Three recent applications by global specialists in wireless radio technology, Psion Teklogix, have demonstrated the effectiveness of voice technology. Raymond Hoy, Psion Teklogix managing director, quotes an independent study by KOM Int., which identified picking as the highest labour cost (42 percent), followed by stocking (15 percent) and replenishing (11 percent). “Our multi-lingual voice picking system on the other hand, is a stable eyes-and-hands-free solution, delivering high performance, and reliable solutions equally,” he says.
The user-friendly system opens a two-way dialogue between warehouse management systems and distribution centre (DC) teams. Workers receive step-by-step voice guidance through daily tasks and time-consuming, inaccurate manual data entry is eliminated as workers no longer have to read computer screens, handheld displays or printouts, or utilise other devices to complete tasks. “Psion Teklogix voice technology systems, incorporating TekSpeech software and Vocollect hardware, operate successfully and cost effectively at a number of our blue chip clients including SPAR, IHD and PEP,” says Hoy.
SPAR
The primary reason for SPAR management’s decision to move from a paper-based picking system to voice was to improve the quality of the pick and reduce re-work, shortages, miss-picks and errors, agree Glen Robinson, distribution director, and Trevor Currie, group logistics executive. Psion Teklogix’s voice technology streamlines picking processes and meets all the group’s requirements.
“SPAR is a voluntary trading group and it is imperative that our retailers trust the accuracy of our DC systems, and voice has allowed us to significantly increase accuracy, thereby improving retailers’ trust,” says Robinson. “The KZN Durban DC has increased accuracy by 100 percent while productivity improvement of between 5 and 10 percent is already evident,“ he says. “Improved accuracy was immediately noticeable and overall quality and initial problems with barcodes are improving daily. The system impresses with rapid and significant savings, increased productivity and improved accuracy and Psion Teklogix’s product quality, service and support are remarkable.”
IHD (International Healthcare Distributors)
IHD, a UTi Worldwide company, and the largest pharmaceutical distributor in South Africa, uses a voice picking system for paperless, accurate and productive fine picking. IHD operates six DCs and provides a pharmaceutical distribution service direct to the end dispenser, distributing more than 7,5-million units per month. Services include warehousing, order taking and processing, picking, packing, delivery and debtor’s management.
Until September 2005, IHD used two fine picking methods (single unit and shrink quantities) – paper picking and Pick-to-Light (PTL). As the PTL system had reached the end of its useful life alternative picking solutions were investigated. ”We needed to implement a paperless picking environment across the company without compromising productivity or accuracy, and the final solution had to be flexible enough to accommodate future expansion,” says Robin Botha, IHD national logistics manager.
PEP
Pep (part of Pepkor) enjoyed rapid growth and increased stock diversity and recognised the benefit of moving from the company’s RF technology to a hands-free picking solution to maintain and even improve picking and distribution levels.
PEP’s RF system was replaced with Psion Teklogix’s voice picking system to improve productivity and accuracy. “We had to alleviate continuous pressure on supply chain capacity due to sales growth in a deflationary environment,” says distribution manager Jannie Hanekom. “Increased productivity was crucial and Psion Teklogix’s voice system is delivering a 15 percent improvement on productivity which, in turn, has led to substantial savings in operating costs,” he adds. •