For a long time, many supply chain operations have been reluctant to commit to tech updates because it seemed like some new wrinkle was always just over the horizon.

Here’s some good news: It’s now easier to mix and match elements of differing inventory technologies.

The best example: Linking RFID with voice terminals.

It used to be that voice terminal systems were designed to interface directly with a Warehouse Management System. That made it difficult to integrate elements of RFID, which might be better suited for portions of that warehouse.

The result was that inventory operations were forced to use two separate ways to conduct business — which didn’t speak to each other.

Technology is catching up to this problem. Now, it’s possible to create a hybrid of RFID and voice systems.

There are at least two instances where this type of hybrid capability could increase the efficiency of warehouse operations.

Warehouses that employ temporary labor, who maybe don’t speak English as well, can steer those employees into RFID-only tasks. Other workers can use the voice system.

Also, if a warehouse is switching employees from one area to another and the new area is short on voice terminals, RFID can fill the gaps.

The pros are calling it “multi-modal” use. Warehouses use RFID to tally and confirm cartons stored on a pallet; voice direction is used to direct the actual picking activity.

There’s also the promise of linking other inventory systems in a similar manner.

Tags: inventory, RFID, supply chain, voice terminal, warehouse