The Smart Scan System for Your Logistics
Automated capture of pallets, roll cages, and Barcodes/SSCC labels during pass-through scanning.
Introduction to the ScanGate
A modern scan system for goods receipt is becoming increasingly important in today’s logistics operations. Goods receipt is one of the most critical stages in the material flow: this is where it is decided whether deliveries are documented correctly or whether errors, delays, and manual rework will occur. Many companies still rely on handheld scanners to capture SSCC labels — a process that depends heavily on the operator and quickly reaches its limits when labels are dirty, damaged, or poorly positioned.
With our scan system, this process becomes fully automated. The camera-based pass-through system detects every load carrier as it moves through the gate, analyzes Barcodes and SSCC labels in real time, and automatically matches the captured data with the delivery list. The result is a faster, more reliable, and fully digital flow of goods in goods receipt and throughout the entire logistics process.
Challenges in Today’s Inbound Goods Process
In many logistics centers, goods inspection is still carried out manually. Staff members scan barcodes individually using handheld scanners or walk through a scanner tunnel equipped with traditional barcode handheld devices or basic barcode recognition systems.
This manual barcode scanning process is time-consuming and error-prone: damaged labels, poor lighting conditions, different operators, stress, and user mistakes frequently result in incorrect or missing scans.
Another issue occurs when multiple load carriers are pushed through the goods receipt area at the same time. If only one barcode is attached to two pallets, traditional scan systems do not detect this error. They simply capture the visible code — the second pallet remains unregistered. This leads to inventory discrepancies, incorrect quantities, and reduced scan accuracy.
Conventional systems also fail to detect situations where barcodes are missing entirely — for example because labels have fallen off or were never applied. Quantity counting of load carriers is also often done manually, making it highly error-prone. This combination of manual work and missing transparency leads to inconsistencies, misbookings, and unclear inbound deliveries.
Another major weakness of traditional barcode or handheld scanner systems is the lack of direction detection. They cannot determine whether goods are being moved into or out of the warehouse. Some companies try to implement this with light barriers, but in complex logistics environments with multiple gates, changing routes, or parallel material flows, these solutions are often unreliable and prone to false triggers.
Common Challenges in Goods Receipt
- Incorrect or incomplete barcode captures
- Damaged, dirty, or poorly positioned labels (SSCC / logistics barcodes)
- User errors under high workload or changing staff
- No detection when labels are missing or have fallen off
- No automated quantity counting of load carriers
- No complete documentation of deviations or complaints
ScanGate: Automated Inbound Inspection with Our Scan System
The PixelEdge Scan System automates the entire goods inspection process and eliminates the limitations of traditional handheld scanners, scanner tunnels, and static barcode recognition systems. The smart scan system detects every pallet and load carrier fully automatically as it passes through — without stopping and without any operator interaction.
SSCC and logistics barcodes are reliably detected even when they are dirty, twisted, partially covered, or poorly positioned. At the same time, the AI identifies each individual load carrier and immediately flags situations where a label is missing, has fallen off, or when one barcode is used for multiple pallets. This prevents inventory discrepancies, quantity deviations, and reduced scan accuracy.
All captured codes are matched in real time with the expected delivery list. Missing barcodes, duplicate codes, unclear positions, or incomplete deliveries are identified instantly and displayed clearly. In addition, the ScanGate provides image-based documentation of every pass-through, ensuring full transparency for deviations, complaints, and inbound goods verification at any time.
Unlike traditional systems, the ScanGate also detects the direction of movement automatically — without using light barriers, which often trigger unreliably in complex logistics environments. The system always knows whether goods are being moved in or out of the warehouse.
Advantages Compared to Traditional Scanners
- Reliable SSCC and logistics barcode detection even when labels are damaged, twisted, or dirty.
- Detects missing or fallen-off labels as well as situations where a single barcode is used for multiple pallets.
- Automated quantity counting of each load carrier — regardless of label presence or condition.
- No operator interaction required — every pallet is captured fully automatically during pass-through.
- Reliable direction detection without light barriers — the system automatically identifies inbound and outbound movements.
- Stable performance in daylight, darkness, and backlight — independent of ambient light conditions.
- Image-based documentation provides full traceability for every delivery.
- Instant deviation detection for missing, duplicate, or unreadable codes.
Real-Time Digital Delivery Validation
A key advantage of the scan system is the fully automated verification against the stored delivery list. As load carriers pass through the gate, the system captures every barcode (NVE/SSCC) and immediately compares it with the data from the connected ERP, WMS, or customer system. This eliminates the need for manual comparison between paper documents and the actual delivery.
The schematic representation also illustrates an important benefit: If a barcode is missing or unreadable, the ScanGate instantly marks the affected load carrier in red. This allows operators to detect incomplete or incorrect deliveries directly during the process — long before they result in misbookings, discrepancies, or claims.
Through the intuitive web-based HMI, users can always see the real-time loading progress: which items have already been recorded, which are still missing, and whether unexpected or additional load carriers have passed through the gate.
Automated reconciliation with ERP and WMS systems
- Instant synchronization of all captured barcode (Label/SSCC) data with ERP, WMS, or WCS systems.
- Missing, unreadable, or unexpected load carriers are detected immediately and visually highlighted.
- Automatic identification of additional or implausible pallets compared to the digital delivery list.
- Progress display within the HMI: operators can see at any time which items have already been recorded and which are still missing.
- The entire verification process happens during the drive-through — no manual scanning, no data entry, no additional hardware required.
This means that goods receipt is not just documented, but fully validated digitally — seamlessly integrated into your existing system landscape.
Use Cases and Conclusion
The PixelEdge ScanGate is ideal wherever goods flows need to be captured reliably and quickly – both in goods receipt and goods dispatch. Typical applications include central logistics hubs, cross-docking areas, production supply zones, as well as e-commerce and fulfillment operations. The system delivers its strongest benefits in environments with high throughput or a high cost of error.
- Goods receipt in distribution centers
- Goods dispatch and outbound verification
- Cross-docking and transshipment processes
- Production logistics and inbound material checks
- E-commerce and fulfillment centers
In summary, the ScanGate enables a modern, automated, and error-free goods inspection process. It makes operations faster, more stable, and fully digitally documented. Companies benefit from a significant reduction in manual work, less reprocessing effort, and far higher process reliability across both inbound and outbound logistics.
Frequently Asked Questions about the ScanGate
What is the PixelEdge ScanGate, and what is it used for?
The PixelEdge ScanGate is an AI-powered drive-through scanning system that automates the entire goods receipt and dispatch process. It detects load carriers as they pass through, reads barcodes (NVE/SSCC), and automatically validates all data against the digital delivery list. This eliminates manual scanning and makes the process faster, safer, and fully digitally documented.
How does the ScanGate differ from traditional handheld scanners or scan tunnels?
Handheld scanners and scan tunnels only work reliably when labels are clean, properly positioned, and fully visible. The ScanGate uses AI-based image analysis to read barcodes even when they are dirty, damaged, poorly placed, or partially covered. It also checks quantities, missing labels, and implausible deliveries — capabilities that handheld scanners cannot provide.
Can the ScanGate read damaged, dirty, or partially covered barcodes?
Yes. The integrated AI reliably detects SSCC and NVE barcodes even under difficult conditions: rotated, dirty, damaged, poorly positioned, or partially obscured. Missing or duplicate barcodes are automatically detected and visually highlighted in the HMI.
How does the digital delivery list verification work?
All scanned barcodes are instantly validated against the delivery list received from the ERP, WMS, or customer system. Missing pallets, implausible shipments, or quantity discrepancies are detected immediately. The HMI also shows the full progress of loading or unloading in real time.
Can the ScanGate detect missing labels or multiple pallets sharing the same barcode?
Yes — this is one of the system’s biggest advantages. The ScanGate identifies each individual load carrier and instantly reports if a label is missing, has fallen off, or if multiple pallets incorrectly share the same barcode. This prevents inventory errors and incorrect scan rates.
Can the ScanGate detect the direction of movement (inbound vs. outbound)?
Yes. Direction is determined automatically through AI-based movement analysis — without unreliable light barriers. The system always knows whether goods are being received or dispatched.
How does the ScanGate integrate with existing ERP or WMS systems?
Integration is done via modern REST APIs or standardized data interfaces. The ScanGate can communicate with all major systems such as SAP, Blue Yonder, Infor, Microsoft Dynamics, PSI, Körber, Wamas, and custom solutions. Data is transmitted and synchronized in real time.
How does the ScanGate work with Edge.Trace?
All scanned data and images are automatically transferred to Edge.Trace, where they are stored, visualized, and analyzed. Every passage can be reviewed, including missing labels, errors, and deviations from the delivery list.
Are the scanned images stored?
Yes. Every passage is image-documented and stored in a revision-safe manner. This supports claims handling, audits, and internal process control. Storage can be local or cloud-based.
Does the ScanGate work reliably in daylight, at night, or with backlight?
Yes. Through optimized illumination, industrial-grade camera technology, and AI-based image analysis, the ScanGate provides reliable detection in all lighting conditions, including darkness and strong backlight.
How long does it take to install a ScanGate?
Typically, the physical installation is completed within one day. Full commissioning including interface integration usually takes 1–3 days.
How much does a ScanGate cost?
Costs depend on configuration, throughput requirements, interfaces, and installation effort. Most companies achieve a return on investment within a few months due to time savings, reduced errors, and improved process control.
Is the ScanGate suitable for high-throughput environments?
Yes. The system is ideal for distribution centers, food logistics, e-commerce, production logistics, and fulfillment operations. It reliably detects multiple load carriers in a single pass.
Can the ScanGate be used outdoors?
Yes. The ScanGate is available in a weatherproof IP55 version, making it suitable for outdoor loading ramps, yard areas, and external logistics zones.
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