Metro drastically cuts picking errors with Zetes’ advanced voice solution

Advanced voice-activated order picking

With subsidiaries in more than 30 countries, Metro Group Logistics (MGL) is one of the largest mercantile companies in the world. To boost productivity and drastically reduce picking errors, MGL was looking for a state-of-the-art optimization solution for its 11 distribution centres in Germany. Convinced of the benefits of voice-activated picking, the company selected Zetes as their solution partner and has now cut its pick error rate to less than 0.05%, while significant boosting operational efficiency and productivity.

Error-free picking without even clicking a button

Gone are the days of printed pick lists and cumbersome terminals. Even handheld scanners are a thing of the past for MGL. All freight forwarders (up to 200 at a time) now receive clear, concise pick orders via their wireless headsets and confirm them with a simple voice check, using the built-in microphone. The solution not only guarantees efficient, 100% hands-free operation, but most importantly, significantly fewer picking errors. In an industry where picking errors can lead to escalating business costs, MGL is happy to have reduced its picking error rate to an astonishing 0.05%.

A sound investment

As MGL handles around 350 million packages every year, efficiency, accuracy and productivity have a huge effect on their bottom line. With Zetes’ fully integrated solution, MGL now profits from:

• an intuitive, user-friendly operation
• a streamlined workflow for all goods handlers
• considerable reductions in picking errors (< 0.05%)
• up to 200 simultaneous users online
• fast, seamless order processing from supermarket to warehouse
• 2.5% increase in performance productivity
• instant status updates for all storage locations
• greater customer satisfaction

Real online communication

The installation and implementation of MGL’s pick-by-voice system presented a special challenge for Zetes. The entire online communication system comprises all 1,000 Talkman terminals across a sprawling distribution centre, making it one of the biggest voice-activated picking systems in Europe.