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Improve workforce productivity with RFID tracking

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In any given industry, workforce labor is both the biggest expense and the largest asset to a company. From the production floor to the retail storefront, your workforce keeps operations running smoothly to create a seamless supply chain. However, as demands continue to reshape the enterprise landscape, labor may not be appropriately distributed in the workspace. Whether it be in warehousing or retail, ill-distributed labor can lead to:

  • Higher turnover rates
  • Missed delivery dates 
  • Overlooked compliance codes and worker safety
  • Inaccurate order fulfillment 

To accommodate changing workforce sizes and evolving customer demands, several warehouses have turned to the popular and versatile modernization solution: RFID technology. 

What can RFID Bring to your Operations? 

According to Zebra’s 2019 Warehousing Vision Study, RFID technology was expected to grow by 6%, yet post-pandemic demands for both speed and safety have accelerated adoption in warehouses and retailers alike. Next-generation RFID solutions such as Zebra’s MotionWorks can expand operational visibility while increasing workforce productivity by…

  • Providing real-time operational visibility – Unlike conventional barcodes, RFID technology can be used to track in-motion inventory and assets all in real-time, providing you with a clear view of where your workforce is at any given time. 
  • Complying with worker safety protocols – New worker safety initiatives such as Zebra’s MotionWorks Proximity allows you to trace exposure risks and integrate social distancing protocols into your handheld device by tracking high-density workspaces in real-time. 
  • Tracking labor-intensive workflows – When demand increases suddenly as it normally does for peak holiday seasons, RFID data capture can help track intensive workflows and guide employees through multiple pick paths at once, eliminating superfluous wait times. 

See how Zebra’s Savanna does it all and more in our video

Whether you’re tracking assets, inventory, or your workforce, expect dependable visibility when you optimize operations with Avalon. Contact our automation experts today for a free evaluation of your workflow to get started. 

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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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