Vocollect Voice Fundamentals
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This document provides an overview of Vocollect, a company that pioneered the use of voice in industrial settings. Some key points: - Vocollect has over 350 employees worldwide and 1,750 partners serving over 250,000 users in 55 countries. They have annual sales exceeding $100M. - Vocollect's Voice solution includes voice recognition technology, durable equipment for distribution environments, and optimized voice applications. - Research showed Vocollect Voice led to significantly higher productivity (10-25% faster), accuracy (2-4 fewer errors per 1,000), and shorter training times (50% reduction) compared to paper, RF scanning, and pick-to-light systems.
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Vocollect Voice Fundamentals
- 1. 1 ©Vocollect 2010 Training Vocollect Voice Fundamentals Frank Rissler Region Manager Central & Eastern Europe
- 2. 2 Vocollect, Inc. Founded 1987- based in Pittsburgh, PA Regional offices in Miami, London, Tokyo and Hong Kong 350 employees worldwide 1,750 global team including partners Pioneered use of voice in industrial settings Over 250,000 users in 55 countries- 26 languages More than $2 billion worth of goods moved daily Sales exceed $100M (nearly 50% in EMEA) 15% of annual sales invested on R&D
- 3. 3 What is Vocollect Voice® ? Term that represents Vocollect’s 20+ years of experience in Voice Includes expertise in: Voice recognition technology Design & manufacture of durable equipment for use in distribution environments Development of optimized voice applications Voice from different providers is DIFFERENT!
- 4. 4 Many Potential Business Applications
- 5. 5 How Vocollect Works Assignment from WMS transmitted to user worn voice terminal via 802.11b WLAN Voice terminal translates assignment data into audible commands User provides spoken responses to confirm actions taken Responses translated to data Host system updated
- 6. 6 Key Business Pressures Improving Productivity How can I improve the speed of warehouse operations? How do I integrate operations to reduce order processing time? How can I reduce manual processes? Accuracy and Customer Service How does this help achieve the “perfect order”? How can I improve overall order accuracy? How does it help improve Customer Satisfaction? Lowest Total Operating Cost Where can I reduce inventory while maintaining high service/fill rates? How do I improve resource efficiency? How do I ensure infrastructure and staffing flexibility? How do I better leverage existing “IT systems investments?” Mass Customization/Value-Add How can I manage my SKU proliferation and continuing SKU churn? How do I ensure regulatory and customer labeling compliance? How do I support more customer specific value-added services?
- 7. 7 Key Benefits of Vocollect Voice Accuracy Check digits confirm slot location 99.99% order accuracy with voice achievable Productivity No paper, labels, or RF screens to read or handle 15% - 20% increase in full case pick Up to 50% increase in piece pick
- 8. 8 Key Benefits of Vocollect Voice Training About a 50% reduction in training time compared to other methods High degree of worker acceptance Supports multiple languages Safety Eliminates need to read or key in information Workers are more focused Hands free, eyes free
- 9. 9 Key Benefits of Vocollect Voice Rapid Payoff Decrease in errors higher throughput significant cost savings Typical return on investment is 9 – 12 months
- 10. 10 Vocollect Compared to Paper/Labels Vocollect Advantage Extreme Accuracy Reduce errors by 85% vs. paper and labels Productivity Increased throughout- 10 - 15+% gains Training 50% reduction in end-user-training Periodically during a shift: Travel to assignment point Sort / get labels or find list Travel to desk to reconcile discrepancies Data entry (if required) …all are eliminated with Vocollect Elapsed Time Vocollect Paper & Labels
- 11. 11 Vocollect Compared to RF Scanning Elapsed Time Vocollect RF Scanning Vocollect Advantage Accuracy Less errors- 2–4 less errors per 1,000 Productivity Increased throughout- 15 - 25+% gains Training 50% reduction in end-user-training
- 12. 12 How does Vocollect Voice Compare? 3rd party research: REFA Federal Association Compared Voice, Paper, and Scanning 4 types of picking Item picking Case Picking Item & Case Picking Multiple Order Picking 120 pick jobs, 1800 picks, 3840 articles
- 13. 13 - 1.000 2.000 3.000 4.000 5.000 6.000 7.000 8.000 9.000 Piece Picking Case Picking Mixed Picking (piece & units) Batch Picking The Result (includingtransport & travel time) Paper Scanning Voice How does Vocollect Voice Compare? Minutes
- 14. 14 Detailed results, unadjusted Paper Scanning Voice Improvement % Improvement % Pick Method Average minutes per trip Voice vs. Paper Voice vs. Scanning Piece Pick 6.404 5.082 4.189 35% 18% Unit Pick 7.744 7.549 5.816 25% 23% Mixed Pick 6.562 5.916 4.847 26% 18% Batch Pick N/A 8.465 5.398 N/A 36% How does Vocollect Voice Compare?
- 15. 15 Detailed results, adjusted* How does Vocollect Voice Compare? Paper Scanning Voice Improvement % Improvement % Pick Method Average minutes per trip Voice vs. Paper Voice vs. Scanning Piece Pick 3.711 2.893 1.779 52% 39% Unit Pick 4.381 4.143 3.084 30% 26% Mixed Pick 3.538 3.104 1.990 44% 36% Batch Pick N/A 4.206 2.981 N/A 29% *Transport and travel time removed
- 16. 16 Vocollect Compared to Pick-to-Light PTL investment based on number of SKU’s- very expensive* PTL inflexible and not portable* PTL difficult to reconfigure* PTL “zone and batch” limitations* PTL offers limited hands and eyes free activities* * Source- Gartner
- 17. 17 Value of Vocollect Compared to… Paper and Labels RF Scanning Pick-to-Light Productivity 10 - 15% slower 10 - 25% slower Same Accuracy 10 - 20 more errors per 1000 items 2 - 4 more errors per 1000 items 2 - 4 errors per 1000 items Training 2x longer 2x - 3x longer Same Issues Lack of real-time visibility and accountability: inventory, people, system update Difficult to batch-pick Data entry errors Labor and materials cost to handle paper Not hands-/eyes-free Average 2 weeks of training Operator is distracted: data entry, read, scan Safety issues (Heads-down) Not ergonomic Not hands-/eyes-free Battery issues Many points of failure (requires back-up inventory of equipment) Inflexible Expensive to add SKUs Can’t efficiently manage two order selectors in one zone Difficult to batch-pick Sized based on SKUs vs. people Thousands of points of failure (we are talking about lights…)
- 18. 18 Vocollect VoiceWorld Suite: Hardware platforms Talkman® wearable devices Vocollect Voice for Handhelds Accessories: Headsets, chargers, etc. Software VoiceClient software VoiceConsole management software Voice application software Development Tools
- 19. 19 Hardware Platform Options Vocollect Voice® for Handhelds Talkman® Wearables
- 20. 20 Talkman T2x Talkman® Wearable Computers Talkman T5 & T5m
- 21. 21 Vocollect Voice® for Handhelds (VVH) WT4000 MC9090 HX2 MX7 CK3
- 22. 22 Vocollect Voice® for Handhelds (VVH) …continued + new ??? ! WORKABOUT PRO 7527
- 23. 23 Vocollect Speech Recognition Headsets SR - 15 SR - 40 SR - 30 SR - 35 SRX Wireless Headset SR - 20 SR - 14
- 24. 24 Bluetooth® Wireless Accessories Use with Bluetooth printers offered by Zebra Corporation
- 25. 25 Accessories Wireless Listening Kit Visual Training Kit Terminal Cover Belts / Shoulder Harness ScannersWired Listening Kit
- 26. 26 Vocollect “Data” Process Flow For WMS’ that have integrated the functions that would otherwise be provided by middleware. Directs the voice process in the warehouse. For instance, “read check digit, then pick, then confirm, etc.” Provided by Vocollect VoiceLink or by a partner though VoiceDirect using Vocollect’s TaskBuilder or VoiceArtisan. Mobile device wireless security integration and establishment of roles. Set-up shift assignments ahead of time by associate. Manages the task/dialog operation in warehouses (generating pick lists, etc.), when the WMS/ERP/legacy does not directly support function. Provided by Vocollect VoiceLink or by a partner though their own development efforts. Direct Interface Middleware
- 27. 27 VoiceConsole® Management Software Web-based Voice system management Supports centralized or decentralized architectures Device configuration & management Operator Management System Diagnostics Supports popular databases: Oracle 10g Enterprise Microsoft SQL Server 2005/2008 MySQL Localized in 22 languages
- 28. 28 How do we enable the Operator to talk to the WMS? They need a device… and a headset… and a way to talk to the device
- 29. 29 VoiceClient Software VoiceClient Software = “firmware” Vocollect’s voice recognition software Text-to-Speech (TTS) engine Controls voice speed, volume, pitch, etc. Support for: • Wireless security standards • Wireless scanners & printers • Vocollect SR Headsets Loaded on Talkman and third-party devices Works in conjunction with VoiceConsole®
- 30. 30 How do we enable the Operator to talk to the WMS? The Voice Application determines: •How data is processed •What data is transferred •The dialog between device and operator Note: The amount of business logic determined by the task versus the host can vary significantly.
- 31. 31 Voice Application Software (the Task) Middleware packages Vocollect’s VoiceLink® or Partner-developed middleware Provides periodic updates to WMS Includes interface to manage assignments, labor and related warehouse functions Connects to WMS, ERP, inventory management system Direct interface Vocollect VoiceDirect®, & Voice Interface Objects or Partner-developed interface(s) Provides real-time updates to WMS Uses WMS interface to manage assignments, labor and related warehouse functions Offered by leading WMS vendors Build-to-Suit Supports unique customer requirements Allows the bulk of the logic to reside where you want; on the device or on the host system
- 32. 32 Vocollect Voice on Handhelds (VVH) Voice Client Voice Client Voice Client Voice Client Vocollect Talkman Managing the Client, Device and Task VoiceConsole VoiceLink or Partner Task APPLICATIONINFRASTRUCTURE VoiceLink or Partner Application Middleware WMS Developed Process Logic Vocollect SR-series industrial headsets and device specific adapters VoiceWorld Suite Integration Options VoiceDirect or Partner Task Voice Interface Objects Direct Interface Business Logic / Back-end Workflow Process Logic / Operator Dialogue WMS 1 2 3 Device “Instruction Set” VIO API Licensed Vocollect Software
Editor's Notes
- The previous video shows several different picking methods supported by Vocollect voice. While that is the most common application, Vocollect has deployments in each of the areas outlined on this graphic.
- Now that you’ve seen some examples of different voice applications in action, let’s talk at a high level about how the system works.
- To understand why our customers choose us, it is important to understand their business drivers. This slide outlines the pain points of a typical warehouse. The videos illustrate how Vocollect Voice addresses each of these needs.
- We address the key business pressures by the benefits on this and the following slides. Improved Accuracy Because the worker is able to move about without having to stop and read a document, or look down at a small screen, or enter data or pick-up and re-holster a scanner, the worker’s focus is always on the task at hand. As a worker approaches a pick slot, he hears the location and can look for it at the same time. A worker confirms the location (via a check-digit) as they are picking product. The opportunity to look away and forget, or misread a location/product is minimized; therefore, accuracy is increased. In many cases, Vocollect’s clients who believed they were as accurate as they could be saw further improvement in accuracy after making the transition to Voice-Directed Distribution. Improved Productivity Voice makes use of traveltime; you hear the slot on your way to it. You reach down to pick up an item as you are hearing the quantity to pick. You are not fumbling with paper or a scanner while picking the item. You are not stopping to look at a screen. All of these things add up to a more streamlined effort by the operator.
- Reduced Training Time Because each task that a worker performs is driven by voice, there is no need to train workers on reading printouts, knowing when/where to apply labels, or confirming information through a keyboard. Once a worker attends training and creates a voice template (which takes about 15-25 minutes), the entire work process is driven step-by-step through voice commands. Workers are typically up and running in hours not days. In addition to getting new team members up to speed quickly, Vocollect’s clients consistently report a high degree of worker acceptance. Fast Pay Back Companies who have implemented Voice-Directed Distribution have been able to enjoy a payback that outstrips the ROI provided by competing technologies. In fact, a large majority of Vocollect customers report a return on their investment in 9 to 12 months.
- Decrease in errors combined with higher throughput yields significant cost savings
- The REFA Federal association is the umbrella organization for an association for work design, industrial organization and company development which ranks among the leading associations of its kind in Germany. It is an international association. The REFA Association is considered to be Germany’s leading organisation in work design, industrial organisation and company development. REFA is a neutral third party who offers training and services to improve business operations. One such service involves examining existing work processes, finding inefficiencies and recommending process improvements. These results are REFA certified and validate similar results Vocollect has seen over time with its customers who use a mix of technologies.
- Testing methods: 2 experienced pickers were used. Each picker conducted each trip 10 times Each job consisted of 15 picks and 32 individual items NOTE: Did not test batch picking with paper as it is unrealistic; no one would batch pick with paper in the real world. It is too cumbersome. The resulting numbers are the average of all trips in minutes for each picking method. In every test, Vocollect Voice took far less time than either of the other techniques. When times were adjusted to exclude transport & travel, the results were even better. Ask trainees: What does this decrease in time mean in a warehouse? How does this impact the business processes and costs associated with running a distribution center?
- Unadjusted means that the times include the total trip, including travel and transport. That means Voice is 25% up to 35% faster than Paper and between 18% and 36 % faster than scanning. Note that batch pick using paper was not in the benchmark because it is highly unlikely that this would ever be done in a real warehouse. Paper too cumbersome to use for batch or multiple order picking.
- Times here were adjusted to remove transfer and travel (activities that are not influenced by the Voice system). These numbers focus purely on the act of picking items.
- Support for Vocollect’s leading voice recognition software and voice-directed applications on other voice-capable RF devices
- Voice Client allows you to ‘talk to the device’
- The voice recognition engine takes the operators words and converts them to text that the WMS will understand. The Text to speech engine takes the date from the WMS or Host system and converts them to words that the operator will understand.
- Next there is the Voice Application, also known as the Task. The task determines: How data received from the host system by the device is processed. What data will be transferred between the device and the host system The valid vocabulary spoken by the operator and the prompts they hear from the device. This is the ‘dialog’.
- The voice application can be implemented in one of two ways: Direct communication with the host or indirect communication with the host.
- This slide can be unhidden for Training sessions where it is appropriate to talk about VI Objects. VI Objects is currently available in EMEA only.