Honeywell > Case Studies > Vocollect VoiceExpress Expands Voice Functionality for Ewing Irrigation Products

Vocollect VoiceExpress Expands Voice Functionality for Ewing Irrigation Products

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Customer Company Size
Large Corporate
Region
  • America
Country
  • United States
Product
  • Vocollect SRX Wireless Headsets
  • Vocollect A500 Mobile Devices
  • Vocollect VoiceExpress
Tech Stack
  • Warehouse Management System (WMS)
  • Voice Solutions
Implementation Scale
  • Enterprise-wide Deployment
Impact Metrics
  • Customer Satisfaction
  • Productivity Improvements
Technology Category
  • Functional Applications - Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)
  • Functional Applications - Remote Monitoring & Control Systems
Applicable Industries
  • Retail
  • Consumer Goods
Applicable Functions
  • Warehouse & Inventory Management
  • Logistics & Transportation
Use Cases
  • Inventory Management
  • Warehouse Automation
  • Supply Chain Visibility
Services
  • System Integration
  • Training
About The Customer
Ewing Irrigation Products, founded in 1922, provides landscape, irrigation, and golf course professionals with the supplies needed to create healthy, sustainable environments. Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Ewing operates a distribution center that serves 200 branch store operations across the United States. The company ships an average of 1,800–2,000 cartons daily, operating one shift five days a week. Ewing's product line includes a wide range of items, from wheelbarrows and 50-pound bags of fertilizer to 20-foot-long sections of PVC pipe and small drip emitters. This diverse product mix makes the order fulfillment process complex, with the potential for late or incorrect orders impacting contractors' profitability.
The Challenge
Ewing Irrigation Products faced challenges in optimizing their picking process due to the bulky and non-standard-shaped products they handle. The transition from paper to handheld devices provided some performance improvements, but workers still struggled with the cumbersome nature of handhelds and the company's odd-sized product mix. Management sought a solution to enhance individual worker experience and overall operational efficiency. Additionally, they aimed to expand voice functionality to the pick-from-reserve section without incurring costly customization fees and extensive IT time.
The Solution
Ewing Irrigation Products implemented Manhattan Associates' warehouse management system (WMS) and explored additional technology options for the picking process. Manhattan recommended Honeywell Vocollect voice solutions, specifically Vocollect VoiceExpress, an enterprise connector integration option. This solution enabled Ewing to configure the system without significant changes to the WMS or extensive IT staff time. The implementation of Vocollect VoiceExpress allowed Ewing to transition to voice for the pick-from-reserve workflow rapidly and cost-effectively. The solution provided strong flexibility for all aspects of the order selection process, significantly improving operational efficiency.
Operational Impact
  • The implementation of Vocollect VoiceExpress led to a minimum 20% improvement in both productivity and accuracy over scanning.
  • The transition to voice for the pick-from-reserve workflow was rapid and cost-effective, without the need for standard customization.
  • Ewing moved from having 12 associates working 12 hours a day, six days a week, servicing 100 branches, to the same workers servicing 200 branches in an 8-hour shift, five days a week.
  • The picking process now requires only 7 hours of an 8-hour shift, allowing labor to be allocated to other workflows.
  • Training time for new workers was reduced from 1–2 days to just one hour.
Quantitative Benefit
  • Minimum 20% improvement in both productivity and accuracy over scanning.
  • Moved from 12 associates working 12 hours a day, six days a week, servicing 100 branches, to the same workers servicing 200 branches in an 8-hour shift, five days a week.
  • Picking process now requires only 7 hours of an 8-hour shift.
  • Training time reduced from 1–2 days to one hour.

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