Honeywell Voice Warehouse Optimisation

Voice Picking vs RF Scanning

RF Scanning is the first technology considered by most warehouse managers - simply because RF technology has been around for so long. In the past, voice directed picking systems were seen as only applicable to 'very large companies'. But voice picking technology has really come of age in the last 10 years and is no longer a new technology. Today, voice directed picking systems are used in warehouses of all sizes from the large 400+ user deployments at Woolworths down to SME warehouses with as few as 3 pickers.

Other terms used to described RF scanning include: portable barcode reader, rf barcode scanners, rf directed picking, rf guns, rf scan gun, rf scanner, warehouse barcode scanner.

What is a Voice Picking System & How Does Voice Picking Work?

A voice picking system is a method of picking orders in which workers don't carry a piece of paper or barcode scanner. Instead, they are equipped with a small wearable computer which is belt mounted. Attached to this is headset, containing an ear-piece and a microphone (either via Bluetooth or a cable).

The voice picking system takes instructions from the warehouse management system (WMS) and converts pick tasks into audible commands. Pickers listen for these instructions and then speak back to the system to confirm they are completing the correct task. The system automatically converts the picker's speech to text and checks that the information heard is correct.  If the user makes a mistake, the system simply repeats the instruction and the user can re-confirm. In a picking environment, the picker might be asked to visit a bin location, then read the last 3 numbers of the product barcode. The voice system will wait until the correct product is verified before telling the picker to "take 4".

Voice Picking is Efficient

Pickers no longer need to look down at screens or clipboards, nor do they need to stop to write down pick confirmations (or key these into a scanner). The ability to hear and speak while moving means pickers can be more productive than they would otherwise have been if carrying (and picking up and putting down, then picking up again!) a hand-held barcode reader. Voice picking solutions make picking more efficient, and simple changes to the process which shave seconds off the processing time of each item picked add up to 6 digit annual savings. Not only this, but voice order picking is particularly useful when processing multiple orders in parallel (batch picking). The picker can be told which bin to visit, how many items to pick, and then which carton requires the goods. Each step the user takes is verified - and the picker does all of the checks while still moving. Warehouses implementing multiple order report picking accuracy levels of less than 1 error in 1000 items picked and productivity gains of 35% over a paper system. So when considering a warehouse picking solution, our advice is to think outside the box and consider how a process might look if the user wasn't constantly looking at a screen.

Other terms used to describe voice picking include: pick to voice, voice picking, pick by voice, pick-to-voice

Frequently Asked Questions:

What Components are used in a Voice Picking System?

Voice picking systems use hardware from Honeywell (formerly Vocollect), including small wearable computers (Honeywell A730X) and headsets (Honeywell SRX3 Bluetooth headset). The workflow engine running on each device is called VoiceCatalyst, while the 'business logic' software will be either Voice-Link, VoiceDirect, VoiceExpress or Navigator.

What is Voice-Link?

Voice-Link allows you to integrate Honeywell wearable mobile devices with your WMS. VoiceLink is typically used when your ERP or WMS system does not support voice natively.

What is a voice enabled WMS?

A voice-enabled WMS is one which supports voice natively, without third party connectors - for example Navigator WMS.

What else is Voice Picking called?

In 90% of cases , voice applications run in the warehouse are picking - therefore they are typically called 'voice picking systems'. However, it is more correct to call them 'voice logistics systems' since voice applications can be written for any task including receiving, put away, replenishment, cycle counting and despatch. You can also research terms including 'pick to voice', 'pick by voice' or 'voice picking'.

When leaving a paper system behind, it is common to think that the natural progression you should make is towards hand-held barcode readers. After all, these are well-understood and have been in use for almost a generation.

However, in most picking operations, the picker needs to use two hands to lift and carry cartons, or to pick small items into boxes or totes. Giving the picker something else to carry, look at, and interact with during the picking process can sacrifice picking speed in order to gain accuracy.

A good middle-ground is Honeywell Voice technology. Using this technology, pickers wear a headset and hear information about the next item to pick. Instead of writing down or typing the quantity picked, they speak the quantity picked.

The video on the left describes a 'batch' picking process, where pickers are picking stock for more than one order at a time. This reduces the time they spend walking and results in higher throughput. The picker confirms that the item they are taking from the shelf is correct AND proves that they are putting stock into the correct order.

For most warehouses where goods are shipped at 'carton' and 'each' level (rather than full pallet loads), efficiency can often be maximised by picking more than one order at a time. Voice picking systems supports a batch picking process in which multiple customer orders are filled in a single walk through the warehouse. The system removes the need for a second consolidation step by ensuring that goods are placed into the correct shipping carton at the time of picking. Completed cartons can then be weighed and despatched without the need for repacking.

Batch picking can deliver time savings of 30-35% and substantial ongoing annual savings.

For retail fulfilment warehouses in which there are a fixed number of stores, Honeywell Voice picking supports put to store. In this model, the picker breaks down a bulk pallet of product to each store pallet based on a distribution plan. This approach allows bulk pallets to be retrieved from storage in order of weight (heaviest first) by one picker, and a second picker to perform the distribution. This approach is extremely fast and accurate and is typically used in retail replenishment environments.