Check Digits and Their Impact on Productivity

Jeff Wereb, Account Manager/Voice Solutions Expert

OCTOBER 25, 2023

Customers implementing voice selection solutions choose to do so for several business reasons. Two important reasons are that voice selection solutions enable productivity hampered by their current processes and reduce errors in their selection process by ensuring the user is at the correct location, selecting the right product. SMG3 Voice selection solutions enable both desired business gains.

One way you can achieve these benefits is by using check digits. The use of check digits is essential to the accuracy of voice systems, as well as an area where the importance of an accurate decode of the check digit by the voice recognizer can impact productivity. In other words, if a user must repeat check digits for the system to recognize it, then productivity is reduced.

So how does a customer implementing a voice system ensure they maximize productivity gains while not trading one problem in for another instead?

The answer lies within three check digit best practices:

To start, check digits should be a minimum of two digits long. However, for best results, a length of three is recommended. The reasoning for this goes into the science behind the way voice decoders work. Voice decoders benefit from the differences in voice while saying multisyllabic numbers. If the check digit is three characters long, such as 1-4-5 there are two areas where the recognizer can differentiate the sounds between the 1 and 4 and the 4 and 5. This allows for a greater probability of correct recognition as the decoder has more chances. Conversely, a one-number check digit can be problematic as it only allows the decoder one opportunity to determine what is being stated by the user. Within this, there is the problem of unintentional insertions. Unintentional insertions are the stray sounds in the work environment that the voice recognizer detects and decodes as spoken language. A common example is pneumatic hissing from hoses decoded as the numeral 6. While many headsets use noise cancellation to alleviate unintentional insertions, none reach 100% elimination.

Second, check digits should never repeat within a pick face. The probability of a check digit being repeated in side-by-side locations is one over the number of possible check digits. Having two locations within a selector’s reach that have the same check digit is an opportunity to introduce errors into the system. Check digits with a length of three ensure that there are ample available check digits to confirm that each location within a pick face has dissimilar check digits.

Finally, check digits are not limited to numeric. Using alpha and numeric characters can enhance recognition while decreasing the likelihood of repeated check digits in a pick face.

These are just a few of the many check digit best practices that we will help guide you through. Follow our LinkedIn page to stay updated on future blogs regarding emerging industry trends and technologies. If you are ready to talk to one of our voice experts today, fill out the form below.