VOICE
technology
Interview
Agility is the
watchword
Manufacturing & Logistics IT senior editor Ed Holden spoke with
Dave O'Reilly, sales director at Voxware, about new developments in
the Voice-directed solution space.
oxware has success - from being an innovative new The first solutions were entirely
V
fully deployed many technology into an industry best bespoke – on the hardware as
Voice solutions in practice. Voxware’s Dave O’Reilly well as the software levels. Since
the UK over the past comments that what is less well then, standards have emerged
seven years, with known is Voice technology itself and Voice technology has moved
major implementations involving has evolved. forward. Today, customers have
hundreds of workers at leading many more options and leverage
retailers and high street O’Reilly notes that “Voice in the to reduce the long-term cost of
supermarket companies. distribution centre has followed a Voice solution.”
Over this period of time, the same path of development as
Voice systems have evolved virtually every other high technology. Hardware independence is an
example of this evolution. “In the
early days, customers had to
invest in proprietary Voice
Dave O’Reilly: “Logistics
devices, which led many to the
operations that develop
erroneous conclusion that Voice
the ability to rapidly adapt
technology was primarily a
their processes have a
hardware decision,” said O’Reilly.
distinct advantage.”
“In the past few years, we’ve
worked with major vendors
such as Motorola, Intermec, not recognised how Voice tech -
and LXE to Voice-enable a wide nology has advanced. “Software
range of their devices, many is at the heart of a key operational
of which can also be used for business need: agility,” he said.
other purposes. Now there
are very large and successful Constant evolution
deployments utilising these
devices, so the idea that Voice O’Reilly reflects that logistics
technology requires a specific is an environment of constant
device has been disproven.” evolution with greater demands
on increasing velocity and reducing
Exactly like other high technologies, headcount whilst achieving
O’Reilly points out that it is greater overall performance to
software that has defined and meet the demands of a public
shaped the evolution of Voice that expects first time results.
solutions. He suggests companies “Logistics operations that
that approach Voice as a develop the ability to rapidly
software acquisition are far adapt their processes have a
ahead of their peers who have distinct advantage,” adding: >>
48
MANUFACTURING
&LOGISTICSIT July 2009
www.logisticsit.com
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