The voice technology can speed up all the data entry operations within warehouse management systems (WMS) or ERP, operations that are normally performed either reading a paper picking list or the display of a wireless mobile computer.

When we have a relevant logistics units flow, which generally happens when the user performs an intensive picking, the voice technology allows the operators to work with their hands free, focusing on a rapid handling and not on reading what to pick from a mobile computer display or from a paper list.

In most cases not at all. vo-CE is simply a smart software standing between the warehouse server and the mobile computer. Thus, in general, vo-CE allows you to keep the software integration costs low and roll-out times short. Moreover, the mobile computer empowered by the voice technology is not a custom device but a standard mobile computer that can be used even in a traditional way, in this case the operator works on the so called ‘multimodality’ level.

The operators simply have to get used to wearing a mono-aural headset, making them interact with the WMS. They can talk to others, keeping  the microphone temporarily some centimeters away from their mouth or even suspend the voice session with a specific voice command. In a word, the operators can adapt the voice system to their activity.

The operator can ask WMS to repeat the last picking instruction; in case of any doubt about a complete set of picking, they can always read the mobile computer display to check what they have picked.

If in the warehouse there are operators already using the last generation mobile computers with Windows CE.net, an audio card inside and a headset connector, it is enough to equip these mobile computers with a vo-CE license software and a professional headset with background noise suppression and an adjustable microphone. Roughly speaking, the cost of the voice package for a single mobile computer is equal to the cost of the mobile computer itself.

Using TTS and ASR engines from Nuance means working with the leader in the market which has a very long history and solid experience. Nuance also guarantees support for special projects. Moreover the platform of the engines is natively multilingual.

In the Support -> Trial Version section of the menu it is possible to request a demo version of vo-CE . The demo version is a complete version which stops working every fifteen minutes. It is also possible to check the minimum system requirements and download the vo-CE User Manual to explore the software functionalities.

Please refer to the “Partners” section of the menu to see the complete list of Itworks partners in Italy and abroad distributing vo-CE licences or send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

A single license is valid for one mobile computer, therefore, the number of licenses you will need depends on the number of mobile computers you want to equip with vo-CE. However it is possible to manage several users’ profiles with a single mobile computer using one licence only.

Itworks, together with its partners, is able to manage the situation.

vo-CE has been initially developed for Microsoft Windows CE.NET 5.0 and Microsoft Windows Mobile. Nowadays, a special Windows XP / 7 version is available.

vo-CE has been designed and developed to be natively integrated into the present WMS or ERP, without middleware, proprietary plug-ins or hardware devices. It is sufficient to modify the terminal emulation masks (VT100, 5250, 3270, HTTP) with specific TAGs inside which the phrases to be spoken are inserted.

vo-CE is built as a “speaker independent” software, perfectly integrated even in the situations when no native speaking operators are available. It is, however, possible, if needed, to train the ASR fastly to achieve high level of performance even in particularly severe environments.

vo-CE can be integrated into any TCP/IP based Server/Client communication protocol. Moreover, vo-CE can be even used as a batch offline application. In a client-server configuration (e.g. VT100, 5250, HTTP), vo-CE stands in the middle of the TCP/IP dataflow, analyzing data packets sent between the server and the client, recognizing the ones with the TAGs and pronouncing them. As for the operator's commands, they are all redirected to the keyboard buffer.

In warehouses with poor wi-fi coverage, in case of slow WMS processing time and in all situations where “real-time” transactions are not needed, it is possible to act in batch modality. In this case vo-CE doesn’t communicate with the server, but with the batch software running in the mobile computer.

There are many functions of vo-CE that can be set up with the vo-CE manager application. It is even possible to modify online the most important parameters.

At present vo-CE is available (meaning tested and released) in eleven languages: Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese, Swedish, Russian and Polish. However, Nuance tools, supporting about forty languages, allows Itworks, if requested, to widen this list.

Not at all, vo-CE is hardware independent. The requirements to work in a CE.net mobile computer are: an audio card and the connector for the headset. The mobile computer can be used for the data collection activities performed even in the usual way (i.e.: with barcode reader and keyboard). In this way the hardware investment becomes more efficient.

vo-CE has been tested and currently on different models of the mobile computers: HX2-HX3, VX3X, MX7, MX8, VX9 and Tecton from LXE; CK3 from Intermec; Memor and Kayman from Datalogic Mobile; MC 9090 (Mobile),  MC 9190, MC 3190, WT from Motorola.
Anyway, other mobile computers can be sent to Itworks to be tested by its team, provided that they have an audio card and a headset connector.

In 2008, after a series of tests, vo-CE achieved the Motorola Symbol Plus Validation. Itworks is ready to participate, on request of the customers, in other validation programs to confirm high quality of the solution and system interoperability of vo-CE with various devices.

It is necessary to use a good quality headset or a professional one. In order to achieve the best ASR performance, the headset must have an adjustable microphone with a background noise cancellation function. The use of a belt or a shoulder holster is strongly advised.

The answer is no. vo-CE appication doesn’t lead to air traffic increase. In fact, vo-CE uses the keyboard buffer which means that just few bytes (words to be said) are added to the communication between the server and the client.

No, it doesn't. On the contrary, judging by our experience, the battery time is usually increased. This happens because two of main battery consuming features (i.e.: display and barcode reader) are used less frequently with the voice technology, even if the mobile computer works in the multimodal way. Thus, with vo-CE the battery time is not shorter in comparison with normal operations.