Jan 1, 2007 12:00 PM

INCREASED productivity holds the key to improving profits in wholesale grocery, supermarket, and food service distribution. However, selecting cases at higher hourly rates loses its effectiveness unless workers pick orders accurately. Recent developments in voice-directed order selection software have allowed some users to reduce picking errors to rates approaching only one error in every 10,000 cases selected. The following news items showcase some of those selection systems.

Psion, Vocollect join to offer mobile device

Psion Teklogix and Vocollect Inc have introduced the WORKABOUT PRO Speech. This multi-functional, RoHS-compliant mobile device delivers Vocollect Voice recognition performance on a flexible data collection hand-held computer in a single unit, creating a complete platform for supply chain and logistics customers.

The WORKABOUT PRO Speech is the latest product released under the new VIP (Voice Integrated Platform) brand. VIP is the brand category for Psion Teklogix devices integrating voice technologies such as Speech-Recognition, VoIP, Push-to-Talk, and Cellular Voice.

Using the co-developed Integrated Speech Module (ISM) hardware and adding Vocollect's patented connector for its SR Series headset, the WORKABOUT PRO Speech handheld computer is fully compatible with the Psion Teklogix software suite. TekSpeech interfaces with customer host applications to deliver increased productivity.

E-mail Susan Muttart at scmuttart@vocollect.com for more information.

Arm-worn HX2 frees hands for productivity

LXE Inc has a new addition to its line of wearable, “hands-free” computers: the HX2 wearable computer. The HX2 is a small, light-weight data collection computer designed to be worn on an operator's arm or waist so that both hands are free to more efficiently perform warehouse inventory moves, including piece picking to carts, containers, or conveyors; case picking; parcel moves; and broken-case activities.

The unit's arm bands that secure both the unit and its battery keep the wearable computer in the ready position at all times by preventing the unit from rotating around the operator's arm. Adaptable arm bands can be worn close to the elbow or near the wrist.

The HX2's magnesium alloy front and impact-resistant screen are designed to keep the unit in service and out of the repair shop. The HX2's ring scanners (laser and imager) are built as tough as the main computer.

Both the HX2 computer and its ring scanner accessories were designed with safety in mind. The entire system features breakaway connections at multiple points and a low-profile, smooth design to resist snagging on common warehouse fixtures and equipment.

The HX2 is driven by the latest Windows CE 5.0 operating system and an Intel XScale processor. It features an 802.11 radio with Bluetooth.

Access www.lxe.com for further information.

Voxware software to support LXE device

LXE Inc and Voxware Inc have announced Voxware's support for LXE's recently announced HX2 wearable mobile computer to run Voxware's VoiceXML browser, VoxBrowser. VoxBrowser has already been certified to support LXE's HX1 dedicated voice terminal and MX7 scanning/voice handheld computer, both with LXE's ToughTalk technology.

VoxBrowser is part of Voxware's family of open, standards-based software systems for logistics that includes Voxware's flagship VoiceLogistics Pro software toolkit. With its most recent release of VoiceLogistics Pro 2.0, integrators and warehouse management system providers are able to create powerful, flexible voice logistics systems as an integral part of their overall applications.

More information can be found at www.hx2.lxe.com.

Pocket-Pick platform designed to help user

Innovative Picking Technologies Inc (IPTI) has developed the Pocket-Pick voice recognition system. This system uses a standard Pocket PC PDA or industrial Pocket PC along with software and applications developed by IPTI to provide a durable and user-friendly voice platform.

Pocket-Pick offers a user-friendly display and touch screen interface. This permits handling supplementary functions such as shorting, location validation, SKU lookup, and order details that make voice-only units inefficient and difficult to operate or maintain. Features and benefits include:

• Allows efficient hands-free picking

• Cost-effective and SKU-independent

• Best suited for full case picking systems

• Maintains picker accountability

• Increases Accuracy Over Paper Based Systems

• Uses Pocket PC Platform for loading individual voice pattern files and verifying supplementary information

• Integrates with existing 802.11b wireless LANs in real time or in batch mode

• Integrates with IPTI's order fulfillment software suite

For more information, access www.ipti.net/.

Voice recognition provided via a headset

Vocollect is providing the new Vocollect SRX wireless headset, a commercially available wireless voice recognition headset for use in industrial voice-recognition environments.

The company's wireless, digital approach bypasses typical performance problems found in general-purpose audio circuits of handheld and fixed terminal devices. Users can realize true Vocollect Voice performance with a superior ergonomic experience. Different from conventional Bluetooth technology headsets, the SRX headset balances voice recognition processing between the headset and Vocollect Voice software running on the wearable or handheld computer.

The Vocollect SRX headset facilitates the application of voice-directed work in work processes where a device is mounted remotely (eg, on a forklift, pallet jack, or trolley cart). Because it has no cables, the Vocollect SRX headset also helps improve user comfort and safety in busy distribution center environments. With automatic loading of operator-specific information, no cable to connect and no clip to attach, work begins in seconds.

For more information, access www.vocollect.com.