Voice recognition
February 1st 2008 Duncan Smillie, managing director of Psion Teklogix (UK) describes how three diverse operations have brought significant efficiencies to their supply chains by implementing voice recognition systems
Everybody seems to be talking about voice recognition in the logistics world at the moment as more and more companies realise that the introduction of voice recognition systems that enable order pickers to have their eyes and hands free during their daily routine, can have a dramatic impact on productivity levels.
Voice technology is not only beneficial in an order picking scenario. The system can also be applied to achieve significant efficiencies throughout the entire supply chain operation – from goods-in to putaway, replenishment and even dispatch. In fact, one of our clients runs their entire operation on voice technology and the gains they have made been phenomenal.
Of course, the concept of warehouse staff receiving instructions through a headset and speaking their responses through a microphone is not new, in fact its been around in its most basic form for over a decade, but early problems that held the sector back in the early days have all been resolved and voice systems are now regarded as extremely reliable.
One of the leading players in the food service industry, 3663, recently overhauled its processes and supporting IT infrastructure. Out went the manual 'pick and stick' labelling system that had been running at 3663's four strategically located UK logistics depots - at Banbury, Lichfield, Royton and Heywood - to be replaced by voice picking technology supplied by Psion Teklogix and our partner Vocollect.
Prioritised job list Order picking staff at 3663's logistics depots now wear lightweight Vocollect T2 headsets which transmit a prioritised list of jobs from the warehouse management system. Pickers are guided through the stages of the warehouse cycle from goods-in, to replenishment, picking and marshalling via the headsets and the hands- and eyes-free solution instantly updates the WMS by sending data from the headset in real-time.
Implementing a voice directed system has enabled 3663's workers to move stock more quickly and accurately through its depots.
The system is designed to ensure that employees' actions are right the first time and pickers are unable to move on to the next task until they have completed a job correctly. The voice directed system also gives the wearer greater flexibility to complete more picks in a day – driving 3663's business productivity and, therefore, profits.
The technology has proved much easier to use than the old labelling system and 3663's new starters can now be trained in a matter of hours, rather than days as was previously the case.
The WMS, which was upgraded as part of the project, also allows 3663's management team to access real-time information showing the precise time a product arrives at the depot, how quickly it is stored and picked, and the period of time it takes to load onto the lorry before being delivered to the customer. This has greatly improved management information enabling jobs to be prioritised and work rotas planned more effectively – a particular benefit during busy periods.
Meanwhile, Irish supermarket chain Superquinn has replaced a label stock picking system with advanced voice picking technology supplied by Psion Teklogix's Ireland-based partner, Heavey RF. The solution also included a wireless network, handheld and forklift mounted computers and full integration into the host SAP system.
To date, the system has improved Superquinn's pick rate by 20% and increased picking accuracy to levels of 99.8% with further improvements expected.
The system, which was installed at Superquinn's Blanchardstown warehouse in Dublin (managed by Wincanton Logistics), enables electronic orders to be automatically converted to speech by Psion Teklogix's MIS interface platform and directed to the warehouse operators via a Psion Teklogix wireless network.
The new system will have paid for itself within a 12 month period and Superquinn have found an improvement in stock pick rates, worker productivity, accuracy, savings in stationery costs and, what's more, stores are provided with accurate pallet manifests.
The voice picking system also provides much greater transparency of what is happening on the shop floor. This enables Superquinn to identify and focus on the key areas for improvement.
Increased accuracy & efficiency A fully integrated warehouse management solution at East Anglia Federal Co-Op Society's (EAFCS) 140,000 square foot Ipswich-based warehouse, features innovative voice picking technology alongside our Workabout Pro handheld mobile PCs. It has delivered a 20% increase in efficiency and accuracy.
The Workabout Pros are used to check-in and scan newly received goods. Once the items are ready for picking, workers use Vocollect Talkman T5 speech terminals to guide them through the process – informing them of the required pick location and how many of each item to pick. When all the products have been selected, the Workabout Pros will be used again to check the cages onto waiting lorries.
Precision is absolutely vital for an operation the size of EAFCS who dispatch ambient goods to 200 stores across East England. By opting for a mobile wireless solution with automated data capture and the very latest voice picking technology, the company expects to gain a significant return on its investment within 18 months.
The shift towards greater use of voice technology is probably one of the most significant events in the logistics industry at the moment and 3663, Superquinn and EAFCS are just three of the many diverse companies that are benefiting from the advantages that it brings.
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