Distribution and Materials Handling Focus: Our Weekly Feature Article on Topics Related to Distribution Management and Material Handling Strategies and Technologies  
 
 
  -April 29, 2008 -  

The “Multi-Modal” World

  
 

Users are Increasingly Combining Technologies in Order Picking; Voice with RFID Looks Promising for Case Pick

  
     
 

SCDigest Editorial Staff

SCDigest Says:
The addition of radio frequency identification (RFID) to the technology mix has created exciting new multi-modal possibilities in distribution that may soon enable major productivity gains.

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The last 12-18 months have brought a new term into the order picking and distribution center technology lexicon: multi-modal.

The term has actually been around for awhile, but only recently gained currency among vendors and users.

The basic idea is that often a combination of wireless-related technologies – RF, bar code voice, and RFID – is the best choice, rather than relying on a single technology in a given picking area.

Multi-modal has been around for awhile for companies that deployed voice and which must also capture long data strings, such as a serial or lot/batch number – that’s difficult using voice alone. So, some companies have been using bar code scanning to capture this data at a pick time while relying on voice to direct the operator to the appropriate location and confirm the pick quantities. The voice system commands would also instruct the operator when it was time to scan the bar code and confirm it was read and accepted.

This combination could be accomplished either with a bar code scanner attached to a voice terminal, or using an RF terminal with an integrated voice module and attached head set. In fact, most leading RF manufacturers are making all or nearly all of their RF devices (handheld, fork mount) voice capable, either at the outset or through field upgradeability.

RFID Brings a New Dimension

The addition of radio frequency identification (RFID) to the technology mix has created exciting new multi-modal possibilities in distribution that may soon enable major productivity gains.

Perhaps the most intriguing concept comes from the idea of combining voice and RFID in case picking.

(Distribution and Materials Handling Article - Continued Below)

 
 
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As shown in the illustration nearby, with this approach an order picker is directed via voice commands to the storage location and told the item and quantity to pick on to a pallet jack or order-picking truck. That vehicle is equipped with an RFID reader that is capable of capturing the movement of tagged cartons onto or off of the picking pallet.

There are several advantages to this type of approach:

  • The RFID reads can eliminate the need for the picker to verbally confirm the picks.
  • It would enable validation that the correct SKU for that pick command is being selected, using the RFID scan.
  • The RFID tag might include data such as serial or lot number, so that scanning of those bar code fields is not required.

To date, few if any companies have all their cartons RFID tagged, of course, and the RFID readers to do these controlled-area reads are still evolving.

Still, companies should consider this and other potential multi-modal scenarios as they plan for picking system automation or upgrades.

Pay Attention to the “Pairing” Problem

In straight voice or multi-modal systems, users are showing a clear preference for use of wireless “blue tooth” technology to connect voice or RF terminals to both operator head sets and scanners.

The problem – how do you ensure as the devices are put on and taken off that the correct scanner and/or head set is paired with the right straight voice or voice-enabled RF terminal? Imagine, for example, the potential chaos at the end of a shift, as workers rapidly shed their gear. Physical device management can be challenging enough for a single device type, like a portable RF terminal. Now add the need to correctly match wireless peripherals, and the problem is significantly harder.

Different vendors are working on different approaches to reducing this operating challenge. It’s not something most new buyers would think about asking prospective suppliers – make sure it is on your list.

What would you add to our list of WMS deployment tips? Let us know your thoughts at the Feedback button below.

  
     
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