3 Challenges Companies Expect in the “New Normal”

The spread of COVID-19 has changed much of the economic landscape across the world, disrupting supply chains and creating novel demands in virtually every industry. From manufacturing to retail, companies now face unprecedented challenges in creating a safe work environment that can still deliver quality service. Serving a wide range of clients, Avalon integration has gathered several adaptable resources to address today’s obstacles in navigating through the “New Normal”. Working alongside several technology and health solution specialists, we’re exploring the top three challenges companies expect to face.

1. How to secure health practices with shared devices

Warehouse worker in a red shirt scanning a barcode while wearing a mask

Create a safe work environment for your employees

While several health organizations have given ample lists of preferable health practices to add to your operations, some may be harder than others to implement. In the warehouse, sanitation practices should still be extended to mobile devices since they can house and share bacteria. A few ways to do this include:

  • Create sanitation cycles before and after devices are in use.
  • Refer to your device’s user guide for the best sanitation practice. All Zebra user guides can be found here.
  • Automate sanitation reporting to certify schedules are maintained. For example, Proximity’s UV-Clean helps record sanitation times, killing both bacteria and guesswork between devices.

2. How to reintroduce larger workforces without risking exposure

As operations begin to restart, it may be hard to manage high-density areas and shared spaces (such as loading docks and/or bathrooms). To maximize visibility without requiring a new infrastructure, Zebra’s MotionWorks Proximity integrates proximity alerts to enforce social distancing without creating bottlenecks, all while using your current Zebra mobile computers and Bluetooth technology.

3. How to maintain productivity in the event of exposure

Despite these initiatives, the risk of exposure still persists. That’s why it is crucial to develop an easy-to-follow response plan that encompasses your whole workforce, including those that do not work with enterprise technology. As a result, Avalon has also partnered with Accent to develop seamless exposure awareness solutions that do not require personal data or the use of personal technologies. Both Accent’s bracelet and Bluetooth connectivity partner together to create a strategy that:

  • Pinpoints exposure risk to help deploy partial quarantines within a timely manner
  • Helps you track possible points of contact without infringing privacy rights
  • Alerts workers when social distancing measures aren’t upheld

Learn more about our Exposure Awareness Solution in our infographic.

Warehouse worker in a red shirt scanning a barcode while wearing a mask

Download the stop germ spread with exposure awareness infographic and get started today!

While there is no concrete way to predict what supply chains will look like within the months to come, Avalon Integration works hard to equip you with proactive health strategies that protect your greatest assets – your employees. Contact us today for a free remote assessment of your reopening plan and stay ahead of challenges with solutions that fit into your operations.

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3 Ways to Secure Reliable Supply Chain Communication

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Way before the COVID-19 outbreak shook operations worldwide, modern supply chains were already on their way to becoming increasingly more dynamic. Constant technological advances and customer demands have created an unprecedented competitive landscape. Moreover, rising cyberattack risks have further driven up the need for secured connectivity amongst a growing complex supply chain to keep teams connected and operations moving smoothly. Now, as new obstacles emerge, such as overloaded networks and dwindling workforces, Avalon Integration works alongside leading manufacturers such as Zebra Technologies to leverage three purpose-built connectivity solutions that give you a competitive advantage at the face of adversity.

Improve your Supply Chain for your field services workers with the L10 Tablet

Field Services Worker Carrying L10 Tablet

  1. Integrate trackable inventory visibility – From the production floor to the checkout lane, your inventory passes down multiple touchpoints, each holding their potential for human error. Facilitating real-time verification, novel tracking technologies such as RFID solutions and blockchain connectivity break down obstacles by keeping inventory information accessible to your whole team. Other tracking tools such as Zebra Certified Printing Supplies can also boost efficiency and protect identification barcodes to facilitate locationing even in extreme environments.    
  2. Choose a fortified operating system – Without crucial security patches and OS updates, devices running on outdated operating systems are a gateway to cyberattacks. As the leading OS of choice, Android for Enterprise facilitates ease of use with its familiar interface while also delivering higher security measures, backed by government-grade encryption and adaptive authentication. The result is a protected future-proof communication channel that can be shared amongst your entire supply chain with minimal security risks. 
  3. Streamline connectivity and productivity – Chances are, your field teams are traveling farther today than ten years ago. When facing harsh environments and extreme temperatures, Avalon turns to Zebra’s ultra-rugged mobile devices, such as the L10 Rugged Tablet, to streamline multiple functionalities, such as connectivity and data-capture, into one high-performing interface. 

As leaders in intelligent efficiency, Avalon continuously approaches change as opportunities to adapt and surpass new expectations. Contact us today to how these solutions can fit into your operations, and keep your team connected with dependable systems built for enterprise success.

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Unlock the Results of Maximized Visibility

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It’s no secret that customer demands have radically shifted within the past year. While product quality and brand continue to play key roles in purchase patterns, new demands such as delivery times and pick-up convenience have risen, further enhancing the competitive landscape. To keep up with demands and expenses, Avalon Integration turns to maximized visibility in order to provide you with the greatest overview of opportunities within your operations, ultimately unlocking:

  • Faster order processing
  • Diminished operating costs
  • Increased worker connectivity
  • Affordable locationing
  • Actionable intelligence that gives you a competitive advantage

Maximized Visibility Leads to Maximized ROI

Maximize Visibility in the Warehouse with the L10, ZD620 and DS3678

Maximize Visibility in the Warehouse with the L10, ZD620, and the DS3678

The saying goes, you can’t manage what you can’t see. Providing reliable visibility into your operations, Zebra’s L10 Rugged Tablets can help connect your supply chain and facilitate inventory management, all while providing knowledgeable insight into your workflow through your choice of:

  • Android-Powered Mobility DNA – From device management apps to long-range WorryFree WiFi, Zebra’s productivity applications can help you reduce unnecessary deployed devices by tracking technology usage and demands. Furthermore, applications such as DataWedge can capture and integrate data from any source, further expanding efficient oversight into every aspect of your inventory.
  • RFID Technology – Surpassing the standards of conventional locationing systems, RFID solutions give you real-time insights into your assets while integrating into your warehouse management system. Tracking both inventory and assets, RFID can help optimize your storage layout, minimizing inefficient travel patterns, and wasted energy. Moreover, because they can carry multiple codes in one tag, RFID also minimizes paper and printing supplies, further contributing to a lower expense and carbon footprint.
  • Visibility IQ – Converting gathered data into valuable predictions, Zebra’s Visibility IQ equips you with purchase and/or shipping trends, giving you better insight into demand influx to minimize overstocking. This results in streamlined space management and better preparation for high-demand seasons.
L10 Rugged Tablet in a Warehouse that Manufacturers Oil Parts

The L10 Rugged Tablet being used in a Warehouse Manufacturing Oil Parts

Whichever visibility aid you choose, count on the L10’s long battery cycles and ultra-rugged design to maintain unbroken productivity no matter what conditions your workforce faces. Eliminate costly data entry errors along with breakable hardware when you integrate a mobility solution that prioritizes visibility and affordability. Visit our ROI calculator today to get a closer look at how much-rugged visibility can start saving your operations.

Get a free demonstration of the L10 Rugged tablet today to see how you can maximize visibility with a solution built to exceed customer expectations.

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3 Technologies that are Reshaping the Warehousing Future

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Technology has always been one of the greatest drivers of change in any industry. From steam engines to the internet, it is estimated that technological advances have been responsible for a tenfold increase in labor wages within the past 200 years. Not only are advances smarter, but they are also faster. For example, in 2010, collected data intelligence from global outlets comprised 2 zettabytes of information. As of 2019, that number has jumped to 41 zettabytes, which is enough data to fill over 10,000 billion DVDs, collected in a span of nine years.

As our world continues to change, warehousing efficiency continues to adapt to meet new consumer demands. To stay ahead of change, Avalon Integration is taking a closer look at three productivity-enhancing technologies permeating warehouses nationwide.

Take a look in our video:

  1. Breakthrough limitations with virtual reality – Maximizing both worker safety and productivity, hands-free technology such as Zebra’s HD4000 keeps your workforce focused and directs workflows through one lightweight adaptable solution.
  2. Overcome change with the adaptable EC30 – Compact yet strong, the EC30 helps eliminate future software and application issues since it can house your updates without losing functionality over longer periods of time, compared to consumer devices. That means you can continue to add changes and/or new users without recurrently purchasing new devices.
  3. Accelerate efficient picking with voice technology – Boost productivity by 15% when you combine the power of enterprise headsets with Zebra’s WT6000 and ring scanners to optimize order accuracy with high ergonomics. Create intelligent pick paths while providing secured connectivity channels and reliable data capture that expedites order fulfillment without hindering accuracy.
Three Technologies for use in the Warehouse

Three Technologies for use in the Warehouse

Where do these technologies fit?

While there are many different sorts of technologies available, Avalon’s experts make sure your workforce is equipped with solutions that work for them. Stay ahead of change when you create a custom modernization solution, tailored to your needs.  

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The Ultimate Label Performance Checklist

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Chances are, you already know the vital role your labels play in your supply chain. Identifying inventory from production to point-of-sale, labels sustain operational efficiency in every aspect of your business, which is why Avalon Integration works hard to help you maximize label performance for continuous productivity. However, like most technologies, even labels may falter at times. Whether it be from sandy surfaces or weak adhesives, poor label performance can impact your operations by diminishing visibility, traceability, and data capture accuracy. To secure the best labeling practices, we investigate easy-to-deploy solutions to common labeling pain points.

Label Performance in a Warehouse

Label Performance in a Warehouse

Before switching labels, check for the following:

  • Surface Cleanliness – Because warehouses can be dusty environments, it is always best to make sure your surface is free of dust particles and oils which could disrupt the adhesive from setting. 
  • Surface Type – Quality printing supplies such as Zebra’s Certified Consumables can be designed to fit specific application requirements, including surface type. That means your label must match specifications in order to stick properly.
  • Storage environment – Much like surface specifications, your labels may also have storage requirements such as temperature and moisture levels to consider. If labels are stored in inadequate spaces (such as in high temperatures or light exposure) they may become illegible upon printing or fail to stick for the allotted time needed.
  • Temperature changes – Labels must still be cared for after the moment of application. If your label is curling on the sides or fading, that may be a sign of improper surrounding temperature. For example, not every cold storage label is necessarily freezer-grade, which means cold storage labels can be applied 35°F but may not withstand long periods of time in below 0°F temperatures.
  • Label composition – Not all labels are made with the best materials. Fortunately, as a Zebra Premier Solutions Partner, Avalon equips you with stringently tested labels, designed to meet unique compliance standards and the high heat of direct thermal printing.  
  • Leftover adhesive – When outdated labels are removed, they may leave behind residual adhesive, which impacts the new label’s legibility. When working with reusable containers, consider water-sensitive labels such as the 8000D Dissolvable Label to avoid this issue.
  • Printhead performance – Aging printheads will begin to harm your labels by leaving gaps in your barcodes. Although recurrent printhead replacements can drain your budget, Zebra’s Printhead Protection Program eliminates extraneous costs by providing free printhead replacements when you make Zebra your exclusive printhead supplier.
Water Performance 8000D Dissolvable Label

Water Performance 8000D Dissolvable Label

Think it’s time to switch labels? Take your labeling solution to the next level with Avalon Integration to find the label that best adapts to your workflow. 

Simply put, your inventory management solution is only as good as your labels. Enhance operational visibility when you contact our labeling specialists for a free assessment of your current labeling solution’s performance and experience the ease of maximum productivity you can trust. 

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Ask Raymond: Do I have any hidden improvements?

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Most business operations use labels at some point.  At the very least, labels are used for shipping, product or asset identification, work on process tracking, item location, warning notices, and the list goes on…

While everyone wants to save money, many operations overlook the cost of labels or the cost of not labeling correctly.

Label technology has changed as much as anything else in our high-tech world.  Improvements in adhesives, top-coating, methods of dispensing and applying, and the label materials themselves had undergone myriad changes – many of which are not known to the average manager.

Why ask about labels?

Man scanning a barcode on a circuit board in a warehouse next to a Zebra printer

Why Ask about Labels for Hidden Improvement

Avalon has found many “hidden” opportunities for customers to extract cost savings from labeling operations.  Simple ways to reconfigure label formats or packaging can result in significant operational savings.  Moving from a more optimal form of printing technology can reduce material costs and improve environmental or “green” operation.  Logistics programs to leverage production economies of scale are often underused as are savings in overall printer support.

When to ask about labels?

Peeling a label to place it on a custom part

When to Ask About Labels for Hidden Improvement

Label cost is not considered a major expenditure by companies concentrating on the three P’s – People, Plant, and Product.  Since potential savings can be overlooked in an assessment. An educated label specialist often produces significant savings. If you think your labeling operations are optimized, it is still time to ask about labels.  “Hidden” savings in label costs cannot hide from a label professional.  If you think your labeling operations may not be optimized or it has been a long time since anyone took a good hard look, then, chances are, you may be able to save more than you thought possible.

Who to ask about labels?

Zebra's DS3600 scanning a barcode under a pallet in a warehouse

Who to Ask About Labels for Hidden Improvement

A label manufacturer knows about labels.  However they may not specialize in printer technology, business operations, and logistics, and associated data collection technology – they are all interrelated.  Avalon can not only look at the “label” itself but also all components of your operations before and after the label is applied.

There is a good chance that your labeling system can benefit from an optimized solution. To explore your options, contact our labeling expert, Raymond Scipioni, for an in-depth assessment of your current system.

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How to Face the Friction in Your BOPIS Operations

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Back in 2019, buy-online pick-up instore (BOPIS) transactions were estimated to comprise less than 4% of grocery purchases. While studies suggested BOPIS would rise steadily within the coming years, nothing could have predicted the 62% spike in online orders resulting from extensive stay-home orders issued nationwide. While many companies were slowly in the process of enhancing their mobile ordering systems, less than a fifth of retailers admitted having necessary metrics to properly manage BOPIS transactions. The result has been strained operations and increasing turnover rates as businesses scramble to create safe frictionless fulfillment operations.

Although there are several technologies available to enhance BOPIS operations, Avalon investigates the most seamless and intuitive solutions to protect continuous productivity as well as employee safety and customer satisfaction. Working alongside leading manufacturers like Zebra Technologies, we analyze the core aspects to consider when creating a frictionless BOPIS system.

Staying ahead of Change

Staying Ahead of Change with BOPIS

Staying Ahead of Change with BOPIS

To design a frictionless BOPIS operation, there are several factors to consider. While numerous technologies may play a part in streamlining order fulfillment, your solution should prioritize the following:

  • Communication – Accurate picking heavily depends on reliable communication amongst the entire supply chain, from stocking teams to the end-client. While out-of-stocks can direct your customers to shop elsewhere, poor inventory team communication slows down associates assembling the order, leading to increased worker stress and picking errors. To streamline communication and data capture, Zebra’s TC7X and TC5X mobile computers utilize long-range connectivity and WiFi to keep teams connected through one easy-to-use Android device.
  • Processing Speed – Because of high demand, even the best click-and-collect services can’t offer immediate order fulfillment, yet newer intelligent scanning technologies such as the MC9300 and Zebra’s SimulScan can help drive down wait times by capturing barcodes in virtually any condition, erasing the need for secondary scans.
  • Inventory Visibility –  Needless to say, proper inventory management continues to be a crucial necessity in delivering optimal customer experience. One way to retain optimal identification throughout the supply chain is through quality identification labels. Zebra’s Certified Consumables are designed to meet FDA standards as well as any other specific compliance requirements all while performing in a wide variety of environments. See how Zebra labels are already enhancing BOPIS order identification in our brochure.

For over two decades, our experts have been committed to strengthening operations by providing efficient solutions that empower you to stay ahead of change. Contact us today for a free remote assessment of your current workflow to see how you can maximize any of these factors and more within your BOPIS operations.

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Dial Dan: 4 Top Priorities to fit into Your Workspace

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I can’t believe it was only February 20th when my blog posting started with “Unemployment is at a 40 year low”.

While 2019 was all about maximizing labor productivity, 2020 is shaping up to be about how we can all get back to work as safely as possible.

Here are some of the ways that we are helping our clients implement current best practices:

Signage everywhere should be project #1.

Signage – Back in WW2, you couldn’t walk 10 feet at a government facility or factory making war materials without passing a sign that said “Loose lips sink ships” or something similar. It only takes one person to speak out of turn to give the enemy an advantage. Today’s enemy is the virus, and it only takes one or two folks to give it a foothold in a community. We need people wearing masks, maintaining distance, and disinfecting shared surfaces and devices to minimize exposure and spread. We’ve got a huge collection of signage of various sorts that our clients can post throughout their facilities to constantly remind people to stay safe.

Disinfection everywhere should be project #2.

Healthcare Worker wearing a mask and putting on gloves in a hospital room

Disinfection cycles for shared devices – While you can protect yourself from some diseases by wearing gloves, COVID-19 required more in-depth strategies than that. Rather than gloves, constant disinfection of shared devices and surfaces is the way to go. Hospitals and hair salons/barbershops have long used UV light for this purpose, and UV light can be a great way to constantly disinfect things like mobile computers, tools, printers, and keyboards on shared PCs. We’ve got a collection of UV light-based products, long used in hospital settings, available for our clients.

Employee and visitor screening should be project #3.

Zebra Android Scanner being used in a Hospital to track patients barcode

Employee and visitor screening – Keeping sick people out of your facility keeps your employees safe. The best way to do that is via thermal imaging cameras. We’ve got a selection of cameras that can passively monitor employees and visitors as they enter, alerting you to ones that may be running a fever (for future screening).  The cameras can also optionally check for mask usage.

Social distance monitoring and tracing should be project #4.

Real-time social distance monitoring and contact tracing – For our clients lucky enough to have deployed Zebra Android devices in the past few years, we have a solution that can enforce social distancing and also provide for historical contact tracing, via Bluetooth tags. When one user of a Zebra device gets too close to another, both of their devices beep, vibrate and remind them to separate. And, weeks later, when one of them is diagnosed, you can see exactly who they were in contact with and for how long. In the near term future, we expect these technologies to become available on non Zebra devices as well, including employees’ phones (You’ll still need a Zebra Bluetooth tag per employee though for best results).

We hope that it won’t be long before we can get back to figuring out how to maximize employee productivity. In the interim though, please look to us to help you get back to work!

For more information on how to implement these projects into your workforce, dial Dan McCabe for a free remote demonstration and assessment of your current workspace.

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Are Your Field Teams Ready for Action?

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Within the last few weeks, it seems as if online service has become the new normal for several states across the country. While retail sales have taken a record-breaking dip in March, e-commerce shipments have risen by 47% within the past two months, with order volumes steadily increasing by the day. However, as order quantity increases, so do shipment delays as businesses attempt to assemble and ship orders accurately without compromising worker health. With many stay-at-home orders extended through May, successful order fulfillment requires a new level of mobility that prioritizes adaptability, connectivity, and most importantly, safety.

As leaders in modernized efficiency, Avalon Integration explores new ways to streamline efficiency and productivity, so your field teams can move freely and safely. The result is accurate order fulfillment, increased customer satisfaction, and better brand identity.

How we do it

TC52 Disinfect for Field Teams

Disinfecting the TC52 for Field Teams

To create adaptable and safe mobility, Avalon partners with Zebra Technologies and Proximity’s UV-Clean to enhance:

  • Team communication – Zebra’s rugged mobile devices such as the TC5X and TC7X series provide reliable long-range connectivity, high-speed internet, and communication channels so your teams can stay connected even in the most remote locations, further boosting order visibility throughout the supply chain.
  • Data Capture – Equipped with best-in-class intelligent data capture, Zebra’s Android touch-computers house several productivity applications as part of Zebra’s Mobility DNA which allows teams to scan multiple codes at once and minimize time spent on the road.
  • Reliable sanitation – Zebra’s disinfectant-ready devices are designed to maintain functionality through consistent sanitation cycles.
  • Scalable disinfection – Proximity’s UV-Clean accelerates sanitation efforts, killing 99.99% of harmful pathogens in less than five minutes. Moreover, this solution can fit into even the smallest workspace, sanitizing your team’s devices before and after delivery.

Witness the power of UV when you download our infographic.

As a Zebra Premier Solutions Partner, Avalon is highly experienced in augmenting mobility efficiently with cost-effective and flexible solutions. Contact us today for a free demonstration of these solutions and equip your field teams with dependable mobility.

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How to Develop an End-to-End Infection Control System

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In years past, infection control systems seemed to be reserved mostly for the healthcare field. Nevertheless, as more COVID-19 cases are reported amongst warehouses and distribution centers, the need for trustworthy and infallible infection control systems has become higher than ever. The question is no longer “if” but “how” you should develop a recurrent infection control system. In our commitment to enhancing operations, Avalon Integration continues in its investigation as to how we can halt germ spread without hindering your workforce’s overall productivity.

Clean. Sanitized. Disinfected. Understand the Difference.

Clean Sanitized Disinfect Control System

From automated cleaning to disinfectant-ready surfaces, there are many options when it comes to creating a thorough cleaning solution. However, before any of these resources are selected, Avalon recommends understanding the crucial difference between your solution’s key aspects since these differences can do more than curb germ spread.

  • Cleaning – As the first step of your infection control process, manual cleaning serves as the front line to germ mitigation, yet it is only a starting point. This step involves wiping down high-touch equipment from any visible grime and dust particles. This should be done whenever devices are utilized in dusty/dirty areas to avoid bringing foreign contaminants into the workplace.
  • Disinfecting – Studies suggest there may be well over 3000 bacteria colonies residing on your handheld devices. Going beyond visible contaminants, proper disinfection strategies eliminate pathogenic microorganisms which are usually the perpetrators behind disease spread. A common disinfection solution can involve liquid chemicals, which if used inadequately can harm your mobile device. As a result, Avalon has worked with Zebra Technologies to provide disinfectant-ready hardware and specified cleaning guides that protect your device while accommodating your preferred disinfection strategy.
  • Sterilizing – Last but not least, the Center of Disease Control and Prevention cites sterilization as the eradication of all microbial life, including bacterial spores which can survive thorough disinfection. Although complete eradication is not likely, experts still encourage facilities to strive towards 100% sterilization when possible. While this procedure may seem more demanding, it can be vital when dealing with shared devices since most pathogens are transmitted via touch. Because today’s warehouses are generally fast-paced environments, Avalon partners with Proximity to accelerate sterilization with UV-Clean, killing 99.99% of bacteria in less than five minutes by scrambling bacterial DNA with controlled UV-C rays. In doing so, you minimize potential illnesses as devices are shared across your workforce.

When implemented correctly, these steps can also stop cross-contamination and other traceability issues in addition to germ spread. Take a closer look into any of these steps when you contact our automation experts today for your free demonstration.

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