Improving picking flexibility and efficiency boosts throughput and meets customer demands. Choosing between voice technology and traditional methods can take time and effort. While barcode picking is reliable, it may need to be faster for modern fulfilment.
However, voice activated order picking reduces errors by 67%. With rising shipping volumes, warehouses need to evaluate technology options before upgrading. So, which one should you choose for your business warehouse operations?
Let’s see the pros and cons of both to determine the best.
Traditional Order Picking Technology
This is perhaps the most common type of order picking, as it’s basic, and simple to operate and understand. Unlike voice activated order picking, the picker picks one order, one line at a time.
The shift has only one scheduling window. This means that the orders do not have any schedule, and pickers can pick them up on any day.
There are quite a few advantages to this picking method:
- Simplicity
- Best for paper-based picking
- Provides fast response time for order fulfillment
- Easily track order accuracy
However, this system has limitations. Let’s examine why it may not be the ideal picking setup for you.
Cons of Traditional Picking
Here’s why traditional pocking will let you down:
1. Inefficiency and Long Travel Times
Pickers must walk the entire warehouse for each order, leading to excessive travel times and reduced productivity.
2. Labor-Intensive Process
Discrete picking demands more manual effort, contrary to voice-activated order picking. With each worker handling one order at a time, discrete picking increases the need for personnel and raises labour costs.
3. Low Throughput
The time spent moving between pick locations limits the number of orders processed per hour, making it hard to scale during high-demand periods.
4. Higher Error Rates
Relying on human accuracy, this method is prone to more mistakes, especially when employees are fatigued from constant walking and order handling.
5. Limited Automation Flexibility
Discrete picking doesn’t easily integrate with automated systems, limiting adaptability in a fast-paced, competitive market.
So, what’s the alternative? Voice-activated order picking eliminates all unnecessary hurdles, making it swift and efficient.
Shall we see?
Voice Activated Order Picking Technology
Voice-activated order picking or speech-based picking is a hands-free, paperless and eyes-free system. It gives easy-to-understand voice prompts to direct warehouse operators to the picking locations and allocates tasks.
Here’s how the system works.
The Function of Voice Picking
Voice-activated order-picking systems free warehouse operators’ hands and eyes, eliminating the need to glance down or press buttons. These systems use simple, everyday language to facilitate communication between mission-critical systems and operators. Here’s how voice picking works and tips to improve efficiency.
- Each operator has a voice-picking device that is usually a headset and microphone combo or a mobile. The operators may also carry a barcode scanner for increased efficiency.
- Since the orders get imported from storage areas, like your storage facilities or warehouses, each item is marked.
As you import orders from host systems like warehouse management systems (WMS) or enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, it records. Sequences and then release it for processing.
- The voice picking device will give instructions about the tasks and when and where you need to do them.
- Voice-picking devices feature multimodal feedback, allowing operators to input information through voice, text entry, or barcode scanning, which then feeds back into the system.
- When your voice-picking system verbally directs an operator to the location of a specific warehouse, then he must check the digits upon arrival. It will confirm the correct aisle or section and the correct bin.
- The voice-activated order picking confirms the location, providing the pick quantity to the operator.
- Upon completing the picking, the system sends the operator to the next location.
The system helps to optimise the pick path. It maximises efficiency, minimising walking through the warehouse.
All these systems and processes do have their advantages. Here are some of the benefits you can enjoy with automated order picking.
Benefits of Voice-Based Order Picking
As far as benefits go, voice-picking has its share of advantages. To start with you will see an immediate surge in efficiency. So, let’s see all the benefits:
1. Shorter Training Time
Traditional picking takes time to learn. On the other hand, voice picking uses everyday language. This means your warehouse operator doesn’t need training in data entry or learning complicated paperwork to expedite the process. With just a few voice-picking sessions, they will learn how to work on the warehouse floor.
2. Enhance Accuracy
With fewer distractions, no devices in hand, and easy-to-understand instructions, you can expect your warehouse operators to increase their picking accuracy by 85%. That’s better for your warehouse and customer satisfaction.
3. Increased Productivity
Voice-picking systems are eyes-free and hands-free, so your warehouse team can only concentrate on the task they have. This makes the process simpler-so no more paperwork or grabbing devices. To put simply, voice-picking solutions eliminate physical obstacles, therefore increasing productivity.
4. Safer Warehouse
When there are no devices and other obstacles to distract the workers, they can direct their attention and energy to work. This ensures greater safety and fewer damages. Voice picking eliminates any injury risks caused by distractions.
5. Happy Employees
By streamlining warehouse operations with voice activated order picking, we can reduce employee frustrations, enhance motivation, and cultivate a happier workforce. This not only leads to increased productivity but also significantly lowers employee turnover.
So, which of the two warehouse order-picking methods is best for you? Let’s check.
Which One is Better: Voice Picking or Traditional Picking?
Voice picking is generally better than traditional picking due to its efficiency and accuracy. In voice picking, workers receive audio instructions via headsets, freeing their hands and eyes for quicker, more focused work.
This method reduces travel time and errors because pickers can confirm actions verbally, allowing for real-time updates and improved workflow. It also enhances productivity by guiding pickers through the optimal picking route.
In contrast, traditional picking is more labour-intensive, slower, and prone to errors. Voice picking’s technology-driven approach results in faster order fulfilment and greater accuracy, making it ideal for modern, high-volume warehouses.
FAQs: Traditional vs Voice Activated Order Picking: Which Is Better for Warehouse Management
Is voice activated order picking hard?
Voice picking is easy to learn with minimal training, using simple commands and multilingual support. Employees wear hands-free headsets, boosting safety and productivity by up to 35%.
Does voice picking have a higher accuracy than other systems?
Yes, voice picking often delivers higher accuracy compared to other systems. By providing clear, step-by-step voice commands, it reduces errors, enhances focus, and minimises distractions, improving overall picking precision.
How does voice picking work?
Pickers receive verbal commands through a headset, which directs them to specific products, they find and choose those products and speak into their headset microphones, confirming their task. The voice-picking application interprets and either corroborates or rejects the spoken responses. Once the correct items are picked, the system continues giving directions.
What kind of equipment does voice picking use?
Voice picking uses a voice recognition system and a headset integrated into the warehouse management system.
What is the cost of voice picking?
The cost varies depending on the system you use and the scale of your operation. You can get a tailored system as per your business needs from our industry experts.
Conclusion
Voice activated order picking offers significant advantages over traditional methods. These include improved accuracy, time savings, increased productivity, and safety. With hands-free operations and real-time voice instructions, it streamlines workflows, reducing errors. As warehouses face increasing demand, having the right technology is crucial for long-term success. If you are ready to upgrade your warehouse with cutting-edge solutions, contact Qodenext today for expert advice and tailor voice-picking solutions designed to boost efficiency and meet modern supply chain challenges.
