With Android on the center stage, are Windows Tablets worth the investment?

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The great Android Migration has consumed modernization strategies for the past years ever since Microsoft announced discontinued support for Windows CE-based mobile devices. Those seeking to protect data can no longer rely on Windows Mobile for their handheld devices. However, while Android is dominating the mobility frontier, Windows OS has yet to become completely obsolete. In spite of Android’s seamless adaptability, Microsoft still possesses enterprise familiarity as it continues to power a vast majority of rugged laptops and tablets. Apart from small-scale handheld devices such as mobile computers and enterprise smartphones, Windows 10 OS can still be beneficial since it enables…

  • Seamless connectivity to peripheral devices – Because most enterprise devices have been accustomed to running on Windows’ OS, peripheral hardware such as ring scanners, mobile printers, and headsets from varying manufacturers can quickly connect to your Windows device without extensive lag times.
  • Open ecosystem for non-traditional software – As the oldest supporting operating system in enterprise, Windows has built a long history of accommodating software updates and applications previously designed for desktops onto laptop interfaces. This allows field workers to quickly navigate through data while on the road without having to readapt to a new interface, lowering training times and simplifying workflows.
  • Enterprise-ready security on the field – Unlike Windows CE, tablets running on Windows 10 can still count on recurring enterprise security and support from Microsoft. This means teams can rely on seamless ease-of-use along with reliable data security for sensitive transactions and financial information.

What to look for in your Windows Tablet

As with previous enterprise hardware recommendation, selecting a Windows tablet requires businesses to note the following characteristics:

  • Portability and ergonomics since devices will most likely be used by your most on-the-move workers.
  • Flexible connectivity options to accommodate field teams working far beyond standard cellular coverage.
  • Glove friendly touchscreen usage that safeguards usability in colder and outdoor environments.
  • Streamlined functionalities such as automated data capture and data sharing within a protected platform.
  • Simplistic device management to guarantee maximum uptime even when devices are far from IT support teams.

See how Zebra’s L10 Rugged Tablet goes beyond these standards while leveraging the adaptability of Windows 10. When it comes to effective modernization, there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all system. That’s why we continue to recommend businesses to carefully plan modernization strategies with a specialized team to best target unique optimization opportunities. In doing so, companies can expect to create a scalable modernization strategy that embraces change while leveraging familiarity for seamless integration.

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Why Just-in-Time Inventory Reordering is Your Best Bet to Reduce Costs

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Currently, the industrial sector is responsible for about 32% of the nation’s total energy consumption. Between compliance fees, utility charges, and labor expenses, manufacturing plants expect high costs when it comes to storing inventory on-site. However, to keep up with surges in demand, manufacturers must keep necessary materials always in hand lest they risk sudden stockouts that lead to delays in production, lost sales, and product shortages. To circumvent these issues, inventory management strategies like just-in-time (JIT) material reordering have become more prominent as a way to alleviate storage expenses, yet while cost-effective, JIT leaves little room for error.

When operating in a JIT inventory management system, facilities strive to keep less inventory on site to avoid stockpiling materials that may not get used. This means that operators must quickly reorder materials as soon as they dip below an established threshold point to avoid shortages. Failure to reorder on time can pause operations since the production line has to wait for incoming materials. When done correctly, JIT enables:

  • Minimized storage costs
  • Greater visibility on products assembled
  • Mitigated depreciation risks
  • Maximized storage space for finished goods
  • Seamless adaptability to sudden increases in demand

Establishing Effective Tracking for Just-in-Time Reordering

To prevent the risks of inefficient JIT inventory management, a viable system should integrate the following three factors.

  1. Real-time data visibility – Preventing out-of-stocks requires fast insight into dwindling inventory. That’s why real-time visibility stemming from technologies such as RFID locationing and digitization have become essential in securing JIT efficiency since they allow workers to target decreasing inventory counts before they fall below the established threshold level. 
  2. Unbroken workforce communication – In addition to timely visibility, workers should be able to communicate with each other immediately to notify of any impending shortages or stockouts. Solutions like Zebra’s Workforce Connect transforms current handheld devices into two-way radios for manufacturer and delivery teams, closing the gaps between delivery and receiving docks, so workers know when and where incoming shipments will arrive.
  3. Scalable automation – One of the perks of JIT reordering is that it facilitates adaptability in the event of sudden surges in demand, yet this flexibility can only be capitalized if the correct data processing tools are in place. Versatile enterprise devices such as Zebra’s rugged tablets provide adaptable functionality with flexible connectivity options, built-in scanning capabilities, longer battery life, and higher data security parameters to streamline data capture, processing, and sharing on one platform. Therefore, workers can simply add an additional layer of functionality to their versatile devices instead of having to deploy an entire new device to keep up with changes.   

While JIT inventory management has gripped the attention of most manufacturers, it is only one of the many ways supply chains are adapting to meet demands and overcome shortages challenges. To get a better idea of how you can optimize your inventory management system, schedule a workflow assessment and explore the modernized solutions reshaping supply chains today

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What is micro fulfillment and why are big businesses flocking to it?

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Among the myriad of changes brought on by last year’s health crisis, the increase in e-commerce transactions has continued to reshape supply chains throughout the post-pandemic landscape. Accounting for over a fifth of sales in the grocery industry alone, e-commerce remains as one of the top preferred transactions due to its convenience and speed. However, between workforce shortages and snowballing last-mile costs, supply chains have yet to successfully meet high customer demands continuously. As a matter of fact, researchers from the National Retail Federation show that over 40% of businesses still cite fast fulfillment as their top concern. To meet demands without overspending, businesses are now combining warehouse technologies in the retail landscape through micro fulfillment centers (MFC’s).

Leveraging maximized automation solutions, MFC’s concentrate high-demand inventory within one section of the storefront for quick seamless picking. Leading warehouse devices such as long-range scanners and ultra-rugged handheld computers are then employed to safeguard fulfillment efficiency as orders are received. This ultimately results in:

  • Higher order accuracy – Modernized scanning capabilities similar to Zebra’s intelligent PRZM scanning engines eliminate the need to manually verify orders by ensuring more successful first-time scans. Applications like SimulScan can further enhance this process by capturing multiple barcodes at once in one trigger pull.
  • Lower labor costs – Automated solutions have been proven to diminish operational costs since they streamline vital workflows through one platform. For example, Zebra’s enterprise tablets secure unbroken communication channels, enterprise data capture, and user-friendly visibility into cycle counts and incoming orders all on one touchscreen interface.
  • Faster contactless services – Services like click-and collect, curbside pickup, and buy-online-pickup-in-store are only expected to keep thriving. That means store associates may now share in the same challenges that often plague warehouses struggling to stay ahead of incoming orders without compromising accuracy. To further protect communication channels within the workforce, Zebra’s Workforce Connect transforms handheld devices into 2-way radios, thus eliminating the need for additional devices while adding a dependable layer of teamwork and workflow visibility.     

Are your operations suitable for micro fulfillment?

This is the question many large-scale businesses have begun to ask themselves, and while the answer may be different for everyone, one thing is sure: automation continues to hold the key to business success in the modern market. Start the modernization journey by assessing workflows with a specialized optimization team to see how you can leverage purpose-built technologies to establish greater customer satisfaction without overburdening the workforce.

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