A brief guide to starting an e-commerce fulfilment service

As more and more people shop online, businesses are increasingly moving towards e-commerce and fulfilment services. If you’re taking your business online, there are a few things to consider when getting your products to your customers.

Packaging Online shopping is becoming increasingly sophisticated, and customers’ expectations in terms of the buying experience have increased. They get the first impression of your brand when your product arrives at their door. The packaging is therefore important. Consider using customized packaging materials like boxes, paper, stickers and tape. However, keep it tight! Distance determines shipping costs, but so too does a product’s weight and size. The smaller and lighter your package is, the cheaper it will be to ship. Shipping rates When it comes to running an online business, shipping can be a major expense, and if you’re not careful, it can eat away at your profits. Consider shipping rates before you launch your business. You can use any of the following pricing methods:

Charge a flat rate. Charge a one-time fee covering all your products, but be careful not to overcharge or undercharge. This works well if you have a uniform product line that doesn’t vary in size and weight.
Use carrier rates. Give shoppers real-time fees for carriers such as Canada Post or UPS. Many e-commerce platforms put these live pricing options on their website.
Provide free shipping. Customers love free shipping. However, in reality, shipping is never free, so you’ll need to add your shipping costs to the price you charge for your products.

Transporting your products

You’ll need either boxes or envelopes to ship your items safely. Boxes and envelopes can be padded or unpadded. Poly envelopes are an excellent choice for delicate items as they’re lightweight and can be adjusted to different volumes and weights.

Weighing your product

You’ll need to buy a bench scale or shipping scale to weigh your products before you ship them. Your scale should be able to measure items in kilograms, ounces and pounds. Some scales operate on battery power, so look for one with an AC adaptor. Moreover, ensure the scale is approved for legal trade by Measurement Canada.

Scale rental and sales in Alberta

If you need assistance selecting a scale for your business, Accurate Western Scale Co. Ltd. can help. Our scales comply with all relevant codes and standard, Measurement Canada sanctions us to certify scales as legal for trade under Canada’s Weights and Measures Act. We serve clients in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Swift Current and surrounding areas. Contact us today to see how we can help with your new online business.

4 Types of Industrial Floor Scales

Manufacturers, shipping companies, farmers, retailers and warehouse operations all need floor scales. Indeed, these industrial-strength pieces of equipment can provide indispensable data for your business. Which one is right for you? Here are four types to consider.

Basic floor scales
These scales are simple flat square devices that rest on the floor. They’re usually 3 ’x 3’ or 5’ x 5’ and have a weighing capacity of 1,000 to 20,000 pounds. They sit a few inches off the floor, so you’ll need ramps if you’re loading your scale with a pallet jack. Professional technicians can also install them below ground to make the scale bed flush with the floor. They also come in low-profile versions with beds much closer to the ground. These are consequently easier to access.
Portable floor scales
Take a low-profile basic floor scale, add some caster wheels and you have a portable floor scale. These devices are convenient because they can be stored out of the way. Many models come with forklift frames so you can easily transport them.
Lifting floor scales
These scales have hydraulic lifting mechanisms to lift the scale bed off the floor. The design is excellent for industries where you need frequent cleaning. Again, you’ll probably need ramps for better access.
U-Scales
U-Scales are designed so that you can use a pallet jack or forklift and steer right into the middle of the scale, set it down, weight it and then lift it up again. They save space but have a limited capacity of 5,000 pounds.

Accessories and parts

Floor scales are versatile. You can combine them with a variety of accessories and parts. Customize your floor scale with an animal cage or cargo container. T-belts keep debris and snow out of your scale and remote displays are a convenient feature for many types of operations.

Floor scales in Alberta

At Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd., we provide comprehensive scale products and services. Furthermore, we’re Measurement Canada sanctioned to sell and maintain scales for legal trade. This means our technicians can inspect and maintain your floor scale to ensure it meets all government and regulatory codes. Our commercial and industrial floor scales and associated services are available to clients in Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton, Swift Current and surrounding areas. Contact us today to get a free quote, book a service call or learn more.

5 Tips For Cleaning Your Medical Scale

Precision medical scales require precise and ongoing cleaning to ensure safety, reliability and the longevity of the device. Here are some tips to ensure your medical precision scale is regularly sanitized

1. Share cleaning procedures with your employees

If your medical scale is in a public office or clinic environment, you should have a printed-out cleaning protocol for all staff to follow. The document should contain the following information:

What should be cleaned?
How often should it be cleaned?
Who will clean the equipment?
The method of cleaning
What chemicals or products to be used?

Posting these protocols in a public space and informing all staff of the procedures required will help keep everyone safe.

2. Sanitize the equipment after its used

Medical scales should be cleaned after every use. Waiting could lead to contaminants drying on the surface, thereby making it more difficult to clean. Viruses and bacteria can live up to three days on a plastic or steel surface so vigilant cleanings are paramount. Before you start cleaning, make sure to unplug your medical scale. You can then remove any powder with a dry tissue. Make sure to never blow materials on your scale as this could lodge debris inside the scale housing. Once all dust is removed, use a damp cloth and mild solvent to clean it. Remember to wipe away from the cone opening where the pan rests as well as the air ducts.

3. Be careful with water and liquids

Water can damage delicate electrical and digital systems, and liquids entering the scale housing can cause the device to malfunction. Be careful not to apply solvents directly to the scale. Instead, dab them onto a cloth or use anti-bacterial wipes.

4. Exercise caution when handling your scale

Medical scales are precision instruments and precautions should be taken when cleaning them. Avoid:

Putting too much pressure on the balance pan; this can damage the load cells
Lifting the scale and shaking it to loosen debris
Dropping the scale or handling it roughly
Moving, carrying or tilting the scale to clean it

In addition, using harsh chemicals can seriously damage the scale’s components. Always check the manufacturer’s recommendations when selecting a solvent.

Medical Scales in Alberta

If you have questions about how to maintain your medical scale, we can help. The technicians at Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. have a combined 40 years of experience maintaining and repairing all types of scales in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer,Swift Current and the surrounding areas. We’re accredited with Measurement Canada and have a reputation for excellence. Contact us today to learn more about our medical scales and services.

How accurate should your lab scale be?

Laboratory work relies on accurate measurements. That said, some applications can tolerate lower accuracy levels, while others demand the highest precision possible. This means there’s no universal answer to the question of how accurate lab scales should be. However, when it comes to choosing a lab-scale, here are some key considerations in terms of accuracy.

Important parameters

Every scale is characterized by parameters and the most important ones are readability, accuracy and repeatability.

Accuracy refers to how accurate a scale’s reading is to the actual weight of the object.
Readability refers to the lowest denominator the scale can display when weighing an object. For instance, a scale with a readability of 0.1mg has a lower readability than a scale with a readability of 1mg.
Repeatability refers to the scale’s ability to display the same measurement result for a given object under identical conditions. This is often expressed as a standard deviation, meaning that the lower the value is the less variation there is.

As a rule of thumb, a scale with lower readability will be more accurate, but that doesn’t mean they’re the same. A scale could have very low readability while also being inaccurate. And, if you need to add and remove weights in real time, make sure to check linearity and eccentricity values provided by the manufacturer.

Amount of accuracy needed The degree of accuracy you need is entirely dependent on what you use the scale for. Every application and lab has a certain tolerance for error or, more precisely, a maximum uncertainty tolerance. This parameter specifies how much uncertainty is acceptable when weighing things in the context of your lab, and that can change depending on the specific activities and work performed. For instance, if your uncertainty tolerance is 1%, your scale doesn’t need to be as accurate as if your tolerance was 0.1%.

To know if your scale is accurate enough, all you need to do is determine the smallest weight your scale can accurately weigh. This is done by dividing the balance’s repeatability by your maximum uncertainty tolerance, which will then give you a specific weight. If this weight is found to be 20 mg, for example, you now know your scale is accurate when measuring anything that weighs 20 mg and up. It’s therefore unsuitable for anything under that value.

Find a reliable precision scale in Alberta

Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. carries a wide range of precision scales and we serve clients in Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton, Swift Current and surrounding areas. Whether you need to source specialized equipment or want advice on how to equip your laboratory, you can count on our experts for help. Contact us today to find out more about our products and services.

Why it’s important to weigh your livestock regularly

The weight of your cattle is one of the most crucial data points you need to track if you want to ensure the success of your business. Here are four key reasons why purchasing a livestock scale is a great way to maximize efficiency and reduce costs.

To know when to breed them
Breeding decisions form the basis of your herd’s long-term profitability. When deciding which heifers to breed, it’s important to select ones that have reached puberty and are ready to be bred. Since weight is a major determinant of when puberty occurs in cows, it’s the variable to keep an eye on when identifying the best time to breed a heifer. This will help ensure a healthy pregnancy.

To know how much feed to give
Tracking how much weight your cattle is putting on is the best way to ensure you aren’t wasting feed. Raising cattle often means hoping replacement heifers as well as other animals reach their target weights within a reasonable timeframe. However, giving them too much food can end up costing you big. By tracking their weight, you can easily adjust feed quantities to maximize your profits.

To know when to wean them
Calf weight is important when deciding if it’s time to start weaning. Early weaning can be a great tool, especially if you want to increase pregnancy rates. By weighing your animals regularly you’ll be able to find out how much weight they’re putting on and how much more they’ll need to put on to be healthy when switched over to grazing or other forms of feeding.

To know how healthy they are
The challenging task of tracking the health of your herd can be made easier by weighing them regularly. Sudden weight loss, a common symptom of serious health issues, can be hard to notice on cows and other large animals. Using a livestock scale to monitor them is the best way to catch early signs of disease.

Find livestock scales in Alberta Accurate/Western Scale provides scales to help you manage your cows and other livestock. We’re a top provider of farm scales in Calgary and throughout Alberta. We also offer a range of scale repair and maintenance services. Contact us today to get a free estimate or learn more about how we can help.

Does a scale have to be recertified when it crosses the border?

A scale doesn’t have to be recertified once it crosses the border between Canada and the United States. This is thanks to the Canada/U.S. Type Evalulation Program. Here’s everything you should know about it.

About scale certification

In both Canada and the United States, scales used to buy and sell goods need to be certified as legal for trade. This certification can be obtained through authorized technicians and is necessary to ensure that trade relying on accurate weights proceeds fairly. In Canada, Measurement Canada is responsible for setting the standards and granting authorization to certify scales. In the United States, this job belongs to the National Conference of Weights and Measures (NCWM).

The Canada/U.S. Type Evaluation Program

Both countries have a type evaluation program for weighing equipment. In Canada, the needed laboratories are located in Ottawa. There, Measurement Canada conducts testing of scales against the Canadian requirement for legal for trade certification. In the United States, this is the job of National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP).

A 1994 agreement between the two countries allows for weighing equipment used in commercial activities to be tested for both sets of standards. This means Canadian laboratories can grant the U.S. NTEP certificate as well as the Canadian legal for trade certification, and vice-versa. In some cases, one country may also recognize the certification from the other country without need for further certification (fuel dispensers are one example).

Why this program matters

The program allows scale manufacturers to get their products tested for both countries in one place, cutting down on costs. Second, it lowers the barrier to entry for each market by allowing certification to take place all in one go. Finally, it helps to harmonize the technical and commercial standards between the two countries.

Equipment covered by the program

Here are the pieces of weighing equipment that are covered by the program:

Gasoline and diesel dispensers, speed dispensers and meters
Bench and floor scales with a capacity of up to 1000 kg, both electronic and non-electronic
Weighing equipment with capacity up to 1000 kg
Electronic indicators, unless software-based
Mechanical scales with capacity up to 10,000 kg

Scale inspection and certifications in Calgary

If you need to get a scale certified, Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. can help. We also offer repair and maintenance services for your crane or hanging scale, and we carry a huge selection of truck and floor scales too. If you’re in Calgary or anywhere in Alberta, give us a call to learn more.