Voice Picking Software Selection Guide

Voice Picking 101: What is Voice Picking?

Voice picking is a proven process for increasing the efficiency and accuracy of order pickers or selectors in warehouses and distribution centers. Pickers wear headsets with an industrial microphone that connects to a mobile device running the voice application.

The voice of the application tells the picker where to go and what to do, such as the warehouse pick location to go to and the quantity of the item to pick. The picker speaks into the microphone to confirm his or her work. The voice picking application includes speech recognition software that recognizes and interprets the order picker’s spoken responses.

Beyond Voice and Beyond Picking

As the phrase “voice picking” suggests, warehouses initially used these solutions to improve picking operations with voice-only technology. However, today’s voice-directed applications often incorporate complementary technologies like barcode scanning or RFID.

Furthermore, “voice” applications are now used to automate any manual, hands-on process in the warehouse, including receiving, put away, replenishment, cycle count, sortation, packing, cross-dock, loading, etc.

Voice picking systems are also applicable to picking and other tasks within large retail stores. For purposes of this guide, we are focusing on uses of voice within warehouses and distribution centers.