Hassle-free implementation is possible with these three factors.

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When operating in dynamic supply chains, operational visibility is critical to prevent unseen obstacles from halting productivity and impacting customer satisfaction. However, increasing demands and shortages have created a unique situation where modernization -while beneficial and promising- can be a hindrance if it’s not easily adopted by an evolving workforce. From the production floor to the checkout lane, automation must enhance worker performance. In warehouses, 77% of businesses are currently in the process of equipping workers with automated solutions. At the other end of the supply chain, retailers have claimed over 60% of RFID tag purchases in 2020 alone. To ensure smooth implementation, the following three factors have become popular among leading modernization strategies.

Modernization is built on familiar interfaces, intuitive versatility, and tested expertise.

As automated systems are designed, Avalon recommends considering the following as foundational parts of your modernization plan for hassle-free implementation:

  • Familiar Interfaces – An hour of downtime, whether planned or surprise, can cost businesses over $100,000 per hour in lost productivity, missed deadlines, customer dissatisfaction, and worker stress. To combat this, familiar interfaces such as touchscreen usability and Android’s user-friendly OS help diminish training times while welcoming new hires without complex functionalities.  This is where applications such as Zebra’s All-Touch Terminal Emulation (TE) come in handy as they help convert legacy TE apps into a touchscreen display for immediate use prior installation.
  • Intuitive Versatility – Supply chain efficiency generally depends on three kinds of devices: the scanner, the data processor, and a communicator. For this reason, most team members have been burdened with three or more devices to execute these three main tasks. A feasible modernization strategy should attempt to streamline these tasks through one versatile device. For example, newer mobile computers have been adapted to include intelligent data capture, fast automated data processing directly to your centralized management system, and sustainable communication channels that eliminate the need for bulky two-way radios.
  • Tested Expertise – Working alongside longtime experts such as Avalon’s modernization specialists helps diminish deployment times since they can draw from multiple past scenarios for a tailored design. Furthermore, post-deployment services such as assisted maintenance and tech support certifies your solution is running smoothly for future updates and changes.

With the 2021 Peak Season fast approaching, swift and seamless modernization may just be the key to enhancing your competitive edge and surpassing customer expectations. Take the first step when you talk through your options with an Avalon specialist to begin designing a modernization strategy that elevates productivity and profitability with hassle-free implementation.

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Seize Your Edge: Meet the Device Redefining Wearable Efficiency

Seize Your Edge: Meet the Device Redefining Wearable Efficiency

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As warehouses and distribution centers prepare for the end-of-the-year uptick in order processing, the demand for simplistic technologies increases since it facilitates faster deployment and productivity for seasonal hires. Consequently, wearable technologies have gained traction due to their ease-of-use and maximized safety. Previous studies have cited a 15% increase in productivity without overstraining the workforce or budgets, resulting from:

  • Higher ergonomics which boosts worker comfort
  • Android’s intuitive platform that’s familiar to consumer-grade devices
  • Streamlined data capture and processing to eliminate manual data entry
  • Tap and pair connectivity with current mobile computers and WMS

Moreover, wearable technologies facilitate the integration of hands-free picking technologies, which have been shown to accelerate inventory movement and overall productivity. To truly serve as a viable option, wearable technologies should be lightweight, adaptable to individual workers, and compatible with current picking systems to avoid major disruptions.

Zebra’s HD4000 meets all the goals while enabling additional benefits.

As the first of its kind, Zebra’s head-mounted display connects to your mobile device to promote real-time visibility and hands-free directed workflows set right before your employee’s eyes. The result has consistently been…

  1. Maximized task accuracy since digitized orders no longer require manual input.
  2. Faster order fulfillment since inventory location and status information is poised right in front of workers as they navigate throughout the warehouse.
  3. Greater worker safety as employees are able to travel around the warehouse with their eyes focused directly at the task at hand.
  4. Faster adaptability to changes since displays can be remotely updated in the event of supply chain changes and sudden demands. This helps warehouses prevent out of stocks since inventory levels can be monitored in real-time.  
  5. Individualized worker flexibility backed by leading optical display technology that adjusts to pupillary distances, glasses, and differences between right and left eyes, all to minimize eye fatigue.

See how the HD4000 increases productivity in our fact sheet. Simplicity and intelligence go hand in hand when developing a modernized order picking solution. Contact Avalon to see how you can increase both with wearable technologies designed for the high-demand digital age.

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What Makes Intelligent Automation So Smart?

What Makes Intelligent Automation So Smart?

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It’s no surprise that intelligent automation has been on the forefront of current modernization trends. Over two thirds of warehouses across the globe have continuously cited partial automation as the key to increased profitability and competitiveness, yet not every automation solution is built the same. This explains why so many warehouses remain cautious to swap familiar systems such as pen-and-paper inventory tracking for newer solutions such as RFID locationing since disruptions can lead to:

  • Operational delays that affect the whole supply chain – Studies suggest parcel shipments will double to 220 billion shipments worldwide by 2026.
  • Negative brand identity – Nearly seven out of ten shoppers abandon brands if their purchase isn’t delivered within two days the stipulated time frame.   
  • Lost sales and customer loyalty – Customer acquisition costs can amount to 25% more retention costs.
  • Inventory and asset misplacements that contribute to higher TCO – Improper storage and handling has created a $750 billion loss in the food industry alone.
  • Worker stress that fuels labor turnover rates – With turnover rates exceeding 30%, warehouses simply can’t afford to risk complex systems requiring longer training and onboarding time.
What Makes Intelligent Automation So Smart image

Sense, Evaluate, and Expand

Streamlining workflows from multiple areas in the warehouse, truly intelligent automation solutions should be able to leverage captured data into actionable insight without hindering productivity. Assess a solution’s intelligence by analyzing its capacity to accomplish the following three goals:

  1. It empowers you to sense change while communicating with supporting systems such as your WMS, ERP, and TMS. For example, Zebra’s Fortified Android enables greater intelligence by aggregating new applications into its open ecosystem, ultimately facilitating data sharing between systems and departments.
  2. It simplifies data evaluation to create actionable insights. Paper-based data systems have been shown to be more error-prone, thus complicating actionable intelligence since workers must navigate through several logs and systems. On the other hand, automated data capture and RFID solutions eliminate complications while accelerating data entry with less touchpoints and room for error.
  3. It’s expandable for the whole warehouse and future employees as operations grow. Since demands are only expected to continue increasing, technologies should welcome the possibilities of high demand, longer shifts, and tougher work environments. Rugged hardware such as Zebra’s handheld MC9300 exemplifies this well by pairing its ultra-rugged design with a user-friendly Android interface for easy deployment. The result is a scalable mobility solution fit for indoor and outdoor use year-round.

Based on these three goals, there are many next-generation technologies that can form an intelligent automation solution. With the help of an experienced solution design team, you can start building a modernization plan that best suits your warehouse. Contact us for more information.

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Seize Your Edge: This is what modernized real-time tracking is like without RFID.

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RFID technology has long been at the forefront of modernized locationing systems given its ability to track in-motion products and assets. However, while still adaptable to most applications, RFID tags are not always the best option for every environment, particularly cold storage, where a combination of metal, ice, and condensation, can impact label and reader performance. With cold chain operations expected to grow by 7.24% in the coming year, supply chains must find a way to combine durability and adaptability in their tracking system. Today’s ideal cold storage tracking system should integrate:

  • Minimized touchpoints – To mitigate germ spread and accelerate throughput, warehouses should minimize points of contact either through long-range scanning or wireless connectivity.
  • Scalable growth opportunities – Resource shortages such as the current microchip shortage can increase demands, thus putting more strain on your devices. Consequently, deployment should be easy to accommodate changing numbers of inventory and personnel as needed.
  • Durability that extends beyond the freezer – Because field teams now travel much farther than before, tracking technologies should be packed with long-lasting batteries or flexible charging options to keep workers connected during longer routes.

Zebra’s electric temperature sensors deliver it all.

Seamless temperature tracking is only half the battle. To create a competitive tracking system, sensors should be paired with enterprise-grade and freezer-ready mobile devices that withstand constant temperature swings and long-distance shipping routes. In combining mobile computers and electric sensors, modern tracking systems can:

  • Certify the correct products are packed correctly for timely shipping
  • Prevent early spoilage after products leave the loading dock
  • Scan frozen barcodes at a distance without label repositioning
  • Update receiving stores on ETAs, delays, and product condition in real time
  • Facilitate audits since traceability records are all digitally available

To see how Zebra’s electric sensors interact seamlessly with your device of choice, download our fact sheet.

Whether through Bluetooth locationing or RFID technology, clear workflow visibility has become indispensable for the modern-day warehouse. Reach out to our modernization experts today to see how you can start amplifying operational visibility in your facility with technology that grows alongside your goals.

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How Zebra’s Mobility DNA expands the edge of hardware intelligence

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We’ve been discussing the rising popularity of intelligent automation in today’s warehouses. However, while a vast majority of operations are enhancing teams with multi-functional hardware, many businesses still struggle to use new technologies since well over half of workforces are outsourced and/or cyclical. Outsourcing crucial workflows, such as picking and shipping, creates a challenge in user adoption since new hires must be constantly re-trained, halting productivity and order throughput.

While Android-based devices have been shown to decrease adoption rates through a familiar interface, workers may still face issues when it comes to other core applications such as inventory management, WMS updates, and communication channels. Studies show that almost half of warehouses experience IT breakdowns at least a few days a week, most stemming from:

  • Dropped connectivity
  • Inefficient scan engines
  • Missed software updates
  • Lack of standardization
  • Missed maintenance schedules

To prevent these issues from diminishing the impact of automation efforts, Zebra’s Mobility DNA applications offer an additional level of adaptable intelligence to modernized devices that’s easy to adopt by your changing labor force.

Competitive intelligence is built from the inside out

Designed with simplicity in mind, Zebra’s Mobility DNA apps tackle the pervasive problems of IT breakdowns by:

  1. Securing WiFi connectivity within the four walls – Connectivity is the backbone of unbroken uptime, which is why Zebra’s WorryFree WiFi delivers no-drop WiFi connectivity to protect productivity with near-instant response times.
  2. Integrating intelligent data capture – Digitization eliminates the failures of manual data entry, but applications like SimulScan and DataWedge go a step farther by enabling multiple barcode scanning and instant data transmission for minimized keystrokes and faster throughput.
  3. Automatic updates and security patches – With the high prevalence of cyberthreats in today’s digital world, companies can no longer compromise on security. Zebra’s LifeGuard works alongside Android’s automatic OS updates with recurring 90-day security patches, extending device lifecycle up to 10 years.
  4. Converting legacy apps without backend modifications – Although touchscreen apps are more conductive for faster adoption, legacy green-screen apps are more familiar to the older workforce and contain a clear workflow layout. That’s where apps like All-Touch Terminal Emulation come in handy in order to convert TE apps right out of the box for immediate use without app rewriting.
  5. Facilitated remote device management – As the workforce grows, so does the need for more devices, which makes device management indispensable. Apps like PowerPrecision held track battery lifespan, virtually eliminating downtime from battery failure.

These are just a few of the benefits Mobility DNA brings. Download the full guide to see more.

Intelligent modernization takes many forms. Create a system that best adapts to your workforce with Avalon. Contact our automation experts for a close evaluation of your current solution to see how you can get started.

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Efficient Mobile Computing

Seize the New Edge: Discover how Zebra redefined enterprise mobility with a new evolution of handheld computers

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Despite the high demand for fast order fulfillment, warehouses nationwide continue to grapple with the increasing labor shortage since pre-pandemic years. As the older workforce ages out, warehouses struggle to retain younger and experienced team members, with 51% of employers citing outdated technology as one of greatest hurdles in keeping operational success. While familiar to a selected few, legacy devices can ultimately lead to:

  • Higher adoption rates for new hires
  • Increased likelihood of user errors
  • Longer processing times
  • Breakdowns in communication
  • Frustrated and/or disengaged employees

To prevent these issues and meet customer demands, Zebra’s latest mobile computers bring a new level of familiarity and ease of use to the supply chain, empowering workers to accomplish more in less time.

Meet a New Level of Efficiency

Built on a foundation of durable enterprise-grade devices and 2020’s demand for flexibility, newer mobile devices like Zebra’s rugged handhelds quickly adapted to eliminate repetitive tasks and workflow complexities by leveraging…

  • Android’s user-friendly interface – Unlike Microsoft’s outdated Windows OS, Android offers a familiar user platform that resembles consumer-grade smartphones, drastically accelerating adoption rates for fast and seamless deployment. Zebra’s EC50/55 takes familiarity a step farther with integrated push-to-talk capabilities straight out of the box for instant telephony functions and decreased TCO.
  • Digitized operational visibility – Inventory and asset identification becomes easier when paper-based systems are out of the picture. Automated data capture and intelligent scanning bypass manual data entry for updates and workflow notifications. This equips the workforce with near real-time visibility on stock counts, available personnel, and pending tasks all through one handheld device such as Zebra’s TC52.
  • Fortified data security – Besides beating consumer-grade devices in rugged durability, Zebra’s handheld computers also maximize security with government-grade encryption, two-factor authentication, and 90-day recurring security patches to keep devices up and running for as long as 10 years. Devices like the MC9300 combine design and computing strength to deliver one long-lasting mobility device that fits even in the most demanding environments.

As a Zebra Premier Solutions Partner, Avalon facilitates upgrades through the GO Zebra Trade-In Program. Simply upgrade mobile devices from any manufacturer and get cash back rebates towards your new device.

Modernized mobility can take many shapes. Find yours when you reach out to our modernization experts to see how you can enhance worker performance in your operations today with a new edge of enterprise mobility.

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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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