Voice-directed picking technology is transforming the way warehouses manage their order fulfillment processes. This innovative solution allows workers to receive audio instructions via headsets, keeping their hands and eyes free for picking tasks. Here is how you can use voice-directed picking to boost your warehouse’s productivity.
How Voice-Directed Picking Works
Voice-picking systems aren’t new; they’ve been used in warehouses as a replacement for paper-based and handheld scanning systems for decades. Also known as voice-activated picking and voice-directed picking, this technology allows employees to complete the product-picking process hands-free through voice commands.
The voice-directed picking process involves several steps:
- An employee, who is usually called a “picker,” wears a headset that provides audio instructions about items for picking.
- The picker follows the voice directions to the product’s location and provides a voice confirmation into the headset.
- Using speech recognition technology, the system receives and translates the response to record the workflow before moving on to the next item.
Ways Voice-Directed Picking Boosts Warehouse Productivity
Voice-directed picking offers warehouses many benefits, particularly when aligned with newer technologies like speech recognition and artificial intelligence (AI). Here are some of the ways these systems can boost warehouse productivity:
Increase Inventory Accuracy
Using voice technology can improve the accuracy of your inventory counts, which provides better picking accuracy. When items are organized and where they are supposed to be, pickers can more easily complete their part of the order fulfillment process.
Boost Accuracy and Speed
Voice-directed picking helps employees focus on their tasks. Because their hands and eyes are free, they can quickly locate items on the shelves, choose the correct quantity, and put them in the right place with greater accuracy. This faster speed and accuracy will improve customer satisfaction and your brand’s reputation.
Reduced Picking Errors
Fewer distractions lower the chances that an employee will make an error caused by picking up a piece of paper or having to look at a scanner. This higher order accuracy rate results in higher productivity and efficiency rates in the long term.
Safer Warehouse Environment
Some warehouses struggle with safety issues because pickers are asked to lift heavy items or use sharp objects like box cutters. When voice picking is implemented, employees have full use of their hands and can pay 100% attention to their tasks, which can improve safety.
Shortened Training Time
Voice picking is so simple and straightforward that it requires little training. Each task performed by workers is outlined via step-by-step voice commands, so employees don’t have to undergo intensive training or read long user manuals to get started. The only thing needed is a voice template, which can be created quickly. This aspect of voice picking makes it an ideal solution for warehouses using seasonal workers or those with high turnover.
More Satisfied Customers
When voice-picking results in the increased speed and accuracy of the order fulfillment process, you will have more satisfied customers. These customers will be likely to return for future purchases and tell others about their positive experiences.
Happier Warehouse Staff
Workers who use voice technology for picking and other warehouse activities tend to be more satisfied with their work. Not only are they more productive and efficient, but they are also safer and more enjoyable. These employees are less likely to leave for greener pastures, which is another benefit for employers.
Bottom line: because workers’ hands are free from handling instructions or devices, their minds and eyes are free to focus entirely on the picking process. Once these distractions are removed, warehouses often experience a significant increase in productivity.
Applications for Voice-Picking Your Warehouse
Voice-picking can be applied to many different warehouse processes that involve moving products from Point A to Point B, including:
- Inventory management — Voice picking can be used for inventory management so a warehouse doesn’t have to rely on manual inventory processes that can be time-consuming and prone to errors.
- Cross-docking — Cross-docking, which involves moving products from the warehouse’s receiving area directly to the shipping area, is another application that can benefit from voice-picking processes.
- Pick by line — Pick by line is similar to cross-docking, but voice instruction is used to guide workers on how arriving pallets should be broken down. This is popular with perishable goods such as produce.
- Putaway — Voice technology can be used for putaway operators, where workers get voice instructions on where and how to replace items on shelves.
- Picking to conveyor — One of the most common uses of voice-picking is picking to conveyor. This is where workers are guided by voice applications to pick the required products, which they place on a conveyor for order fulfillment.
Tips for Implementing Voice-Directed Picking
If you believe voice picking is right for your warehouse, here are several steps for efficient implementation of this technology:
1. Assess Your Needs
The first step in implementing a voice picking system is to thoroughly analyze your warehouse’s layout and picking needs. This initial assessment will drive the rest of your choices, so you get a system that produces the most positive results.
2. Choose a Voice Picking System
The next step should be to compare the different voice-picking solutions available. You can review the features of each solution to find the one that will work best for your organization.
3. Integrate With Existing Technology
You’ll get the most benefits from voice-enabled technology when it is integrated with existing technology and solutions. For example, your warehouse management system (WMS) should provide the picking orders and record the results. Many warehouses also use mobile powered carts to power mobile technology throughout the warehouse.
4. Train Employees and Implement
Remember, minimal training is required for voice picking, which is one of its benefits. However, you’ll still need a process to program each worker’s voice template. You can also develop practice sessions to get workers quickly up to speed with the technology. Once this is done, you are ready to implement the solution in your warehouse.
Among the many solutions for automating your warehouse’s operations, voice-directed picking may be one of the most efficient and cost-effective. This simple solution can increase accuracy, improve safety, and deliver significant productivity gains. This technology also integrates with mobile workstations and other warehouse management systems to create a more efficient and responsive picking process.
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