CONNECT LOGISTICS, LEADING 3PL, ATTAINS NEAR PERFECT PICKING ACCURACY BY INSTALLING VOCOLLECTS VOICE-DIRECTED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Connect Logistics Services, Inc. (CLS), a third-party logistics provider (3PL) for the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission, is using Vocollects Talkman® software and hardware voice solution in its 430,000 square-foot facility. A full installation followed a successful pilot program, during which the accuracy target of 99.99% was consistently met -- a standard that continues today.

PITTSBURGH --(PRWEB) September 15, 2003 -- Connect Logistics Services, Inc. (CLS), a third-party logistics provider (3PL) for the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission, is using Vocollects 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% was consistently met -- a standard that continues today.

Our motto is that if youre perfect, no one can be better," says Ken Collins, CLS project leader. To meet the expectations weve 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, its 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 Vocollects 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. Well 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 (with an average wholesale price of $100, and some worth $1,500 each), so being virtually error-free is critical. Weve achieved that with the Talkman system," said Collins. Our customers used to tolerate some minor errors with their orders -- now they expect perfection -- and we deliver." Collins added that breakage rates are also down, in part, because workers hands are free, and he noted that CLS has plans to use the Talkman system for its replenishment and receiving functions, as well.

Customers of 3PLs set very rigorous standards for accuracy and responsiveness -- thats 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."

About Connect Logistics
Connect Logistics Services Inc. (CLS) is a member company of Tibbett and Britten Group Americas (TBGA), one of a few companies in the world totally dedicated to the provision of physical distribution, logistics and associated services. Founded in 1958 and taken public in the U.K. in 1986, Tibbett and Britten Group is a major market leader in third party warehouse and distribution logistics. Member companies include operations in the U.K., Europe, South America, Middle and Far East and North America. It has grown to almost $2 billion (US) world wide, 30% of which is in North America.

Tibbett and Britten Group Americas is now measured among the five largest third-party logistics companies on the continent. The Group operates distribution centers and fleets for clients including Kroger, Safeway, JC Penney, Shoppers Drug Mart, Procter & Gamble and 7-Eleven. TBGA established Connect Logistics Services in St. Albert, Alberta, Canada in 1994, to provide a dedicated distribution service to the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC).

About Vocollect
Vocollect, a privately held company headquartered in Pittsburgh, is the global leader in wearable computers employing speech synthesis and speech recognition technology for warehousing and industrial applications. The company has developed and installed voice-directed systems since its start in 1987. Today, over 50,000 users in hundreds of locations throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific use Vocollects integrated software applications and Talkman® terminals to eliminate errors, cut operating costs, and improve productivity. Vocollect and its global network of resellers and integrators provide Talkman systems and on-site support for customers in inventory-driven industries such as grocery wholesale and retail, general and mass merchandise, foodservice, convenience store, beverage, health & beauty and medical/pharmaceutical.
###