Light or Voice – make your choice! : Plocktekniker för tillverkningsföretag

Sammanfattning: Companies constantly strive for the perfect order which enables them to satisfy and retain their customers. This is a difficult process that can be facilitated by using different picking technologies. In this study, a research of the picking technologies Pick-to-Light and Pick-to-Voice have been made to investigate when each technology is suited.In order to collect relevant information and data to be able to answer the question formulation, a qualitative study with interviews have been made. The purpose of this essay was to investigate Pick-to-Light and Pick-to-Voice to see when each technology is best suited and to see what the differences between the technologies are. With our essay we wanted to help manufacturing companies to make the right decisions when implementing a picking technology.The results showed that those picking technologies give companies a higher picking quality and an increased work efficiency since the order picking is faster to perform, and that picking errors are reduced. Through the interviews conducted, the result showed that Pick-to-Light and Pick-to-Voice are best suited at different types of areas. Pick-to-Light is optimal in small areas with high picking frequency while Pick-to-Voice is optimal in large areas with low picking frequency. Companies that are thinking of expanding in the future and use a picking technology on a much larger area, was recommended to implement Pick-to-Voice since this technology is more cost effective. Both of these technologies have multiple positive effects that are similar. Examples on these positive effects are that the operator has an overview of the items to be picked, the technologies are easy to learn and ergonomics are enhanced significantly when all paper handling is eliminated.Obviously, there are also differences between the techniques and also some disadvantages of each technique. The main differences are that the operator with Pick-to-Light can see which articles to be picked with the help of the luminous lights while the operator with Pick-to-Voice is voice guided to the items to be picked. Another major difference is that Pick-to-Voice is a wireless technology unlike Pick-to-Light and the ability to pick multiple orders at the same time is only possible with Pick-to-Voice. When it comes to maintenance costs, Pick-to-Light is more costly, both in time and money, since lights and cable must be replaced periodically. Likewise, an expanding with Pick-to-Light is more comprehensive since more cables and lamps must be purchased and installed. With Pick-to-Voice the only needed adjustment to make is in the system.Depending on the available conditions on the companies, the technologies are best suitable in different ways. Companies can use the technologies to secure the quality of the picking, reducing picking errors, and streamline the picking process. These technologies create the opportunity for companies to achieve the perfect order.