Substantial savings for Londis and TDG Logistics following their investment in Accord Voice WMS.
Voice-Directed Warehousing, VDW, Voice Picking, Voice in the warehouse
Voice-directed warehousing (VDW) utilises Voice direction and speech recognition software in warehouses and distribution centres (DCs). Other terms related to the deployment of Voice technology in the warehouse include Voice-directed picking and Voice-directed distribution. Voice-enabled workers wear a headset connected to a small wearable computer. The computer provides instructions to the worker in terms of what where to go and what to store or pick within the warehouse or DC. Workers are then required to confirm each task has been completed by saying pre-determined stock phrases and codes found at different warehouse locations or goods. The often cited benefits of 'Voice' include its being hands-free, 'eyes-free' and a faster and more accurate methodology than using paper 'pick lists' etc.
Speech-based picking gives a significant boost to warehouse efficiency
Nov 28, 2008
In the warehouses of modern companies the arrival of advanced processes was witnessed long ago
AWG slashes picking errors with BCPs Voice Picking
Nov 20, 2008
The first phase was a month-long four picker pilot to thoroughly test the system before implementing Voice picking in the bulk warehouse
Next implements the first Vocollect Voice solution on a LXE HX2 wearable computer
Nov 11, 2008
Next has chosen to implement Vocollect Voice technology from VoiteQ on an LXE HX2 voice ready mulitimodal wearable computer at their new, purpose built, distribution centre
Vocollect achieves 100% partner certification target in less than six months
Oct 30, 2008
Vocollect has announced that its EMEA partner network has successfully completed the Vocollect Voice Partner Programme
Vangard teams up with Clearview Software
Oct 23, 2008
Vangard Voice Systems, Inc. has teamed with Clearview Software International, Inc., to voice-power Clearviews Co*Star Mobile terminal emulator, enabling a range of automated voice-powered applications
Vocollect strengthens management team with appointment of new European Managing Director
Sep 02, 2008
Vocollect, Inc., a world leader in Voice-Directed Work, has announced that Gary Glessner has been appointed Vice President and Managing Director of European Operations
Dematic and Vocollect partner to deliver Voice-Directed solutions to international market
Aug 21, 2008
Dematic GmbH and Vocollect Inc. have announced a European distribution agreement that will see Dematic become a Distributor of Vocollect's voice applications across the region
Zetes launches 3iV Crystal
Aug 14, 2008
Zetes Industries, a company that ranks among the leading providers of value-added solutions and services for the automatic identification of goods and people, has launched 3iV Crystal, the new generation voice solution
Zetes opens Vocollect authorised repair centre
Jul 28, 2008
Zetes UK, expert in wireless auto ID solutions, has been awarded Authorised Repair Centre status by Vocollect, a global leader in voice directed technology
Voice-directed warehousing
Voice Picking or Voice-directed warehousing (VDW) has emerged as the “go-to” technology to improve product selection /order picking in a warehouse. It improves picking accuracy and delivers significant savings by avoiding the various types of pick error which occur in the warehouse. Voice technology uses speech recognition and speech synthesis to allow workers to communicate with the Warehouse Management System (WMS). Warehouse operatives use a wireless, wearable computer with a headset and microphone to receive instructions by voice, and verbally confirm their actions back to the system. The wearable computer, or voice terminal, communicates with the Warehouse Management Software via a radio frequency (RF) local area network (LAN).
Voice-directed warehousing is typically used instead of paper- or mobile computer-based systems that require workers to read instructions and scan barcodes or key-enter information to confirm their tasks. By freeing a worker's hands and eyes, voice directed systems typically improve efficiency, accuracy, and safety. Whilst VDW was originally used in picking orders, now all warehouse functions such as goods receiving, put-away, replenishment, shipping, and returns processing can be coordinated by voice systems.
Improvements in order picking accuracy are dramatic, and accuracy of 99.9% (one error per thousand picks), and often much better, is usually achieved. The improvements that you obtain will depend on your current method of order picking, but if you are moving from a paper-based system to voice directed picking, picking errors are usually reduced by between 80% and 90%. By using voice directed instructions with a headset, the warehouse pickers communicate much more naturally with the hosts system. This enables the picker to focus on identifying stock locations, travelling to next pick and on handling the materials. There is no need to juggle and RF terminal or paper pick lists. In addition there is no requirement to constantly shift focus from a handheld display/keyboard to the product and back – thereby reducing operator fatigue.
In terms of investment or ROI the case for implementing Voice in the warehouse is usually based on the pick accuracy and productivity improvements that voice directed technology delivers. By understanding the real cost of pick inaccuracies it becomes clear how voice picking is able to produce a strong return on investment within a relatively short period of time.
Voice Picking solutions can be integrated with your existing ERP , Supply Chain Software or WMS and can either be proprietary /closed source or open source. A closed source system is one where the licensing of the source code, the programming language calls and functions, is not generally available. Modifications to the Voice system, that is a closed source system requires a contract for services with the software vendor. Open source architecture, enables the software to be used in conjunction with various different types of compatible hardware /mobile computers and fits easily with a wide range of standard and custom warehouse management systems.
Voice solutions are now available in the Cloud, lowering CAPEX –(Capital Expenditure) and enabling smaller to mid-size operations to have access to the same technology as larger organisations on a per-user cost basis. Implementation of a Voice solution can now take days instead of months enabling users to immediately leverage the product's key capabilities and make dramatic improvements in efficiency in the warehouse.
There are three different types of error which can occur in a warehouse during the picking process: short, over and mis-picks.
Short picks- The cost of rectifying a short pick is the administrative effort of telesales and admin staff resolving the credit claim and the margin lost on goods sale.
Over picks are where the customer receives more of an item than they ordered and paid for. Over picks may often go unreported for obvious reasons. If ran over pick is reported, the costs to rectify include return transport costs, admin as per short picks, labour costs in handling the return, and in the case of best before or perishable products the cost of writing off stock.
Mis-picks are where the wrong item is shipped to the customer. If the error is correctly reported as a mis-pick all of the same rectification costs for over picks apply. If the error is reported as a short pick, i.e. not returned or paid for, there is the additional cost of replacing the or crediting the item which was not shipped which means that mis-picks can be the most costly type of error.