Following Internacionale’s purchase of 85 of Mark One’s 125 stores from the administrators at the end of 2008, the high street fashion retail group has increased the use of Voice technology in its distribution warehouse by 50% to ensure efficient delivery of stock to the stores added to their estate.
Internacionale was an early adopter of Voice-directed work. VoiteQ implemented the application in their Bellshill warehouse in early 2005. The solution, which encompasses Vocollect Voice technology, enabled Internacionale to increase stock picking accuracy by 10% and operational efficiency by 15%. Return on capital investment was delivered in less than 6 months following implementation. Based on these clear cost and performance benefits, Internacionale has invested further in Voice technology to ensure the 85 additional stores benefit from same high level of warehouse to store service from the group’s distribution centre.
Denise Duncan, Internacionale’s IT Manager says, “We have witnessed such significant improvements in the distribution centre since we first installed voice technology 4 years ago, we believe it is key to the efficient running of our operation. With the rapid return on investment the solution has previously provided, further investment in the technology to help us to cope with the increase in deliveries required seemed obvious.”
VoiteQ developed the interface between the host Prologic CIMS system, via their VoiceMan middleware application, to the Vocollect Talkman mobile voice computers. Workers can pick goods completely hands and eyes free by receiving picking commands from the WMS to the plug-in headset and the computer, the system literally talks the operative through their tasks. The voice-directed application typically delivers accuracy levels exceeding 99.9% and greatly increases productivity – one of the key drivers behind Internacionale’s latest investment in the technology.
Duncan continued, “We first encountered VoiteQ when we initially installed voice technology and have been working with them ever since, to continually improve the processes in our operation. Their skilled and experienced team are always ready for a new challenge and their understanding of our business enables them to help us achieve our joint goals.”
Gary Glessner, managing director, Vocollect Europe says; “Retail fashion is extremely competitive and subject to very tight profit margins. Voice picking introduces immediate cost savings for retailers by ensuring the quickest and most accurate delivery of stock from warehouse to store.“
