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WANT TO MAXIMIZE THE POWER OF YOUR WORKFORCE?
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In these tough times, industrial and logistics environments need to maximize workplace productivity and safety to contain costs while satisfying customers. Increasingly, warehouse operators are discovering that hands-free devices are an effective solution to accomplish these goals. Wearable and voice-enabled mobile computers make warehouse operations hands-free, eliminating time spent picking up and reholstering handheld computers. Interacting with mobile computers using voice also make processes eyes-free, so the worker never loses sight of the task at hand. Together the two can boost productivity in the warehouse by as much as 20%.

Acquisition costs are down signifi cantly for today’s hands-free solutions. Voice and wearable technologies are now offered in various cost effective solutions, making them within reach for any size warehouse or operation. Most of today’s solutions are open platform, further lowering implementation cost and integration complexity with warehouse management systems and ERPs.

Today’s array of voice technology options has expanded the use of voice from cold storage where it was invented to a wide variety of warehouse types, picking environments, and warehouse functions. Specialty retail, general merchandising, restaurant chains, convenience stores, auto parts, healthcare and pharmaceuticals are all turning to voice, and 69% of warehouse operations surveyed are exploring voice in the warehouse.

In a 2007 survey by ARC Advisory Group and Modern Materials Handling magazine, nearly 60% of respondents saw productivity gains greater than 8% in their picking operations when they adopted voice, while another 26% saw productivity gains of between 4% and 8%. Users of voice technology are 50% more likely to have reduced labor costs.


Wearable mobile computers require very little change to existing warehouse operations that currently use handheld computers, so those not in a position to allocate resources to deploying voice solutions may use it to boost productivity and improve safety, whether as a long-term or interim solution while planning the addition of voice.

Choosing the right hands-free solution means careful assessment of products in the market and choosing the product that meets the IT environment as well as the workforce. For wearable computers, key product features to look for include a safe, durable and ergonomic design and excellent battery management backed by solid service and support to ensure availability. Critical voice features include robust noise reduction and a sophisticated, non-speaker-dependent voice recognition engine.

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WANT TO MAXIMIZE THE POWER OF YOUR WORKFORCE?
TIn these tough times, industrial and logistics environments need to maximize workplace productivity and safety to contain costs while satisfying customers. Increasingly, warehouse operators are discovering that hands-free devices are an effective solution to accomplish these goals.


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