Voice solutions are well established in logistics, especially for improving order picking processes. Next generation voice solutions offer new opportunities and advantages, plus lower Total Cost of Ownership, which addresses the needs of today’s mature market.

Trained or untrained

The performance of mobile platforms and voice recognisers has improved, background noise is better filtered out and voice computers sound more human. Most significant is the arrival of ‘untrained’ voice systems. Contrary to classic ‘trained’ systems, where recognition is based on commands registered by the operator in advance, recognition of an ‘untrained’ system is based on phonemes within the users’ language . This means an operator no longer needs to register commands in advance and can start working immediately. In addition, new commands can be added to the system directly (without new registration) and user profiles are managed easily. The extra time gained represents a significant cost saving, especially for companies with high staff turnover or strong demand seasonality.

One solution, many processes

In the past, users would choose either voice or another technology to input data but new solutions often support a combination of different interfaces. In this ‘multimodal’ approach, voice can be used together with a keyboard, touch screen or scanner for data input.  Therefore processes previously too complex to be handled by voice only can now be optimized too. Consider the following scenarios for example: 

  • Voice picking combined with scanning Datamatrix codes for optimal traceability
  • Quality control whereby an operator receives orders through the voice system and consults additional information on items to be inspected via a screen (e.g. location)
  • Multi-client picking with voice assisted by a light signal indicating where an operator needs to place picked items (‘put to light’).

Freedom of choice in hardware

If a system integrator works with all major manufacturers, customers can extend  existing estates with terminals from the same hardware brand for easier management, or opt for different terminals that bring additional features to their current implementation.

Out of the box

The days when voice was reserved for large, highly customized projects are long gone. Next generation voice solutions now offer an ‘out of the box’ approach requiring minimal customisation . When designed with a thorough understanding of business processes, these solutions can offer smaller companies with a limited number of operators and straightforward processes fast access to the benefits voice will bring.

Zetes, specialist in voice solutions

Zetes has been developing, improving and implementing its voice solution, 3iV Crystal, for many years. Key benefits at a glance include:

  • Proven technology: Zetes’ voice solution serves 60% of the EMEA voice market , running 1500 projects and supporting over 100.000 users
  • Specialists with extensive experience of both voice technology and how supply chain processes can be improved
  • In collaboration with its sister company MCL Technologies, Zetes offers both a ‘trained’ voice solution and a high performing ‘untrained’ version, based on MCL voice
  • Optimise a wide range of processes: picking, inventory, quality control, cross-docking, put-away.
  • Freedom of choice for hardware and partnerships with all leading manufacturers
  • Direct or middleware integration, depending on whether the host system requires additional functionality to execute the voice application or not.

"Operators no longer need to register commands in advance, but can start working immediately."
Pallas Foods

Voice combined with Datamatrix scanning complies with traceability requirements of pharmaceutical sector

Pharmaceutical distributor CERP Bretagne Nord uses Zetes’ voice solution 3iV Crystal, powered by MCL voice, and Datamatrix scanning to comply with traceability requirements in the pharmaceutical industry and meet ‘just-in-time’ delivery requirements from customers. During order picking, an operator receives picking instructions by voice, prepares the order and sends back information using the same means. Each product is individually scanned by a wearable ring scanner to capture the Datamatrix codes. This step has been integrated in order to verify batch references, use-by dates and to meet French regulations for the traceability of pharmaceutical products in France. According to Daniel Galas, President of CERP France and Managing Director of CERP Bretagne Nord, “ Voice enables us to maintain levels of productivity required by our business in terms of order preparation whilst simultaneously reducing margins for error.”

Untrained, multimodal voice solutions drive operational efficiency at Pallas Foods

Pallas Foods is using Zetes’ untrained voice solution, 3iV Crystal, powered by MCL voice, to increase efficiency and speed up stock put away, inventory management and order-picking procedures. The system runs on a hand-held mobile computer. Zetes’ untrained voice solution doesn’t require operators to register individual voice profiles so new or interim operators are up and running in no time, which delivers important productivity advantages during peak time periods. According to Donald Riordan, Information Manager with Pallas Foods IT Department, “Zetes' system was technologically superior and not only offered us greater redundancy and resilience, it was also hardware independent , giving us the freedom to use different devices in the future. Direct integration reduces the potential for data errors to occur because there is no database sitting between our ERP system and the voice terminals, data is exchanged in real time whenever an item of stock is moved.”

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Following a rebranding exercise in 2013, the Zetes’ logistics execution solution using voice technology is now called ZetesMedea Voice (formerly 3iV Crystal). All features and functionalities remain valid.

  • Easy to use for all operators: dialogue adapted to different user levels and no registration of voice profile required thanks to untrained approach
  • Direct integration with SAP
  • Rapid implementation: 1 month, including development of custom RFC’s