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Labor shortages plus the E-com Boom is a recipe for stress. See what T&L businesses are doing about it.

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The first half of 2021 has been marked by an ever-dwindling workforce across multiple industries. From foodservice to warehousing, businesses have struggled to attract and retain skilled employees due to growing issues such as greater job options, requests for higher wages, and limited childcare opportunities. While warehouses are slowly regaining numbers, transportation and logistics firms may still face greater demands with the end-of-year e-commerce boom brought on by the holiday season. With delivery timeframes expected to shrink even more and high turnover rates, T&L businesses find themselves with the challenge of accelerating order processing without overwhelming current employees. To do so, field teams have adopted the following strategies:

  1. Streamline operations through one consolidated workflow – Individual devices incur individual costs such as maintenance, software, and replacement fees. Moreover, new employees must then learn to operate several devices quickly to maintain productivity levels, further increasing training costs. Newer mobile computers such as Zebra’s TC72/77 reduce costs by streamlining computing, data capture, and communication channels into one device. This reduces training times and operational costs as employees only need to grow accustomed to one device.  
  2. Track worker safety to prevent more understaffing issues – Worker safety both in and outside the four walls continues to be a deciding factor when it comes to employment retention. That’s why exposure awareness systems have become increasingly more popular as they allow transparent traceability of possible germ exposure. Moreover, on the field, secured connectivity systems like Zebra Workforce Connect enable hands-free communication with warehouses in real-time, preventing accidents and facilitating precise driver locationing and delivery status through one interface.
  3. Remove paper-based reporting for zero-wait data sharing – Unlike pen-and-paper inventory management, modernized data capture preserves team connections by facilitating instant data sharing through one centralized database. In doing so, warehouses can update delivery teams of order volume, changes in ETA, and routing changes without delay.
  4. Minimize touchpoints between loading and shipping – Contactless transactions have gained popularity across the supply chain due to their speed and safety. RFID technology has led the forefront in minimizing extra touchpoints by capturing multiple barcodes in one scan and tracking in-motion inventory for maximized visibility. 

Optimizing scalable efficiency can take many shapes depending on your operation’s current struggles. Get a clearer picture on how to start safeguarding productivity in your workflows when you schedule an in-depth assessment and stay a step ahead of change with a modernization solution that adjusts to your needs.

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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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