Vocollect's Voice-Directed Distribution System Proves a Hot Solution for Refrigerated & Freezer Logistics; Burris Logistics Gains Accuracy, Productivity and Cost Savings

Business Wire, July 29, 2004

PITTSBURGH -- Burris Logistics, one of the largest and most technically sophisticated controlled-temperature third-party logistics providers on the East Coast, recognizes a hot idea when it sees one. After accuracy at its Federalsburg, Maryland, distribution center increased to 99.88 percent and productivity improved by 11.9 percent following the implementation of Vocollect's voice-directed distribution solution, Burris plans to standardize all of its warehouse operations--more than 50 million square feet of refrigerated storage in 13 facilities--onto the integrated Vocollect system.

"Bringing the Vocollect system into our technology infrastructure enables us to get the right product to our customers more efficiently and cost-effectively than ever before," says Ed Krupka, vice president of Burris Information Technology. "One of the system's biggest advantages is access to real-time information that allows us to deal with issues immediately and get ahead of operational snags such as out-of-stocks. It makes a huge difference in our ability to keep people and products moving throughout the facility."

The Federalsburg facility was tapped for the pilot project, which went live in April 2004, because it is Burris' highest-performance facility. The integrated voice-directed distribution system is built on Vocollect's industry leading industrial speech recognition technology and the built-for-purpose Talkman(R) wearable voice computer featuring the latest Microsoft(R) Windows(R) CE operating system and 802.11b WiFi compatibility. Burris completed development of a direct interface between its existing warehouse management system (WMS) and the Vocollect system in just a few weeks.

In an industry where customer service is paramount, says Ed Givens, vice president of distribution at Federalsburg, voice-directed technology gives the company an added edge by replacing slow, error-prone paper- and sticker-based order selection systems, and provides equipment that operates flawlessly in temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit.

"Our accuracy was already exceptionally high, but as a company where customer service takes priority, we set ever-higher standards for ourselves," Ed Givens says. "We exceeded our targeted improvement with voice and are at 99.88 percent accuracy. That translates to 9,000 fewer case errors per year, along with the savings of time and money we would spend dealing with them--and that is just one facility."

Equally important, employees' ability to work "hands-free, eyes-free(TM)" without pick lists and labels increased productivity, drastically cutting yearly labor costs.

"The savings add up fast in a number of areas, along with the return on investment," Krupka says. "We expect to hit payback on our voice system in only 10 months.

"Once we fully implement voice for order picking, we will be ready to deploy it for receiving, put-away, replenishment and other applications that Vocollect can provide to us," Krupka says. "We've pledged total integration and versatility to mold our services to our customers' needs across the food distribution supply chain. Vocollect has the technology to help us do just that."

Burris researched voice technology carefully and considered a number of voice-directed vendors before selecting Vocollect.

"Vocollect's system is proven," Krupka says. "More importantly, others vendors have come and gone, but Vocollect has a long track record of success, steady product improvement and customer satisfaction among high-volume, high-profile users. Vocollect provides the added assurance that they will stay in this industry and support our investment over the long term."

Jack LeVan, president and CEO of Vocollect, notes that a growing number of leading third party logistics (3PL) providers recognize voice as a proven way to compete more effectively and profitably.

"The 3PL industry is extremely demanding and competitive," LeVan says. "Companies like Burris Logistics know they must deliver superior service at the lowest possible cost for their customers, while generating solid and consistent profits on their operations. We were confident that Vocollect could help Burris do that and are pleased that we have. As our voice system rolls out across each facility, it will continue to prove itself as a reliable, easy-to-use and powerful operating tool, and a great strategic investment."

About Burris

Burris Logistics is one of the largest and most sophisticated controlled-temperature distribution operations in the nation. Headquartered in Milford, Delaware, Burris operates a network of warehouses in 13 strategic locations throughout the eastern United States, comprising more than 50 million cubic feet of refrigerated/freezer space. Each warehouse has the ability to develop custom storage and transportation solutions to meet the needs of the retail, wholesale, and manufacturing customers it serves. Burris Logistics is known for its high quality storage facilities, as well as sophisticated information technology that enables it to provide unprecedented customer support and succeed within the highly competitive and fast-moving 3PL industry. For additional information, call Burris Logistics at 800-805-8135 or visit www.burrislogistics.com.