Pick-to-light / Voice picking
Quick answer
Technologies guiding picking via shelf lights or voice commands, for maximum speed and accuracy.
Key takeaways
- Speed - no reading lists or screens, direct guidance
- Accuracy - error rates below 0.1%
- Short learning curve - new operators become productive fast
- Hands-free (voice) - useful for heavy/bulky handling
What pick-to-light and voice picking are
Pick-to-light (PTL) uses light indicators on locations showing the operator where and how much to pick, confirmed with a button. Voice picking guides the operator via audio instructions, hands-free, confirmed by voice.
Advantages
- Speed - no reading lists or screens, direct guidance
- Accuracy - error rates below 0.1%
- Short learning curve - new operators become productive fast
- Hands-free (voice) - useful for heavy/bulky handling
When it is worth it
PTL is ideal for high-density picking zones (put-to-light at batch sortation). Voice picking excels in large warehouses and for bulky products. Both need a WMS to orchestrate them.
How CRMconnect helps
The CRMconnect WMS integrates with PTL and voice systems, orchestrating guided picking and sortation, with real-time validation of each operation for maximum accuracy.
Real-world example
A fulfilment centre added put-to-light at batch sortation with CRMconnect. The per-order assignment error rate dropped from 0.8% to 0.05%, and sortation time per order halved.
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Frequently asked
Pick-to-light or voice picking - which do I choose?+
PTL suits dense, fixed, high-pick zones (or put-to-light at sortation). Voice picking is better in large warehouses with bulky products where hands-free matters. It depends on layout and profile.
How much do these cut errors?+
Typically below 0.1% error rate, versus 1-3% for paper-list picking. Direct impact: fewer returns, chargebacks and stock corrections.
Do I need a WMS for pick-to-light?+
Yes. Lights/voice are just the interface; the WMS decides what, where and how much to pick, orchestrates batches and validates operations in stock.
Where CRMconnect fits
Related terms
Picking
The process of retrieving products from warehouse locations to fulfil an order - the most costly warehouse activity.
LogisticsBatch picking
Picking several orders in one warehouse pass, grouped by common SKUs.
LogisticsWMS (Warehouse Management System)
The system orchestrating physical warehouse operations: receiving, putaway, picking, packing, shipping.
OperationsInventory accuracy
The degree of match between book stock (in the system) and physical stock (in the warehouse) - the operation's health metric.