Voice- Directed Selection work-flow
With Vocollect voice implementation in any warehouse
selection tasks, associates can move through their daily shift task load
without being constrained or slowed down by bulky or small screen equipment or
unwieldy paper lists. Rather, associates are able to accomplish their daily
workload more accurately and efficiently with full of enjoyment and with zero
safety concern. With the Vocollect solution, associates are given their
assignments and directed to each line item on their work orders. They are told
the correct quantity to pick and then directed to the next item. All this is
controlled with Vocollect’s configurable selection workflow, which is designed
to mirror the unique operations used in DC/warehouses.
Selection provides several process flows to make easy the
entire selection process including; Piece-Picking, case-picking, catch-weights
and batch-picking. Does not matter if selecting slow-moving products or
high-volume products, voice delivers the speed and flexibility needed to help
fulfill the customers order and gain overall customers satisfaction.
Voice Driven Solution Beyond Selection
In any DC/warehouse there are multiple tasks inside that
which can be achieved more efficiently more smartly with the implementation of
Voice technology. This section outlines
the core processes associated with some of these operations and provides
insight into how voice can be leveraged to create more efficient processes by
allowing the process and the technology to complement one another.
Value of Vocollect Voice in Receiving
Receiving is the process in which inbound goods are “checked
in” at the DC/warehouse through receiving dock or door. Commonly, receiving is
tied to a purchase order that is maintained by paper or a computer integrated
as part of the purchasing process.
Today, most of DC/warehouse accomplishes receiving operations either
through paper or using RF scanners. We are
not going to get the details of Paper and RF based system instead we will spend
more time to know how Voice can be utilized in Receiving.
Receiving with Voice
With the application of Voice in the receiving process, receivers work hands-free, confirming the
correct PO by speaking the number, confirming the pallet by reading the LPN
number that is applied to the pallet or pallets, confirming the quantity by
saying it, updating the PO by verbally confirming that all the delivered
product has been received. All of this can be done while a receiver easily
maneuvers around the pallet to inspect the boxes and stack product onto new pallets
for put-away. The accuracy of the receiving process is increased because the
receiver can focus on one thing, receiving the product. The rate of receiving
also increases because the receiver is not interrupted with stop-and-start in
the process.
Driver-Directed Put
Away with Voice
Voice enables a DC/warehouse to use driver-directed put-away
without these drawbacks. Using a voice-directed solution, forklift drivers
report where each pallet is put away. The driver identifies the pallet being
put away by speaking a pallet ID. The ID is then reported to the host system. When
the driver puts away the pallet, the driver say where the pallet is being put. The
put-away location is sent to the host system, where it is validated and stored.
Date and time stamps are used throughout the put-away process to track
productivity and to track problems.
With the data provided by voice-directed put-away, accuracy
can be monitored, the source of put-away problems can be found, inventory can
be tracked, pallet misplacement can be identified, and inventory storage can
be accomplished more efficiently.
System –Directed Put-Away with Voice
With voice managing the system-directed put-away process,
the driver speaks a pallet ID, which is then sent to the WMS. A return message
is sent back to the associate reflecting the preferred location to store that
pallet. Once the pallet is validated and the destination location is received,
the driver is directed to an exact location. The driver speaks the location
check digit, which is used to confirm that the driver is at the correct
location. Once the put-away location is confirmed, the driver can proceed to
put away the next pallet. Date and time stamps are used throughout the put-away
process to track productivity and possibly track problems.
Many of the benefits of using voice in system-directed
put-away are the same as that for driver-directed put-away. Using voice allows
for absolute accountability and tracking of the put-away staff and process.
The Vocollect Solution provides the ability to track
productivity as well as accuracy. Another benefit of using voice is that by
enabling drivers to report put-away information hands-free, forklift drivers
can focus on maneuvering safely, which reduces equipment and product damage.
Value of Vocollect Voice in Replenishment
Replenishment is the process of replenishing the location,
which is usually a pick slot associates going to location A, to get a pallet or
a number of cases, and take them to the location that needs to be replenished.
As with put-away, replenishment are generally managed in one of two ways:
Paper-based or RF Fork-Mounted terminals but we are going to see how Voice can
help us accomplish this task.
Replenishment with Voice
Again, the benefits of using voice for replenishment are
much the same as those for using voice for other DC/warehouse tasks. The driver’s
continued focus is on the pallet they are moving and location the pallet will
be placed. The Vocollect solution enables multi-tasking so the driver can
maneuver the forklift, raise the forks, and speak the check-digit, all at the
same time. This results in better performance while still maintaining absolute
accuracy.
Voice also reduces equipment and product damage. By keeping
forklift drivers focused on what they are doing and keeping their line of sight
on the right things, there is less of a chance that they can damage the product
or the equipment. Customers using voice-directed applications in DC/warehouse
processes have realized a decrease in safety issues by as much as 50%.
VOICE-POWERED WAREHOUSE GET CLEAR BENEFITS BY HANDS-FREE & EYES FREE WORK-FLOW, PRODUCTIVITY & ACCURACY.
ACCURACY
As warehouse associate gain capability to move freely within
the DC, hands & eyes are free, no possibility to carry paper, read document
and manual write status, eliminate the requirement of looking down at a small
screen, enter data or pick-up and re-holster a scanner, warehouse associate’s
focus is always on the task. When a warehouse associate approaches a pick slot,
they hear the location and can look for it, then confirms the location ( via a
check-digit) as they are picking the product. The opportunity to look away and
forget, or misread a location / product is minimized therefore, increasing
accuracy.
PRODUCTIVITY
With Voice-direction an associate completes an assignment with
complete focus on what they are doing, walking to a new pick location, using a forklift to get a pallet, or counting
inventory slots. There are no urgent needs to turn their attention away from
their seamless activity, no extra work to read, or get off the forklift to confirm
a pallet. All Interactions with Vocollect wearable / mobile computing device,
getting assignments / task wirelessly from WMS saying valuable time.
TRAINING
As total process is voice driven, there is no absolute need
to train associates on reading printouts, knowing when/where to apply labels,
or confirming information through a keyboard. Once an associate attends
training and creates their voice templates, which on average, takes about 15-20
minutes, the entire work process completely driven step-by-step through voice commands,
because they have one tool to use, versus paper for one task and scanning for
another.
SAFETY
Safety is essential within the warehouse be it associates or
products, in voice driven warehouse / DC associate focus is never removed from
the task at hand, instances of product damage or associate injuries are greatly
reduced. There is no need to take their eyes off the box cutter or off the
racking as they place a pallet in a tight spot. As a result, there are fewer
injuries, dropped products, and punctured pallets, providing a direct reduction
in labor costs.
Whether you’re looking at new ways to expand the existing use of voice technology in your DC/warehouse, or you’re evaluating voice for the first time, looking beyond selection is a valuable way to extend the powerful ROI that is delivered by using voice technology. Vocollect Voice has proven benefits and enables companies to increase their order accuracy, improve operational effectiveness, and maximize employee productivity. All of these savings can be calculated to the bottom line.
With the availability of more applications using voice, companies can realize more incremental gains in ROI and quicker payback. Fluidity across the DC/warehouse is just one of the intangible benefits of utilizing voice technology. Being able to track accurate inventory location and levels at any point in time fully drives velocity and efficiency in your fulfillment process and aligns your operations with your customer demand, without sacrificing service levels. Voice has proven its value and over-delivered in its results. It’s ready for you - are you ready for the payback?
