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7 Benefits Automation Continues to Bring to the Modern Warehouse

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Zebra’s latest Warehouse Vision Study illustrated a very clear picture: Automation has become the center focus of the modern supply chain. Over three quarters of warehouses across the globe have committed to embracing automation by enhancing the workforce with intelligent modernized technologies like rugged tablets and mobile computers. As newer technologies are released and redefine supply chain efficiency, new benefits and features are introduced to fast-paced operations. However, despite product variety, it is still crucial to expect the following benefits from your modernization solution:

  1. Enterprise-ready durability – Whether in the plummeting temperatures of a cold storage unit or the heat of an outside distribution yard, enterprise devices must be designed to retain high-performance functionality despite external conditions. Newer technologies do this by integrating greater IP ratings, condensation-resistant screens, greater drop specs above 5ft., and even disinfectant-ready casing to withstand constant antibacterial wipe downs.
  2. Future-proof operating systems – Without proper security patches and updates, Microsoft’s outdated operating systems can slow down operations while excluding important applications from your enterprise devices. On the other hand, systems such as Android for Enterprise protect uptime with automatic silent updates. Zebra’s Fortified Android goes a step farther by extending update lifecycles up to 10 years.
  3. Simplistic ease of use – Although new devices are capable of doing more than their legacy versions, they should still retain user-friendliness in order to facilitate onboarding and deployment with minimal downtime.
  4. Quick adaptability to change – Whether it be increased labor turnover rates or sudden product demand, adaptable technologies and software can accommodate change through maximized ease of use and/or open app ecosystem. This minimizes disruptions within workflows, protecting productivity rates.
  5. Trustworthy security parameters – For obvious reasons, cybersecurity has become a vital necessity within the Digital Age. Once again, Zebra’s fortified Android exemplifies aggressive data security with recurring security patches, government-grade encryption, and tiered authorization levels for a variety of mobile devices.
  6. Dependable connectivity – When changes occur, the whole supply chain may be affected, which is why sustainable connectivity is key to keeping all departments updated in real-time.
  7. Increased visibility – Lastly, modernized technology should be committed to optimizing operational visibility in order to prevent surprise downtime, bottlenecks, and extraneous costs. For example, mobile computers contribute to enhanced visibility by eliminating manual data entry from receiving and loading docks, boosting inventory accuracy for minimal out-of-stocks.

Come Take the Closer Look

As a Zebra Premier Solutions Partner, Avalon will take the next few weeks to dive into the expanding benefits Zebra’s latest technologies bring to the modern warehouse in addition to the ones highlighted above. From new printing standards to a whole new tablet interface, discover a new level of modernized efficiency when you contact our modernization experts today to learn more.

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5 Ways Rugged Tablets are Solving the Major Challenges of Field Service

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Unlike traditional enclosed workspaces, field service and T&L operations grapple with a unique challenge: sustaining workforce visibility. As field and transportation teams venture into farther locations, mainstream solutions fail to sustain end-to-end visibility, causing communication breakdowns, delays, and worker stress. Zebra’s latest Field Service Vision Study depicts the growing push for stronger visibility as real-time locationing, blockchain, and 5G technologies drive major field operation investments. Ultra-durable technologies have emerged to support these initiatives, yet rugged tablets like Zebra’s L10 Android Tablet, have proved to go a step farther than popular mobile devices by addressing the following challenges:

  1. Certify customer expectations are met at point of service. Zebra rugged XPAD tablets are equipped with intelligent scanners and high-resolution cameras to quickly capture data to verify shipments and tasks were completed successfully within their stipulated timeframes.
  2. Pinpoint worker location. Remote work has become a foundational part of the post-pandemic world. Rugged tablets integrate locationing software that targets team-members for better accountability and resource planning. Furthermore, the L10’s 13MP rear camera facilitates split-second capture for proof of condition/deliver/service directly on site.
  3. Update task completion in real-time. Flexible connectivity options incorporating NFC, WiFi, cellular networking, 5G, and other options keep teams connected to in-office teams, so statuses can be regularly updated in real-time of any changes and bottlenecks.
  4. Assign and prioritize routes based on outside notifications. When changes happen, rugged tablets enable quick notification dispersion thanks to flexible connectivity options, keeping entire teams unified to overcome changes. Moreover, drivers can see notification and routing updates on their vehicle mounted tablets at a glance thanks to a bigger screen, preventing accidents.
  5. Protect communication channels despite increased distances. Enterprise-grade devices are able to sustain exposure to harsh environments such as snowy temperatures and high heat. This averts device breakdowns while on the road, securing continuous performance for sustained workflow visibility.

Elevated efficiency fits on the field and anywhere else you need it.

Following a line of previous flexible devices, Zebra’s Rugged Tablets further minimize deployment stress by adapting to high-demand workflows both in and out of the warehouse, facilitating standardization across the supply chain. Harness the power of maximized workflow visibility along with:

  • Greater data security backed by Android’s recurring updates and security patches.
  • Up to 24 hours of battery power delivered through hot-swappable batteries.
  • Lightweight magnesium frame to withstand subzero and heat exposure.
  • Long-range WiFi connectivity supported by Zebra’s WorryFree WiFi DNA application.

Dive into the future of expanded field visibility with Zebra’s Rugged Tablets with Avalon’s new digital experience.

For more information on Zebra’s Rugged Tablets, contact Avalon’s modernization experts for a free demo.

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Is your durable technology rugged enough for field service?

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Imagine one day being able to offer same-day delivery across the country, from California to New York. For many transportation and logistics teams, this imagination has become a nightmarish reality. While fast delivery timeframes can bolster customer loyalty, last mile delivery is still considered the most inefficient step of the whole supply chain for over half of T&L companies. Inefficiency often stems from:

  • Lack of status visibility
  • Fluctuating labor and fuel costs
  • Inadequate delivery routing
  • Sudden changes such as vehicle breakdowns, product shortages, etc.

Studies show that 49% of global T&L companies cite outdated technology as a common factor hindering last mile efficiency, resulting in delays, missed sales, and lost customers. As a result. Over 58% of field operations see mobility investment as a top priority, yet when it comes to field services, durability must extend beyond design.

Assessing functional durability in your field-ready devices

Field teams have little time or money for additional repair expenses and slowed processing power, which is why suitable enterprise-grade technologies should incorporate the following strengths.

  1. Secured data storage – Filed teams must be able to access data remotely which means durable cybersecurity is crucial to maintain accessibility without risking breaches. Unlike Windows Mobile, Android for Enterprise equips mobile devices with government-grade protection and recurring security patches to prevent leaks.
  2. Long-range connectivity – High speed connectivity and flexible network options allow teams to remain connected to the rest of the supply chain while on the road. Zebra’s Workforce Connect bypasses the need for additional telecom services, enabling two-way communication and messaging via your enterprise device.
  3. Real-time status insight – Because more customers expect to track orders in near real-time, tracking technologies such as RFID locationing have become popular to pinpoint location of in-transit orders.
  4. Ultra-rugged design – Lastly, mobile devices must continue to be rugged, handling drops, dust, exposure to heat and cold, humidity and scratches without affecting performance. Devices such as Zebra’s Rugged Tablets exemplify superior durability by adapting to various different environments without compromising productivity.

As a Zebra Premier Solutions Partner, Avalon empowers field teams with purpose-built field-ready technologies through the GO Zebra Trade-In Program. Upgrade your mobile device from any manufacturer before December 31st and get cash rebates up to $250 per handheld device towards your upgrade. Simply…

  1. Buy your new mobile device
  2. Turn in your reclaim form
  3. Trade in outdated devices for cash rebates

Download the program details for the full list of eligible devices.

Empower your field teams with mobility solutions built to thrive in the last mile and beyond. Contact Avalon today for a free assessment of your mobile devices to get started.

 

 

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Why Connectivity has become the key to Maintaining Undisrupted Productivity

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While the healthcare crisis certainly affected supply chains worldwide, it did not replace previous challenges and risks within warehousing. For example, over 1000 data breaches still took place in 2020, costing as much as $500,000 per incident. Labor turnover rates continued to reshape distribution centers, and as expected, the demand for fast order fulfillment has not relented. Maintaining undisrupted productivity continues to be a challenge faced by small and large warehouses alike. To address these issues, businesses are encouraged to unify their teams through:

  • Reliable digitization since it increases data availability across the supply chain while diminishing the risks of manual data entry errors. Digitized storage allows teams to update inventory counts, manage incoming shipments, and verify outbound orders in real time through a handheld device, so when changes do occur, the whole workforce can be readily notified and connected. This helps teams quickly adapt to disruptions without impacting productivity in and out of the warehouse.
  • User-friendly enterprise mobility that integrates familiarity into an enterprise format. By reducing learning curves and adoption times, user-friendly mobile devices can accelerate worker connectivity, allowing them to be productive on their first day and to navigate through warehouse operations without confusion.

Integrating Mobile Digitization with Zebra Technologies

To establish end to end connectivity within the workforce, Avalon partners with leading manufacturers like Zebra Technologies to simplify digitization with intuitive enterprise-ready devices. Future-forward systems like Zebra’s Workforce Connect can be combined with rugged Android devices to:

  1. Streamline crucial workflows through one platform – replace 2-way radios and handheld scanners by combining them both in one Zebra mobile computer.
  2. Certify task completion – Use Workforce Connect’s task manager to assign and manage workflows remotely throughout your operations. When changes occur, simply notify teams via their handheld to minimize disruptions.
  3. Connect groups through secured communication channels – Zebra’s Fortified Android protects sensitive data with recurring security patches and government-grade encryption, so your team can integrate push-to-talk capabilities within their devices without security risks.
  4. Unify field teams – Track delivery status to verify shipping accuracy and driver productivity. Plus, notify field teams of rerouting changes when needed to avoid delays.

To see how zebra’s workforce connect enhances the modern supply chain, download our brochure here.

In unifying teams through seamless connectivity solutions, operations are able to prevent breakdowns, bottlenecks, and costly shortages that impact the customer experience. Reach out to our modernization experts today to explore more connectivity solutions that set your teams one step ahead of change.

 

 

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You don’t need another device to keep your teams connected

Following a steady pattern for over ten years, warehouses have continuously grown to meet the new high demands pressured by the e-commerce boom. Today, it is estimated that nearly 64% of warehouses operate in spaces larger than 25,000 square feet, and studies only forecast growth in the years to come. Facing more demands within larger spaces, warehouse teams need reliable communication channels to keep operations running efficiently from door to dock. Without team connectivity, operations may face…

  • Missed delivery timelines
  • Inefficient maintenance reporting
  • Complicated workflow paths such as long delivery routes or slower pick paths
  • Slower customer support
  • Poor visibility into labor resources
  • Lost revenue due to unforeseen bottlenecks

Since omnichannel fulfillment is only expected to rise, growing warehouses must adapt communication systems to turn challenges into opportunities. As a Zebra Premier Solutions Partner, Avalon Integration recommends empowering operations with Zebra’s Workforce Connect.

How to expand your mobile computer’s functionality with Workforce Connect

Simplistic enough to assist in high-demand environments such as healthcare centers, Workforce Connect can empower frontline workers with crucial connectivity between other vital departments within the supply chain – all through your current Zebra handheld. Deployable without extensive backend modifications, Workforce Connect unifies teams in and out of the warehouse by enabling…

  • Instant push-to-talk communication or secured text messages that resemble consumer-grade systems for fast adoption.
  • Verifiable worker safety as emergency calls and alerts can be deployed through any device at any time.
  • Voice commands to accelerate simplistic tasks.
  • Proactive task management that assigns individual workers or teams to specific tasks in need of assistance.
  • Secured device sharing protocols catered to every user ID, so workers can share devices without sharing sensitive information.
  • Remote worker tracking to keep field teams accountable while preventing delays and wasted labor.

To see how Workforce Connect is empowering supply chains from manufacturing to retail, download our brochure here.

The warehouse landscape is rapidly shifting with every new demand. New challenges call for new technologies, which is why Avalon integration makes modernization simple and seamless with adaptable solutions that complement your current systems. Contact us today for a free evaluation of your current workflows to see how Workforce Connect can sharpen your competitive edge.

 

 

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