9 steps to keep in mind when choosing a vision picking provider

Order picking is one of the most expensive and error-prone processes in logistics, so it is no wonder that businesses prioritize finding solutions for its improvement. Vision picking is probably the most effective among them, with a proven track record at increasing the speed of picking and minimizing mistakes.

The current market for vision picking is growing and offers an increasing variety of vision picking solutions to choose from. However, introducing your workforce to augmented reality is a big change and to make a roll-out go smoothly, you should do extra research before committing to one vision picking provider. Here are some key aspects to prioritize.

In this article:

• Customization and scalability
• Cost and return on investment (ROI)
• Integration capabilities
• References and reviews
• Training and implementation support
• Accuracy and reliability
• User interface and ease of use
• Support and maintenance
• Technology, expertise, and innovation
• Summary

1. Customization and scalability

Consider the provider's ability to tailor the solution to your specific business needs. The most convenient option would be to discuss your business objectives with the solution’s representative. This can be of great help as they are familiar with challenges in your industry and can recognize what processes can be improved and what solution would be the best fit. They can also advise on all customization options that you might need, like customizations or integrations.

Ensure the solution can scale in case your operations grow or you want to implement it across multiple sites and use cases. The provider’s capability to adapt to change and your individual use cases is highly important here. That way you can cover multiple processes with the same software and the same vendor, harmonizing your operational software landscape, reducing the need to onboard staff to different solutions, and progressing with a trusted solution provider.  

2. Cost and return on investment (ROI)

It probably goes without saying but it is worth carefully assessing the cost of implementation, including hardware, software, installation, and ongoing support. Think about what hardware you would have to buy (such as smart glasses, scanners, and mobile computers) and how many devices you would need.

Check if the provider has multiple license options and sees which suits you the most. Inquire about all possible additional costs, including the implementation and hypercare and maintenance stages. After you have these estimations, you can evaluate the potential ROI regarding increased efficiency, accuracy, and productivity.

3. Integration capabilities

Determine if the solution can seamlessly integrate with your existing infrastructure, including warehouse management systems (WMS), inventory management systems, or enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. A seamless and uninterrupted workflow will help you optimize your processes, enhance productivity, and save time on manually transferring data or comparing data across platforms.

Carefully review the integration options of the provider, assess the costs and ease of implementation, and ask if the integration can be customized for your workflows. It’s also worth checking if the provider offers an integration package that would cover several of your business needs at once.

Consider the vendor’s partner network as well. Strong partnerships with leading providers in your industry can be critical for ensuring a shorter time to productivity and access to skilled implementation teams. For example, SAP and Manhattan Associates collaborate directly with TeamViewer to integrate their warehouse management solutions directly with Frontline Pick for easier digitalization of warehouse processes. Additionally, if the provider has successful projects with different WMS software providers, or even the one you are currently working on, it is a positive sign to look out for.  

4. References and reviews

Look for references from existing clients to get first-hand information about vision picking companies. Peer-review websites can serve as a starting point for collecting information as they offer customer reviews and aggregated ratings for well-known companies. It may give you an idea about the performance, customer satisfaction, and overall reputation of a provider.

But because vision picking for industrial applications is a relatively niche service, these websites might not have enough reviews to provide encompassing and up-to-date information. In this case, a good alternative is to rely on real-life peers, as in conferences and trade shows. These in-person events give you the option to test software and also interact with your extended professional network. Here you’ll find first-hand insights on their experience or be guided to someone who has it.

You can also gain valuable insights from real-life case studies on the provider’s website to see how vision picking was implemented by recognized players in your field and what they achieved through it. By reading different customer stories, you can discover the various possibilities of approaches used to integrate vision picking into existing workflows, tailored to specific industry and company needs. These case studies also allow you to see how these solutions perform in real-life settings and day-to-day operations. This way, you can gain a realistic idea about the effectiveness and adaptability of vision picking solutions.

Learn from others: Coca-Cola HBC uses vision picking to reduce error rates on-site

Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (HBC), one of the largest bottlers for The Coca-Cola Company in terms of volume, was exploring ways to optimize its logistics processes. It identified the inconsistent, outdated picking methodologies, pick-by-paper or handheld RF guns combined with tablets mounted onto pallet jacks, as one possible error source. 

To optimize and standardize their processes, Coca-Cola HBC chose to implement the industry-proven TeamViewer solution Frontline Pick. After only two months of implementing the vision picking solution, accuracy had already reached 99.99%. At the same time, customer satisfaction rates improved, and the cost of returns was reduced.  

5. Training and implementation support

Inquire about the training and implementation support provided by the company. A comprehensive training program and hands-on assistance during implementation can facilitate a successful adoption of the vision picking solution. Therefore, evaluate if the provider can offer customizable training tailored to your specific use case, work conditions, and your employees whose roles will be connected to vision picking, such as frontline workers and their managers. Preferably, ask for on-site training so that your employees would have an opportunity to learn how to use the solution directly in their work environment.

6. Accuracy and reliability

Evaluate the accuracy and reliability of the vision picking system. These two parameters have the most significant effect on the results of vision picking. Higher accuracy and reliability obviously mean happier internal or external customers who get their orders correctly and on time but also bring benefits like less rework and a more ergonomic work environment for your employees. To ensure that the provider can deliver that, look for evidence of high pick rates, low error rates, and successful implementation in real-world scenarios, paying special attention to those like your industrial settings.

7. User interface and ease of use

Assess the user interface and experience of the solution, as it will impact usability for your workforce. An intuitive and user-friendly interface can enhance productivity and reduce training time. Ask for a live demonstration, or even request a trial session, or make sure to have those providers on the list for your next trade show visit to get a better understanding of how convenient the solution is. Involve your workforce in further demonstrations and ask for their honest feedback afterwards – after all, they will be the end users of the solution.

When evaluating the user experience of the solution, think about the following questions: How easy is it to navigate? How quickly can users understand how to perform their most frequent tasks? Are all UI elements clear and readable for all of your employees?

8. Support and maintenance

Inquire about the support services offered by the provider. Learn what forms of support are available: Is phone support available? If yes, is it a general hotline or do you get a unique phone number? Can you ask your question in a chat or submit a request via a ticket? Is there a knowledge base with user manuals and guides?

Ask about the estimated response time to ensure they provide timely assistance to keep the system running smoothly. If your business specification requires working at unconventional hours or in various time zones, check if the support services are available during your operational hours. It’s also important to find out if customer support is offered in all the languages that you might need. You can also opt for an SLA agreement which might provide premium support services.

It’s crucial to keep the maintenance services in mind too. You should get regular updates and troubleshooting to prevent any potential issues and to ensure best performance and security.

 

9. Technology, expertise, and innovation

It’s paramount to look for the provider’s track record in developing and implementing vision picking solutions, such as analysts' evaluations, awards from recognized institutions, registered patents, professional achievements, as well as successful customer cases and their respective achievements.

Also, consider the provider's commitment to ongoing research, development, and innovation. Assess their roadmap for future enhancements and upgrades to ensure the solution remains up-to-date and aligns with your long-term objectives. You can also check if they have any current research p programs and whether they have had successful ones in the past.

Summary

Adopting a new technology like vision picking is not an easy task. It requires a significant investment, not only in terms of costs but also time and attention. We recommend checking the provider’s technical expertise in the field and their track record and looking for hard proofs of reducing errors and enhancing accuracy, as well as customizability and integration options. You should also find out about support and training services and look for other customer references.

By carefully considering these factors, you can make an informed decision when choosing a vision picking solution provider that best meets your organization's requirements.