October 2002

EXE Technologies is claiming a first for a real-time voice interface it has launched for its supply-chain applications. It says the system has already been shown to reduce incorrect order selection by between seven and fifteen per cent.

The new product, EXceed Voice, handles voice-directed order picking by providing a real-time interface with the company's EXceed Fulfill warehouse management system. This interprets data passing between the WMS and various data collection and computing devices, and can be used for a variety of tasks such as hands-free data and order collection and real-time updates to inventory.

Voice-activated order picking is not new in itself, but usually requires an intermediate processing layer between the WMS and the remote terminals. EXE's new system simplifies the process, and make interaction between the software and the remote stations easier to achieve in real time.

EXE has also launched a logistics workflow analysis program called EXceed Warehouse Planner, which is said to be able to increase order fill rates by optimising a company's use of manual and automated fulfilment resources.

The system uses advanced, constraint-based techniques to analyse human resources, equipment, order volumes and other factors, aiming to help users tackle work loads in the most efficient way possible.

Whilst Warehouse Planner is said to integrate readily with the company's EXE's EXceed Fulfill WMS range, it can also work with warehouse systems from other vendors.