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There’s a New Tablet merging the boundaries between “consumer-grade” and “enterprise-ready”. Here’s What We Know:

When facing the stringent conditions of today’s modern warehouses, most operators agree that consumer-grade devices will only set back productivity. Prone to breakdowns and digitally rigid, personal devices cannot keep up with the kind of high-volume data processing common in today’s distribution centers. However, consumer-grade devices have retained user favor in supply chains due to their ease-of-use. Studies conducted by leading tech innovators have shown that 69% of IT decision makers see bring-your-own-device policies as a beneficial strategy to their operations. With labor turnover rates surpassing 40% in American distribution centers, familiar technologies prove beneficial by reducing training expenses and ensuring faster productivity. However, a lack of proper durability can increase costs by instigating…

  • Recurrent replacement and repair costs
  • Complex software and app integration processes
  • Compromised security parameters that endanger data safety

Modern-day technologies strive to combine familiar usability with robust functionalities, reducing operational costs. A prime example of this is Zebra’s newest Enterprise Tablet, the ET40/45. Like its predecessors, the new tablet streamlines push-to-talk capabilities, intense scanning, and real-time visibility within an Android interface. Upon a closer inspection, it’s easier to see the effects of today’s challenges on technological advancements.

Not like other tablets

Zebra’s previous tablets have always been crafted with durability and adaptability in mind to deliver versatile usage in different environments like distribution centers, cold storage units, and busy transportation teams. However, today’s push for faster productivity within dwindling labor pools have led tech players to leverage features such as:

  • 5G Connectivity and WiFi 6 – Dropped signals and dead zones halt productivity while isolating workers from receiving timely stock updates. To prevent communication gaps across the facility, newer, stronger connectivity options are now included in the new tablet.
  • Mobile POS options – As tablets now find their ways into the storefront in addition to inventory rooms and loading docks, the ET40/45 includes a mobile POS system to enable line busting through the same device used for inventory tracking and stock counting. This breaks down high adoption rates by streamlining crucial workflows through one standard device.
  • Multi-shift batteries – With the promise of same-day delivery comes longer work hours which demand longer lifecycles from your devices. As a result, Zebra’s new tablet incorporates hot-swappable batteries in its sleek design to deliver constant power across multiple shifts. Moreover, with the help of PowerPrecision, workers can spot failing and unhealthy batteries and remove them before they affect workflows.

Take a closer look into the ET40/45’s new highlights here.

As shortages continue to challenge the supply chain, automation solutions must fine the fine line between user-friendly and enterprise-ready. Compromise on either of these factors can lead to missed sales, damaged consumer trust, rising operations costs, or stressed workers. Consequently, experts still recommend assessing your current workflows with an automation specialist to verify your employees’ level of comfortability alongside current warehouse demands. In doing so, operations can best accommodate future demands with flexible solutions for continuous enterprise success.

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4 New Technologies You Should Keep an Eye for in Your Warehouse

E-commerce alone has been responsible for over 4 trillion in revenue within the past years, accounting for a much larger significant part of global retail sales compared to five years ago. Combined with current labor shortages and breakdowns in international logistics systems, warehouses must navigate through a series of challenges to keep up with demands and growth. Studies conducted by leading automation experts have highlighted the following challenges affecting today’s warehouses and distribution centers:

  • Labor shortages and low retention rates
  • Low warehouse capacity compared to higher product demand
  • Rising number of dynamic e-commerce transactions (BOPIS, rentals, direct-to-customer, etc.)
  • Employee safety, particularly at the loading dock, where 25% of worker accidents happen
  • Adaptable cyberthreats targeting digital devices, including peripheral hardware like printers

It’s important to remember that these issues come alongside challenges unique to individual warehouses such as location, cold storage management, peak seasons, and other possible impacts. To minimize downtime and complications, Avalon partners with Zebra Technologies to highlight four solutions developed to secure productive uptime amidst today’s challenges. 

  1. Consolidated data capture and processing – Manual data entry is both time-consuming and complex, making it difficult for new hires to adopt. Moreover, inefficient reporting can create problems later down the road if data isn’t readily available for audits and compliance verification. As warehouse management systems are selected, supporting devices should streamline automated data capture and computing for real-time inventory and workflow visibility. Zebra’s newest WS50 wearable computer exemplifies this by integrating an intelligent scanner within a lightweight touchscreen device that mounts to the worker’s wrist and connects with the WMS. 
  2. Automatic Mobile Robots (AMRs) – To address both labor shortages and employee safety concerns, AMRs come alongside the human workforce to empower faster picking with less travel time since they can move pallets and orders between loading docks. Although many warehouse workers may fear robots will displace their jobs, studies show that at least 73% of decision makers are actually looking to support human labor with robotics in partial automation plans. This means employees would be empowered to work smarter with less physical strain while robotics do the literal heavy lifting. 
  3. Touch-free validation scanning – One in five online shoppers will return an order because the wrong item was shipped. As a result, order validation has become crucial to securing long-lasting customer loyalty. Because workers face shorter delivery timeframes and increased thoughts, touchless order validation through systems like Zebra’s SLS portals have proven beneficial to check order accuracy without pausing productivity. As orders are validated at the loading dock, warehouses can notify customers of accurate orders, thus also satisfying demands for real-time tracking. 
  4. Adaptable RFID data capture – Because of its 99.9% accuracy rate, it’s no surprise that at least 35% of warehouses are choosing to deploy RFID. However, not every RFID system accommodates varying device types. Adaptable devices like the RFD90 can adjust to iOS, Windows, and Android devices to enable RFID scanning with your preferred device, consequently lowering training times since workers don’t need to upgrade entire handheld systems.  

Small steps can take you far.

While these new technologies represent the latest edge in modernized warehousing, effective adaptability can start with smaller implementations such as automating data capture and reporting or migrating to Android. Programs such as the GO Zebra Trade-In provide a cost-effective start to upgraded modernization. By swapping out legacy devices to newer Zebra hardware, operations can integrate:

  • Automated data capture 
  • Secured data protection
  • Greater device durability
  • Faster printing speeds 
  • Mobile printing 
  • Push-to-talk connectivity
  • Adaptable WiFi support 
  • High-volume printing 

Because every business is inherently unique, Avalon recommends starting an operational assessment before selecting possible modernization strategies. By meeting with a technology expert, businesses can prioritize optimization areas to decide between large-scale implementations or smaller changes. By ensuring scalability, warehouses can best prepare to address new future obstacles that are sure to come.

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7 Things Power Carts Bring to Your Warehouse

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Today’s warehouses are navigating a multitude of challenges; however, two obstacles stand in attention-worthy contrast: high order volume and crippling labor shortages. While order fulfillment rates skyrocket from year to year, employee shortages have created an obstacle in accurately fulfilling the surplus of orders within a smaller timeframe. The Bureau of Labor reported that 45% of warehouse jobs remained unfilled by December of 2021. Meanwhile, labor turnover rates across industries has increased by 8%, costing up to 33% of an employee’s annual earnings to remediate. 

It is no surprise then that automation has become indispensable for warehouse survival. To alleviate pressures on fluctuating workforces while maintaining high order throughput, automated solutions must prioritize versatility, mobility, and ease-of-use. Combining these three factors in one solution, mobile workstations like Newcastle’s Power Carts empower distribution centers by delivering seven game-changing benefits:

  1. Rapid return of investment – By accelerating ROI, companies have more available resources to implement more automated and/or predictive measures. This protects business flexibility in the event of future disruptions. 
  2. 63% increase in ordering volume – By streamlining scanning and label printing through one mobile station, warehouse teams can label and verify orders in strategic places throughout the warehouse. Increased speed results in more orders being processed within smaller time frames since workers no longer need to wait in bottlenecks to print and label orders. 
  3. 50% productivity increase – Equipped with industrial printers like Zebra’s thermal printers, power carts also cut down wait time with faster printing speeds and higher label resolution. Moreover, because they are mobile, printing stations can also cut travel time, keeping workers productive instead of idle. 
  4. 5 to 10 hours of extra work saved – In addition to faster printing, automated data capture via Zebra’s ultra-rugged scanners connects workers to inventory data without losing a second. Real-time order and inventory updates eliminate the need for excessive end-of-shift reporting, further lowering labor costs. 
  5. 90% reduction in labeling errors – Unlike manual data entry, which is both error-prone and time-consuming, automated data capture and sharing reduces the likelihood of errors progressing down the supply chain. Fewer labeling errors also protect orders from mis-shipments and delays, increasing overall customer satisfaction. 
  6. Less bottlenecks for easier social distancing practices – New concerns regarding employee health and social distancing should discourage high employee density. By leveraging high-speed automated solutions, power carts reduce the time employees spend gathered around centralized printing stations, protecting them from unnecessary germ exposure.   
  7. 75% reduction in overtime – Fast-acting technologies are developed to streamline and simplify complex workflows, which means businesses can also expect to save money allocated to overtime. 

Learn more about all-in-one mobile workstations in our brochure, here. 

Depending on the nature of your facility, mobile workstations may bring additional benefits to your workflows. For a full overview of your opportunities, contact Avalon’s modernization specialists to schedule your workflow assessment.

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Keep an Eye on These 5 Warehouse Trends in 2022

The new year brings with it both the excitement of new possibilities and hidden challenges yet to surface. Navigating through several pandemic-induced challenges, last year’s warehouse technologies showcased agile adaptability to accelerate order picking with less touchpoints and manual data capture. Faster and safer picking mechanisms continued to affirm customer demands for quick and accurate order fulfilment, now in less time and with the option of free/easy returns. However, current supply chain and labor shortages are certain to keep challenging businesses, which is why the following trends are expected to reshape modernized warehouses this year:

  1. Continual push for verifiable sustainable warehousing practices – A large percentage of today’s consumers are growing more eco-conscious due to several environmental changes. To meet both customer demands and protect the environment, sustainable warehousing practices allow businesses to meet accuracy and speed demands with a smaller carbon impact. For example, Zebra’s Certified Consumables can be made of eco-friendly materials for easier decomposition and removal while still containing strong adhesives and surfaces for uncompromised barcode legibility. Other noteworthy mentions include next-generation mobile computers and tablets since they eliminate the need for additional hardware and can last beyond the standard 3-year lifecycle of a mobile device. This reduced eventual e-waste and electricity consumption.  
  2. Securing T&L drivers and ELD compliance – Delivery drivers have reported turnover rates of about 92%, causing serious delays in shipments. As order volumes increase, so does the demand for more capable drivers. Consequently, new technologies must be simple and intelligent enough to minimize stress and maximize safety. Devices like rugged tablets have proven useful in connecting drivers with real-time communication with administrators, most efficient driving routes, and voice messaging all through one large dashboard to keep drivers’ eyes on the road. Next-evolution models are even more advantageous as ELD systems running on 3G are soon to be terminated in 2022, creating a new demand for flexible connectivity options installed on newer devices.  
  3. Growing need for micro-fulfillment centers in urban areas – Same-day shipping demands have grown by 36% within the past year, especially for urban areas. This has posed a problem since large-scale warehouses simply can’t fit within bustling cities. Consequently, micro-fulfillment centers have grown within cities to cut down shipping and labor costs while preventing delays. To keep micro-fulfillment centers running smoothly, workers often depend on versatile handheld devices that can streamline multiple workflows through one digital platform. Zebra’s wearable WT6300 continues to illustrate this by replacing both scanners and 2-way communicators with an adaptable mobile computer that leverages natural muscle movement for faster integration. 
  4. Next-level automation with robotics – Order fulfillment leaders such as Amazon and Walmart have already set the standard for faster shipping rates. They are also among the first warehouses to begin deploying co-bots and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), once again raising the standards for efficient order picking.  Current labor shortages have also increased the demands for AMRs since they increase productivity by 85% when deployed alongside a human team, removing additional stress from your current teams. 
  5. Real-time communication with long-distance manufacturers – Supply chain shortages have resulted in a 250% increase in out-of-stocks nationwide. Breakdowns in communication between distributors and manufacturers further increase out-of-stocks as inventory is vulnerable to shrinkage and/or inaccurate counting while transitioning down the supply chain. Digitized data sharing through mobile devices and applications like Workforce Connect empower teams to notify facilities of quantities shipped and their location, preventing replenishment errors and additional out-of-stocks.

The key to leveraging any of these trends in the coming year is proactive preparation. Before deploying large-scale changes within your warehouse, consider meeting up with a modernization expert to explore optimization opportunities in your crucial workflows and get a closer look into the new technologies reshaping supply chains.

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Tips and Hints: Minimize Wasted Labor One Bottleneck at a Time

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Newly collected data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showcases a steady increase in warehousing jobs across the nation, yet this follows equally increasing labor turnover rates, verified by multiple warehouses in Zebra Technology’s most recent Warehousing Vision Study. As a matter of fact, the labor shortage has been cited as one of the top four challenges facing warehouses today. In other words, quality labor is becoming scarcer, which means warehouses are now faced with the challenge to find and retain efficient employees in their facilities. 

Eliminate Repetitive Tasks and Improve Labor Efforts

Eliminate Repetitive Tasks and Improve Labor Efforts with Fanfold Labels from Zebra

Specialized in warehouse efficiency, Avalon Integration investigates new solutions that empower your workforce by eliminating repetitive tasks that waste time and devalue employees. While there are many efficient systems designed to optimize employee satisfaction, we’ve searched for small cost-effective solutions that fit into your warehouse without too many changes into your current infrastructure. 

A Little Change Goes a Long Way to Keep Your Labor Efforts at Optimal Performance

While the average warehousing salary nears $36,000, labor costs may reach as close as $50,000 per worker. Health benefits, recurring training, and re-hires are some of the indirect costs warehouses simply can’t eliminate. However, here are three simpler changes to consider adding to your workforce:

  1. Create better device availability through new organization patterns. From picking to shipping, your supply chain runs several dynamic workflows, each needing the same devices simultaneously. One way to maximize device availability is to centralize common devices, so your workers can reach them without traveling across the warehouse.
    Better Device Availability Through New Organization Patterns

    Better Device Availability Through New Organization Patterns

     

  2. Invest in familiar technology to reduce training times. While new workers may feel uncomfortable with enterprise-grade technology, you can lower training times with rugged devices that resemble consumer-grade technology. As a Zebra Premier Solutions Partner, we carefully pair your workforce with intuitive devices designed to lower training times, and consequently, your operational costs.

    Reduce Training Times with Intuitive Devices from Zebra

    Reduce Training Times with Intuitive Devices from Zebra

  3. Choose intelligent systems that free up your workforce. Repetitive tasks break your workforce’s concentration, so consider choosing devices that automate repetitive tasks while your workforce focuses on more important tasks. For example, Zebra’s pretested fanfold labels successfully eliminate the drudging task of manually counting individual labels by neatly delivering labels that can be counted at a glance.

    Zebra’s Pretested Fanfold Labels

    Free up Your Labor Workforce with Zebra’s Pretested Fanfold Labels

See These Three Tips in Action in Our Video

If small changes can greatly impact your workflow, what would be the effects of bigger implementations? Whether it be new tracking systems or technology upgrades, Avalon Integration has both the tools and expertise to help you keep your labor efforts at optimal performance. Contact us today to find warehousing solutions scaled to your needs.

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