Special Technology Report: Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and Voice-directed Picking.

Contributors include VDC Research, Gartner, Panorama Consulting, Frost & Sullivan, Cap Gemini, Aberdeen Strategy & Research, Manhattan Associates, Dakota Integrated Solutions, Ehrhardt Partner Group, Indigo Software, Renovotec.

Dakota Integrated Solutions Ltd, a real-time data capture, printing, mobility, support and voice-directed solution specialist, recently threw open its doors to its suppliers, partners, customers and friends to help celebrate the official opening of its new office and warehouse premises in Trafford Park, Manchester.

Real-time data capture, printing, mobility and voice-directed solutions specialist Dakota Integrated Solutions has been ranked 79th in the latest Tussell Tech200 list of the top 200 fastest-growing public sector technology companies.

There is movement in the European market for Auto-ID products. A major market player, Casio, has decided to discontinue its Auto-ID solutions division in Europe.

Rashik Parmar MBE, Chief Executive of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, comments: “The new Prime Minister has a unique opportunity to take a positive view of AI and high stakes technologies, making sure they transform the lives of everyone in the UK.

Despite growing interest and enthusiasm for  Generative AI (GenAI), significant challenges are emerging that threaten the success of GenAI projects, according to a co-sponsored research report from Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG) and Hitachi Vantara, the data storage, infrastructure, and hybrid cloud management subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501).

KnowBe4 has announced the results of a survey conducted at Infosecurity Europe 2024 (4-6 June) among 201 cybersecurity professionals to better understand and gauge the sentiment around trending cybersecurity issues.

There is movement in the European market for Auto-ID products. A major market player, Casio, has decided to discontinue its Auto-ID solutions division in Europe. For many end customers, this raises the question of how mobile computing can remain operational in their segments.

By Carlos Osuna, Head of R&D, Panasonic Connect Europe.

The retail industry is at an inflection point. Booming e-commerce volumes and changing consumer behaviour on the back of economic pressures are making customers more price-sensitive and less brand loyal.

Specialist recruitment firm, Robert Half, has warned employers that stereotypes could hinder access to, and the development of, critical Gen AI talent in the immediate future.

Zebra Technologies Corporation has announced that I.D.E.A. S.r.l. (Intelligent Development Engineered Applications), the Italian partner company of M.O.S.A.I.C. (Motion System and Information Control), has selected Zebra to drive efficiency and productivity in its quality assurance inspection process.

Stack Overflow has announced the results of its 2024 Developer Survey, the definitive report on the state of software development.

Stack Overflow has a long history of empowering technical innovation across its global public platform community as well as within private organizations ranging from startups to over 20,000 global enterprises leveraging Stack Overflow for Teams.

By Glen McCarty, Director of Velocity Consulting.

For those of us who still work in an office regularly, you cannot underestimate the absolute necessity of reliable IT infrastructure to make sure business operations aren’t interrupted.

According to Forbes, the global smart retail market size is expected to grow at a CAGR of 29.1% by 2030. DENSO accompanies retailers into the future with RFID.

In a move set to transform the landscape of voice analytics and recording, Micro Plus Software Ltd, operating as Tollring, has entered a strategic equity alliance with Amity Solutions. 

Calabrio, the workforce performance company, has announced the enhancement of its Call Recording capabilities for greater integration with Webex Calling —part of Cisco’s cloud-native, unified communications and collaboration solution.

GEP, provider of AI-driven procurement and supply chain software, services and strategy to Fortune 500 and Global 2000 enterprises worldwide, has announced that Costa Coffee, the UK coffee shop, has successfully gone live on GEP Software, the procurement platform.

By Aileen Ryan, President at RAIN Alliance.

As costs spiral across the retail sector, maintaining profitability is a growing challenge. Organisations are increasingly seeking practical, affordable solutions that enable them to drive operational efficiencies and reduce overhead costs.

An alarming 60% of the UK’s retail, hospitality, catering and leisure workers say they have been underpaid, according to new research by workforce management and HR services company UKG. 36% have also experienced late payments, and 23% report not receiving a payslip at all.

Arvato, provider of supply chain solutions, is building a new, state-of-the-art distribution centre in the Netherlands in the municipality of Echt in the province of Limburg. The new building represents a further milestone in the company's expansion strategy. 

SnapFulfil has secured another distinguished supply chain and logistics award. The Top Supply Chain Projects 2024 (formerly known as SDCE 100) profiles innovative application success projects designed to automate, optimize, streamline and improve the supply chain. 

Manhattan Associates has announced the findings of its 2024 ‘State of Warehouse Operations’ research in association with Vanson Bourne, highlighting the current challenges and key opportunities ahead for the sector. 

Sealey Tools has optimised its picking productivity and accuracy since going live with its Dakota voice-enabled solution. When the company experienced an unexpected, significant and sustained increase in orders during the Covid pandemic lockdown, its warehouse was under extreme pressure to keep up with such an unprecedented upturn in demand

Doosan Robotics Inc., the collaborative robot (cobot) manufacturer, has formed a strategic partnership with Rocketfarm, provider of palletising software.

Wincanton has deployed VersaTile, a new modular automation solution, at its Northampton shared user facility to further enhance its high-volume e-Fulfilment offering for customers.

By UKWA CEO, Clare Bottle.

The UK Warehousing Association welcomes the opportunity to work with the new Government to tackle key issues that are important to our sector, including decarbonising the electricity network, reforming the planning system, modernising apprenticeships and promoting innovation in warehousing.

By Del Williams, technical writer based in Torrance, California.

As demand for cold and frozen storage surges amid a critical shortage of space, selecting the right racking system along with state-of-the-art pallet shuttle technology can help processors store and retrieve products more efficiently.

By Laurence Scott, freelance writer.

When built upon a solid foundation, which is warehouse logistics. That includes all the steps it takes to store, manage and prepare goods for use within any warehouse or distribution center. The speed at which business now moves has meant that efficient warehouse logistics quite simply are make or break for the general ability of a company to keep up with demand, remain cost-effective and on top.

Nordic fashion retailer Kappahl Group has chosen Vanderlande to automate a new logistics centre which will be located in the greater Gothenburg area in Sweden. The two companies have signed a contract for the installation of Vanderlande’s FASTPICK solution at the 34,000m2 facility, which is expected to go live in June 2026.

According to UK-based robotic and automated materials handling solutions specialist Rainbow Dynamics, the economic case for automating the key processes within a typical warehouse or fulfilment centre has been made even more compelling following the recent ruling that high street retailer Next must pay its shop assistants the same rate as its warehouse workers.

The BCMPA – The Association for Contract Manufacturing, Packing, Fulfilment & Logistics, is exhibiting alongside five of its members at this year’s White Label World Expo, helping brand owners find their perfect UK based third-party outsourcing partner.

BIXOLON Europe GmbH, a subsidiary of BIXOLON, the manufacturer of advanced receipt, label and mobile printers, has entered into a partnership with ACS Postal Services (ACS), the Greek courier service provider.

Domino Printing Sciences (Domino) is supporting the industry’s transition to 2D barcodes as an innovation sponsor of the GS1 Global Forum 2024.The largest annual GS1 event, which takes place from 19th–22nd February in Brussels and virtually, brings together GS1 member organisations from across the globe to collaborate....

Having a label applied accurately, precisely and wrinkle-free is important as it elevates the product presentation, a critical factor in driving sales.

By Natalia Spitsyna, International animal transport specialist.

Among all cargoes that are transported by air, there is a special category of cargoes that causes a lot of questions during registration, and also puts airlines and their employees in a state of shock. This category of special cargo is "live animals".

Switching to managed print services (MPS) could represent a five-figure saving over three years, when compared with traditional printer ownership, according to new analysis from Brother UK.

After years of hype, the 3D printing industry has moved onto a more critical examination of the value-add that effective additive manufacturing adoption brings to businesses and supply chains. In a recent episode on 3D printing, the technology innovation podcast ‘Tomorrow’s Tech by IDTechEx’ explored the history and benefits of this versatile technology...

Sensors act as a middle ground between the physical and digital. They measure all sorts of variables from touch, temperature, and heart rate across many different sectors, which IDTechEx’s report “Printed and Flexible Sensors 2024-2034: Technologies, Players, Markets” explores in detail.

Giving customers choice is about giving them help to find the right product or group of products.  Peter Ward, UK County Manager at Pricer, explains how to help customers but at the same time grow basket sizes and value.

By Dr Jack Howley, Technology Analyst at IDTechEx.

Electrification, autonomy and vehicle ownership saturation are causing a technological revolution in the automotive sector.

At drupa 2024 (Messe Düsseldorf, 28 May – 7 June 2024, Hall 8a), Canon is showcasing its full capabilities as a leading provider of end-to-end digital production print solutions and services. Under the banner of ‘The Power to Move’, Canon is demonstrating how, in collaboration with partners, it works closely with customers to deliver the transformative technologies...

With 3D electronics, bulky PCBs can be replaced, resulting in sleek and integrated designs. The automotive industry is one of the largest sectors benefiting from this technology, as electronics can be printed in a thin layer onto surfaces or integrated within components, which can be particularly useful for human-machine interfaces (HMIs).

Antalis’ EcoCube is a physical cube designed to help businesses kick-start their journey to EcoExcellence, with 6 zones linking to an online toolkit containing information to support all sustainable packaging needs and challenges.

BIXOLON Europe GmbH, a subsidiary of BIXOLON, a global leader in advanced receipt, label and mobile printers, has partnered with G Rigging & Lighting Ltd, an independent event specialist based in the UK.

Brother UK has been named as a ‘leader’ in sustainability programs and services in the most recent IDC Sustainability MarketScape assessment.

By Research Nester.

Rapid prototyping, 3D printing, or additive manufacturing began back in the 1980s, when the first patent was filed. When the first patent expired, the technology became available to the vast masses, and the latest kind of industrial frontier developed.

Meeting growing demands for next generation flexible print quality, Coveris is investing over £3m in a new state-of-the-art flexo press and conversion infrastructure at its HD print hub in Burnley, UK. 

Business technology solutions provider Brother UK has launched a compact range of mono laser printers for businesses, helping resellers to support customers with downsized offices and decentralised workforces.

Business technology solutions provider Brother UK has upgraded its professional labelling line-up, launching two new devices to help make compliance easier for electricians and network installers.

Epson, the printing technology solutions provider, has introduced its latest breakthrough in the signage printing market, the SC-S9100.