French Retailer Adopts Voice-directed Logistics Technology

Intermarch optimizes warehouse operations with Voxware solution

Princeton, NJ January 6, 2004 Intermarch, a leading French company and among the top retailers in the world, has implemented voice-directed logistics technology using the VoiceLogistics system from Voxware at its distribution center in Meung, France.

Based on the results of that initiative, Intermarch plans to expand the use of VoiceLogistics to other distribution facilities in France.

"The retail business is all about logistics, so improvements to logistics operations have a tremendous impact on a company's competitive strength and overall financial health," said Philippe Lahondes, CEO of Intermarch Logistics.

Lahondes said the company had seen other voice implementations, but felt that they could do much more for the business. "We recognized that others were simply using voice as an alternative means of capturing data, in effect turning their workers into 'talking scanners,'" he said. "We believe that voice technology if applied strategically can optimize entire activities and produce a greater impact on the bottom line."

Voxware came to Intermarch and conducted a value assessment that helped the company to identify the areas where voice technology could make the biggest impact, according to Lahondes. "The assessment process was very valuable because it enabled us to set specific goals and to monitor the results produced by the VoiceLogistics solution."

Citing competitive reasons, Intermarch would not release specific numbers relative to the voice technology initiative. "That's classified," said Lahondes. "But I will say that the results both from the perspective of the workers and the business benefits are so positive that we are looking for ways to expand the use of VoiceLogistics at Intermarch."

Voxware's corporate headquarters are in Princeton, N.J., with operating offices in Cambridge, Mass., and Brugge, Belgium. The company's deal with Intermarch follows the announcement that Voxware had secured a $2.0 million loan from Silicon Valley Bank on December 30 to scale its operations and meet the needs of the enterprises that adopted VoiceLogistics in 2003.