Voice technology raises the bar for warehouse picking

For third-party logistics providers, high-volume order fulfilment leaves little room for delay or error. States Logistics, a US-based 3PL, has responded by replacing parts of its paper- and RF-led picking process with voice-directed work instructions.

The company deployed LYDIA Voice with EPG and ASW Global Consulting. The system connects with the existing Infor WMS environment and guides operators through picking tasks by voice, allowing them to keep their hands and eyes available for handling cartons and moving through the warehouse.

Integration without a warehouse shutdown

Large orders with many pick lines had made speed and efficiency increasingly difficult to maintain. Variable labour availability also increased the pressure to train new starters quickly. Rather than choosing a disruptive, one-day cutover, States Logistics introduced the technology to a small group and expanded it progressively during live operations.

Todd Myers, application manager at States Logistics, said the phased approach allowed additional teams to be brought on board without stopping warehouse activity. After the first week, almost all employees were using voice. Concerns about background noise also proved unfounded: radios and several operators could be active in the same zone without undermining recognition, which is configured to respond to the individual user.

Operational gains and a flexible digital layer

The implementation increased productivity in case-picking operations and improved picking accuracy by 68%. Training times and overtime hours were also reduced, while employee satisfaction improved. The results illustrate how a relatively focused software layer can address both throughput and usability without replacing the core WMS.

Another advantage emerged as operational requirements changed. States Logistics could adjust workflows through LYDIA Voice without altering the underlying WMS or interrupting daily work. For 3PL businesses managing different customers and fluctuating volumes, that adaptability offers a practical route to scaling processes while preserving system stability.