With an innovative in-house development, the drugstore chain Rossmann is optimizing its order-picking processes: together with the EPG (Ehrhardt Partner Group), the company has introduced the control system “WIIEB”. WIIEB stands for “What is in a Box” and combines three key technologies: Pick-by-Voice, Put-to-Light and an intelligent control software. This is stated in a press release from the software provider.
With an innovative in-house development, the drugstore chain Rossmann is optimizing its order-picking processes: together with the EPG (Ehrhardt Partner Group), the company has introduced the control system “WIIEB”. WIIEB
stands for “What is in a Box” and combines three key technologies: Pick-by-Voice, Put-to-Light and an intelligent control software. This is stated in a press release from the software provider.
At the same time, the intelligent distribution ensures that the available storage space is better utilized: empty spaces in the boxes are avoided, the loading volume is used efficiently, according to EPG. Given the average around 25,800 roll containers that Rossmann transports daily from the eight warehouses to the stores, this is a not-to-be-underestimated advantage. Less overpacking, better utilization, lower
costs.
“The WIIEB process is leading our order picking into a new era,” says Rossmann. “Thanks to the new system, we always know what is in which roll box. That is a milestone in Rossmann’s logistics, bringing us many advantages. The weight distribution is optimized; this makes handling the boxes easier, there are fewer damages from incorrect loading, and it enables optimal truck utilization. And we can also more easily meet regulatory requirements thanks to WIIEB,” said a company spokesperson.
At the heart of the new system is EPG's Pick-by-Voice
technology “LYDIA Voice”. It forms the foundation for the voice-supported control of the picking process and, according to the provider, enables intuitive, ergonomic and safe operation, even under demanding warehouse conditions. Thanks to AI-based voice recognition, LYDIA Voice works immediately without voice training and flexibly adapts to different speakers, dialects and background noises, according to EPG.
Nowadays, Rossmann has more than 800 WIIEB-capable floor vehicles with Put-to-Light modules and around 1,000 “VOXTER” voice computers in operation. The most recent site to date was the Burgwedel logistics center, equipped with WIIEB.
