8 Places Hands-Free Technology Thrives in the Supply Chain
Feb 22, 2024
With supply chains moving at an unprecedented pace, it is no surprise that hands-free technologies have risen to prominence since the start of the decade. Leveraging natural muscle movement, hands-free systems such as wearable computing and voice picking, have become a pathway to faster order processing, improved employee satisfaction, and maximized accuracy.
As the pace of business continues to accelerate, we want to take the time and dive into some of the best use cases for hands-free technology. By evaluating its benefits across major workloads, supply chain decision-makers can better strategize their modernization plan and strengthen foundational tasks first to secure future scalability. Leading solution developers and tech manufacturers often recommend hands-free technology for:
- Receiving Goods
Hands-free technology can be used to streamline the receiving process in warehouses. When a truck arrives at the dock, workers equipped with hands-free scanners may quickly and accurately scan barcodes and identification tags, updating inventory counts instantaneously before products leave the dock. This eliminates manual processing since products are digitally received and recorded in the warehouse management system (WMS), improving track and trace as items move down the supply chain.
- Correcting Putaway
After goods arrive, they need to be put away in the warehouse. Putaway errors can vary in nature, yet a few common errors include:
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- Delays in moving inventory to the storage area, resulting in cluttered receiving docks and blind spots during cross-docking.
- Putting products on the wrong shelf, which later impacts pick routes, complicates pick zones, and provides a wrong stock count.
- Improper handling leading to product damage, which happens as fragile products are jostled while moving to their shelves, ultimately contributing to higher operational costs
Hands-free scanning has improved putaway accuracy since workers no longer need to worry about carrying additional weight. Moving products becomes more seamless with two free hands. After moving products, workers can capture barcodes on the products as they are being put away to ensure they are stored in the correct location in the warehouse.
- Accelerating Order Picking
Most experts suggest that nearly half of a warehouse’s total operating costs are dedicated to order fulfillment. Essential for supply chain efficiency, order picking is one of the most labor-intensive processes in a warehouse, and therefore, is also at risk for errors. As a matter of fact, warehouses spend approximately $400,000 per year on mispicks although the figure may be much larger after accounting for:
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- Wasted labor
- Lost customers
- Repackaging costs
- Impacts on brand reputation
When paired with a voice-picking system, hands-free technology reduces the time it takes to locate and pick items by eliminating the need for handheld scanners or manual data recording. Voice-directed systems provide audible instructions and cues to optimize routing and double-check picks, while hands-free scanners capture inventory data to verify the correct item was selected.
- Packaging Goods
Once products have been picked, they need to be packed for shipping. During this step, teams may also choose to verify the correct shipments have been loaded in the right order. This step is crucial as another layer of protection against errors, yet with warehouses processing thousands of orders every day, it is only natural teams would require fast-acting technologies.
Hands-free verification coupled with tailored barcode scanning accelerates data capture so teams can monitor:
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- Storage temperature
- Exposure to pressure and/or humidity
- Final order weight
- Proper pairing for inventory and packages – added protection for fragile products
Data sent to your WMS can update shipping teams of heavier pallets while also offering insight into which truck-loading method would work best for assembled orders.
- Track Proper Shipping
As the last step in the distribution process, shipping docks require maximized visibility to coordinate deliveries, communicate with logistic teams, and catch straggling errors before they leave the facility. Manual pallet matching and material movement open room for mis-shipments, especially when multiple different orders are loaded onto one truck.
To establish clear operational visibility, strategic solution designers recommend enhancing your network to limit dropped signals and accelerate connections between hands-free scanners and your centralized database.
- Simplifying Maintenance
Enterprise assets are crucial for smooth workflows, so when they need maintenance, IT teams expect to conduct a fast and seamless process. Audible cues and instructions delivered via a voice-based system can help accelerate maintenance by directing technicians on how to best service assets. Simultaneously, hands-free scanning records feedback throughout the repair process, resulting in an intuitive, smooth maintenance workflow to support consistent asset availability.
- Training New Employees
Similar to its handheld counterparts, hands-free scanning can be used to train new workers in warehouses. However, hands-free devices go a step further by prioritizing ergonomics with lightweight, easy-to-operate wearable features. Moreover, ring scanners in particular are easily pairable with current enterprise devices, meaning that new employees only need to learn one new feature instead of racing to adopt an entirely new mobility system. By working with a specialized solution designer, businesses can discover compatible devices to systematically modernize their operations without a major technology overhaul.
- Safeguarding Worker Safety
Finally, hands-free technology can be used to improve safety in warehouses. Surveys show that approximately four in ten warehouse workers see hands-free technologies such as voice-picking and wearable computing as a means to improve worker safety. This is because, unlike traditional scanning systems, workers have two hands to navigate picking, lessening back strain while increasing their carrying capacity. Furthermore, future-froward solutions such as voice-picking keep workers’ eyes off a screen while they walk, preventing collisions in addition to maximizing accuracy.
The workflows listed above are just a few of the ways hands-free technology revolutionizes the supply chain. As businesses continue to accommodate new consumer demands and technology advancements, this list is sure to keep growing.
Hands-Free Technologies to Consider When Improving Supply Chain Management
Technology manufacturers have released many different types of hands-free technologies. However, the following three accurately capture the possibilities and benefits modernizing teams can expect:
- Voice-Directed Solutions – Combine hands-free scanning with audible cues to direct warehouse operations for maximized efficiency, safety, and accuracy.
- Wearable/Wrist-Mounted Computers – Consolidate scanning and computing in an ergonomic device that connects with the rest of your WMS.
- Ring Scanners – Customize mounting options while equipping teams with lightweight ring scanners so on-the-go workers can capture data without pausing productivity.
Whether you're looking to streamline your operations, improve your inventory management, or enhance safety in your warehouse, hands-free technology supports flexible modernization across the warehouse. To learn more about the hands-free devices revolutionizing the supply chain, contact us here.