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Businesses hope to improve picking accuracy with voice technology

Next speaks up for faster warehouse processes

The retailer is using a voice-based system to improve operations at its new distribution centre

Written by Angelica Mari

Computing, 13 May 2008

High street retailer Next is using voice-based technology to improve picking productivity at one of its distribution centres.

The hands-free kit allows workers at Next’s new distribution centre in Dearne Valley to receive picking commands from the warehouse management system (WMS) via a plug-in headset and a wearable computer.

Supplier VoiteQ provided the system and worked with Next's in-house development team to create an interface between the voice system and Next's WMS.

Other retailers including WHSmith have recently replaced handheld scanners by a voice system to speed up picking activity at warehouses and improve accuracy.

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