Modern Logistics – Just say it

Back in June 2007, Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone. To this day, it is the most profitable product from Apple – we all know that. But how did it happen? What distinguished the iPhone?

Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, strongly criticized the device for the lack of a physical keyboard and its high price. He claimed that it will prevent the iPhone from replacing handsets with Windows Mobile in the Business sector. Today we know, that he was wrong.

One of the basic principles which inspired Steve Jobs’  creation was the lack of a stylus. Quite the opposite to the devices appearing  in the market at the time. He argued that the best stylus we have, is always with us - our finger. System architecture created specifically for this phone was designed so that the finger was the only necessary stylus.

How can we relate this to logistics? In millions of warehouses around the world, everyday, millions of employees are running around with sheets of paper, pens, terminals and readers. They communicate in this way with a WMS (Warehouse Management System). Obvious right? After all, everybody does it.

Their eyes and hands are busy, communicating with the system. But why not communicate with two the most proven and always available senses we have?Hearing and speech.

Eyes and ears should be all that is needed.

Modern logistics now allow employees, to work with microphones and headsets only. Many warehouses around the world have already implemented voice driven systems.   They can fully concentrate on finding the right product and then use voice to confirm. Depending on the type of completion, process efficiency may increase by 20-30%, while reducing errors down to 0.001%.

Is it worth it? I do not know. Let me check it out on my iPhone ...