Voxware Selected by #3 Foodservice Distribution Company in U.S.
Broadline Division of Performance Food Group LLC, Successfully Rolls Out Voice Across 5 Sites with 13 More Planned Through 2009
HAMILTON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Voxware, Inc. (NASDAQ: VOXW), a leading supplier of software for voice-driven warehousing operations, today announced that Performance Food Group (PFG), the third largest foodservice distribution company in the United States, has successfully rolled out voice in five of its broadline distribution centers. The company plans to expand voice with an aggressive schedule that assumes a new broadline site will be rolled out every 3-5 weeks. Once the implementations are complete in 2009, PFG will have more than 600 workers across 18 broadline distribution centers nationwide on the system. The deal points to Voxware’s ongoing growth as the industry continues to shift toward standards-based, open software voice solutions.
Currently PFG is using voice in its picking applications. The integration of pick slot movement data triggers the warehouse management system (WMS) to generate immediate replenishment for pick slots low on inventory. Since voice has been deployed in several of PFG’s distribution centers, the company has seen a 65 percent reduction in mis-picks and a 50 percent decrease in truck shorts. In addition, training time for new workers now takes approximately 25 percent less time than it did prior to voice.
“We implemented voice to reduce mis-picks and truck shorts. But since we began working with Voxware, we’ve experienced many additional benefits to using the technology, especially with our workers,” said Jeff Williamson, vice president of warehouse operations for PFG. “Many of our workers who struggled to meet and maintain minimum error rate requirements are now able to reach and exceed required levels. Because our incentive system is tied to both productivity and error rates, voice has allowed more workers to earn incentives and bonuses, keeping them happier and more motivated.”
Voxware’s software is built from the ground up utilizing a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA). This 100% SOA-based approach affords customers increased flexibility and ease of integration. Because of the flexibility and simplicity of Voxware’s solution, PFG is able to roll out voice in all of their distribution sites through a centralized server farm without the need for outside tech support. PFG’s centralized server farm is located in Richmond, Va. and supports the company’s distribution centers across the country. This centralized server approach is a more convenient and cost-effective method of deployment that gives the distribution centers more control over how and when new technologies are rolled out.
“The benefits of voice picking at the warehouse and end-user level are primary factors in making the decision to switch to voice, but the type of voice technology that is being rolled out is a key contributor to the success of the implementation,” said Scott Yetter, president of Voxware. “Our open standards approach makes it possible for customers to take control of their voice solution by implementing and evolving it themselves. Not having to rely on the voice vendor makes the implementation process more cost-effective giving our customers the lowest total cost of ownership possible for a voice-based solution. Additionally, the flexibility and control afforded by Voxware allows for a more seamless conversion and execution of voice throughout multiple warehouses and distribution centers.”
About Performance Food Group
Performance Food Group Company markets and distributes more than 68,000 national and private label food and food-related products to approximately 41,000 restaurants, hotels, cafeterias, schools, healthcare facilities and other institutions. For more information on Performance Food Group, visit www.pfgc.com.
About Voxware
Voxware, Inc. (NASDAQ: VOXW), provides voice-driven software products that optimize the full spectrum of warehouse operations for greater accuracy, productivity and flexibility in supply chain execution. Voxware’s corporate headquarters are in Hamilton, New Jersey, with operating offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the United Kingdom, Belgium and France. Additional information about Voxware can be obtained at www.voxware.com.
This news release contains forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to certain factors that may cause Voxware’s plans to differ or results to vary from those expected including the risks associated with Voxware’s need to introduce new and enhanced products and services in order to increase market penetration and the risk of obsolescence of its products and services due to technological change; Voxware’s need to attract and retain key management and other personnel with experience in providing integrated voice-based solutions for e-logistics, specializing in the supply chain sector; the potential for substantial fluctuations in Voxware’s results of operations; competition from others; Voxware’s evolving distribution strategy and dependence on its distribution channels; the potential that speech products will not be widely accepted; Voxware’s need for additional capital; the pending Nasdaq delisting proceedings; and a variety of risks set forth from time to time in Voxware’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Voxware undertakes no obligation to publicly release results of any of these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unexpected results.
Please visit our website at www.voxware.com for additional disclosures and further information
