The investment in Voice Picking Technology has been motivated by increasing competition in the convenience sector. This has focussed attention on availability and the need to eliminate out of stocks in retail stores where empty shelves result in lost sales. Halls recognised that eradicating picking errors was the crux of the solution and would, at the same time, alleviate the substantial costs of rectifying incorrect deliveries.

Hall's traditional paper-based picking system was efficient, but like any manual system, subject to human error particularly in an operation the size of Halls where 2,500 orders per week are picked from over 6,000 product lines.

Voice Technology transforms the way pickers work, delivering substantial accuracy and other benefits. Using a belt-worn wireless computer, with a headset and microphone, pickers receive verbal instructions via the headset and confirm their actions through the microphone by reading the last few digits of the product bar code. The terminal communicates with the Warehouse Management System via a radio frequency local area network, updating it in real time as each task is completed. Picking errors are thus virtually impossible as each task is verified before the next instruction is given. Moreover, eliminating the need for paper instructions or hand-held devices frees up both hands and eyes for the task, allowing pickers to work faster and more safely.

The 80 user system at Halls encompasses BCP's Accord Voice Picking solution, operating with Vocollect Talkman T2 terminals on a Symbol Technologies Spread Spectrum 24 RF network. BCP is supplying the full solution, including all hardware, software and services and is working with Hall's in-house IT team to implement it in a series of phases

Pickers are adopting the new technology enthusiastically, finding it simple to learn and adopt. In frozen foods it has made their work easier, as the thick gloves worn when picking frozen foods severely hamper the handling of labels or radio terminals.

Accuracy levels in frozen foods are now at 99.99% - a 90% reduction in picking errors. As Dominic Hall, Technical Services Director at James Hall, explains: "This is way beyond our expectations and is generating enormous savings, as rectifying incorrect deliveries to retailers is expensive and time consuming."

Other benefits include improved stock accuracy - a reduction in stock variances of 89% since the introduction of Voice; stationery savings and substantial administration savings. Because pickers are working in real time there's virtually no further office based confirmation or amendment process to go through. Halls estimate administration savings of 2.5 man days per week since the introduction of Voice Picking in frozen foods alone. Moreover, the system provides full electronic tracking of the process so any retailer enquiries can now be quickly and easily verified - "we can track exactly where in the process any particular item was picked, as we know the time, date and sequence of all items in an order."

These benefits are expected to replicate across the other departments, delivering substantially greater savings in the larger ambient and chilled departments. After full implementation, Halls expect an ROI of 9 to 12 months with most of the payback generated by reductions in the cost of picking errors - fewer financial claims, lower return handling costs and improved wholesale and retail stock accuracy. Hall concludes: "Ultimately it's all about giving our customers the best service and Voice is helping us do just that. Accurate deliveries mean they can now focus on maximising sales rather than spending valuable time checking deliveries, while passing on some of our own savings will help them to better compete in an increasingly competitive market.

Contact
BCP - Business Computer Projects Ltd.
www.bcpsoftware.com