System Performance Improvements Using a Voice-Directed Audio Feedback System to Capture Catch-Weights

This field study examined a wireless, wearable, automated voice-directed system at a food distribution center. Order selectors wear headsets to receive instructions and speak into a microphone to select products from rack locations for store order deliveries. Approximately 25% of the products within the cooler zone of this facility are catch-weight items, meaning that stores ordering these products are invoiced based on the weight of the selected item. In comparison to paper pick lists, the voice-directed system was instrumental in increasing accuracy in capturing weights by using “tolerance” thresholds, eliminating missing weights to 0%, and reducing approximately 2 hours of daily delays in store invoicing.