button kit and open-source software, the result is a faster, more ergonomic packing workflow.
How an Adaptive Packing Station Works
An adaptive packing station lets packers instruct ShipHero's WMS to print a label or invoice, or complete an order, with the press of a button. The system uses packaging size as the main differentiator. Once a package type is entered with a button press rather than a handheld scanner, ShipHero's WMS knows what to do.
Each station uses an Xbox Adaptive Controller, which has two oversized buttons that can withstand constant heavy use and ports for up to 15 additional input sources. A Logitech Adaptive Gaming Kit provides 10 more buttons that you can place wherever you need them around the station. For the full hardware list, wiring, and software steps, see How to Set Up an Adaptive Packing Station.
The following video shows an adaptive packing station in action:
Watch Aaron Rubin pack an order in 25 seconds
Adaptive Packing Station Cost and Availability
The cost to upgrade a packing station to an adaptive packing station is minimal. It is typically less than a Socket Mobile scanner, which is what most clients use in their warehouses. The one caveat is that, like many electronics, adaptive controllers and button kits can occasionally be hard to source. If you are outfitting multiple stations, you may need to do it in waves.
For more information about adaptive packing stations, read the Innovation at Your Fingertips: Adaptive Packing Stations blog post or reach out to the Client Support Team.