Pharma giant deploys voice picking
April 1st 2011 To optimise time consuming
warehouse processes and ensure
compliance with system safety
requirements,Merck has implemented
Zetes' 3i Voice solution (3iV). After
voice enabling 8 operators,
important business improvements
have been seen including increased
productivity, improved operator
satisfaction, reduced error rate and
improved planning.
Merck is a global healthcare
company with 40,000 employees in
64 countries. Its Portuguese
warehouse carries out approximately
9,000 warehousing operations on a
total of 30,000 lines each month.
Merck's original warehouse
processes based on barcode scanning
were time consuming and the
equipment used no longer complied
with the company's systems safety
requirements. In 2010, they
implemented a 3i Voice solution to
improve process efficiency. "We had
already worked with Zetes in the
past, and we were aware that they
implemented voice picking systems.
During a site visit to an existing
installation, we saw first hand the
advantages of adopting this
technology," explains Luis Azevedo,
Merck's IT manager.
3iV has been integrated with
Merck's existing SAP warehouse
management (WM) module. It
optimises four warehousing
procedures: goods receiving, put-away,
replenishment and stock picking.
So far, 8 operators have been
equipped with voice terminals. Even
with this limited number of voice
users, improvements have been
impressive in terms of greater
productivity, accuracy and ergonomics.
Azevedo adds: "Constant use of
the barcode reader slowed down our
picking processes. By
implementating voice technology, we
have seen immediate returns
through optimised workflow,
increased productivity, improved
operator satisfaction, reduced error
rates and improved planning." More articles from Zetes Ltd: | 
