In a previous blog, we discussed the advantages and disadvantages of a Pick to Light System.
In this article we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a Pick to Voice or Voice-Directed Picking System.
A Pick to Voice a.k.a. Voice Directed Picking System relies on verbal communication between a Warehouse Management System to and from workers who are out on the warehouse floor picking orders.
(Courtesy: Schaefer Systems International)
These workers wear a headset with a microphone that permits them to receive and respond to the communication and a wireless computer that disseminates the communication back and forth to the warehouse management system that has speech recognition and speech synthesis capability.
The system permits pickers to work hands and eyes free without the need to read orders written out on paper. The system requires the picker to say the last two or three digits of the item being picked to confirm that the proper one is being selected.
Warehouse managers who resist the use of Pick to Voice Systems point to a number of problems they believe inhibits its safety, efficiency and productivity. This includes:
· The use of headsets will not permit pickers to hear an approaching forklift.
· Pickers will not like talking to a computer.
· Some of the warehouse workers do not speak English.
· The system is too expensive.
· The warehouse already has a Warehouse Management System and does not want to use two inventory/order systems.
· The picker won’t hear or understand the command.
· There is no way that Pick to Voice results in faster picking than a paper or radio frequency system.
· Too much background noise in the warehouse will make it difficult for workers to hear the commands.
However, the system can overcome each of these objections.
· The worker cannot hear an approaching forklift. Since the headset is worn on only one ear, the other ear is free to hear approaching forklifts. Moreover, Pick to Voice Systems comply with OSHA requirements.
· Pickers won’t like talking to a computer. Although it may be true that workers will initially resist the idea of talking to a computer, once the picker has worked with the system for a period of time, they will find it easy to use.
· Some workers do not speak English. There are interfaces available that permit the system to speak in a variety of languages.
· The system is too expensive. The cost of Pick to Voice Systems has decreased during the last several years. In fact, it is equivalent in cost to a radio frequency based scanner system. Return of investment on such a system is about one year or less.
· The warehouse only has a Warehouse Management System and there is no need for a second inventory/order system. Actually a Pick to Voice System is designed to integrate with a WMS.
· The picker won’t hear or understand the command. A Pick to Voice System permits the picker to ask for the command to be repeated. Moreover, the system requires a picker to say the last two or three digits of the product being picked thus confirming that the proper one was selected.
· There is no way that Pick to Voice is faster than a paper or radio frequency system. The Pick to Voice System frees up both hands and eyes of the picker permitting him to concentrate on the pick and then get to the next location faster.
· There is too much background noise in the warehouse. The technology has evolved to such a point that the hardware includes noise-canceling microphones. Moreover, software is now more sensitive to both noise bursts and background noise and the technology permit voice recognition rates greater than 99%.
In addition, Pick to Voice Systems assist warehouse managers to track the productivity of individual pickers. This ability permits managers to identify problems and then take steps to overcome them.