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Where does Zebra’s new WS50 fit?

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Zebra’s newest wearable computer has gained much attention for being the world’s smallest wrist-mounted computer. Lightweight and fully ergonomic, the device replicates many functions currently conducted by larger handheld computers, yet it brings unique benefits to specific applications. To best harness its features, businesses seeking to implement the WS50 should consider its top use cases. Developed to simplify data capture and sharing, the WS50 has seen the most proficiency in:

  • Retail markdowns – Shifts in demands can cause rapid price changes over shorter periods of time. Team members equipped with unbreakable data accessibility through wearable devices can quickly scan and verify inventory information without extra bulky devices or paper stock counts.
  • Task management – Operating with smaller workforces under constant labor turnover, warehouse teams require real-time task management that can prioritize in-need operations in real-time based on current workforce size. The WS50’s flexible connectivity features allows teams to update task assignments on the go for less unbroken productivity.
  • Warehouse order fulfillment – Encompassing over 50% of labor efforts, order fulfillment is the foundation of successful distribution. With customers demanding consistent accuracy rates within smaller delivery timeframes, automated picking, sorting, and loading hastens the fulfillment process while increasing throughput without overburdening your workforce. Mobile computing also curbs unnecessary travel since workers no longer need to check in with a centralized desktop to update reports.
  • Accuracy verification – Lastly, whether in the warehouse, in a storefront, or even in non-traditional settings such as food service and hospitality, the WS50’s intelligent scan engine provides higher accuracy rates by verifying product data without paper-based systems.

 

How is this different from a traditional handheld computer?

While the WS50 shares many similarities with leading mobile devices, its small size and wearable capabilities increase responsiveness since workers can be expected to be wearing their devices. Wearable technologies have consistently shown to be easier to adopt since they leverage natural human movement, ultimately empowering teams to…

  1. Cut down device management costs since the device already fulfills the role of a ring scanner
  2. Further connect teams through embedded push-to-talk features on a wearable band
  3. Customize mounting and applications to create a tailored wearable solution that’s easy to grasp by new hires.

 

The road to effective modernization can take many forms. While a hardware upgrade can be essential, sustainable efficiency is developed with tested expertise and solution support. To translate the benefits of the WS50 into your workflows, consider meeting up with one of our automation experts to pinpoint bottlenecks and optimization opportunities in your workflows.

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3 Technologies that are Reshaping the Warehousing Future

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Technology has always been one of the greatest drivers of change in any industry. From steam engines to the internet, it is estimated that technological advances have been responsible for a tenfold increase in labor wages within the past 200 years. Not only are advances smarter, but they are also faster. For example, in 2010, collected data intelligence from global outlets comprised 2 zettabytes of information. As of 2019, that number has jumped to 41 zettabytes, which is enough data to fill over 10,000 billion DVDs, collected in a span of nine years.

As our world continues to change, warehousing efficiency continues to adapt to meet new consumer demands. To stay ahead of change, Avalon Integration is taking a closer look at three productivity-enhancing technologies permeating warehouses nationwide.

Take a look in our video:

  1. Breakthrough limitations with virtual reality – Maximizing both worker safety and productivity, hands-free technology such as Zebra’s HD4000 keeps your workforce focused and directs workflows through one lightweight adaptable solution.
  2. Overcome change with the adaptable EC30 – Compact yet strong, the EC30 helps eliminate future software and application issues since it can house your updates without losing functionality over longer periods of time, compared to consumer devices. That means you can continue to add changes and/or new users without recurrently purchasing new devices.
  3. Accelerate efficient picking with voice technology – Boost productivity by 15% when you combine the power of enterprise headsets with Zebra’s WT6000 and ring scanners to optimize order accuracy with high ergonomics. Create intelligent pick paths while providing secured connectivity channels and reliable data capture that expedites order fulfillment without hindering accuracy.
Three Technologies for use in the Warehouse

Three Technologies for use in the Warehouse

Where do these technologies fit?

While there are many different sorts of technologies available, Avalon’s experts make sure your workforce is equipped with solutions that work for them. Stay ahead of change when you create a custom modernization solution, tailored to your needs.  

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Modex 2020: We’re Raising Productivity Standards in 2 Weeks

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While still revolutionary in nature, automation may not strike as new since it’s been discussed at great lengths for the past years. However, automation isn’t the only trend redefining efficient warehousing. Adaptive to change, efficient warehousing is set to be influenced by trends such as:

  • Rise of Machine Learning and A.I.
  • Modernized RFID Solutions
  • Push for Sustainable Practices
  • Blockchain Connectivity
  • Demand for Same-Day Delivery
  • Fluctuating International Tariffs
  • Big Data
  • Wearable Technologies
  • Cloud Computing
  • Real-time Locationing
  • Digital Twins

From the first generation of mobile computing to the latest OS migration wave, Avalon Integration has specialized in maximizing operational efficiency with the best resources available. That’s why we’re facing these trends confidently with brand-new solutions and technologies to be introduced at the Modex 2020 Tradeshow.

Got Plans for March 9th-12th?

Leveraging Industry Changes for Modex

Leveraging Industry Changes for Modex

For four days, Avalon Integration invites you to join over 900 leading technology providers and manufacturers such as Zebra Technologies in leveraging the latest industry changes for maximized operational efficiency that leads to:

  • Increased supply chain visibility – New connectivity options and security measures have paved the way for transparent supply chain operations where every member can participate.
  • Efficient picking and fulfillment strategies – Breakthroughs in labeling technology such as RFID, Bluetooth beacons, and automated data capture have maximized order accuracy by eliminating the errors normally associated with manual data entry. Now, newly digitized processes and wearable technologies such as the WT6000 and ring scanners can further maximize accuracy while expediting order processing.
  • Streamlined returns management operations – Cloud-based software and increased inventory visibility can lead to simplified return management systems. Real-time locationing and productivity applications such as Zebra’s Mobility DNA can expand warehouse visibility, equipping you with better insights into where and how your returned inventory is processed.

 

Modex 2020 Powered by MHI Logo

Modex 2020 Logo

From meaningful networking to in-depth knowledgeable seminars, get a close look into the key industry changes set to reshape the future within the coming years. Meet us at booth #3607 at the Modex 2020 Tradeshow and refine efficiency with the leaders in effective innovation.

However, you don’t need to wait two weeks to experience a new standard in productivity. Speak to our warehousing specialists today to discover new customized solutions designed to maximize your competitive edge, so you can stay ahead of today’s challenges and tomorrow’s trends.

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This is How Avalon Integrates Efficiency

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There is no limit to perfection. It took as close to 75 years for 100 million people to adopt telephones, yet only a day to get that same number of people onto a mobile app. Founder of the World Economic Forum, Klaus Schawb, has characterized the blurred lines between technology and society as the 4th Industrial Revolution, and like past technological advancements, the present rise in new systems and operations is set to reshape industries across the globe, including warehousing, T&L, healthcare, and many others. 

However, unlike past innovations, today’s new technologies, such as RFID and advanced machine learning, bring a new level of automation that enhances an employee’s unique capabilities by valuing critical skills and simplifying routine operations. As a result, Avalon Integration explores popular technologies due to redefining modern-day supply chains with more efficiency and visibility.

Efficiency and Developing Purposeful Connected Labor

Zebras RS5100 and WT6000 Improve Warehouse Efficiency

Zebras RS5100 and WT6000 Improve Warehouse Efficiency

As labor costs continue to rise worldwide, the need for purposeful labor increases as well. To develop purposeful and cost-efficient practices, automated systems relieve employees to focus on more pressing tasks. Nevertheless, automation’s usefulness has also been perceived as a threat. Research conducted by the Gallup Research Center found that almost 73% of working Americans believe intelligent machines may eliminate jobs. On the other hand, 61% of responding warehouses reported relying on a combination of both technology and human effort. Today’s most advanced technologies still require human collaboration. Therefore, automation’s goal is not to outright replace labor but to enhance it. A few examples include:

  • RFID – Able to gather over 40 codes into one tag, RFID further maximizes visibility by tracking asset movement, market demands, and storage requirements all through one solution. This reduces the need for extraneous labeling while diminishing processing errors as products are prepared for shipment.
  • Wearable Technology – Further elevating warehouse ergonomics, wearable technology such as Zebra’s WT6000 can increase productivity by 15% by pairing accuracy with speed, so workers can process more inventory with less  Moreover, wearable technology proves to be highly adaptable as it accommodates other technologies with less space. As a matter of fact, over 70% of warehousing facilities seek to employ wearable technology within the next five years.
  • Hands-Free Picking – To eliminate additional time-consuming touchpoints, hands-free picking and voice picking accelerate workflows when integrated into wearable technology.
  • Internet of Things (IoT) – Breaking the established limits of connectivity, IoT expands visibility with real-time updates. Crucial data can be tracked and modified across a whole warehouse…and even outside the four walls.
  • Blockchain – Taking connectivity beyond singular teams, blockchain technology brings every member of your supply chain closer, from manufacturers to retailers. With data safely updated across a whole supply chain, fewer bottlenecks threaten inventory as transparency is maximized.

The future is filled with new uncharted opportunities. To see how these technologies and more can strengthen your workforce, contact us for an in-depth assessment and/or demonstration at your convenience.  

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Top Technologies to Look for in 2020

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Ride-hailing apps, 4K television, interactive smart speakers, online streaming services, and self-driving cars are just a few of the ground-breaking technologies that did not exist ten years ago. As a matter of fact, access to LTE services and 4G network speed has only been popular since 2015. While the world of efficient automation has redefined the past decade on the consumer front, it is also reshaping the industrial landscape.

Using a Zebra Tablet While Loading a Pallet into a Delivery Truck

Using a Zebra Tablet While Loading a Pallet into a Delivery Truck

Working closely alongside warehouses of all shapes and sizes, Avalon Integration has implemented the most revolutionizing technologies of this decade. From rugged mobile computers to intuitive printing software, modern-day enterprise-technology has integrated greater degrees of accuracy, productivity, and visibility from packing to shipping. However, we know well there is no limit to innovation. That’s why we look forward confidently towards the opportunities the new decade will bring. While we can’t predict the future, there are several technologies worth keeping an eye on within the coming years.

Revolutionizing the World of Modernization

TC77 Warehouse Technologies

The TC77 from Zebra Is Used to Improve Warehouse Technologies

Research conducted by Zebra Technologies has outlined numerous challenges modern warehouses can expect in the future, such as:

  • Technology usage
  • Efficient labor
  • Capacity utilization
  • Integrating quality warehouse management systems
  • Inventory management within omnichannel shopping

Standing as a practical and cost-effective solution to these issues, warehouse automation brings the promise of streamlined operations, efficient labor, and lowered operational costs. A few examples of successful automation tools include:

  • RFID Technology – Expanding visibility beyond the four walls, RFID tags, and readers allow workers to track moving assets throughout the warehouse floor. Furthermore, RFID scanners minimize scan time by correctly documenting several codes with one trigger pull, allowing your workforce to process more orders accurately.
  • Internet of Things – Much like the consumer world, enterprise technology can also be connected and managed at a large scale through the Internet of Things. This means your warehouse can manage devices, battery life, security updates, and much more without impacting workflow.
  • Power Carts – Omnichannel retail brings the opportunity for more complex supply chains, ultimately demanding more from your workforce. Mobility solutions such as Newcastle’s Power Cart alleviates bottlenecks and long travel routes while also reducing labeling errors by 90%.
  • Wearable Technology and Voice Picking – Further boosting worker mobility and versatility, wearable technology such as Zebra’s WT6000 wearable computer increases productivity by 15% and can be easily paired with Bluetooth technology to create an efficient voice picking solution.

Get a head start in efficient modernization with Avalon Integration. Count on 20 years of experience when you contact us to learn more about how these and other technologies can maximize productivity and ROI within your operations.

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Sharpen Accuracy and Efficiency in Warehouse Picking with Better Mobility

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The ever increasing demand for more efficiency and accuracy in warehouse operations leaves no room for errors. At the same time, many warehouses are processing more orders and juggling more SKUs, adding to the challenge.

Picking is one area where delays and mistakes happen. You can reduce these problems by automating the process with mobile technology. Your pickers can verify every item they pick and achieve this heightened accuracy with more accuracy than ever before.

Mobile-Powered Cart

Power Carts

A mobile-powered cart acts as a workstation on wheels, allowing your pickers to keep all of their technology close by and powered up. Eliminating the unnecessary movement between aisles and a central workstation increases efficiency. A mobile-powered workstation, like the EcoCart, delivers 8 hours of battery power and the heavy-duty reliability to withstand the tough conditions of a warehouse or distribution center. Equip it with a mobile computer, like an enterprise-grade tablet (e.g., Zebra ET50), and an industrial printer (Zebra ZT230), and your employees are connected with all the information and output they need.

Mobile Computers for the Hands-Free Approach

tc8000-accuracy

Mobile computers, like a Zebra TC8000 handheld computer, are multi-functional. They enable your workers to view orders on the screen, scan and verify products, check product locations, and instantly update inventory. This particular rugged mobile computer has been shown to increase productivity by 14%, the equivalent of one hour per worker per shift, which contributes to a rapid ROI.

The hands-free, voice-directed picking (VDP) approach to wearable technology increases efficiency even more. The combination of a ring scanner, wearable wrist terminal, and computer headset provides total freedom of movement to use both hands for picking orders. The picker responds to a voice command, points the ring scanner, and confirms the accuracy. There’s no device to carry, wrist strain is reduced, and your team picks more orders per shift, which boosts your profitability and helps you meet your operational goals.

Technology Allows for More Accuracy in Your Warehouse

According to Zebra, one of the industry leaders in mobile data collection technology, voice-directed picking solutions result in 99% accuracy and increase warehouse productivity by at least 10%.

Zebra’s research also presented some interesting statistics that support the decision to invest in better mobility solutions that enable multi-modal picking. With this approach, users achieved these results:

  • 14% less walking time to complete an order
  • 18.1% less time to pick all items in an order
  • 15.4% less time to fulfill an order
  • Error rate that is 63% less than those with voice-only systems

Technology will enable you to tighten control over your warehouse operations. Automating processes, like picking, overrides human error, allows you to process orders more quickly, optimize your labor costs, and achieve real-time visibility. Acquiring technology is not an expense, but an investment in the strength of your business.

Avalon Integration specializes in technology solutions for warehouses and manufacturing. Use our mobility expertise to customize the solutions for your business. Contact us to realize the potential.

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