Vision Study finds 74% of APAC decision makers to accelerate warehouse technology investments by 2020; Zebra’s hands-free solutions address need for faster picking as e-fulfilment booms
Zebra Technologies has released the Asia-Pacific results of its latest Warehouse Vision Study. The global survey compares input from over 1,000 IT and operations warehouse professionals from retail, manufacturing, logistics, transportation, and wholesale distribution sectors across countries – including Australia, China, and India – on expectations for 2015 through to 2020.
As per the release, the study shows that enterprises are expected to increase the number of warehouses as global online sales continue to grow. Warehouse executives surveyed say they plan on equipping staff with new technologies to meet the needs of increasing shipment volumes.
In response to the industry’s need to increase operational visibility to ramp up efficiency and productivity, Zebra is introducing a collection of products designed for warehousing tasks. The Total Wearable Solutions – the world’s only dedicated family of wearable devices built on the Android operating system (OS) – is backed by Zebra Mobility DNA, with hands-free and speech-directed picking that increases user mobility, comfort and accuracy. Compared with traditional speech-only wearable devices, the new multi-modal solution delivers 15 percent productivity improvements, with a 39 percent reduction in errors. Zebra’s Total Wearable Solutions is the latest milestone in Zebra’s commitment to delivering “visibility that’s visionary,” following the announcements of the TC8000 mobile computer and the 3600 series of ultra-rugged scanners.
Joe White, vice president, Enterprise Mobile Computing, Zebra Technologies commented, “Zebra’s Warehouse Vision Report found that 72 percent of nearly 1,400 logistics professionals expect to use voice-directed picking solutions by 2020, up from just 30 percent in 2015. They recognize the need to help workers focus on the task at hand, rather than on handling a device. By liberating warehouse workers’ hands and eyes, Zebra’s Total Wearable Solutions will improve productivity and enhance their mobility, comfort and accuracy with all the necessary information in sight.”
Ryan Goh, Vice President & General Manager, Sales at Zebra Technologies Asia Pacific said, “With the surge of e-commerce activities in Asia Pacific in recent years, led by China and India, the region has become the ‘warehouse of the world’. IT and operations decision makers in warehouses and distribution centres consistently need to identify new ways to improve productivity and reduce costs to stay competitive. Nearly three quarters of respondents in Zebra’s Warehouse Vision Study have plans to outfit their warehouse staff with technology in the next five years. Zebra provides the exact technologies, products, and solutions that offer increased operational visibility to address the challenges faced by our customers. This allows them to become more nimble and agile.”
