A few weeks ago on the SCIT Perspectives Blog David Meyers asked the question, "Where do you pick from when all the low hanging fruit is gone?"

This question stems from a WMS upgrade project that David is involved with which is actively seeking to reduce costs even though the operation is already running relatively lean. One potential area under consideration is new technologies – including Voice picking.

Having followed Voice Recognition for years, I believe it is a natural candidate for many WMS upgrade and implementation projects. Its hands-free, heads-up user interface gives it a definite edge over RF terminals. And I appreciate the value it can bring to other activities like cycle counting, replenishments, and putaways.

I’m not saying that it is a fit for every operation and every activity. But I believe it is worthy of becoming a mainstream data collection technology for the warehouse floor.

For mainstream technology, functional fit and usability are not the only criteria – integration and cost play a critical role. The integration landscape has matured with most top-tier and many mid-tier WMS vendors offering direct interfaces to Voice solutions.

As I am a voice technology consultant, I pointed out in a recent Tompkins white paper, Voice-Enabling Your SAP Warehouse, SAP WM/EWM users have a variety of approaches available for integrating Voice within their facilities. There are more application providers and hardware vendors chasing the Voice marketplace. More choice drives lower cost points making the technology even more attractive.

So is Voice ready for prime time? I definitely think so.

Is it there yet? I’m not so sure.

Based on what I hear and see, more and more DC operations are actively pursuing or considering implementing Voice.

However, I still hear a lot of folks saying that they’ll get around to it but not right now. I also know of some enterprises that are pursuing a new WMS implementation or upgrade who view it as a Phase 2 or beyond consideration. So it still hasn’t reached the same acceptance level as RF.

Some of this hesitation is due to critical mass. People feel more comfortable with the technology when they personally know other sites that employ it.

Also, I think some WMS vendors and integrators contribute to this condition. They may actively pitch Voice during the sales cycle. But their implementation folks may view it as another set of tasks on a project plan that is already overcrowded.

Anyone who has been involved in a WMS implementation can appreciate that sometimes it is best to walk on Day 1 and leave the running for Day 2 or beyond. However, I can’t point to any mid-to-large size DC implementing a new WMS that is waiting for Phase 2 or 3 to roll out RF.

Waiting until Day 2 or beyond may not be the conservative bet anymore. If the technology is mature enough to be mainstream, then waiting just leaves the benefits – which can be considerable – to a vague future date.

Installing Voice on Day 2 in an operation that went live, with RF or paper, can be more costly and time consuming than doing it in the original implementation.

Once again, I’m not saying Voice is right for every operation. It may even make sense to wait rather than include it in any specific implementation or upgrade plan. But I think it deserves the same level of Day 1 consideration given to RF, pick-to-light and other commonly employed warehouse management systems and technologies.

Am I overly optimistic in my assessment? Do you think Voice is ready for prime time? If not, what do you see as the barriers?

--Tom

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