In the current era of digitalisation and intensive data processing, automation encompasses more than simply replacing manual processes; each automated system possesses its own unique operating mechanisms that develop and adapt to the specific requirements of the industry.
In the logistics and warehousing sector, the growing interest in automation software is driven by the need to build more efficient and seamless operational processes.
The rapid growth of e-commerce has led to an increased adoption of modern warehouse automation systems by numerous organisations. These systems aim to minimise errors, enhance inventory accuracy, optimise labour costs and improve employee safety. The outcome of these developments is not only increased productivity but also enhanced profitability and more efficient management of warehouse operations.
Forecasts indicate that the pace of automation implementation in warehouses will increase in the coming years as the e-commerce sector continues to grow. Companies planning to invest in modern technologies to enable better supply chain management and optimise logistics processes will find the data and statistics on this transformation a valuable source of knowledge.
Automation and optimisation of warehouse processes
Warehouse automation encompasses technologies that support both complex end-to-end operations and tasks performed by employees.Due to their complexity, warehouses require precise management of multiple processes, from inventory control to space optimisation to efficient distribution of goods.
Today, warehouse automation solutions use a range of innovative technologies to streamline operations at every stage, from the receipt of goods through to storage, order picking and dispatch to customers.Automated sorting systems, warehouse robots, advanced WMS (Warehouse Management Systems) and solutions based on artificial intelligence and data analytics allow for increased productivity, reduced errors and optimised operating costs.
Implementing warehouse systems enables companies to enhance their logistics processes and improve customer service by reducing delays and optimising inventory control. Consequently, automation is becoming an important factor in enhancing the competitiveness and operational efficiency of companies in the logistics and e-commerce sectors.
The global warehouse automation market is forecast to grow by €24.8 billion (at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.41%) by 2026, driven primarily by the rapid expansion of e-commerce
A recent study by the consultancy firm Gartner has predicted that by 2027, more than 75% of companies will have introduced some form of automated cyber-physical processes in their warehouses.
Warehouse automation efficiency
Warehouse efficiency is a key performance indicator of warehouse automation. Companies around the world are using the latest technology to make order fulfilment an efficient process. While automation plays a role, it is not the sole solution; companies are also equipping their employees with the necessary tools to collect accurate data, track their productivity, and make improvements.
The implementation of WMS software further enhances operational efficiency. The highest operating cost in a warehouse is employee labour, which consumes around 50 to 70 per cent of a company’s warehouse operations budget. Therefore, it is essential for companies to find the right technology, manpower and a high level of productivity to manage this labour cost-effectively.
Contemporary production and distribution environments are characterised by automation and technological dependency, rather than manual labour. However, it is important to note that automating processes does not necessarily entail a reduction in human labour. Instead, it should be integrated into operations, providing workers with the tools to improve their performance and efficiency.
The implementation of advanced WMS systems, which automate and optimise operational aspects, is important in contemporary warehouse management. These systems facilitate precise inventory management, efficient utilisation of warehouse space, reduced errors in order fulfilment and enhanced picking processes. This enhances operational efficiency, improves goods tracking, reduces lead times, and ultimately leads to enhanced customer service and reduced operating costs.
A notable example of such a system is the WMS developed by Asseco Business Solutions. This is a comprehensive system designed to manage warehouse operations. The WMS functions enable efficient operation of warehouse resources, optimising processes from the receipt of goods, through their transport between locations in the warehouse, inventory, to the release of goods and packaging.
The latest version introduces advanced artificial intelligence technologies into the process, including a voice assistant, which can significantly improve the daily work of warehouse workers, taking their operational efficiency to a whole new level.
What does a standard warehouse process carried out using WMS by Asseco look like?
The conventional method of operation within a warehouse environment involves the utilisation of radio terminals, which are equipped with a screen, keyboard, and barcode scanner.
The warehouseman receives instructions on the terminal screen and carries out the tasks, confirming them by scanning barcodes or manually entering data. The system continuously verifies the accuracy of the operation by analysing the scanned product codes, location and quantities entered.
While this system is highly effective, it is important to note that it does have certain limitations. It requires the use of both hands and constant attention, which can potentially reduce work efficiency and increase the risk of errors.
Voice Picking System in WMS
Since the 1940s, voice technology has had a significant impact on numerous industries, becoming a staple of process automation. Companies worldwide are implementing voice systems for customer service, order processing, banking transactions, and information distribution.
As technology advances, organizations are increasingly allocating resources to these solutions, recognizing their potential to optimize business processes.Voice-controlled systems are widely adopted in sectors that demand high precision and efficiency, such as manufacturing, logistics, and distribution.
These systems enable seamless communication through voice commands, allowing employees to focus on core tasks while enhancing the safety and accuracy of operations.A notable application of voice technology is voice picking, a process that has been enhancing warehouse operations for years.
The first speech recognition systems, introduced in the late 1990s, had some limitations and required user adaptation to the software. Nonetheless, they were already helping to increase productivity and streamline order fulfillment, paving the way for further automation and operational efficiency.
In the subsequent years, the technology underwent successive development, with solution providers allocating substantial resources to enhancing speech recognition algorithms. Contemporary voice picking systems are distinguished by their high precision, intuitiveness, and capacity to integrate with warehouse management systems (WMS), enabling their extensive application in diverse logistics environments.
Order picking is one of the most demanding and costly stages of warehouse operations, directly impacting the level of services provided. Efficiency in this area is crucial, as it can account for a substantial percentage of total operating expenses. Therefore, investing in modern solutions such as voice technologies should be a key focus for companies seeking to reduce costs, shorten order processing times, and enhance the efficiency of logistics processes.
By implementing voice systems, warehouses can achieve significant operational streamlining, eliminating the need for manual documentation management or screen usage. This allows employees to focus on completing tasks quickly and accurately, resulting in increased productivity, minimized errors, and improved customer service. As voice technology continues to evolve, its importance in logistics will grow, becoming one of the main elements in the automation of modern warehouses.
Asseco recently introduced a new functionality in its WMS by Asseco system: Voice Picking voice assistant. Through integration with speech recognition and synthesis technologies, warehouse workers can communicate with the system using voice commands.
This solution eliminates the need for hands and eyes, allowing warehouse workers to focus on physical tasks without having to shift their attention to the terminal.
The process of completing a pick with Asseco’s voice assistant – step by step
Issuing a voice command
A voice assistant communicates details of a task to a warehouse worker through voice messages. For instance, an employee might hear the following instruction: “Get six pieces of bicycle bidon with handle.” This eliminates the need for the warehouse worker to check the terminal screen, significantly accelerating order processing.
Voice command confirmation
The warehouse worker communicates with the voice assistant by providing verbal answers, including numbers, confirming the location of the collection, and the amount of goods collected. For instance, when prompted with the question, “How much was collected?” the warehouseman replies, “Six.” To verify the correctness of the location, the voice assistant requests a control code, which the warehouseman also communicates by voice. This continuous verification ensures the accuracy of the operations.
Guiding the warehouseman through the process
The voice assistant, akin to conventional systems, provides guidance to the warehouseman throughout all stages of the warehouse operation, offering information on each task. For instance, when the warehouseman confirms the collection of bidons, the voice assistant immediately provides instructions for the next product to be collected.
Other Commands to Support the Picking Process
The voice assistant supports dedicated commands such as “help” (to obtain additional information), “goods” (product details), “address” (pick-up location), “quantity” (number of pieces to be picked), and “repeat” (to repeat the previous command). These intuitive commands enable warehousers to swiftly access the information they need, streamlining their work and allowing them to efficiently clarify any ambiguities during the task.
Security and cost savings through local processing
A key benefit of implementing a voice assistant is the robust security it offers. The system operates locally, eliminating the need to transmit data to external services for speech recognition and synthesis. This enhances data security and reduces implementation costs. The voice assistant is accessible on Android devices equipped with headphones and a microphone. This innovative solution seamlessly integrates with existing WMS functions, offering a user-friendly interface for creating customized voice-based warehouse processes.
Benefits of implementing voice system in picking processes
Voice picking technology is poised to become a game-changer in the realm of warehouse operations, with a surge in popularity in warehouses and distribution centers. The driving force behind this growth is the tangible enhancement in efficiency and productivity it brings.
Here are the top three advantages of adopting a voice assistant from Asseco Business Solutions:
- increased efficiency: by freeing the hands and eyes of warehouse workers, the assistant allows them to focus solely on the physical aspects of their work. As a result, the efficiency of operations increases and the number of errors decreases.
- faster induction of new employees: the intuitive voice interface reduces the time needed to train new employees.
- multilingual operation: by supporting various languages, WMS by Asseco gains the function of a universal solution for working with an international team.
Summary
According to data from Grand View Research report, the global market for voice picking technologies reached nearly $2.5 billion in 2023.Experts predict that it will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.3% between 2024 and 2030, demonstrating the growing importance of these technologies in automating warehouse processes.
As technology advances, voice systems will become more sophisticated and closely integrated with innovative solutions such as artificial intelligence and augmented reality.This combination will create new opportunities to optimize warehouse operations, allowing for even greater automation and improved convenience and efficiency for operators.
Today, the implementation of voice technology in warehouse logistics is one of the key elements of modern warehouses, especially in the e-commerce and logistics sectors, where process efficiency directly affects the competitiveness of companies.
By examining the data from warehouse management systems (WMS), we can pinpoint areas for optimization, suggest changes to warehouse layouts, and adapt processes to fluctuating market demands.
The integration of voice technology with cutting-edge management systems has led to enhanced operational efficiency, improved customer service, and reduced logistics costs.As artificial intelligence and automation continue to advance, voice technology will become even more accurate, solidifying its role as the standard in warehouses of the future.
