Wilkinson places £1.4m order picking contract after Psion Teklogix demonstrates "compelling return on investment"
09 August 2007
London, U.K. – Retail giant Wilkinson has placed an order worth over £1.4 million with Psion Teklogix (UK) Ltd for a new order picking solution using voice technology. The system is set to go live at Wilkinson’s two main distribution hubs – at Magor, South Wales, and Manton Wood, Worksop, by the end of October this year in readiness for the Christmas rush.
The two logistics centres, which, between them, provide Wilkinson with in excess of 2.3 million square feet of storage space, store more than 25,000 live sku’s at any one time. Goods arrive at the facilities from global suppliers and are held before onward delivery to Wilkinson’s 283 stores.
Psion Teklogix TekSpeech speech recognition solution - an end-to-end solution that provides speech-directed interaction between the mobile worker and the host system – was chosen as the interface with Wilkinson’s existing AS400 and the company’s warehouse management system which was developed in-house. As part of the contract, Psion Teklogix will equip some 630 order picking staff with WORKABOUT PRO Speech hand held data collection terminals. Psion’s WORKABOUT PRO Speech units enable users to pick and put-away by voice and scan or image a barcode or, if required – either immediately or at some point in the future – read an RFID transponder.
The new technology will replace Wilkinson’s existing paper-based system and is expected to deliver a return on investment (ROI) within 10 months based purely on forecast increases in productivity alone. Anticipated gains in stock control and order picking accuracy are expected to shorten the ROI time still further.
Simon Lowe, Wilkinson’s head of supply chain, commented: “Psion Teklogix was able to demonstrate such a compelling return on investment, that there was no reason not to proceed with adoption of the system immediately.”
Duncan Smillie, managing director of Psion Teklogix (UK) Ltd, said: “We are delighted to be working with Wilkinson on this prestigious project. Psion Teklogix has worked with Wilkinson for over a decade and the company has always been technologically innovative. Wilkinson have realised that the introduction of voice recognition systems that enable order pickers to have their eyes and hands free during their daily routine, can have a dramatic impact on productivity levels within the warehouse.
“The shift towards greater use of voice technology is probably one of the most significant events in the logistics industry at the moment and Wilkinson is one of the many diverse companies that will benefit from the advantages that it brings. However, this order is the single biggest voice contract that Psion Teklogix has taken globally and, I suspect, the biggest voice installation on multi-functional terminal anywhere in the world.”
About Psion Teklogix
Psion Teklogix is a global provider of mobile computing solutions designed to improve business efficiency and productivity for leading enterprises throughout the world. Solutions are built around a range of high-quality, innovative mobile computers designed for tough and demanding environments. Psion Teklogix is a leader in rugged hardware, integration, service and support and in new and emerging technologies including image capture and RFID. With over three decades of industry experience, Psion Teklogix has customers in more than 80 countries, and 39 sales and support offices in 23 countries. Psion Teklogix is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada with additional corporate offices located in the United States, Europe and Asia. Psion Teklogix parent company, Psion PLC, is listed on the London Stock Exchange (PON.L). For more information, visit www.psionteklogix.com.
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