Vocollect's Talkman Nearly Flawless for Alberta Distribution Center

PITTSBURGH, PA - Connect Logistics Services Inc. (CLS), a third-party logistics (3PL) provider for the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission, is using Vocollect's Talkman software and hardware voice solution in its 430,000 square-foot facility. A member company of Tibbett and Britten Group Americas, CLS installed the voice-directed system in keeping with its commitment to maintain and improve upon the best customer service possible. A full installation followed a successful pilot program, during which the accuracy target of 99.99 percent was consistently met - a standard that continues today. "Our motto is that if you're perfect, no one can be better," said Ken Collins, CLS' project leader. "To meet the expectations we've created for ourselves and from our customers, we need the best distribution software available, and for us, the Talkman system is a key component. It installed very easily with our WMS, it's easy for our workers to use and gives us great visibility across the warehouse. But most importantly, our accuracy rate is nearly perfect. Productivity is up, as well, but for us, accuracy is the bottom line." Before Vocollect's voice-directed distribution system, CLS used paper pick lists and ensured accuracy by checking each order that arrived at the shipping dock. "With the Talkman system, our biggest savings come from eliminating errors, which have been as low as 1 in 35,000 cases picked," according to Collins, who oversaw the installation and now manages its operation. "We'll ultimately spend five times less on re-work and auditing because nearly all the pallets are accurate when they arrive at the dock." CLS ships nearly 800,000 cases a month, so being virtually error-free is critical. "Customers of 3PLs set very rigorous standards for accuracy and responsiveness - that's why warehousing and distribution operations are outsourced in the first place," said Jack LeVan, president and CEO of Vocollect. "Connect Logistics fully appreciates the challenges of effectively managing a complex, dynamic distribution environment and they deliver top-tier service with a special emphasis on accuracy. We are very pleased that Vocollect could help them achieve consistently high accuracy levels. We know that our Talkman system is extraordinarily well suited to the demands of 3PLs serving a wide range of markets and industries. Still, it has been gratifying to see how quickly and effectively Connect Logistics has put the Talkman system to work and realized their outstanding ROI."