OS Migration: The Cost of Procrastinating

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Microsoft announced that, in 2020, it will discontinue support for Windows CE and Windows Mobile operating systems. Their decision would impact 15 million computers, about 90% of the enterprise computing market. If you’re using either of these operating systems, you have some important choices to make. With the heavy (and still growing) reliance on mobile devices in the workplace, the choice you make for the operating system will impact users, device choices, application accessibility, network security, and the IT time to handle it all. You have invested in legacy devices but remember that the best OS for a situation is important and Migration may be needed. Are you going to see the ROI or will it be written off to “lesson learned”?

What are your options for Migration?
OS Migration Options

You could sit still. Continue using Windows and move up to Windows 10. However, you’ll be running without the support of security patches next year, because Microsoft is also pulling that plugin 2019. It seems clear that Microsoft’s commitment to enterprise mobile computing is tenuous. Don’t commit to a company that isn’t committed to you.

Your next option is to choose a direction for the operating system that will replace Windows CE/Mobile and rewrite your applications to run on the OS of choice. Android and are good options. Google and Apple have proven themselves to be reliable and innovative. Between Android and iOS, they own 99% of the mobile device market share; however, Android dominates the space with 87% worldwide. Android’s open platform makes it more inviting for developers, which has caused concern over security.

In recent years, companies like Zebra have addressed the perceived weak spots in Android’s security. Zebra’s rugged mobile devices come pre-installed with Mobility Extensions (Mx), which elevates the operating system to an enterprise level for security, device management, data capture, and connectivity. Zebra’s rugged handhelds and enterprise tablets are ready to operate in an Android environment and perform at the high levels of reliability, security, and computing power you should expect from your technology.

Do you need to retire your legacy devices now and make the move to new technology?
Android Legacy Device Migration

At Avalon Integration we’ve been looking at the path for this OS migration. It’s not realistic for a company to buy all new devices, so we’re helping our customers to make a gradual transition. Decide on the operating system and look at those devices that are ready for upgrades. But while you’re trying to hold onto those legacy devices, consider that you might not be saving money. A rugged device’s life expectancy is three years, with an average failure rate of only 1% in the first year. By the fourth year, the rate escalates to 8%. That’s not a big number, so maybe you’re fine with the prospect of extending the life of your rugged devices.

What does 1% really mean for Migration?

OS Migration Android Phone

Every percentage point of device failure translates to a 5% increase in your total cost of ownership. By the fourth year, when your failure rate jumps 7%, you can expect a 35% rise in your TCO. Are you actually saving money by procrastinating or merely avoiding the inevitable business decision?

Those four-year-old legacy devices are also using old technology. The speed is slower, the connectivity is weaker, the resolution is probably less, and it may not have the features that today’s mobile devices offer. Every one of these downsides represents a negative impact on your productivity. You’re not maximizing the potential of your workforce. You’re probably also pushing the limits of your IT staff’s effectiveness.

Millions of enterprise users are faced with the OS migration decision. Avalon Integration can give you more insight, evaluate your current situation, and guide you to the strategic transition that will deliver the best results for your company. Talk to us to steer your migration along a smart route.

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Legacy Operating Systems

As the end of support dates for legacy operating systems approach, customers need to make decisions and plans to move forward, as application development can require considerable time and effort.

Customers currently running applications that require a legacy Microsoft operating system (Windows CE 6 or Windows Mobile/ Windows Embedded Handheld 6.5) will soon face the end of support for their platform. Mainstream support, which includes regular updates, has ended for both legacy systems. Microsoft extended support (security fixes) will end for Windows CE 6 in early 2018 and for Windows Embedded Handheld 6.5 in early 2020. After those dates, vendors will be unable to provide patches should a vulnerability or error be found in Microsoft code. For this and other reasons, many customers have begun planning a transition to new applications running under a modern operating system.

As the end of support dates for legacy operating systems approach, customers need to make decisions and plans to move forward, as application development can require considerable time and effort. One way to provide more time to make decisions is to select a hardware offering that can support multiple operating systems. The Honeywell CN75 and CK75 Series mobile computers, along with the Honeywell CN51 mobile computer, offer a choice of Windows Embedded Handheld or Android. In addition, customers purchasing Windows Embedded Handheld can convert their devices to Android at a future date. This allows existing legacy applications to continue running until the organization is ready to move to Android, at which time a simple field-based software conversion is performed. Only a small investment in software is required; no changes are required to the hardware.

Android’s large market presence supports a broad variety of OEMs and hardware form factors, making it more likely that a device is available to meet the customer’s use case and cost requirements, including devices that offer integrated physical keypads.

*Content Provided By Honeywell

Contact us today to learn more.

 

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Zebra et50 and et55: Enterprise-Grade Tablets That Make the Grade

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There’s no doubt we rely on smartphones for a variety of computing tasks. The phone is likely one of the lesser used functions. As smartphones became more convenient and functional, they drifted into the workplace. Then came tablets, and workers appreciated the increased landscape of the larger screen, without the unwieldy size of a laptop. With enterprise-grade tablets, workers could access enterprise systems for updates and communicate across the network with more ease than ever before.

Yet, in demanding conditions, like a warehouse or manufacturing facility, consumer devices just don’t last. Drop that tablet on the concrete floor and it’s either headed for repair or replacement—which means downtime and cost. You might also be compromising your data security by using a consumer-grade tablet or limiting the computing power.

Zebra ET50 and ET55 Enterprise-Grade Tablets
Zebra ET50 and ET55 Enterprise-Grade Tablets

Avalon Integration is focused on serving the technology needs of today’s warehouses, distribution centers, and manufacturers. We recognized that consumer devices just don’t deliver value in a tough, enterprise environment. So, we looked toward Zebra, a leader in this space, and found the answer.

The Zebra ET50 and ET55 enterprise tablets are purpose-built for the workplace. These enterprise-grade tablets make the grade—with a higher level of security, data capture, connectivity, and durability. Use these powerful mobile computing devices to:

  • Access real-time reports
  • Transmit work orders
  • Check equipment status
  • Track orders
  • Review and adjust workflows
  • Trigger replenishment
  • Place supply orders
  • Locate people and inventory
  • Capture and send high-quality photos or videos
  • View schematics
  • Record inspections with the date and time stamps
  • Use voice and messaging functions to communicate with the workforce

The Zebra ET50/ET55 enterprise tablet is designed to handle all of these functions with ease and reliability. With the sleek design of a consumer tablet, the ET50/ET55 is unquestionably rugged. Drop the tablet from three feet without worry. Add the rugged frame and the device will handle a drop from more than six feet. The ET50/ET55 will also withstand rain, snow, and dust. The IP65 sealing protects it from even a heavy spray from a hose.

This high-powered, intuitive, and rugged tablet also comes pre-installed with Zebra’s Mobility Extensions (Mx), a suite of features that elevate your operating system to enterprise-class Android. The result is more streamlined and effective device management, security, Wi-Fi performance, and application access. You can do more, better.

Zebra ET50 and ET55 Tablets Are Built to Work for You
Zebra ET50 and ET55 Tablets Are Built to Work for You

Data capture is also enhanced with the enterprise-level ET50/ET55 tablet. Scan 1D and 2D barcodes easily and quickly from a printed paper or electronic screen. Even damaged barcodes can be read. The tablet is also equipped with an integrated 8MP rear camera for image capture and a 2MP front camera for video conferencing.

You can add a hot-swappable battery to keep working without missing a beat. Or keep your ET50/ET55 powered up on the mobile-powered cart.

The ET50 is configured for robust connectivity within your facility’s existing WLAN infrastructure. If you need an enterprise tablet that hits the road with you, the ET55 supports 4G LTE.

Avalon Integration proudly partners with Zebra to provide our customers with the most advanced technology solutions for their business. Ask us about the ET50/ET55 enterprise tablets and other enterprise-grade mobile devices that increase operational efficiency.

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Find and plug the profit leaks in your warehouse

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The demand for maximum efficiency and accuracy in your warehouse forces businesses to look closely at every task. Excess motion, inventory, production, and downtime can reduce an already-squeezed profit margin. If you haven’t already examined your operation, it’s time to find and plug the profitability leaks in your warehouse.

Unnecessary motion presents a huge yet overlooked waste in the warehouse and affects Profitability

Man Lifting box in Warehouse wearing Zebra Scanners

This space a vast area to cover. Requiring workers to wander back and forth to workstations—to fetch orders, check inventory location, and gather shipping labels—is time that could be better spent doing revenue-generating tasks. Keep them in the aisles, or wherever they need to be, by equipping the workforce with enterprise-grade mobile devices. A handheld computer or enterprise tablet with a built-in scanner and voice communication and a mobile printer gives them the ability to access orders, locate inventory, communicate with other workers as needed, and stay focused on their work—not distractions and delays. Use a mobile-powered workstation with a built-in battery to keep the devices ready to go.

Manual processes contribute to slow and error-ridden results. 

Manual Profitability - Avalon Integration

Shuffling paper forms and orders, searching for items (inventory, equipment, tools), and conducting cycle counts by hand present a gaping hole in your profitability. Every manual count, notation, and task allows an opportunity for errors and delays. The wrong item or quantity is picked. An order is misplaced. Inventory is miscounted. Products are misplaced. A barcode system shrinks the time-consuming tasks and eliminates human error. Your workforce spends more time with productive results than fixing mistakes.

Downtime is another preventable profitability leak.

Downtime Profitability - Avalon Integration

With more visibility over the state of your equipment and workforce schedules, you can make changes to positively impact your bottom line. Downtime caused by equipment failures, which can be avoided through preventive maintenance. Downtime that results from waiting for someone or something (e.g., replenishment) is a glitch in the process. Improve communication with mobile devices, like a handheld computer that allows for multitasking, like voice and messaging. Work proactively and plug this profitability leak as well.

Excess inventory results from inaccurate information and projections.

Excess Inventory Profitability - Avalon Integration

Your inventory numbers should be automatically updated as products are received, returned, and shipped. At any time, management would have clear visibility of inventory counts. Using automated data collection systems (barcode scanning, RFID) enables every transaction to be recorded in real-time.

Talk to Avalon Integration about your operational efficiency—or inefficiency. We specialize in warehouses and manufacturing, so we can guide you to the solutions that deliver the best results.

Contact us today to learn more.

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Sharpen Accuracy and Efficiency in Warehouse Picking with Better Mobility

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The ever increasing demand for more efficiency and accuracy in warehouse operations leaves no room for errors. At the same time, many warehouses are processing more orders and juggling more SKUs, adding to the challenge.

Picking is one area where delays and mistakes happen. You can reduce these problems by automating the process with mobile technology. Your pickers can verify every item they pick and achieve this heightened accuracy with more accuracy than ever before.

Mobile-Powered Cart

Power Carts

A mobile-powered cart acts as a workstation on wheels, allowing your pickers to keep all of their technology close by and powered up. Eliminating the unnecessary movement between aisles and a central workstation increases efficiency. A mobile-powered workstation, like the EcoCart, delivers 8 hours of battery power and the heavy-duty reliability to withstand the tough conditions of a warehouse or distribution center. Equip it with a mobile computer, like an enterprise-grade tablet (e.g., Zebra ET50), and an industrial printer (Zebra ZT230), and your employees are connected with all the information and output they need.

Mobile Computers for the Hands-Free Approach

tc8000-accuracy

Mobile computers, like a Zebra TC8000 handheld computer, are multi-functional. They enable your workers to view orders on the screen, scan and verify products, check product locations, and instantly update inventory. This particular rugged mobile computer has been shown to increase productivity by 14%, the equivalent of one hour per worker per shift, which contributes to a rapid ROI.

The hands-free, voice-directed picking (VDP) approach to wearable technology increases efficiency even more. The combination of a ring scanner, wearable wrist terminal, and computer headset provides total freedom of movement to use both hands for picking orders. The picker responds to a voice command, points the ring scanner, and confirms the accuracy. There’s no device to carry, wrist strain is reduced, and your team picks more orders per shift, which boosts your profitability and helps you meet your operational goals.

Technology Allows for More Accuracy in Your Warehouse

According to Zebra, one of the industry leaders in mobile data collection technology, voice-directed picking solutions result in 99% accuracy and increase warehouse productivity by at least 10%.

Zebra’s research also presented some interesting statistics that support the decision to invest in better mobility solutions that enable multi-modal picking. With this approach, users achieved these results:

  • 14% less walking time to complete an order
  • 18.1% less time to pick all items in an order
  • 15.4% less time to fulfill an order
  • Error rate that is 63% less than those with voice-only systems

Technology will enable you to tighten control over your warehouse operations. Automating processes, like picking, overrides human error, allows you to process orders more quickly, optimize your labor costs, and achieve real-time visibility. Acquiring technology is not an expense, but an investment in the strength of your business.

Avalon Integration specializes in technology solutions for warehouses and manufacturing. Use our mobility expertise to customize the solutions for your business. Contact us to realize the potential.

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