distribution logistics IT (voice) l
put a roll cage onto a vehicle that was not going to a specified store. Once the load is dispatched, the products on the roll cages are electronically dispatched, so each store would know what to expect on their delivery before it even arrives. The ability to physically identify what goods have been received in store reduces invoice queries, something that wouldn’t have been achieved using the old label system. ●
www.belgravium.com
●Productivity increase and high ROI
flexibility to switch between traditional scanning, and with the addition of a voice headset, could be instantly transformed to a voice terminal. With the addition of the thin client software ‘Voxbrowser’, CICS had all the elements for a full voice system.
How it works
The new voice solution now extends the use of the RF technology to cover the full spectrum of warehouse activities including the picking and load dispatch operations. CICS now has the ability to view which users are currently operating in the warehouse and can allocate pick assignments simply and quickly, automatically directing each picker to their next assignment via their voice recognition headset. Part of the ‘pick to voice’ solution enabled the development of the dispatch function. Using traditional scanning for this function, users scan the barcodes on each roll cage with the Atlanta handheld terminal, for the completed order, prior to loading it onto the delivery vehicle.
Since the system went live in January 2010, the confidence in the system has continued to grow and as a result the average pick rate has continued on an upwards trend. The voice directed picking keeps users focused and less distracted. The improvement in efficiency has resulted in numerous benefits for CICS through increased
42 ShD August 2010
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productivity, accurate consignments and timely deliveries. The increased productivity within the warehouse has reduced the need for overtime, and continues to deliver significant cost savings to CICS.
Benefits
Real-time visibility – In addition, the system has facilitated greater visibility of the warehouse operation as a management tool. The ability to log in remotely in real time means CICS is able to constantly monitor the pick rates in the operation. Should there be a dip in these, they can quickly identify the reason why and put the corrective action in place – reducing the disruption and maintaining an efficient operation.
Improved stock management – This new solution has allowed the St Helier distribution centre to be a lot more reactive to the stores requirements. The ability to view stock before it arrives in-store, allows the store to identify stock location and availability for empty shelves. The flexibility of the system allows CICS to then facilitate early dispatch of the cage in order to fill the empty shelf space.
Accuracy improvement – With respect to accuracy it is as close to 100% as it could be. Company reports show that there are few ‘cross picks’ and shortages – the new dispatch function now means that CICS can not
Zetes, one of the leading pan- European suppliers of solutions and services for the automatic identification of goods and people, has recently announced it has implemented its voice solution 3iV Crystal at Vanity Fair Brands Lingerie Europe, S.A. for the automisation and optimisation of its logistics processes. VFB Lingerie Europe is a company that manufactures lingerie and swimwear. One of the reasons for the success of VFB Lingerie Europe is its consistent use of traditional business methods, such as a distribution system. The company contacted Zetes because it wanted to optimise distribution and provide a faster, more efficient service for its various distribution channels.
Zetes’s voice solution 3iV Crystal is used for automating the picking and cross-docking processes at VFB Lingerie Europe's main warehouse in Igualada, Spain, which has an area of 8,000m2
. All the company’s
multinational brands are distributed from there. The Igualada facility can send out anything from 15,000 items a day to 25,000 at its busiest times. 3iV Crystal was integrated directly into the warehouse management system already used by VFB Lingerie Europe (Manhattan WMOS), and did not require any middleware. Zetes also adapted its voice solution to meet the company’s needs. Since the company has a wide range of products and a high volume of information, Zetes customised the voice system so that the company could conduct picking and cross docking tasks using voice technology. The system performs various tasks simultaneously, and manages all shipments, taking into account styles, sizes, colours, etc, and obtaining real-time information whenever required. ●
www.zetes.com
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