Technology is changing everyday...
If you think that is not the case for the warehouse industry, you should read on. You need to explore voice technology for your warehouse applications and this blog and the ebook below is a good opportunity for you to learn more about why over a half a million users think it's the best thing since RF scanners. Before implementing voice technology in your warehouse, it is imperative that your warehouse personnel understand the concept of voice and how it will benefit them and the warehouse. The next step is to incorporate and implement voice as part of your overall strategy in the warehouse. Also, working out accuracy improvements, and the overall savings you will make by implementing voice is also important to help achieve your overall goals and objectives (increasing worker productivity, decreasing errors, etc.).
Once you’ve got your program in order, it’s smart to discuss the project with your IT group before you get too involved in selecting a product. Adding voice support may be a struggle if your WMS does not support a selected product; however, many vendors are aware of the increasing popularity and have made voice integration part of their feature set.
How does voice recognition improve your warehouse operations?
Speech recognition or voice recognition has improved dramatically in the last 3 decades, with voice-directed solutions becoming increasingly popular over the last 10-15. You can see this in the performance of SIRI on iPhones and Alexa From Amazon and Google Assistant from Google. With thousands of new users adopting the technology each year to fulfill warehouse and distribution center task management goals, today’s voice applications combine the flexibility and configurability needed to improve workflow processes that already utilize automated barcode data collection technology. These solutions grow the business by increasing operating efficiency and improving overall accuracy. This in turn, also increases customer satisfaction.
Leveraging today’s Internet of Things (IoT), the combined use of multiple technologies provide greater visibility into inventory position, provide detail on item history, product traceability, ensure picking accuracy and much more. In addition to the obvious advantage of enabling a hands-free workforce, voice applications include management reporting tools that increase the value of your typical WMS (warehouse management software). The tools in such WMS provide a depth of management which allows you to make informed decision which in turn allows you to anticipate workflow scenario, react quickly to change and ultimately enhance their competitive position.
What is voice picking application and how does it work?
Now that we have discussed how the voice technology can help your business grow and provide a strong tool got warehouse management, here is a scenario about how voice picking will be applicable to your warehouse:
- The warehouse employee is scanning a barcode on their picking card and/or pick sheet.
- The system tells the worker where he/she can locate the first pick item.
- Once the worker arrives at the location, the worker will speak the location number into the microphone to confirm he/she is at the correct location.
- From there, the system will inform the worker how many items needs to be picked up (this could be for a single order, or for multiple orders); once the item(s) are picked, the worker will confirm the quantity(ies) picked by speaking into the microphone.
- At that point, the system will advise the worker of the “put” location for the items that have just been picked.
- Once the worker is at the “put” location, he/she will speak the location and location code for the bin where the items will be placed.
Bottom line is this keeps the worker focused so they can work faster and more accurately isntead of typing in information through a device. Most headphones are even noise-cancelling, so they don’t have to concern themselves with distractions around them. The constant confirmations and check digits are added measures to ensure accuracy for picks and putaways.
Voice benefits in a nutshell
- Improved Accuracy (constant feedback and check measurements)
- Increased Safety (hands are free if needed, location-to-location movement is purposeful)
- Empowers Employees (more efficient workers are happier workers; reduces turnover)
- Increased Productivity (more tasks completed in less time)
- Improved Demand Management (faster, more productive workers allow for greater capacity)
To achieve Voice-picking in your warehouse, speak to one of our team members about HighJump Warehouse Management System (now known as Korber K Motion), one of the best warehouse management systems in the world with world class voice technology. Click below to contact us!
Download eBook - Voice-enabling your warehouse
Voice technology helps users extend their logistics and fulfilment processes. It offers the promise of hands-free, eyes-free, wireless access to the information needed to drive key warehouse processes and has become an important component in the success of many IT strategies. This in-depth eBook contains the following topics:
- History of Voice
- How Voice Promises improvement and growth in the warehouse
- Determining Accuracy Improvements
- Total savings caused by voice-enabling the warehouse
- New-Hire Training Saving
- Other savings
- Typical use for Voice
- Voice Alternatives
- Paper/Label Processing
- RF Scanning Terminals
- Pick-to-light (PTL)
- Weighing the potential benefits of Voice
- Measuring gains in productivity and Accuracy
- Quantifying Benefits
- How it works
- Building the business case
- How to move forward with voice?
Download today by filling in the details below!
