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Automation currently leads most modernization efforts, coming in the form of Android handheld devices, versatile rugged tablets, tap-and-pair mobile printers. In conjunction with these efforts, automated mobile robots (AMRs) have seized public interest. Current labor shortages and spikes in demand for faster and more accurate service have further fueled the need for flexible automation and digitization. Recent studies have shown that more than half of warehouses have cited hiring and retaining long-term workers among one of the biggest obstacles faced today, with 85% currently prioritizing labor optimization. Replacing the need for extraneous labor efforts, AMRs are able to empower workers by automating pallet movement, diminish travel time by 60%, and eliminate repetitive tasks without burdening the human workforce.

 

As decision-makers move towards integrating AMRs into their operations, experts recommend considering the following questions:

     1. How will you measure ROI?

Most specialists estimate AMRs should yield measurable results within 2 years at max, with order fulfillment speed being the first change to be recorded. While there are many ways to calculate ROI, a few indicators to look for include…

  • Increasing fulfillment speed – Since travel time is diminished, there should be less replenishment delays and bottlenecks impacting throughput rates.
  • Improved worker safety – AMRs are made to carry heavier loads and may sport a sensitive motion scanner to prevent collisions. This spares workers from straining themselves or running into machinery.
  • Lowered operating costs – As delivery timeframes are met and stock is quickly moved to the appropriate space, there should be less costs associated with inaccurate orders, mis-shipments, and sudden out-of-stocks.

      2. Do you have sufficient space?

While AMRs may not require a complete warehouse redesign, some solutions may require dedicated space within your operations for…

  • Navigation – Tight spaces and sharp corners can limit the AMRs’ ability to move freely around the warehouse.
  • Battery charging – Appropriate space may be required for charging different fleets when they’re not in use.
  • Maintenance – While enterprise devices are designed to withstand harsh environments, AMRs still need to be updated and serviced.

      3. Are other methods of automation already in place?

In addition to AMRs, support systems such as automated data capture and mobile computing further eliminate errors and speed up processes by enabling workers to accomplish more in less time. Before implementing robotics, set a digitized foundation with:

  • Android’s enterprise OS – Familiar and adaptable, Android enables you to add your preferred applications within its open ecosystem for easy adaptability. Its recurrent OS updates and security patches also further protect your operations from cyberattacks.
  • Real-time stock updates – By streamlining data capture and computing through one handheld terminal like Zebra’s handheld computers, your workers can update counts and communicate with each other digitally.
  • Push-to-talk capabilities – Speaking of communication, team communication goes a long way in keeping the workforce updated of any changes and emergencies across the facility.

      4. What fleet control system will you use?

Selecting hardware is only half the battle when it comes to modernization. To maintain complete efficiency, your fleet management system should be able to connect to your WMS system to receive directions and real-time inventory updates.

      5. Is your solution scalable?

The propensity for change in the supply chain is the only constant warehouses can continue to expect in the years to come. As material shortages challenge efficiency alongside labor shortages, it’s crucial to maintain integration and update simplicity to facilitate solution growth. If AMRs are unable to connect with the rest of your mobile devices, they may not be the most suitable option for your business.

 

Once these questions are answered, businesses can create a more realistic and proactive solution plan to minimize implementation hurdles. This can also help narrow down which kinds of AMRs to integrate. To explore your options or for more assistance on how to evaluate your warehouse, talk to one of our modernization experts and explore a broad portfolio of technologies to create customized and scalable solutions.

 

 

Drivers are the heart of Direct Store Delivery (DSD). Avalon Integration understands the challenges they face. We know how to provide them with the best tools for the job, so they can deliver superior customer satisfaction.

DSD Knowledge and Experience

Direct Store Delivery Worker Wearing Zebra Printer

Avalon Integration has put in the time to learn the needs of Direct Store Delivery. We’ve spent over 20 years improving efficiency, productivity, and profit across numerous industries.

  • Your Retailers and what their demands look like fast turn, order volume, flexible reorder/ delivery, returns, and refills.
  • Optimizing Routes for each day’s delivery schedule by factoring in variables like traffic patterns, speed limits, distance, and time calculations.
  • Capturing Proof of Delivery with the latest handheld technologies, you can reduce the Order-to-Cash cycle time to a matter of hours.
  • Continuous Improvement by using information captured to set a baseline for performance, so you can measure the effectiveness of incremental and ongoing improvements.

Helping You Improve Productivity

Mobile Computer about to be signed

Avalon Integration works as an extension of your project team, providing every service you need to create the most effective solution for your operation. From designing systems to selecting end-user devices, we’ll help you build DSD solutions that meet your needs and most importantly put you ahead of your competition.

Find Devices That Are Right for You

We work with the DSD Mobile industry leader, Zebra Technologies on device selection, configuration, pilot testing, provisioning, deployment and offer ongoing support to fit your needs with products like:

Policeman holding a TC25 in a parking lot

Zebra TC25

Rugged Smartphones offer reliable, remote access to real-time data, so your drivers are always ready to meet customer needs.

Woman on TC51 Zebra Handheld Computer looking at groceries

TC51/TC56 TOUCH COMPUTER SERIES

Makes your team faster and smarter and better able to satisfy customers.

Man using a ZQ500 to print a label for a worker

ZQ500 Series Mobile Printers

Print receipts, invoices, and labels where your customers are.

Delivery Driver Using Zebra Tablet in loading dock

Zebra ET50/ 55

Flexible enterprise-class features, durability, battery power in your choice of Android™ or Windows®.

DX30 can increase DSD in super markets

DX30 / SMARTDEX SOLUTION

Reconcile invoices at the time of delivery – wirelessly. DX30 enables DEX connection via blue tooth to customers’ DEX system.

Wireless Networking

Avalon Integration can provide predictive, physical surveys, installation, and certification as well as full future support.

System Design & Implementation

Avalon Integration brings their 20 years of experience to process design and ERP, WMS interface. We also provide user interface design and construction as well as developer training. 

Complete Software Packages and Customized Solutions to Fit Your Needs

The right software can reduce costs, streamline workflows, and increase accuracy. We have everything from standalone software packages to completely customizable systems, and the industry expertise to help you tailor the right software to maximize efficiency across your DSD operation.

Working Together can increase you DSD Operation

Contact Avalon’s experts today to help you optimize your DSD operation. We analyze your business and data management needs and tailor a system to fit the specific needs of your company.

In Direct Store Delivery (DSD) your drivers are the face of your brand. Any misstep dings that carefully built a brand. And to deliver excellent customer service your brand ambassadors need to have the right mobile support.

Great Customer Service Begins with Great Information

Handheld Scanner Scanning a boxes barcode

Meeting customer needs in the challenging world of Direct to Store requires the agility that only comes with a complete set of mobile tools. Tools that travel wherever your delivery brand ambassador does and do whatever they need them to do. So your drivers can:

  • Fit deliveries into specific time-critical windows
  • Establish rapport with customers through accurate, timely information
  • Make adjustments and updates at the moment to provide superior customer service
  • Communicate with customers and HQ in real-time and make customer pleasing  adjustments on the fly
  • Meet the productivity and reporting needs of the organization to improve the overall process for the customer

That’s why Avalon creates front-to-back solutions that combine the right hardware and software to help your people drive success and deliver great customer service while they’re on the go. Tools that give you a real edge. Tools that help you create a competitive advantage.

Zebra gives your people access to technical specifications, inventory information, and direct customer communication on the go, to improve customer satisfaction. 

Rugged Smartphones
TC25 Printing a Label for Direct Store Delivery

Zebra TC25

Reliable, remote access to real-time data. Personal devices don’t have the durability or functionality for a day in day out business use. Rugged Smartphones offer smarter, faster tools so your brand ambassadors are always on the road to meeting customer needs.

Handheld Computers

Tablet Scanner scanning products

TC51/TC56 TOUCH COMPUTER SERIES

They may look like popular smartphones but they’re powerful handheld computers that make your workers faster, smarter and help them to satisfy more customers more completely.

Mobile Printers

Worker using Zebra Handheld Mobile Computer and a Printer

IMZ Series

Rugged wireless mobile printers tailored to what you do and how you work. Rugged machines that feature a range of the latest connectivity options and robust functionality that helps your Direct Store Delivery workers print receipts, invoice, and labels where and when your customers need them.

Software That Works as Hard as Your People with Direct Store Delivery

Added value to customers often arrives at the same time as your driver. If your driver has better access to account and product information, insights that reflect a better understanding of their business you’re in a better position to win. That’s why Avalon offers the most complete mobile productivity solution on the market.

MobiWork® is built from the ground up to be a comprehensive and seamless resource that fits the needs of Direct Store Delivery operations perfectly. It includes GPS tracking, inventory management, billing and invoicing, work order management, electronic forms, scheduling and dispatch, contact management, and more. It offers cloud-based deployment options and native mobile compatibility with Android devices.

Your delivery ambassadors complete all activity reports on their handheld devices: delivery tickets, orders, payments, and signatures received and archived. Operational efficiency drives real productivity. Real-time customer response builds loyalty.

Manage Customer Activity with Direct Store Delivery

Mobile workers can manage customer activity from anywhere, in real time: schedule, location, routing, work orders, invoicing, entry forms, online payment. Capture signatures, audio, and images.

Critical Business Information for the Entire Team

  • Complete visibility into worker location and activities  
  • Manage work orders in real-time
  • Instant alerts for schedule, route or delivery changes
  • Perform on-site transactions
  • Customers can check status or create new work orders on a branded portal
  • TRUSTe Privacy Certification Seal®

Your edge in Direct Store Delivery

Avalon’s experts are ready to help you optimize your Direct Store Delivery operation. We analyze your business and data management needs and tailor a system to fit the specific needs of your company.

Ask us how to keep you moving forward with expert implementation.

Robbie Cox, Jay Steinmetz, Doug Houser, Mike Kula and Bob Kroskie in front of a resturantWe enjoyed our time in Memphis last week at the ScanSource Mobility Conference! We enjoyed meeting with everyone at ScanSource.
 
Pictured: Robbie Cox, ScanSource
Jay Steinmetz, Barcoding Inc.
Doug Houser, Avalon Integration
Bob Kroskie, ScanSource
Ask us how Avalon can help you get and keep your competitive advantage.

It’s not enough to achieve lower costs in field service, to be successful today you need to have a smart field service, connected team. Workers must be able to adjust in real-time to meet the changing wants and needs of customers. With so many variables to log, monitor, and control, keeping assets and resources productive and focused on satisfying customer needs is key. The most agile supplier will be the most successful.

Avalon has been helping companies become more agile with smart connectivity. Keeping field resources connected with real-time information to deliver superior customer service. You gain a competitive advantage while keeping productivity high. Avalon combines expert, industry experience with leading-edge mobile tools, superior data capture, and automation software so you keep operations nimble and effective:

  • Field Automation
  • Data Capture
  • Barcode Scanners
  • Mobile Computers & Tablets
  • Mobile Communication

Zebra gives your field operations better connectivity, more accurate up to date data, and more flexibility. They get access to technical specifications, inventory information, and direct customer communication on the go. Zebra helps you optimize operations and empower workers to deliver top customer service.  

Handheld Computers for Smart Field Service
Zebra TC51 Handheld Computer with Water on the Screen

TC51/TC56 Touch Computer Series

They may look like popular smartphones but they’re powerful handheld computers. Your team is always connected and up to date, ready for what the field throws at them. Your people can be faster, smarter, and satisfy more customers.

Mobile Printers
ZQ500 Mobile Printer Smart Field Services

Wireless mobile printers go where your field service forces go. Simplify transactions. Print receipts and invoices on the spot. Features a range of the latest connectivity options and robust functionality so you keep up with the most demanding situations.

Rugged Smartphones
TC25 handheld Computer for Smart Field Services

Zebra TC25

Rugged, reliable and powerful. Real-time data and voice, point and shoot capture of any electronic or printed barcode – rugged smartphones make your team smarter, faster and more agile. Personal devices can’t match the durability or functionality for a day in day out business use that rugged smartphones deliver.

Manage Customer Activity for Smart Field Service

Android Product line up for Manage Smart Field Services

Mobile workers can manage customer activity from anywhere, in real time: schedule, location, routing, work orders, invoicing, entry forms, online payment. Capture signatures, audio, and images. Your team gets all the functionality they need to provide great customer service. Fast.

  • Gain complete visibility into worker location and activities
  • Manage work orders in real-time
  • Instant alerts for schedule, route or delivery changes
  • Perform on-site transactions
  • Customers can check status or create new work orders on a branded portal
  • TRUSTe Privacy Certification Seal®

High-Efficiency Field Service Implementation for You

Avalon’s experience and expertise can help your field service team become more agile and more effective. We’ll analyze your business and data management needs and customize a solution that fits your company. Ask us how Avalon can help you get and keep your competitive advantage. 

Field service is the name of the game. Mobile workers keep everything moving. When they’re productive, the enterprise is productive. Avalon Integration helps you keep productivity high by keeping you connected.

Avalon Integration combines expert, industry experience with leading-edge mobile tools, superior data capture, and automation software so you keep operations nimble and running smoothly with real-time data management and on-site flexibility.

  • Field Automation
  • Data Capture
  • Barcode Scanners
  • Mobile Computers & Tablets
  • Mobile Communication

Managing far-flung human capital is tough. It’s a constant battle to maintain profit margins, revenues, and quality of service. Enterprises are always on the hunt for cost reduction and ways to improve efficiency and accuracy.

Zebra gives your field operations access to technical specifications, inventory information, and direct customer communication on the go, to improve customer satisfaction and reduce repeat calls. 

Handheld Computers for Field Service
TC72 is a handheld device built for field service

So much to do – deliveries, equipment repair, plumbing, electrical, parcel delivery, yard maintenance, to name just a few – so little time. And so many competitors ready to serve your customers if you slip. They may look like popular smartphones but they’re powerful handheld computers that make field people faster, smarter and help to satisfy more customers.

TC51/TC56 Touch Computer Series

TC51 and TC56 being used in Field Service

Rugged industrial design that looks and feels like the most popular consumer-style smartphones but armed with Zebra-only enterprise-class features, power, security, and manageability your business requires.

Mobile Printers for Field Service
Mobile Printers can be used for Field Service

Rugged wireless mobile printers tailored to what you do and how you work. Printers range from those ideals for occasional use, to rugged machines that feature a range of latest connectivity options and robust functionality that keeps you operating in the most difficult situations.

IMZ Series

  • Proof of Delivery
  • Receipts
  • Parking Regulation
  • OMNI-Channel Fulfillment
  • Fleet Management
  • Field  Sales
  • Field Service
  • Mobile Asset Management

Rugged Smartphones for Field Service
TC25 - Field Service

Zebra TC25

Field workers need reliable, remote access to real-time data. Personal smartphones, tablets, and laptops are attractive and easy to use but, they don’t have the durability or functionality necessary for a day in day out business use. Rugged Smartphones offer smarter, faster tools for business. Consumer smartphone cameras aren’t built for barcode scanning — rugged smartphones offer scanning technology designed for commercial grade point-and-shoot capture of any electronic or printed barcode in virtually any condition.

Zebra TC55

Field workers need reliable, remote access to real-time data. Personal smartphones, tablets, and laptops are attractive and easy to use but, they don’t have the durability or functionality necessary for a day in day out business use. Rugged Smartphones offer smarter, faster tools for business. Consumer smartphone cameras aren’t built for barcode scanning — rugged smartphones offer scanning technology designed for commercial grade point-and-shoot capture of any electronic or printed barcode in virtually any condition.

Welcome to the Future – the Internet of Things (IoT)

Tom using a Zebra Printer and Scanner to prep a box for shipping

When it comes to delivering superior customer service, having the right person, at the right place, at the right time, with the right equipment, is fundamental. Mobile devices have elevated field service dramatically. But the Internet of Things (IoT) is being adopted rapidly and is greatly expanding the capabilities of field mobility. With connected devices and IoT technologies, field personnel will gain actionable insights that enable them to interact and communicate better, faster, and more intelligently than ever.

Imagine a territory of vending machines that give you real-time updates on what’s in stock, what’s needed to be restocked and what needs immediate mechanical attention – all part of the real-time analytics that includes sales activity, broken down by day, hour, brand, etc.

Avalon and Zebra are bringing together real-time asset visibility, rugged mobility, and cloud technology to lead the way to a new level of efficiency, accuracy, and quality. By capturing data and turning it into actionable insight, companies gain Enterprise Asset Intelligence™ — resulting in more informed decision making and more efficient and accurate performance. The right assets, in the right places, at the right time – for the best outcome at the lowest cost.

High-Efficiency Field Service Implementation for You

Avalon’s experts are ready to help you maximize productivity from your field service team. We analyze your business and data management needs and tailor a system to fit the specific needs of your company. We specialize in process design, technical interface design, user interface design and construction, and developer training. Ask us how to keep you moving forward with expert implementation.