| Chemnitz
iFD-WMS with pick-by-voice order picking in a deep-freeze warehouse
With the WMS module for voice-guided picking, you can optimise your processes whilst improving their quality.
To meet increasing logistical demands, logistics processes can be carried out and supported cost-effectively and efficiently with the help of pick-by-voice.
This means that staff not only have both hands free at all times when retrieving items from the storage bins (pick lists or scanners are not required for confirmation), but the pick-by-voice devices are also more robust than handheld devices and have significantly longer battery life, allowing a full shift to be completed on a single charge.
Based on this fundamental insight into efficient process design in deep-freeze warehouses, iFD GmbH, together with the investor and operator of the ‘Dogma Tiernahrung GmbH’ distribution warehouse, equipped the previously implemented warehouse management system with a pick-by-voice module a few years ago in order to achieve the required process improvements (increased productivity, reduced errors, multi-order picking) in the new deep-freeze warehouse. Across approximately 1,200 m² of frozen storage space with 16 flow channels and 32 block storage bays, the new distribution system uses pick-by-voice to pick around 1,800 picking units daily for shipping customers and direct collection customers. To this end, the WMS was equipped with an enhanced interface, which now allows both handheld devices and pick-by-voice devices to be used interchangeably in the picking process. This ensures, on the one hand, stable and rapid online posting of delivery quantities in customer packages and, on the other hand, inventory changes in the frozen and dry goods storage areas.
The application offers the following advantages over the previous solution (process control in an ERP system, picking with pick lists):
- Productivity increase to 150–185% (depending on the quantity picked per order and item size)
- Reduction in picking errors to 0.1% of picking positions
- Faster information on the processing progress of a customer order through online process tracking
- Multi-order picking with up to four parallel orders on a single picking route
- Dynamic increase in order priority for immediate service of self-collection customers
- Online stock information for process planning and data updates in the web shop
- Use of pick-by-voice devices also for goods storage and warehouse consolidation
To monitor the progress of customer orders, a dashboard screen was installed in the frozen food section, which alerts staff to urgent orders. This displays the most important data on order processing in real time.
Following a process analysis lasting several weeks, the dialogue interface was further simplified to reduce the training time required for temporary staff in the frozen food area to learn how to use the pick-by-voice technology and to improve transparency in error-handling processes.
The use of pick-by-voice devices in the picking process within the frozen goods storage area has exceeded all expectations and continues to form the foundation for the productive use of the dispatch system; by ensuring low-error retrieval of goods from storage bins, it guarantees the high quality standards required of an online shop-based supplier. After all, delays in meeting agreed deadlines and a high rate of complaints due to incorrect deliveries spell the end for a successful business model.
Ms Förster will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the Warehouse Management System, tel. +49 371 53 880 226.
