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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.
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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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