Dachser, a global logistics operator, is introducing order picking using voice technology – Pick-by-Voice – to its warehouse services in Poland. The use of headsets by warehouse staff can increase efficiency by as much as a dozen percent or more.
Pick-by-Voice relies on the use of voice technology and a warehouse IT system to handle order picking. It is particularly effective for fulfilling complex orders, those with a high degree of fragmentation, and in multi-picking, i.e., picking several warehouse orders simultaneously. The employee is equipped with a headset – headphones and a microphone. Based on the order, they receive an optimized list of points and goods to pick from the system, according to which they are guided through the warehouse. The employee is guided by voice to the appropriate location in the warehouse. The voice informs them of the warehouse location and the number of products required in the order. The employee confirms the completion of each step into the microphone by providing check digits from location codes, product codes, or SSCC codes. Each individual stage of picking is verified by the system, including information about the quantity of products remaining in a given location after picking. Such constant inventory allows for identifying errors before they occur or before shipments leave the warehouse.
– Maintaining our customers’ satisfaction requires efficient and fast service. Delivering shipments on time and in perfect condition is extremely important – says Grzegorz Lichocik, President of Dachser in Poland. – Receiving goods, handling them in the warehouse, and shipping must take place with a minimal number of errors. The use of Pick-by-Voice not only streamlines work in the warehouse but also enables the picking of even the most complex orders.
The system allows for freeing up the employee’s hands and eyes, which significantly affects the pace of picking. There is no need to use a traditional, rather heavy scanner, which normally has to be put down every time to pick up a carton according to the order. The use of a headset also makes it easier for employees to move around the warehouse and increases their concentration on their tasks.
– More frequent deliveries of smaller quantities of products, on mixed pallets, is a general trend in our customers’ orders. To ensure that the handling of such orders proceeds efficiently and, above all, without errors, we use the latest technologies – says Jarosław Witkowski, manager of the Poznań branch of Dachser, where voice technology is used for order picking.
– We are proud of the high quality of order processing we have achieved. The use of Pick-by-Voice allows for much faster shipment picking and the elimination of mistakes. The technology works perfectly in serving customers with a wide assortment, and we have those with over 2,000 different products – SKU (stock keeping unit), differing only in color, size, expiration date, etc. – added Jarosław Witkowski.