Voice-controlled warehouse management system (WMS) applications have rapidly matured into a proven solution for improving the speed and accuracy of processes within distribution centers and warehouse operations. These applications are most commonly associated with picking and order selection, however, many warehouses that use voice picking have also adapted it for other functions such as receiving, put-away, stock replenishment, truck loading, returns and cycle counting.
Why is voice such a valuable tool in the warehouse? The biggest reason is because voice-controlled applications allow warehouse workers to use both hands while picking, packing, and shipping items – rather than needing one hand to scan barcodes and other labels. In the case of Latitude WMS users, the system creates an efficient order of tasks, and uses simple instructions to guide workers to pick and pull relevant items.
Compared to traditional warehouse processes using pen and paper or handheld computers and barcode scanning, a voice picking system creates a hands-free, heads-up user workflow. In the case of Jensen Distribution Services, a full-line wholesale distributor serving 11 western states, voice-controlled processes were slowly rolled out using Latitude after it was first deployed in 2010. Jensen particularly noticed a dramatic improvement when the company moved from batch picking and label picking to a voice-controlled system that allowed workers in the warehouse to go completely hands free.
Jim Hart, senior vice president of operations at Jensen, summed up the benefits of voice. “Quality is huge here at Jensen, so with eCommerce fulfillment transactions growing 80 percent in the past year, Latitude with Vocollect has allowed Jensen to pick a perfect, or a near perfect order. We’re tracking at 0.05 percent errors, compared with 1 percent before our WMS. In fact, this system makes it difficult to make a mistake.”
For more information about how PathGuide’s Latitude WMS integrates with voice, visit our website here.
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