Leading integrated systems supplier Dexion worked with Vocollect by Honeywell, the world leader in voice enabled solutions for mobile workers, to deliver a comprehensive voice solution at Schweppes Archerfield Distribution Centre (DC). The automated voice directed picking solution has resulted in significant improvement with greater than 99 per cent picking accuracy.
Schweppes Australia’s Archerfield DC operates five days a week, 24 hours a day and can pick up to 16,000 cases every day. Schweppes Australia delivers to roughly 5,000 customers out of Archerfield, and 30,000 customers on a national basis.
The Schweppes Archerfield site was previously using manual paper processes that required workers to plan their picking routes based on paper picking sheets, which led to inefficiencies and also allowed for human error.
Nathan Lucinsky, Archerfield DC manager, Schweppes Australia explains that a number of Schweppes product descriptions were similar; if a picker in the warehouse didn’t take the time to read a pick sheet correctly, a product would be loaded and directed to the wrong location, which could result in customer service issues.
In order to improve its warehouse operations, and specifically the picking accuracy and efficiency, Schweppes Australia’s Archerfield DC deployed Dexion’s Real‐time Distribution System (RDS) in combination with Vocollect Talkman A500 mobile computing devices to deliver a fully‐automated voice solution across their facility, leading to significant improvements.
According to Mike Heide, Queensland Distribution manager, Schweppes Australia, in the first week of using the voice system, picking errors were reduced by 90 per cent. The implementation of the voice solution allows their employees greater freedom, mobility and safety with a wireless headset and the Vocollect Talkman mobile device. Under the new, automated voice solution, Schweppes’ Archerfield DC workers are directed via the new Vocollect SRX2 wireless headset to a specific location in the warehouse to pick a specific type of product with no need for manual intervention.
Paul Phillips, Regional manager Australia/New Zealand for Vocollect by Honeywell observes that the Dexion and Vocollect by Honeywell voice system is helping enhance Schweppes Archerfield facility’s customer service levels by automating picking and bringing complete accuracy into the process.
Mike Dowd, Systems Solutions manager for Dexion adds Schweppes Australia should be commended for their forward thinking in building a fully‐integrated, seamless system that eliminates double handling of pallets as well as non‐value add repetitive tasks from day‐to-day activities, all of which adds up to more efficient and accurate DC operations.
In addition to increasing the accuracy of the products picked and improving customer service levels, Schweppes Australia’s Archerfield DC is also expecting to receive significant efficiency gains through the new voice solution.
