BCP Leads the Way With Voice Technology

Business Computer Projects Ltd (BCP), one of the UK's top suppliers of specialist Supply Chain solutions, is leading the way in introducing Voice Technology to the UK Distribution market with three key clients now implementing Accord Voice Technology on a major scale. James Hall & Co (Southport) Ltd, Pedigree Wholesale Ltd and CJ Lang & Son Ltd have all invested in this exciting new technology which will enable them to improve productivity, accuracy and service levels to their customers.

Stockport, UK (PRWEB) July 23, 2004 -- Business Computer Projects Ltd (BCP), one of UK's top suppliers of specialist Supply Chain solutions, is leading the way in introducing Voice Technology to the UK Distribution market with three key clients now implementing Accord Voice Technology on a major scale. James Hall & Co (Southport) Ltd, Pedigree Wholesale Ltd and CJ Lang & Son Ltd have all invested in this exciting new technology which will enable them to improve productivity, accuracy and service levels to their customers.

SPAR wholesaler James Hall is implementing an 80 user Accord Voice Picking system at its Preston RDC, with the first stage -- for handling frozen foods -- due to go live in July, while Pedigree Wholesale has ordered an Accord Voice activated Warehouse Management System for its main distribution centre in Nottingham, as part of a recent investment in a complete Accord solution for its pet products wholesaling business. This system will be implemented in a series of stages over the next six to eight months.

Furthest along the line, however, is CJ Lang and Son, Scotlands largest independent retail and distribution company, who has implemented the complete suite of Accord Voice Directed Warehouse Management modules at its Retail Distribution Centre (RDC) in Dundee. As SPAR wholesaler for Scotland, CJ Lang services some 45% of Scotlands independent retailers from this RDC, including its own chain of company owned stores.

BCP have supplied the full solution including all hardware, software and services. The solution encompasses BCPs Accord Voice Directed Warehouse Management software modules, operating with Vocollect Talkman T2 terminals on a Symbol Technologies Spread Spectrum 24 RF network. BCP has partnered with Voiteq and Vocollect to source all the components of the total solution.

Voice Technology involves the use of a wearable computer, worn round the waist, with a headset and microphone so that workers receive instructions by Voice via the headset and verbally confirm their actions, ask questions and report shortages back to the system through the microphone. The wearable computer communicates with the Warehouse Management System (WMS) via a radio frequency (RF) local area network, updating it in real time as each task is completed.

Voice Technology transforms the way warehouse operators work: eliminating the need for hand--held devices or paper instructions allows them to work hands-free and eyes-free, therefore, faster and safer; substituting manual entry of data with verbal instructions and verification eliminates errors and saves time. Productivity increases of 20% and accuracy levels of 99.9% are typical.

CJ Langs new Voice system covers the whole range of warehouse activities, from goods in to goods out, including Goods Receiving, Fork Lift Truck movements, Order Picking, Pick face replenishments, Stock Taking and Perpetual Inventory Management. Utilising Voice terminals throughout it has transformed the RDC from a predominantly paper-based to a true paper-free operation.

The implementation was undertaken in a series of phases to ensure that service to customers was in no way disrupted during the implementation, C J Lang working closely with BCP throughout to ensure the system precisely matched their needs. Graham Murdoch, IT director for CJ Lang & Son, explains: The system is very leading edge so careful planning is essential to successful deployment. Initially we conducted a comprehensive trial of the system in a pilot area within the warehouse. Not only did this enable us to ensure the system was working as designed, but we were able to demonstrate the dramatic increases in speed and accuracy of the workforce that could be made."

The system is now live throughout the RDC at Longtown Road. Graham Murdoch sums up: After the six month development and pilot phase, we are now fully operational and it is clear that the introduction of Voice has made great improvements, not just to the productivity of the warehouse operation, but to the service we offer to our SPAR retailers."

For further information please contact Pauline Higgs at BCP - Tel: +44 (0)161 355 3000; Fax: +44 (0)161 355 3001

About BCP - www.bcpsoftware.com
Founded in 1979, Business Computer Projects Ltd (BCP) is a leading systems house specialising in supply chain solutions. Our Accord® systems offer end-to-end, web enabled supply chain solutions for delivered wholesale, cash & carry and retail distribution. Dedicated versions are available for the food and drink sector where we are regarded as one of the market leaders.

All our systems have been developed using Progress 4GL ensuring they are user friendly and easy to tailor, with powerful, flexible reporting and management information facilities. Their OpenEdge(TM) architecture makes them suitable for use on a wide range of platforms, giving clients maximum choice and flexibility in hardware and operating system platform selection and allowing easy integration with many other technologies, such as .NET, Java and Web Services.

As a technology innovator, BCP systems are in the forefront when it comes to applying new technologies to the Food Industry Supply Chain. Recently these include Voice technology in the warehouse, using Web Services and EDI-INT for Supply Chain Integration and keeping abreast of new developments in the industry, such as Chip and Pin". We also operate a number of managed services for our clients, including AIMS (Accord Internet Messaging Service) for passing information reliably and securely between sites, an EFT Bureau and an EDI Bureau.

Our carefully designed Voice enabled Warehouse Management System (WMS) is available as part of a fully integrated Accord solution, as a standalone WMS to interface to other Order Processing and Stock systems, or as discrete Voice modules to interface to third party WMS.

BCP clients include SPAR, Musgrave, BWG, Woodward Food Service, Pets at Home

Contact Details:
Tel: +44 (0)161 355 3000;
Fax: +44 (0)161 355 3001
http://www.bcpsoftware.com

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