Information Management: Voice picking causes a logistics chain reaction

Chain Reaction Cycles sells bicycles, spare parts and accessories online, direct to the customer. The family-owned company became an online business 15 years ago and continues to experience strong growth. Realizing it needed to improve order fulfillment to accommodate its rapid growth, the company deployed a voice-directed picking solution.

More than 84,000 different products are picked, packed and shipped from CRC’s 150,000-square-foot, purpose-built facility. During the solution development process, the team identified several potential efficiency improvements. Cartons are now formed automatically and completed orders are transported by conveyor from the picking zones directly to the packers, significantly reducing travel time. The voice-directed order fulfillment solution includes picking and cycle counting. The system also directs a kitting operation as CRC also makes bicycle wheels in the facility.

With a tight timeline for its deployment, the team configured the system in two phases. The first phase included 35 voice terminals and packing/shipping functionality. The packing/shipping sub-system features 20 pack stations, each with a touchscreen, bar code scanner, and label/document printer.

The second phase involved deployment of receiving, stock management and replenishment modules on handheld wireless data terminals to improve goods receipt and put-away processes. This phase was completed after the new packing conveyors had been installed. The integrated logistics solution also gives the CRC management team real-time information with full visibility of all order status. After the system went live, order picking efficiency improved by up to 50%.

Dematic
877-725-7500
dematic.com