When it comes to order fulfillment technology in distribution centers, workers can be outfitted with RF scanners, voice-directed work systems or a combination of both. In 2016, survey results compiled by Zebra Technologies suggest that DCs typically don’t adopt one-size-fits-all solutions. Statistics showed that 77.4% of warehouses used only RF scanners, with 10.2% of facilities solely relying on voice systems, and 12.4% utilizing a mix of both processes. However, there will be a significant shifting in those percentages going forward.

By 2020, only about a third of DCs polled expect to continue using only bar code scanning, while 56.2% anticipate implementing a combination of voice picking and RF scanning. The reasons for the increased popularity of voice-directed solutions are clear. DCs desire speedier and more accurate picking that help improve the bottom line.

Picking errors are bad for business. They hurt customer satisfaction, cost you sales, and damage your company’s reputation. They also impede operational efficiency, wasting your employees’ time and costing you money in returns and extra labor.

Despite these effects, most companies are doing only moderately well with picking accuracy. A survey of 500 companies found that the median picking accuracy rate was  99.5%, according to a Warehousing Education and Research Council and DCVelocity report. This means that the typical company makes five errors for every 1,000 items picked. 

The article (http://www.dcvelocity-digital.com/dcvelocity/january_2017?pg=53#pg53) showcases how Parksite, a leading wholesaler of building materials and products, voice-enabled all of its workflows in all nine of its distribution centers to drive bottom line results. As compared to its earlier performance using RF handheld devices:

When item level or piece picking to fulfill e-commerce orders, the scanning of the product’s UPC barcode is often integral to the picking workflow.  Because it is, many companies that could benefit from voice continue to pick using handheld RF devices.  Their rationale: if I have to scan, why would I use voice?  If you are one of them, please read on.  

The harsh environment of frozen foods’ warehouses presents workers with challenges when picking products. These challenges make voice-directed work’s “hands-free, eyes-free” value proposition of optimal accuracy and productivity even more compelling.   

First and foremost, however, is the fact that Vocollect Voice solutions reliably work in the coldest and noisiest freezers. Vocollect built-for-purpose mobile voice computers, batteries, and wireless headsets were all designed and engineered to provide full-shift performance in the coldest of freezers. Additionally, Vocollect’s speaker dependent recognition and industry-leading background noise cancellation assure reliable operation even directly under the loudest of fans.

Is your distribution and fulfillment operation able to adapt to the changes that are increasingly common in today’s marketplace? The current retail landscape is more challenging and complex than ever, which means you need to consider new ways of doing things in order to keep up and get ahead.

While initiatives to reduce operational costs have long been a focus, so now are those associated with flexibility, while of course maintaining or increasing customer service levels. Such objectives are seldom met with incremental improvements. Rather, they demand game-changing solutions such as voice-directed picking.

Retailers today are seeking new technologies and methodologies to optimize their distribution operations in light of new omni-channel fulfilment initiatives and requirements.  And, one technology-based methodology that is now increasingly being implemented is voice-directed picking.  Retailers are making voice picking a key part of their omni-channel initiatives because of its proven ability to increase throughput, improve customer satisfaction and dramatically reduce training times for peak season temporary employees.

Any proposed change to the way your DC operates on a daily basis needs very careful consideration and planning.  Especially before investing in a new technology-based methodology, the value and ROI of new approach should be accurately projected and weighed against the risk of less than desirable outcomes. Companies considering a voice-directed picking solution need to work with a solution provider who will help them make well informed buying decision with confidence. 

Voice-directing picking solutions have been around for more than 20 years now.  The industry’s leading technology: Vocollect Voice is being used by more than 500,000 distribution workers worldwide each and every day.  And, yet, many companies that would greatly benefit from such a solution do not have it on their list of priority projects.  Why?

Over the past few years, most everyone has become accustomed to using and benefiting from the “hands-free, eyes free” value of voice technology.  When driving, the Google Maps application on our smart phone, will voice direct our every turn to optimally get us from our current location to our desired destination - all while allowing our hands to be free to be on the steering wheel and our eyes to be free to be on the road ahead.  

More than 20 years ago, Vocollect pioneered the voice technology used to voice direct workers in picking and other distribution center workflows – long before Google Maps and smart phones were around.  As a result, today, more than 500,000 workers worldwide use a Vocollect voice-directed picking solution each day.  But, most of the order picking taking place in distribution centers today is still done using paper or RF scanning devices. 

Competition in the food & beverage industry is stiff and margins are thin.  That’s why almost every retail grocer in North America has adopted a Vocollect voice-directed picking solution.  The solution, however, is not just for big companies.  Many small and midsize food & beverage manufacturers and distributors have adopted voice-directed work solutions to increase throughput, reduce labor and operating costs and optimize workflow efficiencies. 

1 - Increased Throughput

Increasing throughput is necessary to keep up with growing demand without increasing the size of your distribution center (DC).  But when you operate a food, dairy or beverage DC you not only have to keep up with the demands of physical distribution, you may also need to capture expiration dates and lot codes for traceability.   Voice-directed picking