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4 Realistic Expectations to Have from Today’s Modern Supply Chains

The last two years have drastically altered supply chain efficiency. The effects of nationwide lockdowns, global shortages, and international tensions have deepened a shared reliance on automated systems to stay ahead of mounting consumer demands and fulfillment challenges. However, amid recurrent and new obstacles, many businesses have shared positive workplace changes such as:

  • Improved worker conditions – Automated systems and enterprise robotics alleviate the stress placed on human workers while also requiring less muscle effort to meet demands.
  • Implemented easy technology – To truly be considered successful, a modernization solution should value user-friendliness to diminish training expenses.
  • Increased wages and bonuses – Around 45% of workers noted an increase in wages as warehouses and distribution centers sought to retain long-term employees.

Changes such as these can help foster more seamless workflows and satisfied employees. As new technologies are developed and integrated into the fast-moving supply chain, it is imperative to maintain realistic yet optimistic goals in the warehouse to correctly track KPIs overtime. Zebra’s newest 2027 Warehouse Vision Study showcases four of the most common goals today’s warehouse managers:

  1. Improving individual worker productivity – It has been estimated that nearly a quarter of warehouse operations were managed through paper-based systems. This means that workers had to spend a bulk of time updating reports, verifying stock counts, and imputing updates manually at the risk of entering the wrong data.
  2. Streamlining workflows in a standardized fashion – As fulfillment tasks became more complex with same-day shipping, higher return rates, and direct-to-customer transactions, businesses needed a way to ensure workflows were accurately tracked from door to dock. Consequently, 41% of companies began to optimize mobility in 2022 to ensure new and permanent workers stay organized through one trackable workflow managed through their handheld device.
  3. Maximizing asset visibility – From mobile devices to centralized printing stations, your warehouse assets play an intricate role in sustaining productivity across the warehouse. Consequently, maintaining device availability through real-time asset tracking systems has become a goal of nearly 70% of warehouses worldwide. Clear operational visibility further empowers warehouses to prepare for challenging demands since decision-makers have a better picture of the resources available to them at a moment’s notice.
  4. Collecting and leveraging data via intelligent automation – The prevalence of sudden changes has created a need for multiple data capturing systems to ensure nothing is ever missed. Therefore, systems featuring technologies like autonomous robots, fixed industrial scanners, and even RFID portals have proven beneficial to drive automated decision making based on real-time insights. This means warehouses can ensure the correct orders and reaching the correct customers, stock quantities are current, and workers receive the assistance they need when and where they need it.

How to make sure these goals are met

E-commerce transactions continues to be one of the largest forces behind modernization, impacting nine out of 10 warehouses by increasing shipping volume. To meet expectations within a dynamic omnichannel ecosystem, experts recommend…

  • Assessing warehouse space to target challenges in the RFID implementation process such as high ceilings, dense walls, etc.
  • Supporting migration plans to adaptable operating systems like Android to make sure new updates and patches are accommodated into current workflows
  • Consolidating workflows into wearable devices to alleviate weight and pressures from your workers while cutting back on management plans for multiple devices.

Navigating through several modernization challenges becomes simpler with a team at your side. To get a closer look into how supply challenges are continuing to affect modernizing warehouses, reach out to our modernization specialists and approach optimization with a confident yet adaptable strategy.

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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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Innovative Approaches to Retiring Electronic Devices

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In our last post, we talked about the growing issue of e-waste. As new technologies swiftly replace older devices, organizations are wrestling with how to reduce (or even stop) the flow of e-waste and they’re coming up with innovative solutions.

New apps are being developed to help combat e-waste. The apps perform a wide range of functions, from connecting customers with local waste haulers and finding current recycling information to multiple guidelines for safely disposing of devices. Precious metals recycling is entering its next phase thanks to newcomer Attero and a host of other innovative solutions are making the scene or are being readied for prime time.

Recycle Your Scanners and Feel Good About Doing Good!

Recycle Your Scanners for more Innovative Devices

Avalon Integration and Zebra are keeping up with the latest trends and innovations to keep outdated technology from becoming an environmental problem. The Go Zebra CASHBACK REBATE program pays you up to $650 when you trade in your outdated scanners and other devices – no matter what brand it is. And you can be confident Zebra recycles your old devices properly, in compliance with the latest EPA guidelines. As an added bonus, Zebra even picks up the tab for UPS shipping.

Turn your scanners into cash and do the right thing for the environment. Let Avalon and Zebra help you update to more productive scanners. You get cash in your account while making the world cleaner.

Zebra recycles all devices and batteries. They don’t just dump them in landfills. They get disposed of the right way.

Get Cash for Your Outdated Devices and get Innovative with Zebra!

Upgrade Outdated Devices for more innovative options from Zebra

Cash-out your outdated devices

Get up to $650 for making the move to Zebra

Technology keeps advancing. Is yours holding you back?

Outdated devices, like scanners, mobile computers, and thermal printers, lack the features that enable maximum performance—which means you’re compromising productivity.

Zebra makes it easier than ever to cash in your legacy investment and upgrade to the latest, most innovative, purpose-built technology. Get up to $650 cash back when you trade-in your current technology toward the purchase of a new Zebra device.

There’s Never Been a Better Time to Upgrade to Zebra and get Innovative!

Upgrade now to Zebra’s legendary scanners and make your workers more effective. Zebra: Fast. Accurate. Durable.

DS3608-HP/DS3678-HP

DS3608 the new Innovative Scanner from Zebra

SUPERIOR CAPTURE OF BARCODES, PHOTOS

Flexible superior capture of 1D/2D barcodes, photos, signatures, OCR data, and documents — complete with processing to provide a sharp, legible image.

Hurry! Time’s Almost Up!

Rebate expires Dec 31 now is the time

Check out the Avalon Go Zebra page to learn more!

Bonus: Deduct Full Purchase in 2018!

In the last post, we talked about how to trade up to Zebra printers and mobile devices and get cashback. Now you have more reasons than ever to upgrade ALL your track and trace equipment and systems. Section 179 of the IRS tax code allows businesses to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment and/or software purchased or financed during the tax year. That means that if you buy (or lease) NEW equipment, you can deduct the FULL PURCHASE PRICE from your gross income. This year that’s up to $1 million. But hurry: time is running out. You must take delivery by December 31, 2018.

Next Up

In the next post, we’ll talk more about what to do about e-waste and how to do the earth favor while you put cash in your bank account.

*Offer expires 12/31/18 for both trade-in and free shipping

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Confronting the Growth of E-Waste

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In 2016 more than 44.7 metric tonnes (about 49 US tons) of E-Waste were generated worldwide – electronic hardware that has been replaced by newer, more productive models and is now trash. The United Nations Global Partnership on Waste Management and the EPA continually tracks international E-Waste generation, but as we race toward an ever more automated future managing retired technology is a growing issue that can’t be ignored.

Get Paid to Recycle Properly and Help Confront E-Waste Growth!

Recycle to help reduce E-Waste Growth

That’s a big reason why Avalon Integration and Zebra offer the Go Zebra CASHBACK REBATE program. Any time you upgrade to Zebra technology you can get up to $650 cashback – no matter what brand your trade-in. You get cashback and Zebra recycles your old devices properly and in compliance with the latest EPA guidelines in order to help with e-waste growth. Zebra even picks up the tab for UPS shipping.

Plus: Upgrade to the Newest Technology from Zebra

Upgrade to the Latest Technology from Zebra to Help Reduce E-Waste

Outdated devices, like mobile computers and thermal printers, lack the features that enable maximum performance. Stop losing time and productivity to old technology.

Boost ROI with the most innovative track and trace technology on the market.

  • Expanded enterprise-level functionality
  • Improved ease of use
  • Faster processing power to run more apps
  • Advanced scanning power for greater reach and precision
  • Streamlined device management that reduces IT time
  • Expanded connectivity
  • Enterprise OS compatibility
  • Unmatched ruggedness that prevents unnecessary downtime, repair, and replacement
  • Future-proof design and engineering that allows for field-installable upgrades

Help Confront E-Waste And Deduct Your Full Purchase in 2018!

Trade up to a Zebra Printer and Help Confront the Growth of E-Waste

In the last post, we talked about how to trade up to Zebra printers and mobile devices and get cashback. Now you have more reasons than ever to upgrade ALL your track and trace equipment and systems. Section 179 of the IRS tax code allows businesses to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment and/or software purchased or financed during the tax year. That means that if you buy (or lease) NEW equipment, you can deduct the FULL PURCHASE PRICE from your gross income. This year that’s up to $1 million. But hurry: time is running out. You must take delivery by December 31, 2018.

Plus: Get Free Printhead Protection

Just agree to use ONLY genuine Zebra supplies with your Zebra thermal printer and we’ll give you free printhead replacements. You’ll need replacements less often because these quality consumables will prevent the premature wear and tear that the bargain supplies can cause. Join the Printhead Protection Program. Extend the life of your Zebra printer and lower the total cost of ownership. Contact Avalon Integration or click here to enroll.

Rebates Simple as 1, 2, 3!

Contact your Avalon/ Zebra solutions specialist for more details. Just fill out this form.

  1. CONTACT YOUR AUTHORIZED ZEBRA® PARTNER CONNECT CHANNEL PARTNER Avalon Integration will take into consideration your users, applications and work environments, as well as your upfront and ongoing costs of ownership so you choose the right solution.
  2. PURCHASE A QUALIFIED PRODUCT Regardless of which qualifying product you select, you can be sure it’s purpose-built to improve productivity, lower costs, and raise customer satisfaction.
  3. SUBMIT YOUR RECLAIM FORM AND TRADE IN YOUR BATTERIES OR DEVICES Register for your rebate by completing a trade-in application within 90 days of the invoice date. After the claim is successfully completed and approved, you will receive a Trade-in Merchandise Authorization (TMA) with instructions.  Visit zebra.com/gozebra for details.

Hurry! Time’s Almost Up!

Rebate expires Dec 31 now is the time

Check out the Avalon Go Zebra page to learn more!

Next Up

In our next post, we’ll talk about innovations in recycling and how cashback and recycling, combined with IRS 179, make upgrading more affordable than ever for mobile track and trace equipment.

*Offer expires 12/31/18 for both trade-in and free shipping

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3 Reasons to Upgrade Your Printers and Mobile Devices Now

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Last post we talked about how to trade up to Zebra batteries and chargers and get cashback. Now you have more reasons than ever to upgrade ALL your track and trace equipment and systems. But hurry: time is running out. You only have until December 31, 2018!

1. Deduct Your Full Purchase in 2018!

Deduct Your Full Purchase in 2018 for Cash Back!

Section 179 of the IRS tax code allows businesses to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment and/or software purchased or financed during the tax year. That means that if you buy (or lease) NEW equipment, you can deduct the FULL PURCHASE PRICE from your gross income. This year that’s up to $1 million. But, you must take delivery before the end of the year.

2. Get a Cash Rebate with the Go Zebra Cash Back Rebate Program!

Get a Cash Rebate!

Upgrade to the newest technology from Zebra, through Avalon Integration, and get cashback with Zebra’s GO Zebra CASHBACK REBATE program. Trade-in your outdated equipment – any brand – and receive cash back when you upgrade to select Zebra products. Get up to $650 cash back when you trade-in your current technology toward the purchase of a new Zebra device.

Remember, Non-Zebra models qualify for trade-in and Zebra pays shipping.

3. Leverage New Technology Now!

Leverage New Technology Now!

Outdated devices, like mobile computers and thermal printers, lack the features that enable maximum performance. Stop losing time and productivity to old technology. Boost ROI with the most innovative track and trace technology on the market.

  • Expanded enterprise-level functionality
  • Improved ease of use
  • Faster processing power to run more apps
  • Advanced scanning power for greater reach and precision
  • Streamlined device management that reduces IT time
  • Expanded connectivity
  • Enterprise OS compatibility
  • Unmatched ruggedness that prevents unnecessary downtime, repair, and replacement
  • Future-proof design and engineering that allows for field-installable upgrades

Plus: Help the Environment as You Improve Yours

Zebra recycles all devices and batteries. They don’t just dump them in landfills. You’re putting cash in your account and helping Zebra treat the environment right.

Plus: Get Free Printhead Protection

Get Free Printhead Protection

Agree to feed your Zebra thermal printer with ONLY genuine Zebra supplies and we will give you free printhead replacements when you need them—which will be less often because these quality consumables will prevent premature wear and tear that the bargain supplies cause. Join the Printhead Protection Program. Extend the life of your Zebra printer and lower the total cost of ownership. Contact Avalon Integration or click here to enroll.

Rebates as Simple as 1, 2, 3!

  1. Contact Your Authorized Zebra® Partnerconnect Channel Partner Avalon Integration will take into consideration your users, applications, and work environments, as well as your upfront and ongoing costs of ownership so you choose the right solution.
  2. Purchase a Qualified Product Regardless of which qualifying product you select, you can be sure it’s purpose-built to improve productivity, lower costs, and raise customer satisfaction.
  3. Submit Your Reclaim Form and Trade in Your Batteries or Devices Register for your rebate by completing a trade-in application within 90 days of the invoice date. After the claim is successfully completed and approved, you will receive a Trade-in Merchandise Authorization (TMA) with instructions.  Visit zebra.com/gozebra for details.

Next Up

Next, we’ll talk more about how cashback and recycling, combined with IRS 179 make upgrading more affordable than ever for scanners and other mobile equipment.

Hurry – Time’s Almost Up

The program expires on December 31, 2018.

Contact your Avalon/ Zebra solutions specialist for more details.

*Offer expires 12/31/18 for both trade-in and free shipping

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Zebra et50 and et55: Enterprise-Grade Tablets That Make the Grade

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There’s no doubt we rely on smartphones for a variety of computing tasks. The phone is likely one of the lesser used functions. As smartphones became more convenient and functional, they drifted into the workplace. Then came tablets, and workers appreciated the increased landscape of the larger screen, without the unwieldy size of a laptop. With enterprise-grade tablets, workers could access enterprise systems for updates and communicate across the network with more ease than ever before.

Yet, in demanding conditions, like a warehouse or manufacturing facility, consumer devices just don’t last. Drop that tablet on the concrete floor and it’s either headed for repair or replacement—which means downtime and cost. You might also be compromising your data security by using a consumer-grade tablet or limiting the computing power.

Zebra ET50 and ET55 Enterprise-Grade Tablets
Zebra ET50 and ET55 Enterprise-Grade Tablets

Avalon Integration is focused on serving the technology needs of today’s warehouses, distribution centers, and manufacturers. We recognized that consumer devices just don’t deliver value in a tough, enterprise environment. So, we looked toward Zebra, a leader in this space, and found the answer.

The Zebra ET50 and ET55 enterprise tablets are purpose-built for the workplace. These enterprise-grade tablets make the grade—with a higher level of security, data capture, connectivity, and durability. Use these powerful mobile computing devices to:

  • Access real-time reports
  • Transmit work orders
  • Check equipment status
  • Track orders
  • Review and adjust workflows
  • Trigger replenishment
  • Place supply orders
  • Locate people and inventory
  • Capture and send high-quality photos or videos
  • View schematics
  • Record inspections with the date and time stamps
  • Use voice and messaging functions to communicate with the workforce

The Zebra ET50/ET55 enterprise tablet is designed to handle all of these functions with ease and reliability. With the sleek design of a consumer tablet, the ET50/ET55 is unquestionably rugged. Drop the tablet from three feet without worry. Add the rugged frame and the device will handle a drop from more than six feet. The ET50/ET55 will also withstand rain, snow, and dust. The IP65 sealing protects it from even a heavy spray from a hose.

This high-powered, intuitive, and rugged tablet also comes pre-installed with Zebra’s Mobility Extensions (Mx), a suite of features that elevate your operating system to enterprise-class Android. The result is more streamlined and effective device management, security, Wi-Fi performance, and application access. You can do more, better.

Zebra ET50 and ET55 Tablets Are Built to Work for You
Zebra ET50 and ET55 Tablets Are Built to Work for You

Data capture is also enhanced with the enterprise-level ET50/ET55 tablet. Scan 1D and 2D barcodes easily and quickly from a printed paper or electronic screen. Even damaged barcodes can be read. The tablet is also equipped with an integrated 8MP rear camera for image capture and a 2MP front camera for video conferencing.

You can add a hot-swappable battery to keep working without missing a beat. Or keep your ET50/ET55 powered up on the mobile-powered cart.

The ET50 is configured for robust connectivity within your facility’s existing WLAN infrastructure. If you need an enterprise tablet that hits the road with you, the ET55 supports 4G LTE.

Avalon Integration proudly partners with Zebra to provide our customers with the most advanced technology solutions for their business. Ask us about the ET50/ET55 enterprise tablets and other enterprise-grade mobile devices that increase operational efficiency.

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