From Aisle to Ale: How Voice Picking Speeds Up the Spirits and Sips Supply Chain

By Jason Trisoline, Lucas Systems

The beverage industry faces ongoing challenges such as SKU proliferation, short product lifecycles, labor shortages, escalating costs, and the high expense of warehouse real estate. These factors compel the industry to constantly seek ways to enhance performance while controlling costs.

The most significant impact is seen on the warehouse floor, where pickers and selectors are tasked with handling an increased variety of SKUs. This results in more physical work each day and a higher potential for errors. Tools and software that help beverage wholesalers efficiently manage operations on the warehouse floor while keeping labor costs in check become essential components of an effective fulfillment strategy.

Voice picking technology has long been a leading resource for transforming the efficiency and accuracy of picking operations in alcohol and beverage warehouses. Whether dealing with individual bottles or cases, voice picking presents a range of benefits over traditional methods such as mobile scanner-based picking, paper-based picking, and pick-to-light systems.

Hands-Free Operation and Efficiency

One of the most notable advantages of voice picking is its hands-free nature. In bottle picking, workers use a headset to receive verbal instructions, allowing them to handle bottles without needing to juggle paper lists or handheld scanners. This streamlined approach speeds up the picking process and enhances overall efficiency. Similarly, in case picking scenarios, voice technology guides workers to the precise location of each case with continuous verbal instructions. This method is far more efficient than mobile scanners, which require each item to be scanned individually. By reducing the time spent navigating and scanning, voice picking increases throughput and accelerates order fulfillment.

As explained by one warehouse picker for RNDC, one of the nation’s leading wholesale beverage alcohol distributors, specializing in wine and spirits, “Before working with my voice system, I had to pick with paper tickets. It’s so much easier with voice because I’m told directly what to do, where to go, and how much to pick. It’s perfect.”

Accuracy and Error Reduction

Accuracy is crucial in the alcohol and beverage industry, where picking errors can lead to costly discrepancies. Voice picking addresses this by offering verbal confirmations throughout the picking process. For bottle picking, verbal prompts ensure that the correct type and quantity of bottles are selected, significantly lowering the risk of mistakes. In case picking, voice instructions also help confirm that the right cases are chosen, avoiding the pitfalls of paper-based lists or pick-to-light systems, where lights can sometimes be obscured or misinterpreted. This precision is vital for maintaining the high standards of order accuracy in these warehouses. In the case of RNDC, that accuracy reaches 99.99% at one of their distribution facilities in Louisville, Kentucky.

Adaptability to Warehouse Layouts

Warehouse layouts in the alcohol and beverage sector can be complex, with diverse SKU varieties and intricate shelving configurations. Voice picking systems are adaptable and can seamlessly guide workers through various layouts without relying on fixed scanning points or cumbersome paper lists. This adaptability extends to large storage areas or warehouses with high ceilings, where pick-to-light systems might be less practical due to installation challenges or visibility issues. Voice picking allows for flexible navigation, ensuring that workers can efficiently locate and pick items regardless of the warehouse’s size or layout.

Enhanced Worker Safety and Ergonomics

The ergonomic benefits of voice picking are particularly significant. In bottle picking, the ability to keep both hands free reduces the risk of drops or mishandling, which is especially important given the delicate nature of many bottles. In case picking, voice picking minimizes physical strain compared to pick-to-light systems, which often require repetitive reaching and bending to activate lights. By guiding workers through optimized routes and reducing physical exertion, voice picking enhances safety and reduces the likelihood of workplace injuries.

Enhanced optimization beyond voice

Voice-enabled software optimization adds another layer of benefit to many systems. That includes things like asset tracking and pallet-building capabilities that would save time and money without adding to the cost of the solution. In addition, many beverage operations use parameter-based auditing. Not only do QC audits help to reduce errors, but random audit results have the additional value of providing insight into where errors are occurring. This information is useful in two ways. First, it helps managers identify recurring picking errors and address the root causes. Second, by knowing which products, which users, or which types of orders are most likely to contain errors, managers can better prioritize which orders are checked.

Improved Visibility

Real-time visibility into voice picking operations significantly enhances warehouse productivity by streamlining processes and minimizing errors. With up-to-the-minute data on order statuses, and picker performance, warehouse managers can swiftly address bottlenecks, optimize workflows, and ensure that resources are allocated efficiently. This instantaneous insight enables better decision-making and faster response times, leading to more accurate order fulfillment and reduced cycle times. Moreover, it allows for proactive adjustments to picking routes and inventory placement, ultimately resulting in higher throughput and improved overall efficiency in warehouse operations.

At RNDC, managers use the Lucas Management Console, which provides real-time visibility into operations, exceptions, associate productivity, and workflow, as well as powerful tools to manage the workforce. “During my production shift, I can view real-time progress and decide where to best allocate workers to keep us on pace, explained Leroy Willis, night supervisor at the Louisville, Kentucky RNDC facility, who also finds great value in the reporting tools available through the console.

In summary, voice picking technology offers substantial advantages in alcohol and beverage warehouses. Its hands-free operation improves efficiency, while its accuracy and adaptability address the unique challenges of warehouse layouts. Additionally, the ergonomic benefits contribute to safer working conditions. By implementing voice picking systems, warehouses can achieve greater operational efficiency, reduced error rates, and overall enhanced productivity, leading to better service and optimized performance.

Jason Trisoline, an Account Manager at Lucas Systems, specializes in warehouse software automation, boasting over twenty years of dedicated expertise. He’s a seasoned professional committed to revolutionizing supply chain technology solutions and delivering concrete business results. His extensive background includes optimizing warehouse operations, fulfilling eCommerce needs, and driving customer satisfaction.

Prior to joining Lucas Systems, Jason played integral leadership roles in account management at FedEx and business development at GENCO, a top-tier third-party logistics (3PL) provider. At both companies, his focus on distribution and warehousing solutions drove growth and improved operational efficiency. Leveraging his unique understanding of warehouse operations, Jason excels at delivering tailored solutions that enhance productivity and foster customer success.