How to Integrate Visionary Visibility into your Warehouse

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In 1999, the term, “Internet of Things” (IoT) was merely a concept used to explain the possibilities of early RFID technology; however, today’s 26 billion internet-connected devices have turned the concept into reality. From enterprise-grade to consumer technology, studies project a 49 billion growth in internet-connected devices worldwide by 2025, averaging around 10 devices for every human on the planet. 

Not surprisingly, modern-day locationing solutions have evolved to enhance warehouse visibility while accommodating more devices into increasingly complex supply chains. However, there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all locationing solution. From RFID tags to GPS tracking, today’s locationing systems can be adapted to fit your workflow’s unique requirements. As leaders in innovative efficiency, Avalon Integration encourages considering eight elements that can dictate locationing efficiency.

Transportation Logistics Receiving Dock Visionary Visibility

Avalon Integration can help you find the best locationing system

Locating the Best Locationing System

Every industry can benefit from accurate locationing, but that doesn’t mean all solutions will be the same. Storage facilities may not require detailed real-time visibility if only general locationing suffices. On the other hand, food-processing factories might need in-depth visibility into storage temperature and asset lifespan. Whatever your application may be, consider the following influencing factors:

  • Read range – Not all readers can cover large warehouses, and not all tags can survive long voyages across the globe while remaining functional. Determining read range is crucial in selecting a reader that fits your operations.
  • Location accuracy – Today’s RFID solutions can track moving inventory, but if your assets are mostly static, this may not be needed.
  • Asset type – Certain solutions may not fit with your assets. For example, RFID tends to underperform on metal, and real-time locationing may be unsuitable for tracking personnel due to privacy issues. In addition to asset type, work environment may also impact your locationing system’s efficiency.
  • Battery Lifespan – Much like read range, battery lifespan limits how far your locationing system can go.
  • Connectivity Options – From Bluetooth to WiFi, every connectivity option has its benefits and limitations. Common connectivity options include Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS, cellular/satellite, 4/5G, and LTE. 
  • Compatibility – Data without readability is useless. Insight collected by your locationing system can be used to optimize operations and streamline efficiency; therefore, data should be accessible through your mobile devices.
  • Cost – Because of different read ranges and lifespans, locationing systems can vary in price, which means there could be a more cost-effective option than mainstream solutions.

Offering a wide ecosystem of visibility technology, Avalon Integration partners with Zebra Technologies in designing efficient locationing systems that address every consideration listed above with efficient functionality.  Whether it’s through Zebra’s RFID-based MotionWorks or the industry’s most-efficient line of enterprise-grade tablets, choose a visibility solution that best adapts to your workspace.

Ready to start? Contact Avalon Integration today for an in-depth assessment of your workflow to find a visibility solution centered on your needs.

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Go Green with RFID: See How RFID Technology Fits in the Sustainable Warehouse

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Within the past decade, new research and manufacturing policies have brought environmental concerns to the forefront of consumers’ attention. Results from the CGS 2019 U.S. Consumer Sustainability Survey show that 68% of today’s consumers see sustainability as a deciding factor in whether or not to purchase a product. In 2019, products labeled sustainable accounted for as much as $114 billion in revenue, a 29% increase compared to 2013. From product assembly to shipping methods, there are several ways companies can integrate sustainability into their supply chain. However, while it may be tempting for companies to label products as sustainable, the Federal Trade Commission deals heavy fines for misleading and/or inaccurate labels. 

In our commitment to both the environment and operational efficiency, Avalon Integration investigates new technologies and their benefits beyond the warehouse. Among these technologies, RFID tracking stands as one of the most promising resources in establishing sustainable practices with the supply chain. By providing true real-time visibility, RFID equips you with actionable intelligence into every detail of your operation to reduce environmental impact.

Creating the Green Warehouse, One Tag at a Time

MC3390R Green Sustainable Warehouse

MC3390R Being Used in a Sustainable Green Warehouse

Before choosing any particular RFID solution, it is important to consider tag composition and durability. Because they will face several sorts of environments even after application, RFID tags should be designed with strength in mind. Like is quality consumables, Zebra’s RFID tags are tested for continuous performance on a wide range of surfaces, so you do more than just can track more than inventory.

  • Manage inventory to prevent overstocking – A common issue in the retail industry, overproduction can lead to wastefulness and product depreciation. By managing processed goods in real-time, companies can regulate assembly speed to match the market demand.
  • Minimize unnecessary and inefficient transportation labor – Inaccurate orders require labor and money to rectify. RFID readers can verify loaded shipments to prevent unnecessary truck deliveries and additional CO2 emissions.
  • Implement additional policies with greater visibility – Since RFID technology can provide a full overview of warehouse activity, gathered intelligence can be used to pinpoint bottlenecks, extraneous energy usage, and wasted storage space.

But RFID isn’t the only technology revolutionizing supply chains. Catch an up-close look of 2020s most prominent technologies at MODEX 2020 and join Avalon in exploring the next generation of efficient technology. 

When it comes to lessening environmental impacts, small changes can go a long way. To see how RFID can enhance your operations, contact us for an in-depth assessment of your current workflow.

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Avalon’s Finest: See how our Interns are Shaping the Future

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As part of our commitment to innovative efficiency, Avalon Integration is always proud to recognize innovation in our community, especially in our interns. That’s why we were floored to see how our very own former intern Danielle Houser is taking innovation beyond our four walls and into capitol hill. 

Serving as Rep. Neal P. Dunn’s (R-FL) legislative aid for military affairs, Miss Houser has implemented the core of Avalon’s goals by designing seamless accessibility to crucial resources for several Florida military bases. By ensuring bases had access to necessary resources, Miss Houser helped maintain public safety during Florida’s hurricane season. We are confident she will continue to demonstrate great passion and determination as she moves on to a career in the U.S defense sector because whether in warehousing or public service, Avalon is dedicated to implementing efficiency wherever we go. 

 Check out Avalon’s Finest in Our Video Below:

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This is How Avalon Integrates Efficiency

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There is no limit to perfection. It took as close to 75 years for 100 million people to adopt telephones, yet only a day to get that same number of people onto a mobile app. Founder of the World Economic Forum, Klaus Schawb, has characterized the blurred lines between technology and society as the 4th Industrial Revolution, and like past technological advancements, the present rise in new systems and operations is set to reshape industries across the globe, including warehousing, T&L, healthcare, and many others. 

However, unlike past innovations, today’s new technologies, such as RFID and advanced machine learning, bring a new level of automation that enhances an employee’s unique capabilities by valuing critical skills and simplifying routine operations. As a result, Avalon Integration explores popular technologies due to redefining modern-day supply chains with more efficiency and visibility.

Efficiency and Developing Purposeful Connected Labor

Zebras RS5100 and WT6000 Improve Warehouse Efficiency

Zebras RS5100 and WT6000 Improve Warehouse Efficiency

As labor costs continue to rise worldwide, the need for purposeful labor increases as well. To develop purposeful and cost-efficient practices, automated systems relieve employees to focus on more pressing tasks. Nevertheless, automation’s usefulness has also been perceived as a threat. Research conducted by the Gallup Research Center found that almost 73% of working Americans believe intelligent machines may eliminate jobs. On the other hand, 61% of responding warehouses reported relying on a combination of both technology and human effort. Today’s most advanced technologies still require human collaboration. Therefore, automation’s goal is not to outright replace labor but to enhance it. A few examples include:

  • RFID – Able to gather over 40 codes into one tag, RFID further maximizes visibility by tracking asset movement, market demands, and storage requirements all through one solution. This reduces the need for extraneous labeling while diminishing processing errors as products are prepared for shipment.
  • Wearable Technology – Further elevating warehouse ergonomics, wearable technology such as Zebra’s WT6000 can increase productivity by 15% by pairing accuracy with speed, so workers can process more inventory with less  Moreover, wearable technology proves to be highly adaptable as it accommodates other technologies with less space. As a matter of fact, over 70% of warehousing facilities seek to employ wearable technology within the next five years.
  • Hands-Free Picking – To eliminate additional time-consuming touchpoints, hands-free picking and voice picking accelerate workflows when integrated into wearable technology.
  • Internet of Things (IoT) – Breaking the established limits of connectivity, IoT expands visibility with real-time updates. Crucial data can be tracked and modified across a whole warehouse…and even outside the four walls.
  • Blockchain – Taking connectivity beyond singular teams, blockchain technology brings every member of your supply chain closer, from manufacturers to retailers. With data safely updated across a whole supply chain, fewer bottlenecks threaten inventory as transparency is maximized.

The future is filled with new uncharted opportunities. To see how these technologies and more can strengthen your workforce, contact us for an in-depth assessment and/or demonstration at your convenience.  

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Good-Bye Windows: Welcome Opportunities with Android

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With the close of the decade comes the close of the Microsoft era. As of January 1st, Microsoft has ended its support for Windows’ mobile operating systems which have powered enterprise technology for decades. Although support for Windows 7 will continue until 2021, Avalon Integration is already exploring several ways in which Android empowers the workforce to thrive in the face of the industry’s most notorious demands. 

The MC9300 uses Android to scan in any Environment

The MC9300 uses Android to scan in any Environment

Zebra researchers have uncovered numerous challenges to be expected within the coming months. As technology continues to advance and social media platforms become ever more prolific, the rise of e-commerce will contribute directly to the 76% increase in ordered assets, which leads to more deployed devices and a greater need for efficient long-term labor. Paired with the rising labor costs across the nation, the labor shortage has also led to higher turnover rates. In the end, the 2020’s top challenges can be summarized in:

  • Rise in omnichannel retail
  • Inefficient labor retention
  • Compressed logistics operations

Fortunately, Android operating systems have been thoroughly enhanced by both Zebra Technologies and Google to fit into the enterprise landscape.

Android is Ready. Are You?

The MC9300 uses Android to versatile for anywhere and everywhere

The MC9300 uses Android for anywhere you need it

When done correctly, OS migration can be seamless and profitable. As a Zebra Premier Solutions Partner, Avalon Integration provides all the resources needed to help you catch up with change without impacting productivity. As Zebra’s OS of choice, Android integrates efficiency by:

  • Delivering much-needed security: Within the first six months of 2019 alone, there were over 3,000 publicly disclosed data breaches. As the risk of cyberthreats grows exponentially, Android is refined for enterprise with government-grade encryption and Zebra’s LifeGuard, which delivers 90-day security patches and automatic silent OS updates.  
  • Implementing familiarity: There were over 2 billion monthly active Android consumer devices worldwide in 2017 alone. As one of the top operating systems in the world, Android simplifies the user experience, lowering training times since the interface is already familiar to workers. 
  • Accommodating the next generation of productivity technology: From the latest ultra-rugged designs such as the MC9300 to native productivity applications like Mobility DNA, Android powers the latest technology designed for faster operations, accurate order fulfillment, and increased warehouse visibility from packing to shipping.

Despite the new year, it’s still not too late to migrate. Ease into a new operating system, designed for enterprise efficiency when you create your modernization strategy with Avalon Integration. Count on two decades of experience and in-depth assistance while securing productivity with solutions tailored to your needs. 

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Top Technologies to Look for in 2020

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Ride-hailing apps, 4K television, interactive smart speakers, online streaming services, and self-driving cars are just a few of the ground-breaking technologies that did not exist ten years ago. As a matter of fact, access to LTE services and 4G network speed has only been popular since 2015. While the world of efficient automation has redefined the past decade on the consumer front, it is also reshaping the industrial landscape.

Using a Zebra Tablet While Loading a Pallet into a Delivery Truck

Using a Zebra Tablet While Loading a Pallet into a Delivery Truck

Working closely alongside warehouses of all shapes and sizes, Avalon Integration has implemented the most revolutionizing technologies of this decade. From rugged mobile computers to intuitive printing software, modern-day enterprise-technology has integrated greater degrees of accuracy, productivity, and visibility from packing to shipping. However, we know well there is no limit to innovation. That’s why we look forward confidently towards the opportunities the new decade will bring. While we can’t predict the future, there are several technologies worth keeping an eye on within the coming years.

Revolutionizing the World of Modernization

TC77 Warehouse Technologies

The TC77 from Zebra Is Used to Improve Warehouse Technologies

Research conducted by Zebra Technologies has outlined numerous challenges modern warehouses can expect in the future, such as:

  • Technology usage
  • Efficient labor
  • Capacity utilization
  • Integrating quality warehouse management systems
  • Inventory management within omnichannel shopping

Standing as a practical and cost-effective solution to these issues, warehouse automation brings the promise of streamlined operations, efficient labor, and lowered operational costs. A few examples of successful automation tools include:

  • RFID Technology – Expanding visibility beyond the four walls, RFID tags, and readers allow workers to track moving assets throughout the warehouse floor. Furthermore, RFID scanners minimize scan time by correctly documenting several codes with one trigger pull, allowing your workforce to process more orders accurately.
  • Internet of Things – Much like the consumer world, enterprise technology can also be connected and managed at a large scale through the Internet of Things. This means your warehouse can manage devices, battery life, security updates, and much more without impacting workflow.
  • Power Carts – Omnichannel retail brings the opportunity for more complex supply chains, ultimately demanding more from your workforce. Mobility solutions such as Newcastle’s Power Cart alleviates bottlenecks and long travel routes while also reducing labeling errors by 90%.
  • Wearable Technology and Voice Picking – Further boosting worker mobility and versatility, wearable technology such as Zebra’s WT6000 wearable computer increases productivity by 15% and can be easily paired with Bluetooth technology to create an efficient voice picking solution.

Get a head start in efficient modernization with Avalon Integration. Count on 20 years of experience when you contact us to learn more about how these and other technologies can maximize productivity and ROI within your operations.

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Chill, We Have the Solution that Handles Cold Storage

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Whether in or out of the warehouse, cold temperatures can create challenging environments for people and inventory alike. However, when it comes to cold storage, low temperatures are unavoidable, and unfortunately, even enterprise-grade devices may not survive drastically low temperatures as they face:

  • Wide temperature swings as workers move between a freezer and non-freezer zones
  • Thick gloves that impair ergonomic features
  • Unadaptable batteries that may not function in the cold
VC8300 Cold Storage Showing App Dashboard

VC8300 Cold Storage Showing App Dashboard

Moreover, cold temperatures also affect your consumables, creating frost or condensation, thus leaving your barcodes nearly illegible. Simply put, efficient cold storage requires durable technology capable of enhancing productivity in harsh environments. In our mission to bring the next edge of innovation to our clients, Avalon Integration partners with Zebra Technologies to integrate consistent efficiency back into cold storage with the 3600 Series ultra-rugged barcode scanners.

Nothing Like the Rest

Worker Scanning Part for Cold Storage with a 3600 Series Ultra-Rugged Barcode Scanner

Worker Scanning Part for Cold Storage with a 3600 Series Ultra-Rugged Barcode Scanner

Unlike competitor’s handhelds, Zebra’s 3600-class scanners have been engineered for the harshest conditions with a working temperature range between -22o F to 122 o F (corded) or -4 o F to 122 o F (cordless) and 30% more working range. Secure data- capture accuracy and continuous visibility with the next level of rugged technology.

  • Enhanced data-capture capabilities – Enjoy more first-time scans for your 1D and 2D barcodes. Reach the farthest warehouse racks with long-range data-capture that extends as far as 70ft.   
  • Readily rugged design – Venture into the harshest conditions with an environmentally tested device that withstands pouring rain, condensation, dust, and up to 5,000 tumbles.  
  • Secured connectivity that fits your workforce – While other Bluetooth cordless scanners can impair connectivity, the 3600-Series come with Zebra’s WiFi Friendly mode, eliminating workflow disruptions.
  • Simplified device management – Complimentary tools such as 123scan and Scanner Management Service facilitate scanner deployment and maintenance, monitoring battery performance, and overall device health. Lower TCO with less downtime and maximized device lifespan.

Pair your ultra-rugged scanner with ultra-rugged labels, designed by you and for you when you customize your Zebra consumables to fit temperature requirements. Choose from over 300 pretested materials to develop quality labels that preform flawlessly beyond the moment of application.

Not sure how to start your solution? Contact Avalon Integration today for a close walkthrough on how to strengthen your workforce with the most durable technology available.

To see the full capabilities of Zebra’s 3600-Series Scanners, download our application brief here.

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Measuring Productivity with Mobility DNA

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An efficient tracking system can be the only thing standing between you and complete operational chaos. For example, an enhanced asset management system can yield unparalleled benefits such as:

  • Seamless productivity as workers know where and when to find assets
  • Maximized profits backed by accurate stock quantities
  • Increased customer loyalty

From dock to doorway, inventory must be accounted for in order to mitigate overstocks and/or product shrinkage. Furthermore, while durable hardware and labels are vital in establishing a reliable tracking system, complete visibility also depends on intelligent software. 

TC77 Utilizing Zebras Mobility DNA Reliable Tracking System

TC77 Utilizing Zebras Mobility DNA Reliable Tracking System

As a Zebra Premier Solutions Partner, Avalon Integration sets a higher standard of inefficient inventory management with data capture and computing software – all designed to strengthen your ergonomic device. When it comes to enhanced inventory management, Avalon equips the workforce with Mobility DNA, Zebra’s line of intuitive applications dedicated to maximizing warehouse visibility. 

Intelligent Visibility Leads to Intelligent Actions with Mobility DNA

TC51 Uses Mobility DNA to Simplify Common Tracking Tasks

TC51 Uses Mobility DNA to Simplify Common Tracking Tasks

Maximizing accuracy through Zebra’s next generation of Android devices, Mobility DNA applications simplify common tracking tasks such as:

  • Scanning – Experience the next edge of automation with SimulScan by capturing up to 20 barcodes with one trigger pull, eliminating extraneous hours of individual scanning.
  • Data entry – Reduce the errors associated with manual data entry through DataWedge. Simply capture data via scanner, camera, NFC, or peripherals to share it to your open applications.  
  • Workforce communication – Clean communication channels enhance visibility as your workforce can better operate as a team. Applications such as Workforce Connect transform your Zebra devices into efficient push-to-talk communicators with minimal backend configurations.

Plus, with WorryFree WiFi delivering enhanced connectivity, your applications stay running anywhere within the four walls, providing easy access to your inventory’s information at all times.

From RFID tags to rugged handhelds, Avalon Integration is committed to equipping you with the best solutions available. If you are not sure how to start enhancing your tracking system, get a free assessment of your current workflows for a customized visibility solution centered on your business’ unique needs.

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Final Countdown: 10 Ways Custom Labels Optimize Your Business

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It’s that time of year again where we’re encouraged to look to the past and envision the future. Within the past months, Avalon Integration has been investigating the various purposes custom labels bring to multiple businesses, and as the year comes to a close, we are glad to remind you of the top ten ways Zebra’s certified custom labels enhance productivity. Forget smeared and torn labels and start optimizing your workforce with Zebra custom labels.

Zebra Custom Labels Reliable from Start to Finish

MC3300 Scanning Zebra Custom Labels on Pallet

MC3300 Scanning Zebra Custom Labels on Pallet

Meticulously crafted with a 23-point inspection, all Zebra consumables begin their journey with one goal: maximizing efficiency. As your provider of quality supplies and solutions, Avalon Integration equips your future with a variety of benefits, including:

  1. Consistent printing quality using unsubstituted inks and varnishes
  2. 2,000 hours saved in the packaging when you switch to read-to-stick adhesives
  3. Customized quality crafted from over 300 pretested materials
  4. Surpassed standards achieved with UL/cUL and CSA approved labels
  5. Customized texts, shapes, and sizes
  6. Heightened brand awareness created with up to 12 water-based colors, 8 UV colors, and PMS color matching
  7. Optimized tracking systems backed by smear-resistant labels
  8. Maximized label longevity, retaining longevity up to 3 years after the initial print
  9. Increased printer lifespan thanks to premier labels that minimize residual pileup
  10. Free printhead replacements ensured through Zebra’s Printhead Protection Program

We invite you to see the final results for yourself and implement your production line with Avalon’s Free Ship Program. Complete your order of Zebra’s custom labels by December 31st and get free fast ground shipping anywhere within the continental U.S. and Canada.

Zebra Custom Labels on Electronics in a Warehouse

Zebra Custom Labels on Electronics

Don’t get stuck repeating the past. Explore the many uses of Zebra’s rugged line of consumables designed to implement your warehouse productivity down to the smallest assets. Replace inefficient consumables for superior supplies when you choose Avalon Integration as your provider for quality label solutions.

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This Is How RFID Is Changing the World

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With over 15 million tags deployed worldwide, RFID technology continues to revolutionize multiple industries across the globe, establishing an $11 billion industry of its own. Technology researchers at IDTechEX forecast a continuous increase in RFID solutions as new implementations emerge such as:

  • Improved baggage management for airlines
  • Threshold management in healthcare facilities 
  • Automated (cashier-less) shopping
  • Enhanced athlete and sport tracking

Set with endless possibilities, RFID technology has also found its way into warehouses and distribution centers, redefining the meaning of efficient visibility.  The same technology that tracks 100mph baseballs can be seamlessly integrated into modern supply chains to eliminate 100% of human-attributed errors. From maximized customer satisfaction to diminished product shrinkage, Avalon Integration implements RFID solutions designed for optimal success.

What does Enhanced Visibility Look Like

FX9500 Warehouse RFID Scanners are best in class from Avalon as your RFID Solutions Provider

FX9500 RFID Scanner is the Enhanced Visibility Solution

No matter what solution you need, durability should always be a crucial deciding factor. That’s why we use Zebra Technologies’ RFID scanners and tags since they are built to survive and thrive in the most extreme conditions. Going beyond standard tracking systems, new RFID technology can:

  • Improve pick paths – With read ranges as accurate as 4ft, RFID readers can help optimize pick paths since asset locations are visible at a glance. Furthermore, tags can also help track moving assets and employees, providing you with real-time visibility to inefficient pathways and bottlenecks.
  • Automate restricted areas – Because RFID tags can retain more information than standard barcodes, they can be used to restrict hazardous workspaces. Simply add clearance codes to employee badges and profiles.
  • Track seasonal trends – Providing more asset details, RFID tags can offer better insight into new trends and implementations. Whether you are tracking deployed devices or holiday inventory, RFID labels store the actionable intelligence you need to strategize your workflow.
  • Uphold compliance standards – Since RFID enhances visibility, maintaining industry standards becomes easier as needed information is readily available with one scan.

Take a closer look at Zebra’s Quality RFID Labels


Don’t just take our word for it. See the benefits of efficient RFID technology when you contact us for a free demonstration at your convenience. From cost-effective tags to ruggedly ergonomic scanners, let RFID come and change your world with unmatched productivity.

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