Honeywell > Case Studies > Connected Worker: Vocollect Voice Increases Productivity, Visibility and Takes Control of Inventory

Connected Worker: Vocollect Voice Increases Productivity, Visibility and Takes Control of Inventory

Customer Company Size

Large Corporate

Region

Pacific

Country

Australia

Product

Honeywell Vocollect Voice
Vocollect Talkman T5 Mobile Computing Devices
Vocollect SRX Wireless Headsets
Vocollect VoiceDirect Enterprise Connector
Manhattan SCALE

Tech Stack

Voice Recognition
Wireless Communication
Warehouse Management System (WMS)

Implementation Scale

Enterprise-wide Deployment

Impact Metrics

Cost Savings
Customer Satisfaction
Productivity Improvements

Technology Category

Functional Applications - Remote Monitoring & Control Systems
Functional Applications - Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)
Networks & Connectivity - Wireless Local Area Network

Applicable Industries

E-Commerce
Retail

Applicable Functions

Logistics & Transportation
Warehouse & Inventory Management

Use Cases

Inventory Management
Predictive Maintenance
Supply Chain Visibility
Warehouse Automation

Services

Software Design & Engineering Services
System Integration

About The Customer

GraysOnline is an Australian online retail and auction company that offers a wide range of consumer, industrial, and commercial goods directly from manufacturers and distributors. The company employs more than 550 people, covers 80 product categories, and sells around 230,000 items each month to both consumers and businesses. GraysOnline has experienced consistent growth, with its annual turnover increasing from $50 million to more than $400 million. Six years ago, the company decided to re-evaluate its warehouse operations by consolidating its four existing warehouses into one centralized distribution center (DC) at Homebush, Western Sydney. This move was aimed at streamlining operations, driving greater efficiencies, and introducing clearly defined processes to support its expanding business.

The Challenge

GraysOnline faced the challenge of consolidating its four existing warehouses into one centralized distribution center (DC) at Homebush, Western Sydney. The company needed to upgrade its entire warehouse management system (WMS) to streamline operations, drive greater efficiencies, and introduce clearly defined processes. With over 30,000 products and servicing 10,000 customers, they needed to ensure the integration of inventory into the Homebush warehouse was seamless and caused limited downtime. Additionally, GraysOnline had to integrate the inventory of oo.com.au, a newly acquired online department store, into its existing warehouse operations with minimal disruption to customers. The outdated RF-enabled operations and processes no longer offered the flexibility, speed, and accuracy required for business growth, necessitating a more advanced solution.

The Solution

GraysOnline turned to Honeywell Vocollect for its seamless integration with Manhattan SCALE, a warehouse management system (WMS). The solution included Honeywell Vocollect Voice, Vocollect Talkman T5 Mobile Computing Devices, Vocollect SRX Wireless Headsets, and Vocollect VoiceDirect Enterprise Connector. Honeywell provided a real-time interface to Manhattan SCALE, resulting in clear instructions to workers, correct verifications, and registration of respective responses. The Vocollect Voice solution replaced outdated RF-enabled operations with a 'Hands-Free, Eyes-Free' workflow, allowing workers to concentrate on fulfilling their tasks without having to flip-and-read slips of order sheets or type on handheld devices. The system facilitated a real-time, two-way data flow between workers on the distribution floor and the WMS, making it easier for managers to generate monitoring reports and gain comprehensive insights into operations. The implementation of Manhattan SCALE into the warehouse provided greater control and visibility across the entire supply chain, achieving a 15-20 percent productivity improvement in warehousing operations. The solution's flexible nature and integration strength ensured minimal downtime during the complex task of consolidating inventory.

Operational Impact

The integration of oo.com.au's inventory into the existing warehouse took less than one month, which is unprecedented given the scale of inventory and product SKUs involved.
The solution enabled servicing customers with minimal disruptions to orders and deliveries during the transition period.
There was a significant improvement in productivity across all areas of warehouse operations, with greater visibility and control of inventory, specifically for oo.com.au during the transition to the new carrier.
Employee safety improved as workers were aware of their surroundings at all times, reducing the chances of injury.
The order picking capacity doubled when GraysOnline introduced Manhattan SCALE in 2008, and further significant gains were achieved with the integration of Vocollect Solutions for voice-directed picking.

Quantitative Benefit

GraysOnline's annual turnover increased from $50 million to more than $400 million.
The integration of oo.com.au's inventory into the existing warehouse took less than one month.
The order picking capacity doubled with the introduction of Manhattan SCALE and further increased with Vocollect Solutions, enabling the shipping of 2,500 – 3,000 full cartons of wine per day.