Auto Parts Distributor Transitions to Paperless With VoCollect

O’Reilly Automotive, Inc., one of the largest specialty retailers of automotive aftermarket parts, tools, supplies, equipment and accessories in the United States, is accelerating its transition to a paperless distribution center (DC) network by expanding its use of voice systems from Vocollect, Inc.

O’Reilly has 3,415 stores in 38 states and more than 44,000 team members. Through its acquisition last year of CSK Auto Corporation, as well as the establishment of additional new DCs to support the company’s growing business, the company projects it will have a significant number of distribution centers utilizing Vocollect Voice within the next four to five years, according to Greg Johnson, senior vice president, Distribution Operations, O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.

“Our productivity and accuracy levels continue to improve throughout our distribution operations with the use of voice from Vocollect,” said Johnson. “Last year we processed over 96 million lines using Vocollect Voice. Voice has helped us to reduce cost, improve customer satisfaction and overall business performance, as well as achieve a very positive return on investment. Vocollect also will help us in our continuing efforts to transition to paperless DCs,” he said.

O’Reilly is currently using Vocollect Voice for picking in most of its existing DCs. All future new DCs will activate their operation with Vocollect, beginning with the first group of new DCs, by the end of 2010. Other existing O’Reilly DCs are at various stages in their transition to a voice-centric solution.