Over the past decade, we’ve begun to see a significant transformation in communications that has been largely driven by the advent of open standards. An everyday example for me is my car’s navigation system. I purchased it five years ago for $2,000 and was thrilled at the prospect of never having to drive around aimlessly as I visited unknown locations.
The feeling of euphoria quickly vanished as I discovered the system was clumsy to use and required expensive software updates to reflect the ever changing maps and roadway systems. The only thing that car navigation system could run was their own proprietary software … meaning I had underutilized processing power that I had paid for but couldn’t enjoy any additional benefits. The navigation system was only available when I was in that specific car. It didn’t benefit me when I was driving my other car (and no, my other car is not a forklift as I joked in my previous blog, or navigating an unfamiliar city by foot.
At the same time, I found several innovative navigation applications on my new Google-based (open standard) cell phone. The applications have significantly better functionality than my vehicle based solution. The maps are continually updated and reflect the latest and greatest information. Plus, that same application can run on different devices like tablets, phablets and smartphones, giving me lots of choice and flexibility. And obviously my cell phone can be used for much more than just turn by turn directions – reducing the total amount of hardware I need to purchase for my daily life and allowing me to spend my paycheck on other critical items.
Similarly, I have seen this happening in the warehouse industry where voice-directed and multi-modal solutions are revolutionizing warehouse picking, replenishment, and other fulfillment processes. Voice-enabled solutions promote enhanced productivity by allowing hands-free picking and task confirmation; multi-modal systems add bar code scanning and other data capture and response technologies (screens, keyboards, etc.) to assure accuracy and provide instant information access.
When I consult with professionals in warehouses that have deployed these systems, I find a large majority were initially pleased with them. While they appreciate the productivity gains from their voice-directed solutions, but not so much their proprietary system vendor relationships. According to an Aberdeen Group report, 80 percent of warehousing operations that have deployed voice-driven systems are planning to keep and upgrade them, particularly looking to add flexibility and process customization. At the same time, though, almost as high as 76 percent are willing to consider using a different vendor due to a variety of factors, many tied to dissatisfaction stemming from the escalating costs, deployment complexities and workflow inflexibilities from their legacy systems.
Mounting Frustration
This may seem like a dichotomy, but it’s really not. I find that in most cases, warehouse managers are observing the fast paced innovation of open approaches in technology and are becoming increasingly frustrated with being locked into closed systems in their warehouse operations. Why have so many organizations opted for these closed systems? In the early days of voice-directed technology, closed proprietary systems were basically the only solutions available. If warehousing organizations wanted to make use of voice-directed systems, they had few choices.
Today, however, these solutions are proving to be overly costly because the proprietary systems approach often comes with steep annual licensing fees and more pricing leverage for the vendor for core hardware, accessories, and software. Equally disturbing is the fact that closed systems limit access to the newest innovations from the burgeoning community of third-party application developers.
Open Systems in Warehouse Operations Non-proprietary systems bring the same kinds of advantages to voice-picking and multi-modal warehouse solutions. Open systems offer warehousing professionals the ability to choose the best, most customizable devices and applications to fit your specific requirements. No longer are you proscribed from using innovative software that won’t run on your proprietary hardware. You can select hardware and configure software applications that provide the enhanced flexibility and customization that warehouse operations need to increase efficiency and lower total cost of ownership.
Open systems can also lead to greater success in the marketplace. According to the Aberdeen Report, “if companies who are committed to voice could find a way to make their software infrastructure more flexible then they could gain a further competitive advantage over companies that continue to live with closed, proprietary custom solutions.”
Open Systems Leader
At Motorola Solutions, we have long been a leader in, and champion of, providing a broad and flexible hardware portfolio for voice and multi-modal solutions. This commitment is reflected in the long-standing relationships we’ve fostered with several leading voice and multi-modal picking software providers, each with their own unique approach and market specialization. Learn more about the latest solutions available to you from Motorola and our innovative partners in voice and multi-modal technology, and see how together we are helping manufacturing, supply chain, and warehouse operations pick a new direction.
Mark Wheeler is the Director of Supply Chain Solutions - North America for Motorola Solutions
Read other blogs by supply chain expert Mark Wheeler.
Are you ready to pick a new direction now? Motorola Solutions is ready to help you improve your operation.
Entries » Blog » Open vs. Closed: Making Voice Picking Systems More Flexible and Less Costly
Open vs. Closed: Making Voice Picking Systems More Flexible and Less Costly
Over the past decade, we’ve begun to see a significant transformation in communications that has been largely driven by the advent of open standards. An everyday example for me is my car’s navigation system. I purchased it five years ago for $2,000 and was thrilled at the prospect of never having to drive around aimlessly as I visited unknown locations.
The feeling of euphoria quickly vanished as I discovered the system was clumsy to use and required expensive software updates to reflect the ever changing maps and roadway systems. The only thing that car navigation system could run was their own proprietary software … meaning I had underutilized processing power that I had paid for but couldn’t enjoy any additional benefits. The navigation system was only available when I was in that specific car. It didn’t benefit me when I was driving my other car (and no, my other car is not a forklift as I joked in my previous blog, or navigating an unfamiliar city by foot.
At the same time, I found several innovative navigation applications on my new Google-based (open standard) cell phone. The applications have significantly better functionality than my vehicle based solution. The maps are continually updated and reflect the latest and greatest information. Plus, that same application can run on different devices like tablets, phablets and smartphones, giving me lots of choice and flexibility. And obviously my cell phone can be used for much more than just turn by turn directions – reducing the total amount of hardware I need to purchase for my daily life and allowing me to spend my paycheck on other critical items.
Similarly, I have seen this happening in the warehouse industry where voice-directed and multi-modal solutions are revolutionizing warehouse picking, replenishment, and other fulfillment processes. Voice-enabled solutions promote enhanced productivity by allowing hands-free picking and task confirmation; multi-modal systems add bar code scanning and other data capture and response technologies (screens, keyboards, etc.) to assure accuracy and provide instant information access.
When I consult with professionals in warehouses that have deployed these systems, I find a large majority were initially pleased with them. While they appreciate the productivity gains from their voice-directed solutions, but not so much their proprietary system vendor relationships. According to an Aberdeen Group report, 80 percent of warehousing operations that have deployed voice-driven systems are planning to keep and upgrade them, particularly looking to add flexibility and process customization. At the same time, though, almost as high as 76 percent are willing to consider using a different vendor due to a variety of factors, many tied to dissatisfaction stemming from the escalating costs, deployment complexities and workflow inflexibilities from their legacy systems.
Mounting Frustration
This may seem like a dichotomy, but it’s really not. I find that in most cases, warehouse managers are observing the fast paced innovation of open approaches in technology and are becoming increasingly frustrated with being locked into closed systems in their warehouse operations. Why have so many organizations opted for these closed systems? In the early days of voice-directed technology, closed proprietary systems were basically the only solutions available. If warehousing organizations wanted to make use of voice-directed systems, they had few choices.
Today, however, these solutions are proving to be overly costly because the proprietary systems approach often comes with steep annual licensing fees and more pricing leverage for the vendor for core hardware, accessories, and software. Equally disturbing is the fact that closed systems limit access to the newest innovations from the burgeoning community of third-party application developers.
Open Systems in Warehouse Operations
Non-proprietary systems bring the same kinds of advantages to voice-picking and multi-modal warehouse solutions. Open systems offer warehousing professionals the ability to choose the best, most customizable devices and applications to fit your specific requirements. No longer are you proscribed from using innovative software that won’t run on your proprietary hardware. You can select hardware and configure software applications that provide the enhanced flexibility and customization that warehouse operations need to increase efficiency and lower total cost of ownership.
Open systems can also lead to greater success in the marketplace. According to the Aberdeen Report, “if companies who are committed to voice could find a way to make their software infrastructure more flexible then they could gain a further competitive advantage over companies that continue to live with closed, proprietary custom solutions.”
Open Systems Leader
At Motorola Solutions, we have long been a leader in, and champion of, providing a broad and flexible hardware portfolio for voice and multi-modal solutions. This commitment is reflected in the long-standing relationships we’ve fostered with several leading voice and multi-modal picking software providers, each with their own unique approach and market specialization. Learn more about the latest solutions available to you from Motorola and our innovative partners in voice and multi-modal technology, and see how together we are helping manufacturing, supply chain, and warehouse operations pick a new direction.
Mark Wheeler is the Director of Supply Chain Solutions - North America for Motorola Solutions
Read other blogs by supply chain expert Mark Wheeler.
Are you ready to pick a new direction now? Motorola Solutions is ready to help you improve your operation.