When optimizing order picking, focus on these 3 things.

Creating a productive and efficient order fulfillment process is critical for operational success in an age where speed is the basis for customer loyalty. As demands for same-day delivery, free returns, and more accurate orders continue to rise, maintaining an efficient fulfillment process only becomes more important. Consequently, warehouses seeking to stay ahead of demands can no longer afford to overlook fulfillment speed. Studies show that the total cost of order picking takes up at least half of a total warehouse’s operating expenses. As businesses start to adapt order picking solutions, it is imperative to keep in mind that even the smallest changes can result in greater savings.

Since the order picking process involves significant expenses and has a massive impact on how happy your customers are, there has been an increasing number of solutions proposed to help solve this. Additionally, in light of recent shortages and high labor turnover rates, warehouses should prioritize order fulfillment to drive profitability. When doing so, businesses should focus on:

1. Preserving accuracy - Maintaining precise orders ensures your customers get the items they want in the right condition. An inaccurate inventory that suffers from supply chain challenges can suffer from incomplete asset visibility, and when you promise your customers a product that you ultimately don’t have, it severely diminishes relationships.
2. Maintaining ease of use - Empowering your workforce with devices that are easy to use and ergonomically designed reduces stress. It also helps your team smoothly accomplish tasks with uninterrupted operation.
3. Incorporating versatility - Workers equipped with devices that maximize functionality help them adapt to challenges to continue working instead of being interrupted or hindered during tasks.

Enhancing the accuracy, usability, and versatility of a picking process can be challenging without a key automation solution that can achieve this. High operational picking costs and increasing shipping volumes challenge warehouses to understand which technology options achieve these benefits before upgrading picking systems.

Discover a solution that seamlessly optimizes fulfillment.

Fortunately, some answers help solve these supply chain issues. That’s why warehouses and distribution centers are now more interested in voice picking technology. Studies show that voice picking technology reduces picking errors by 67% compared to traditional methods. Modern voice solutions can accomplish preserved accuracy, ease of use, and versatility because they integrate:

1. 99.9% accuracy with automated data capture and sharing - Equipping your workforce with 99.99% accuracy rates ensures precision on your orders to maintain a more accurate view of your inventory. A more accurate view of your inventory with voice picking solutions makes order fulfillment smoother and reduces the impact of stockouts during high demands.
2. User-friendly platforms and tailored customer support - An integrated, user-friendly design and experienced support with dependable voice picking solutions helps maintain ease of use. Hands-free operation gives your workers uninhibited control to reduce stress and allow them to complete more orders.
3. Multi-purpose hands-free technologies - Free operation and multiple functions with modern voice picking solutions help incorporate versatility into operations. Furthermore, hands-free technologies have been shown to boost worker safety and productivity since they are able to leverage natural muscle movement to complete tasks while keeping their eyes on what’s in front of them to avoid collisions and accidents.
   

For more information on voice picking, compare voice solutions with traditional picking with the solution brief. 

Optimized order fulfillment is crucial to surviving in the now-economy. To simplify optimization and connect your workers with the best possible solutions, contact our automation team  for a preliminary assessment.