“Colli management” refers to the management of packaging units or loading units (colli or packages) for general cargo. Colli is a term used in international logistics to describe the packaging unit of a consignment of goods. For example, a collo can be a single large carton, a packed Euro pallet or even a single piece of general cargo, such as a large wrapped component.
Colli management is a central component of warehouse and shipping logistics and is used to ensure traceability, increase efficiency and avoid errors in logistics processes.
Particularly in mail order, production and logistics, software-supported colli management ensures that shipping and packaging units can be clearly identified, correctly assigned and efficiently handled
Creation of Collis: Assembling and managing multiple items into a single colli with unique identification (e.g., barcode, RFID).
Tracking & Traceability: Full traceability of collis during storage, picking, and transportation.
Packing Hierarchies: Mapping of structural relationships, e.g., item → box → pallet.
Labeling: Automated generation and printing of shipping labels with content, weight, and destination information.
Link to Delivery Notes and Orders: Assignment of collis to customer orders or deliveries.
Integration with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS): Transfer of colli data to the overarching warehouse or ERP system.
Management of Packaging Units: Definition and management of various packaging types and their properties (e.g., size, load capacity, reusable/disposable).
A logistics service provider creates five collis for a customer order, each containing ten items and labeled with unique identifiers.
In a shipping warehouse, a colli is automatically generated during picking and linked to the picked items from inventory.
A manufacturer uses colli management to document the contents of each pallet upon goods issue and ensure later traceability.
An ERP system generates a delivery note with associated colli information automatically and forwards it to the shipping carrier.
