Voice technology used to transform cold storage operations 

Dematic has implemented its Voice solution for a global cold storage provider at two of its Australian distribution centres in Melbourne and Adelaide.

Being used to replace a legacy system that was creating inefficiencies and operational challenges, the Dematic Voice solution is being rolled out following a successful proof of concept across both locations. This test phase demonstrated how the solution could be used to improve operational efficiency, enhance user satisfaction and address longstanding challenges.

“The feedback from our customer’s operations team was overwhelmingly positive,” said Robert Deane, Connect Workforce Solutions (CWS) Sales Manager Southern Region & New Zealand at Dematic ANZ. “Operators were impressed by the system’s voice recognition capabilities and intuitive interface. One of the most common questions our customer received from their team was, ‘When can we start using this?’ The success of the proof of concept confirmed that Dematic Voice was the right choice.”

With features such as advanced voice recognition and gamified workflows, the solution is designed to streamline processes across diverse operational environments. It also introduces advanced features that are designed to increase productivity, streamline workflows, engage users and improve accuracy.

Voice picking has been shown to achieve accuracy rates of 99.8–99.98%, an improvement over other methods like pick-to-light (PTL). This precision is crucial in fast-paced environments such as cold chain distribution centres, where even minor errors can disrupt the supply chain.

“Our data shows that companies using voice technology as part of a broader warehouse optimisation strategy see productivity gains of 25–35% for case picking and piece picking,” Deane said. “This is especially important for facilities like our customer’s site in Melbourne, where operational scale requires extremely high efficiency.”

Another capability of the solution is gamification through CWS Reports, which introduces friendly competition to the warehouse floor. Tools like the Top Picker User List provide real-time insights into individual performance.

“The gamified elements of Dematic Voice are transformative,” Deane said. “Recognising top performers and fostering friendly competition encourages operators to consistently push for excellence. It’s a simple concept with a powerful impact on productivity and engagement.”

Additional features, such as Pick Quantity Countdown provide operators with real-time updates on the number of items remaining for each pick. This feature is designed to ensure task accuracy and keeps operations on track. The solution also includes a visualised pick-list interface on Android devices and a Pallet Wizard, which is currently in development, to further optimise workflows.

Dematic’s approach focuses on tailoring the solution to meet specific site requirements. This ensures that operators can work more efficiently and with greater accuracy, improving overall productivity and reducing operational strain.

“Our tailored approach allows us to align solutions with the unique requirements of each customer site,” Deane said. “At the Melbourne site, deploying headsets ensured a smooth and rapid transition, while the flexibility of Dematic Voice at the Adelaide site demonstrated its ability to integrate seamlessly with Android devices. This adaptability, along with advanced features like pick-list visualisation, has been key for enhancing productivity and accuracy across customer operations.”

The rollout at the Adelaide site is underway, with thorough user acceptance testing and workflow finalisation, ensuring a smooth implementation.

The deployment is expected to be fully operational across both sites in the coming months.