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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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What is the Barcode Printing Program, and why should you enroll for the new year?

Current supply chain challenges have solidified the consistent need for intelligent automation. However, solution integration can increase operational expenses beyond hardware purchases. Between software integration, employee training, and eventual maintenance and tech support, warehouses expecting to deploy automated solutions expect to pay thousands of dollars in deployment alone. Consequently, there remains a fourth of warehouses uncommitted to enhanced automation for a myriad of reasons including:

  • Lack of time to deploy
  • Lack of affordable options
  • Employee turnover rates being faster than training times
  • Older devices still functioning well 

Nevertheless, automation continues to enable faster picking rates, higher accuracy rates, and greater inventory control. As a result, Avalon’s labeling experts have decided to partner with several enterprise leaders in simplifying scalable barcoding automation through the new Barcode Printing Program. 

One access-point to countless automation opportunities. 

By streamlining the solution design process, warehouses can expect a smoother deployment process to reduce costs and get workers more accustomed to new barcoding systems for faster ROI. This is accomplished with the following components:

  1. Adaptable printing hardware – Drawing from a partnership with several enterprise-ready brands, printers are selected according to your printing volume, projected goals, and budget requirements. Furthermore, adaptable devices such as Zebra’s line of thermal printers secure high printing speeds and resolutions within user-friendly units for simplistic deployment and scalability. 
  2. Intelligent printing software and applications – White hardware is obviously crucial, printing software, operating systems, and applications work hand in hand to expand the printer’s capabilities, protect passing data, and facilitate remote management. For example, PrintDNA applications enable seamless PDF printing from ERP systems, access levels to previously printed data, and remote battery management to prevent battery failure in the middle of a shift. Different applications and software can be added to your existing printing solution, eliminating the need for a complete system upgrade. 
  3. Durable labels that match application environments – Comprising less than 10% of total operational expenses, labels still play a vital role in supply chain efficiency. As a result, it is recommended labels be thoroughly tested to survive application and storage environments. Working with leading label developers, our specialists work with you in tailoring label size, color, surface, adhesive strength, and more to ensure its dependability.

In addition to careful solution design and deployment, the Barcode Printing Program also provides recurrent technical support for any update and repairs that arise. Close relationships with brands also provide insights and first glances at new technologies and solutions, giving you the competitive advantage. 

Take the first step towards scalable efficiency and enroll today into Avalon’s Barcode Printing Program to start exploring technologies that match your operational goals and 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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Tips and Hints: Is Your Warehouse Cyber Monday Ready?

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The U.S. Postal Service shipped approximately 900 million packages during the 2018 holiday season. Other delivery services such as UPS reported shipping 100,000 packages a day, 1,700 packages a minute. With more purchases coming from online shopping, Cyber Monday alone brought as much as $7.9 billion in profits in 2018. This year, Adobe Analytics predicts a $1.58 billion increase in Cyber Monday shopping. To make matters even more complex, Cyber Monday falls one week closer to major holidays (Dec. 2), expediting deliveries as the holidays draw closer. For these reasons and more, retailers across the nation expect another record-breaking profit increase this year.

Although large numbers may seem comforting, it’s important to remember that even a small error percentage can result in a million-dollar loss. For example, a 1% error rate in 2018 could have impacted nearly 800,000 packages. As leaders of warehouse optimization, Avalon Integration provides all the tips and hints needed to keep your operations running smoothly throughout the most confusing time of the year.

Start your operation with the right labels

Zebra Labels on Dancer Assembly

Zebra Labels Properly Aligned on the Dancer Assembly

Before ever seeing the loading dock, inventory must first be properly labeled in order to successfully reach the correct destination. While small, your labeling system dictates:

  • Shipment accuracy
  • Courier route
  • Inventory contents
  • Handling instructions
  • Customer tracking updates
Zebra Labels on Dancer Assembly

Zebra Labels on Dancer Assembly

Simply put, your labels can directly affect customer satisfaction. Consequently, Avalon recommends securing profits with Zebra Certified consumables. Engineered with pretested materials, Zebra’s rugged labels and tags endure the most rigorous application processes and harsh environments, keeping your label information fully legible while also reducing common printing hazards.

  • Eliminate harmful coating friction – Tested through a 23-point inspection, Zebra labels have a smooth coating that reduces printhead friction, minimizing downtime due to printhead failure.
  • Minimize label slack – Because they’re wound outwardly, Zebra labels eliminate slack that, when left unchecked, could cause printer-jams and slow production.
  • Lower maintenance expenses – By feeding your printer Zebra Certified labels exclusively, you may become eligible for free printhead replacements through the Printhead Protection Program.

Get an up-close look at how Zebra’s Certified labels enhance productivity in our video:

With forty days left until Cyber Monday, the time to start optimizing crucial systems is now. Contact us today for an in-depth assessment of your current workflow patterns and integrate durable technology crafted for enterprise success.

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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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