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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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Tips and Hints: How Fast Becomes Faster

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Today’s supply chains are fast, but in a world where you can have designer shoes delivered by a flying drone in less than 30 minutes, the question remains: How much faster can the modern workflow get? Between new delivery services, changing social platforms, and revolutionary technology, the on-demand market becomes increasingly more demanding as customers expect faster service.

Serving a wide range of clients across the U.S., Avalon Integration is well aware of the increasing demands made on today’s warehouses. Integrating solutions in businesses both big and small, we can share tips and hints on how warehouses across the globe are turning fast into faster.

Peel and Present Labels Faster

Every Change Counts

Since there are several shapes and sizes to today’s warehouses, it’s only natural that several optimizing strategies have gained popularity worldwide. A few common strategies include:

  • Moving closer to customers – While costly and generally reserved for larger enterprises, moving warehouses and distribution centers closer to customers drastically reduce shipping times, giving companies a higher competitive edge. Furthermore, changes within the U.S. economy (import tariffs, lower tax rates, etc.) have also driven companies to consider new warehouse locations, possibly contributing to the 3372 new private warehouses built within the last decade alone.
  • Investing in automation – Reducing inaccurate order processing from picking to shipping, automated workflows can save companies millions of dollars from return fees, lost assets, and human error. Automation leader, Zebra Technologies reports that 61% of warehouses are already equipping workforces with automated processes designed to maximize accuracy and productivity without overworking employees. Moreover, less worker stress leads to lower turnover rates, saving operations from costly downtime and employee burnout.
  • Expanding inventory visibility – Integrating small changes, such as environment-resistant labels or large-scale RFID solutions, allows workers to quickly locate assets. This ultimately decreases wait times while capturing actionable data. From long-range readers to the latest RFID on-metal solutions, Avalon partners with Zebra to provide an end-to-end visibility solution that elevates productivity.Peel Labels Faster and Present Them
  • Maximizing worker mobility – Faster supply chains mean your workers are moving faster throughout the warehouse. Consequently, crucial warehouse technology much is ergonomic and versatile enough to preserve mobility. Devices such as Zebra’s MC9300 or TC77 are perfect examples of how multiple functions can be combined into one ergonomic device, helping workers complete different tasks without hauling several devices with them.
  • Simplifying “easy” operations – Lastly, in a supply chain, every little task counts; therefore, efficiency should never be spared. In other words, just because something works doesn’t mean it can’t be better. For example, small tasks such as label application can be optimized to cut time spent labeling. Want a closer look? Check out the video below:

Innovation always continues to move forward. While we may not be able to build a brand-new warehouse, Avalon Integration can build optimization strategies centered on your workflow challenges. Stay ahead of the on-demand market when you start your optimization solution with the leaders in efficient innovation.

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The ROI of a User-Friendly Scanner

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Barcode scanning can be a labor-intensive job. From finding the barcode to reaching it with the scanner and capturing the barcode, it’s a process that seems easy but can become more complicated than necessary if the scanner itself can’t handle the challenges. As part of our ongoing quest to optimize operational efficiency for our customers, Avalon Integration took a close look at the scanning potential of the new Zebra MC9300, an ultra-rugged mobile computer that reflects the company’s considerable knowledge of investment in what industries need from their barcode scanners.

Let’s start by looking at what a scanner’s optimal effectiveness does for productivity:

  1. Accelerate the pace of order fulfillment.
  2. Minimize fulfillment errors (from receiving through picking and shipping).
  3. Increase inventory accuracy.
  4. Expedite user training.
  5. Reduce repetitive strain injuries.
  6. Prevent downtime from a battery or device failure.

Solve any one of the issues and you increase the user’s productivity—work faster and more accurately. Solve ALL of them and you have a barcoding power tool! That’s what we’ve discovered with the Zebra MC9300 mobile computer. From a scanning perspective, it delivers on all counts.

Capture Every Barcode

The MC9300 from Zebra Can Capture Every Barcode

The MC9300 from Zebra Can Capture Every Barcode

The MC9300 is powered by Zebra’s industry-leading scanning technology. PRZM Intelligent Imaging, advanced sensors, and proprietary algorithms are designed to make data capture as easy as possible. Grab 1D, 2D, and direct part mark (DPM) barcodes—even those that are hard to read. If the barcode is smudged, scratched, dirty, damaged, poorly printed, or covered with frost or shrink-wrap, you can still point, click, and capture it.

Do It on the First Try

The mc9300 Is Here to Do It on the First Try Every-time

The MC9300 Is Here to Do It on the First Try Every-time

Barcode scanning shouldn’t make your workers feel like acrobats—twisting, reaching, climbing, and bending over backward to get to the barcode. Zebra’s omnidirectional scanner means you can scan from any angle. There’s no more wasted time spent trying to precisely align the laser with the barcode. Imagine if your workers had to spend three times as long to read a barcode. What does that do to your workforce productivity?

In addition to omnidirectional scanning ease, Zebra offers four different scan engine options with the MC9300. If your scanning requires short-range or long-distance data capture, the SE4850ER scan engine lets you read from as close as 3 inches to as far as 70 feet away—perfect for warehouses, distribution centers, transportation and logistics, and manufacturing plants. The SE4750DP is a good choice for any manufacturer that utilizes DPMs. If you’re only scanning 1D barcodes, equip your MC9300 with the new SE965 scan engine; however, if you might need both 1D and 2D without extended range, Zebra also offers the SE4750 standard range scan engine.

The MC9300 Scanner Is Here to Impress

The MC9300 Scanner is here to impress

The MC9300 Scanner is here to impress

No matter which scan engine you choose for the MC9300, your workers will be impressed with the lightning-fast speed. We also like the battery power that’s standard on Zebra’s new rugged industrial handheld. The high-capacity 7000 mAh PowerPrecision+ gives twice as long a charge as the previous MC9200 (which was still impressive). The battery charges faster and can be swapped without powering down the device. One of the features of the Mobility DNA app that comes with any of Zebra’s mobile computers is the PowerPrecision Console. One glance shows you the health and battery life so you don’t run out in the middle of a shift.

How’s your scanning efficiency handling all of your needs? If there’s room for improvement (and we suspect there is), contact us at Avalon Integration to see the ROI that the Zebra MC9300 can provide.

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Productivity and Ergonomics: How the Zebra MC9300 Masters Both

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Everyone is laser-focused on maximizing productivity in the warehouse, plant, and distribution center. It makes sense with the increased demand for flawless fulfillment and faster delivery. Productivity and ergonomics go hand in hand—quite literally. Avalon Integration recently discovered how the new Zebra MC9300 masters both productivity and ergonomics with an improved grip.

The latest in Zebra’s MC9000 Series of industrial handhelds launched a lot of improvements that we didn’t see coming. They’re all designed to increase worker efficiency and accuracy. But one of the significant—and often unsung—contributions toward productivity-boosting is the ergonomic enhancement. When a device handles easier, the worker can move more swiftly, with more ease and comfort. The business saves on the downtime that results from wrist strain and even stretching to scan barcodes from high or awkward positions (or both). You also save on the time it takes to manipulate and operate a device that isn’t ergonomically mastered.

Here’s what Zebra did to address these issues on the MC9300 mobile computer.

Smarter Grip Design

The Zebra MC9300 has a Smarter Grip Design

The Zebra MC9300 has a Smarter Grip Design

Admittedly, we didn’t see a flaw in the MC9200’s grip. Sometimes, you don’t know what you’ve been missing until it stares you in the face. This new grip handle enables the user to align the hand and fingers more naturally along the curve. At the same time, this design provides for a stronger grip. The grip area has also been redesigned as concave, making it easier to hold the device firmly in the most comfortable position.

Grab and Go Ease

The Zebra MC9300 can Grab and Go With Ease

The Zebra MC9300 can Grab and Go With Ease

The MC9300’s design also lets your workers put it down and pick it up quickly. The front of the grip’s base and the edge of the top of the display are engineered so you can place it on a surface with good stability. When you need the device, grab hold of the grip and you’re instantly in “point and shoot” mode. The over-molded bumpers in these areas (and all touchpoints) provide essential protection in the event someone puts it down too hard or loses a grip on the grip.

A Bigger, Broader View

Zebra MC9300 has a Bigger Broader View

Zebra MC9300 has a Bigger Broader View

What are your scanning needs? Long reach? Cold storage? Direct part marks? Zebra will offer your choice of four scan engines:

  • 1D standard range (SE965)
  • 1D/2D standard range omnidirectional (SE4750SR)
  • Extended range for 1D/2D data capture from 3 inches to 70 feet (SE4850ER)
  • Direct part mark (DPM) with lightning-fast capture (SE4750DP)

The MC9300’s scanner and two cameras provide an expanded FOV, so you can capture more data with less movement, and with no interference between the data capture functions.

When your goal is to drive efficiency through smarter design, you owe it to yourself and your workforce to check out the Zebra MC9300. Watch this video to see the new mobile computer and then contact Avalon Integration to find out how to get your hands on one.

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Raise the Bar Again: Zebra’s New MC9300 Has 12 Improvements

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The Zebra MC9200 set a new standard for rugged mobile computing when it was launched a few years ago and the device maintained that stature ever since. The reign has ended. We just got a sneak peek at the new leader. Avalon Integration is ready to crown the MC9200’s successor. Raise the bar again because Zebra’s new MC9300 has 20 improvements. This rugged handheld does more than push the envelope of enterprise mobile computing. This device blasts right through it.

We’re all used to new versions coming out of our favorite technology, and we’ve perhaps become jaded from the steady stream of “new and improved”. Yes, there are always some cool things, but are they enough to motivate you to upgrade?

The Avalon Integration testers were asked this question. They responded with, “Are you kidding? This is a game-changer!”

What’s so great about the MC9300?

The Zebra MC9300 Scanning Barcodes Cardboard Boxes

Zebra clearly evaluated every aspect of the previous generation (the MC9200) to determine where improvements could make it better. They also obviously listened to users—those people who always have a wish list ready. The result of all this effort is a long list of features that will produce outstanding efficiency that is sure to deliver rapid ROI.

  1. Faster processor. The new MC9300 is powered by a 2.2 GHz, octa-core, Qualcomm SD660, a major leap from the MC9200’s 1 GHz, dual-core OMAP 4 processor.
  2. More memory. With today’s more graphics-intensive apps, you’ll appreciate having up to 8 times the RAM and 16 times the flash of the previous handheld.
  3. Latest Android OS. The future-proofed MC9300 ships with Android O pre-installed but includes support through Android Q.
  4. Bigger, tougher screen. The MC9200’s 3.7-inch VGA display has grown to 4.3-inch WVGA with a capacitive Gorilla Glass panel.
  5. Expanded Wi-Fi. This version supports 802.11 ac/w for increased Wi-Fi range, speed, and security. 2X2 Multiple-User Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) provides better performance in areas where multiple users are accessing the network.
  6. Improved Bluetooth. Get twice the data speed and four times the range with less power.
  7. More imaging options. Choose from 4 scan engines to customize the MC9300 to your specific uses, like extended range (3 inches to 70 feet), omnidirectional, and DPMs.
  8. Updated keypad. 7 keypads (alphanumeric, numeric, and functional numeric) let you match your preferred data entry to the task, and the large keys enable input with gloved fingers.
  9. High-resolution rear camera. The 13 MP color camera allows for detailed image capture, ideal for proof of condition, compliance, and service.
  10. Sensors for light and vibration. Ambient Light Sensor saves power by automatically adjusting the screen brightness. The time-saving Vibration feature signals users in noisy environments when a scan has been successfully captured.
  11. Supercharged battery power. The 7000 mAh PowerPrecision+ battery delivers twice the run time of the MC9200 and charges from 0 to 90% in less than 3.5 hours.
  12. More rugged. Zebra is known for its toughness. The MC9300 takes it even further, with an 8-foot drop spec, shock-resistant housing, scratch-resistant display and imager window, and IP65/67 sealing that protects against water.

There are many more improvements that you need to see for yourself

The Zebra MC9300 Scanning Barcode in Warehouse

Avalon Integration is ready to guide you through a hands-on tour of the new MC9300, so you can decide how the new leader in enterprise mobile computing will impact your productivity like never before. Click here to see our close-up look at the MC9300’s features.  Then contact us to schedule a demo.

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