This blog post was collaboratively written with John Pomerleau, an Advanced Product Manager at Zebra who has been leading the TC5X product family.

Deadwood and dormant desktop computers are real problems in retail, distribution and warehousing environments right now. So too are dropped wireless connections among staff who use mobile computers to guide their every decision and action, especially when they’re rushing from one side of the building to the next or in and out of the parking lot, trying to pick, pack, and deliver customer orders.

Along those same lines, asking a customer to meet an associate at “the desk” clear across the store – or even a few aisles over – to process a customized order or complete a simple purchase transaction certainly does not embody a “frictionless” shopping experience. Neither does asking them to wait five minutes once they get there for the associate to…

• login to the hard-wired desktop computer…
• wait for the page to load…
• transfer data already captured on the mobile device to the desktop system…
• or manually lookup information that could have easily been retrieved with a barcode scan on the floor.

If an associate has to hunt for an item that appears to be in stock but isn’t in sight, they must be able to find it fast. If they need to track down a ladder to see what’s on a top shelf because their barcode scanner doesn’t reach that far, or they don’t even know the department or shelf in which an item *should* be located, customers might say “forget it.” Some might even abandon their entire cart, figuring they’ll just get everything at once when they find a store that has what they need on the shelf. The same scenario is possible at a restaurant or hotel, where guests expect top-notch service.

That’s why I’m rallying retailers, hospitality leaders, distributors, and warehouse operators in every sector to rethink how, when, and where they’re using different types of mobile devices within their facilities. I’m also challenging them to consider whether anything but mobile computers are needed on the floor. (Even managers don’t spend much time at a desk these days.)

MOBILE DEVICES AREN’T JUST FOR USE ON THE MOVE – AT LEAST NOT ANYMORE

Over the past couple years, we have had several conversations with our customers about what a multipurpose 2-in-1-type handheld device might look like in a retail store, distribution center or warehouse. Most of their teams are highly mobile, so they need smaller lightweight devices that can be carried either in hand or as a wearable for workers to pick, pack, put away, count, or price check items. Tablets can be great for mobile point-of-sale (POS) teams or floor supervisors who need to be able to see more visual data such as planograms, schedules or dashboards. But they aren’t typically the right form factor in situations where multiple barcodes must be scanned, boxes unpacked, or bags loaded into vehicles every minute of every day.

That’s why the rugged handheld mobile computers within the Zebra TC5x Series have been so popular with both front-of-store and back-of store teams for so long. With just a single, one-handed scan, all kinds of information can be extracted from a barcode – and several different questions answered for customers. The smaller form factor device can also be clipped on a belt when workers need to free up their hands to get items off pallets, on shelves and in carts or cars quickly and safely.

Despite the many benefits and growing capabilities of handheld mobile computers, though, some things are just easier to see and do on a 20-inch display or with a full-sized keyboard and mouse. Having to manually input customer data, build customized orders, get signoff of product designs, or review more detailed spreadsheet reports are all great examples. So, retailers, warehouse and distribution center operators had previously set up workstations with traditional desktop computers for floor workers and store managers to use as needed for those few things too challenging to do on a mobile device screen.

However, now that mobility solutions have matured, workers and managers are making fewer trips to these desktop-computer workstations, rendering traditional desktop computers somewhat obsolete. A combination of new hardware and software capabilities is leading to greater mobile optimization of forms, reports, task lists, and more. And tasks that occasionally require access to a full-size screen, keyboard use or connection to other peripherals can be now easily managed through mobile workstations – workers don’t need to log into separate desktop computers anymore.

What that means is that you can probably reduce the number of desktop workstations on the floor, replacing them with mobile workstations, accessible on demand.

And now that Zebra Workstation Connect can turn the newest-generation, Android™ 11 Wi-Fi 6 TC5x mobile computer – the TC52ax – into a fully-featured desktop computer with a simple drop into the workstation cradle, you can probably eliminate traditional desktop computers from the equation. (As well as the time and expense of providing hardwire ethernet at the workstation.)

That’s right: there’s now an authentic 2-in-1-type handheld mobile/desktop computing solution that (we believe) checks every box for retailers, hoteliers, restaurateurs, manufacturers, distributors, warehouse operators and even many government agencies!

Since I know someone will ask: no, this is not another “mirror-mode” solution.

Once the new Zebra TC52ax mobile computer is docked in a workstation cradle, it converts into a mobile-driven workstation, running a separate desktop user interface on the large screen from what is currently shown on the mobile device screen. It doesn’t just project what’s on the small screen to the large screen. It completely switches modes, using desktop resolution to turn the mobile computer into the “desktop” computer.

Workers can set up shortcuts, use task bars, resize windows and open multiple apps in multiple windows like they would with a traditional desktop terminal. And, unlike the old-school workstation setups, they can also work on different applications on the mobile device and desktop simultaneously. For example, they can connect a headset and use the mobile computer to make a push-to-talk (PTT) or PBX call to colleagues across the store, at other stores, in the warehouse or on the road while it’s docked, running as a “desktop” on the large screen. This enables them to get the answers customers need and process orders simultaneously.

Another example is worker training. If they need to watch a training video on the big screen, no problem. Just plug a speaker or headphones into the workstation cradle; it can connect multiple peripherals. Want to print a customer contact sheet, receipt, report or other full-page document from “desktop” device? Easy. The TC52ax + Workstation Connect setup has input/output (I/O) ports for a printer, mouse and keyboard.

In other words, anyone who has a TC52ax is essentially walking around with a desktop computer at their fingertips. They can zoom through tasks and deliver a top-notch customer experience, no matter their role or proximity to an actual desktop PC. And IT can easily control what workers can access and display in both mobile and desktop modes based on their roles.

That’s right: you no longer have to figure out the “perfect place” to put a workstation in your retail store, distribution center or warehouse, and IT no longer has to maintain desktop workstation computers that may only be used once a week, if that. There is just one mobile computer with advanced barcode scanning capabilities for your team to configure, learn, carry, use and manage whenever/wherever necessary from now on.

(Was that a sigh of relief I just sensed?)

ONE DEVICE, TWO MODES, THREE “FIRSTS” – ALL OF WHICH EQUATE TO COUNTLESS BENEFITS FOR YOU

Not to pile on the good news (who would want that?) but the new TC52ax is also a Wi-Fi 6 device! Zebra’s first, actually.

It’s also Zebra’s first Android™ 11-based handheld enterprise mobile computer! (And one that will be supported through Android 14.)

That’s not all! It’s also the first Zebra handheld mobile computer to offer IntelliFocus™ through the brand new SE5500 Advanced Range scan engine, ushering in a whole new generation of scanning capabilities. Its intelligent autofocus technology works extremely fast and will reliably scan any barcode a TC52ax user puts in front of it, whether it’s on the very top shelf over 40 ft./12 m* away or on an item they have in their hand. (*Actual scan distance is determined by symbology type and size as well as barcode and lighting conditions.)

The best part is that because of its range, workers no longer have to walk, bend or reach to get a good shot. Nor do they have to waste time or test their patience trying to perfectly aim a little red dot on a barcode that’s three or four stories in the air – a barcode they may not even be able to find in the first place without getting out that ladder or lift truck. The best-in-class green laser aimer, designed for an extended scanning range, is up to seven times more visible than a red laser, and its aiming pattern spreads out over several feet. This makes it easy to see the barcode from a distance in virtually any lighting condition and capture all barcode data the first time, every time. So, to be fair, the TC52ax + Workstation Connect is really more like a 3-in-1 solution since it’s also an incredibly versatile, high power, far-reaching barcode scanner!

Did I mention that you’ll also have the option to turn on Zebra’s famous (and wildly helpful) Device Tracker to find TC52ax devices that may go missing? (My colleague Dave Degrassi talks about how this beaconing technology helps you keep devices from permanently disappearing in this blog post, even if their batteries die before you find them.)

If you think about all the features and capabilities of this 3-in-1 solution holistically, it means:

• fewer devices to maintain now and replace down the line. Even though this solution requires some time and financial investment upfront, it will reduce the pressure on IT and save you money in the long run. And, as you add other Zebra mobile computers and tablets to your corporate-owned device fleet in the future, workers will be able to just drop those devices into their respective Workstation Connect cradles to get the same full desktop experience as your TC52ax users.
• more space in your stores and on your workstation surfaces. The mobile workstation can be configured as needed, and it does need a lot of real estate space.
• a smaller learning curve for workers. They areprobably already familiar with Zebra Android mobile devices, and now they will get the benefit of a true desktop experience. (Even if they’re first time Zebra devices users, they may be comfortable with the Android OS from their personal device usage and appreciate not having to learn how to use a separate desktop computer at work.)
• a larger business case for upgrading your workers to Wi-Fi 6 mobile computers sooner than later. Enterprise mobility expert Bruce Willins gives the scoop on the many benefits of Wi-Fi 6 compared to Wi-Fi 5 and even 5G in this interview.
• faster service and better experiences for customers who must accompany an associate to a desk for further assistance. The workstations are going to be so well equipped and the mobile-to-desktop transition so seamless, both customers and workers are going to notice the difference. Expect them to be wowed by how smooth the shopping or workflow experience is now compared to “then.”
• better setups for employees so they can, in turn, better support customers.

I think this last point sums up the benefit best.

The work experience is changing. And transformative new technologies such as the TC52ax, Workstation Connect and IntelliFocus make it possible for organizations to design workspaces that match the needs of their highly mobile workers and time-sensitive customers.

In fact, if I had a crystal ball, I’d say the days of blaming technology – or lacking tech capabilities – for bottlenecked workflows, stalled fulfillment, lost sales, and risky moves (to reach far-off barcodes) could soon be long gone. But I don’t.

I have had something better these past several months, though: a front-row seat during the development and piloting of the TC52ax with Workstation Connect solution. I’ve seen what it can do, especially when the optional SE5500 Advanced Range scan engine is added into the mix. (The IntelliFocus technology is impressive.)  

So, what I can tell you is that this one voice-enabled Wi-Fi 6 *mobile* computing and scanning device is extremely versatile both as a handheld device and desktop replacement. It can effectively orchestrate most retail, distribution and warehousing workflows from start to finish, with no exceptions, empowering workers can get things done quickly and safely. They won’t have to go out of their way to retrieve the information they need or persistently thank customers for their patience, as they can effortlessly transition from one task to another, using just one mobile device.

You can get rid of the deadwood and dead weight (i.e., desktops) and let go of any worries you may have about dropped calls or slow download speeds on overloaded wireless or old wired networks. And customers get the frictionless shopping experience they desire, whether that’s online via click and collect or in store at the (now mobile on-demand) desk.

Originally published here!

It’s hard to believe another National Retail Federation (NRF) conference has come and gone!

I look forward to NRF’s events year-round, but I was especially excited for NRF Converge 2021 as it was the first NRF since the lockdown ended here in the U.S. and things feel like they’re finally starting to normalize.

Amid the great conversation with new and old connections, I had the opportunity to sit in on three discussions with some of today’s most innovative and creative retail thought leaders, including executives from three top brands and a few of my Zebra colleagues.

Though there were many key takeaways from those sessions, three are especially noteworthy either for their novelty or lack thereof:

1. E-commerce isn’t going anywhere.

Though online shopping has been core to retailers’ survival during the pandemic, some wonder if it will continue to remain as popular as brick-and-mortar stores increasingly reopen and people become more comfortable roaming the aisles once again. When speaking with Ed Tonkon, President of Zebra Retail Solutions, during a session about “Retail challenges that keep C-level executives up at night and how technology can help them sleep,” noted finance and management consultant Jan Rogers Kniffen wasted no words emphasizing the sustained demand for e-commerce retail and how it will only grow in importance from this moment forward. Specifically, he pointed out that since e-commerce retail took off in 1999, brick-and-mortar retail hasn’t gained so much as a sliver of market share over e-commerce. Even baby boomers, known for preferring to shop in stores, have been using e-commerce at an increasing rate.

Jan actually took a moment to adjust a prediction he made back in 2014. In that year, he said e-commerce would comprise 50% of retail sales by 2030. But with the accelerating growth of e-commerce, he now sees the retail industry hitting that metric by 2025 – five years ahead of schedule!

And the key to sustaining an efficient retail execution model amid this e-commerce explosion? Inventory visibility and “ever-increasing inventory accuracy.” Kniffen pointed out that retailers’ overall inventories are still rather low after selling out their excess stock during the pandemic, which explains why retailers’ margins are exceptionally high despite an increase in shipping fees.

Retailers need to seize this opportunity and seek out technology that simplifies and improves inventory management – before market conditions normalize. Only then will retailers be able to ensure the right product is in the right place, at the right time, and in the right condition, regardless of whether sales are occurring online or in store.

2.  Don’t wait until post-pandemic to adopt analytics.

In another terrific session, Zebra Prescriptive Analytics General Manager, Guy Yehiav, interviewed two customers that recently switched their analytics systems from report-heavy, exception-based reporting (EBR) to a prescriptive analytics software solution. Prescriptive analytics, as Guy has explained in his previous blog posts, leverages machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to analyze a host of different data sets captured across one’s operations to determine:

• what is happening.
• why something happened.
• how much it is costing you.
• what you need to do about it.
• who should do it, when and how.

During the discussion, they spoke about how they were frustrated with the amount of manual analysis required with EBR as well as the low accuracy of the reports. They also didn’t like that it only identified cases of fraud and shrink. Their teams needed more operational visibility and better analysis of what was happening, when, and why to combat the modern retail criminal. So, they decided to speed up their workflows with prescriptive analytics. Their only point of uncertainty? Whether to make the shift in the middle of a pandemic.

Ultimately both decided to make the leap and implement prescriptive analytics during the lockdown. This actually turned out to be a blessing. With most of their teams working from home, associates had more time to learn the solution as it was being rolled out. This led to both customers generating significant value from the get-go.

3. What is getting you through the pandemic can get you through the new normal too!

In another session, Reflexis Senior Solutions Consultant, Scott Simonton, interviewed Kelly Brown, Vice President of Stores for Vera Bradley. Kelly echoed much of what Jan said when speaking with Ed in that the growth of e-commerce during the pandemic will continue. Kelly spoke about the Reflexis solutions her store operations team had used to resolve challenges of the pandemic and how they expect them to provide continue providing value into the future.

One example of this was Reflexis Appointments, a tool that enables customers to schedule services like home delivery, home service, in-store shopping and more. This was an invaluable tool for helping Vera Bradley manage store traffic to adhere to capacity constraints. Store employees especially liked the tool’s virtual queue, which assigned in-store shoppers an appointment time to visit the store. (Being able to interact with products is a huge part of the customer shopping experience at Vera Bradley). Ultimately, they found that store associates enjoyed the virtual queue as an alternative to a large line of people waiting outside the store to get in, as did many customers. Vera Bradley plans to continue using Reflexis Appointments into the future.

In another example, Vera Bradley shared how it used Reflexis Q-Check throughout the pandemic as a hosting location for its official store sanitation checklist. The checklist-type tool enables users to create, edit and share task lists and verify task execution on their mobile devices, so it made it easy for store managers and associates to reference sanitation-related information whenever needed. Because the process worked so well, Vera Bradley is now looking into utilizing Q-Check in its holiday preparations. Kelly noted that Q-Check’s built-in checklists and ability to verify task execution could be invaluable in confirming stores are properly set up with the right promotions, products, displays, and more.

If you’re interested in listening to the three discussions in their entirety, you can view them on demand here. There were several more nuggets of wisdom shared than the three I noted and many more details revealed about the execution and impact of the solutions.

I’m looking forward to seeing all of you at the NRF Big Show (in person) in 2022! Until then, feel free to reach out with any questions or if you’d like to talk about how technology can be applied in new or expanded ways to help you keep up with the simultaneous growth of online orders and in-store foot traffic.

Originally published here!

It’s not surprising there are front-line workers who aren’t eager to use mobile computers from a shared device fleet these days. They are taking on an increasing number of tasks as customer demands grow (and the workforce does not). They want to be able to personalize their devices to suit their work style and better support their unique workflows. Though shared devices can accommodate this level of personalization via individual profiles, there is growing evidence that individually assigned devices boost productivity. They can also help address some of the health and safety concerns expressed by workers who don’t like the idea of sharing devices that could come into contact with colleagues’ hands and faces just a few minutes before they pick them up and use them. As a result, we’re receiving more inquiries from customers asking if it’s time to embrace a different mobility strategy – one that essentially assigns a mobile computer to each worker.

To help answer this question, we reached out to Bill Inzeo, one of Zebra’s global retail technology strategists. Keep reading for his recommendation…

Your Edge Blog Team: As we make progress in the fight against COVID-19, markets open back up, and economic growth opportunities re-emerge, many companies are actively making changes to better support the expectations being set forth for employees. They are also striving to meet employees’ expectations for more technology-powered workplaces, especially in sectors such as retail, hospitality   and healthcare. What are you hearing from customers in terms of how their operational strategies might change?

Bill: As companies start to reopen in a greater capacity, there are certainly questions about whether we’ll see a full return to pre-pandemic operating models. But I don’t think that will be the case. For example, companies – even in the sectors you mentioned – are looking closely at how they equip employees to do their work both within and beyond the four walls of their facilities. Most hoteliers, restaurateurs, and retailers would have laughed if we had recommended they issue company-owned, personally enabled mobile devices to employees. Now, they can’t seem to procure and distribute them fast enough.

In fact, even before the pandemic, Zebra realized the need for a new category of enterprise-grade handheld mobile computers to meet the growing customer need to equip all unserved hands with an individually assigned mobile solution. The lightweight enterprise-grade EC50 and EC55 devices are built to be as connected, secure, and manageable as our shared, more rugged enterprise-grade mobile devices, but they come with a perk of looking and feeling sleeker than traditional rugged mobile devices. Many people mistake them for consumer-grade devices when they first see them, and this is what wins customers’ attention. That aesthetic re-engineering was intentional since we knew these would be multi-functional devices that retailers, restaurant operators, and hoteliers, among others, would likely assign to employees on an individual level.

Your Edge Blog Team: Is this growing interest in corporate-owned, personally enabled mobile devices stemming from health and safety concerns surrounding shared devices? Or something else?

Bill: There are certainly some employees who would prefer to have their own company-owned devices for this reason. However, it’s not the primary driver. Strict device cleaning protocols were implemented for shared devices early in the pandemic, and organizations conducted training to ensure employees understood usage policies and knew how to properly and thoroughly clean those devices. They also went to great lengths to put accountability measures in place to ensure compliance. These things haven’t changed, and probably won’t for the foreseeable future.

Your Edge Blog Team: What is driving retailers to give each employee their own device, then?

Bill: We’re seeing a huge push for speed, efficiency, and agility. Retailers, restaurateurs, and hoteliers want each employee to be able to always deliver a high level of customer service. They also want them to be able to access corporate applications without restriction, regardless of their responsibilities or their work locations.

Your Edge Blog Team: So, the trend toward the individual assignment of corporate-owned mobile devices is really about ensuring workers can connect to voice, email, enterprise apps and back-end systems and stay connected no matter what.

Bill: Exactly. Because devices such as the EC5x are designed to be individually assigned – they aren’t shared with anyone else – corporate email accounts, phone calls, and apps can all be personalized to the user’s unique role and responsibilities. For example, a retail store manager with an EC5x series device can pull up a quality inspection report in a stockroom to further investigate a reported issue and then, if called to assist with a price adjustment on aisle 12, immediately transition to that task. They can even print up a new price sticker if they have a mobile printer on hand. If, on the way back to the stockroom, the manager is then stopped by a customer who needs help locating an item that looks like it’s in stock in the customer’s mobile app but isn’t on the shelf, the manager can pull up the inventory system to see if it’s in the stockroom. If it’s not, maybe the item can be located at a nearby store or ordered for home delivery. Then, let’s say on the way out for lunch, the manager receives a mobile alert that an employee requested time off next week. The manager can approve the request on the spot, without having to go back to their desk or wait until later. Or if the manager needs to go to another store for a quarterly leadership meeting, they can bring the EC5x device with them to remain accessible to their team and vendors.

Your Edge Blog Team: Are companies giving shift workers their own personal devices, then? Or just managers who need to be highly accessible?

Bill: Both.This concept, though new to some industries such as retail and hospitality, isn’t as far-fetched as one might think. We’ve seen companies issue individual devices to employees since the PDA era for a number of reasons, and with great success. There is value in giving employees in customer-facing roles sleek, functional devices. It’s about appearances and ensuring their employees are fully representative of their brand. Think of the device as an extension of a uniform. However, the determination to accelerate pandemic recovery is also helping to reinvigorate this trend and drive explosive interest among organizations with a heavy population of part-time workers or shift workers.

Your Edge Blog Team: Can you elaborate on that?

Bill: The manager example I just shared could easily apply to a store associate or hospitality worker, each of whom plays a unique role in store or hotel operations. Some may primarily work at the point of sale while others are primarily responsible for shelf replenishment and pricing management. Yet, that doesn’t mean that they will focus exclusively on those tasks. They need to be able to jump in wherever needed as customer and operational demands change. In fact, we’re seeing associates increasingly cross-train to fill multiple roles. For example, some associates may be assigned to work the point-of-sale register and assist with returns at the customer service desk when needed to queue bust. When it’s slower, those associates may be asked to conduct cycle counts. Instead of needing to go track down different mobile computers or barcode scanners configured for those specific jobs as they transition back and forth, the associates can just open the appropriate app on their devices. Because we know those associates will likely need to work in both capacities at some point in time, IT can configure their devices with all the tools needed for them to be successful – to include on-demand instructional videos on how to complete certain transactions if they need to jog their memories.

Your Edge Blog Team: Is it financially feasible to give every front-line worker his or her device?

Bill: It really depends on the organization: its size, budget, objectives, etc. However, there is justification to give those who are highly mobile, flexible in their roles, or needs to be continuously connected to company apps, email and data remotely. Hotel concierges, casino hosts and curbside pickup service coordinators are all great examples. They are constantly on the move and need to be reachable by guests and other staff when walking across facilities or even outside the facility. Giving them a secure, smartphone-like enterprise-grade device loaded with apps specific to their role allows them to always provide a high level of customer service and peer assistance. They can access schedules, book reservations, help troubleshoot issues, review inventory and coordinate experiences from anywhere – including planes, trains, and automobiles. And with a device such as the EC50/EC55, which has an integrated scanner, they can instantly scan ID cards, loyalty cards, payment cards, luggage tags, tickets, order confirmation emails and even proof of recent vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test result right in the parking lot, on the casino floor or really anywhere in or out of the building. 

Team leads, merchandisers, maintenance professionals, customer service representatives, delivery team members and banking associates are also good candidates. They aren’t the only ones, though. We always like to sit down with customers to understand where they feel there are gaps in workforce productivity because the right person can’t be reached and isn’t necessarily in the office – or the store, restaurant, hotel, etc. – all day, every day. Again, some employees may rotate between different facilities in the same market or must attend meetings off-site, during which time they still need to be connected.

Your Edge Blog Team: So, it sounds like we’re going to see a trend toward more individually assigned mobile devices, but not a complete departure from shared devices. 

Bill: That’s right. Individually assigned devices can fill in the gaps in productivity/connectivity and allow those in customer-facing roles to have devices that project the same sleek look as smartphones and help carry the brand forward, whereas shared devices that are purpose-built for multi-shift operations will still be used when there’s a need for more rugged devices or unique task-specific functionality. For example, some workers who primarily spend their time with scan-intensive roles replenishing inventory in an aisle, in a backroom or warehouse, are going to be better served by shared, purpose-built ultra-rugged mobile computers. Plus, many backroom shift workers probably won’t benefit from having a company-issued mobile device on hand after hours just given the nature of their jobs. If they are only responsible for picking, packing, put away, or order fulfillment, have a shift field job (such as a delivery or maintenance route), and are not in a direct customer service or supervisory role, they most likely will prefer and benefit from our rugged pool of shared mobile devices.   

Your Edge Blog Team: That’s a great segue to our next question. Are companies concerned about misuse of individually assigned corporate-owned devices, especially if employees aren’t turning them in at the end of every shift?

Bill: Since the company owns these devices, they will be configured in a way that restricts personal use. Some may have policies that don’t allow personal use in any circumstance, while some may give users both a personal profile and work profile to allow them to initiate or receive personal calls and emails or connect to social media in an approved capacity.

A company’s device administration policies will likely enable it to see when, where and how the employee is utilizing that device to minimize the risk of unauthorized activity. (Remember, it’s company property.) Ultimately,, it will be up to each company to decide its tolerance level for personal use and risk.

Beyond misuse, some customers may be concerned that devices will be mishandled – perhaps dropped onto the ground or in water, exposed to spills, or scratched. The best way to allay such concerns is to invest in enterprise-grade devices that, despite their sleek design, are extremely durable and able to tolerate being tossed around in a bag, dropped, or exposed to rain, coffee spills and other potential contaminants.

Your Edge Blog Team: Since consumer-grade devices could technically be configured with a work profile, what is the benefit of giving workers an enterprise-grade device versus just letting them use their personally owned devices in these scenarios?

Bill: That’s a fantastic question – and a popular one. Many companies are under the impression that it’s better – or perhaps easier – to give these types of employees a consumer-grade device that looks more like a personal device. But I’ve yet to find a way to justify such an approach. For example, the EC5x is extremely sleek. With the way it is designed, shoppers, guests and others with whom staff interact might not even notice at first glance that it is not a consumer device. But employees will quickly be able to see the difference between the EC5x and a consumer device, especially when it comes to device performance. The EC5x is built from the inside out to ensure users can stay connected and remain productive, even when working remotely.

IT will notice the difference too.

Your Edge Blog Team: How so?

Bill: Consumer devices have a relatively short life cycle, so there is near constant device churn.It is also difficult to manage the sheer quantity of different device models when you go with a bring-your-own device (BYOD) strategy and allow workers to use their consumer devices or try to build a corporate-owned pool of consumer-grade devices. Though Android™ is by far the most popular consumer operating system (OS), it’s not the only one. And there are several versions and updates to manage. Plus, smartphones aren’t the only form factors your workers might want to use. Having to write, configure, secure, and manage software for each type of device is a heavy lift. And every time an employee gets a new device, it will need to be configured again and the work profile on the old one decommissioned.

What many of our customers have learned is that making the investment in a sleek, rugged, enterprise-grade device such as the EC50/EC55 that runs on the same professional-grade Android platform as their other corporate-owned mobile devices make it so much easier to manage and lockdown devices. They can proactively monitor device performance and utilization, deploy updates, check battery health, app performance and even wireless connectivity strength, which makes it easier to detect and resolve issues before they become disruptive. Better yet, they can have someone else – a managed services provider – monitor and maintain the devices, which reduces the burden on in-house resources. Many of these services offer around-the-clock helpdesk and self-service support to device users, which is something companies don’t always have the urge or financial capacity to offer within their own IT departments. Plus, if there is a reported issue, someone can quickly retrieve the performance data for the corporate-owned device to quickly pinpoint and troubleshoot the source. They can even find missing devices that may be powered down.

Your Edge Blog Team: We were fascinated when Dan Quagliana recently explained in his blog post how there are over 250 different types of device-related data points that companies could potentially analyze when they give employees corporate-owned devices. Of course, they need the right device monitoring and management solution in place to reap this benefit. But this must be a huge advantage for businesses that depend on mobile devices to capture, analyze, and distribute data.

Bill: When someone used the term data analytics 10 years ago, they were most likely talking about operational performance. But as you noted, mobile devices have become so core to business that if a device isn’t performing as it should, neither is the user. That, in turn, impacts broader operational performance. To be honest, that’s one of the most important reasons why companies shouldn’t even be considering a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policy in today’s times in most instances.You can’t improve the performance of a worker’s personal device, and that can become problematic when your business’ success is highly dependent on the information sent and received on that device. Most workers rely on their devices to tell them the best next step to take every second of their day. They would be lost without them. Even a few seconds of lag time in retrieving task instructions or a missed calendar notice to meet a customer for a fitting can have consequences.  

Your Edge Blog Team: It sounds like the recommendation to many customers, especially those in retail, hospitality and banking sectors, would be to go ahead and give workers corporate-owned devices.

Bill: Absolutely. Though the pandemic may have accelerated the need for individually assigned devices, we were always moving in this direction. You never know when someone needs to work remotely to take care of a family member – or themselves. They could rest when they needed and log on and take care of some tasks as they felt up to it.

As I mentioned, devices such as those in the EC5x series are fully equipped enterprise-rugged mobile computers, even though they’re extremely lightweight and look like consumer-grade smartphones. So, they enable users to provide the same level and speed of service as shared devices. Touring and on-site staff at an event venue can quickly pull EC5x devices out of their pockets to scan tickets or vaccine credentials at the gate and then just put them back in their pockets without worrying about going to a storage room to turn in the devices when the event is over. Or a retail store manager could pull the device out of her purse to quickly scan the QR code on an employee’s vaccine certificate as they pass each other during a shift change. The efficiency potential of the individually assigned device model is incredible.

If customers still have concerns or want our recommendation on the best device strategy, we’re happy to set up a call to discuss.

Originally published here!

Recent supply chain disruptions have changed the work experience for today’s retail warehouse employees. The months-long demand surge, days-long Suez Canal blockage and ongoing delivery driver shortage have made it difficult to forecast staffing and find a stable operating tempo. However, the dramatic increase in e-commerce retail may prove to be the greatest long-term disruptor – and an opportunity to rethink how warehouse operations and workers are managed.

In 2010, e-commerce accounted for 6.4% of all retail sales. That number more than tripled to 21.3% in 2020 – and it’s holding steady. On top of that, $428 billion in merchandise was returned in 2020, with online returns more than doubling from 2019. As a result, warehouse employees are being asked to handle far more deliveries and returns each day along with the logistical issues that come with simultaneous fulfillment of consumer and commercial orders across even more facilities.

I know you’re eagerly trying to hire more workers to offset this growth, and it’s great to see warehouse employment at an all-time high given the years of recruitment and retention challenges. However, it’s critical you can effectively manage this surge of new employees and they can fully manage their workloads from day one.

THE RIGHT SOFTWARE CAN TRIPLE THE BENEFITS OF YOUR TEAM’S MOBILE DEVICES IN TODAY’S WAREHOUSING ENVIRONMENTS

There are three strategies you can use to improve labor scheduling and boost employee productivity and engagement at your warehouses and distributions centers, and all are fairly simple to execute:

1. Improve Communication Across Your Organization

Quick and easy communication is more important than ever before. New warehouse employees will certainly have questions and need assistance with their daily tasks. Managers will need to follow up regarding the status of critical activities. Unexpected projects or tasks will require managers to quickly alert relevant employees and direct them to prioritize that work.

Real-time, mobile device-based communication solutions provide a simple and centralized way to send messages, assuming they can easily be accessed and managed by your front-line teams and IT. Eliminating third-party tools and giving warehouse employees a single, shared app through which they can communicate (regardless of their device form factor or model) enables them to collaborate with stakeholders on everything from scheduling to shipping actions. This helps ensure the right people are in the right places at the right time for tasks to be completed correctly and on time. It also reduces the overall time it takes to get important projects done and improves the productivity of your workforce.

These types of software solutions also give you the ability to control and audit your workforce communications. By accessing data on how many employees have seen or responded to messages, you can easily identify trends in communication and improve how your warehouse team operates. By designating organizational hierarchies in the system, you can also control permissions and targeting of communication, ensuring compliance by giving employees permission to message specific employees during specific hours. All of this ensures employees are getting communication that is relevant and useful, making tasks easier and improving how they engage with their work.

2. Give Employees Schedules that Work for Them

Employee morale is easily boosted when they feel they have control over their work schedules.  Though last-minute schedule changes may be necessary from time to time, giving employees the opportunity to weigh in on those changes is extremely valuable.

That’s why we’re seeing more warehouse operators embrace intelligent workforce management solutions that automate the scheduling process and account for all of the variables that matter most at warehouses, such as workload, employee preferences, employee skillsets, and labor regulations. This improves scheduling accuracy, provides more consistent hours for employees, and ensures they are more satisfied with their schedules.

If a last-minute change is needed as orders surge or slow down, the employee self-service tools make it easy for employees to manage such changes. For example, they may not be able to secure childcare if called into work with less than 24 hours notice. Instead of having to leave a voicemail for their managers and hope their requests for a shift swap or time off are being taken care of, they can simply submit requests through their smartphones. They’ll be alerted as soon as a manager approves time off or a colleague agrees to the switch. On the flip side, someone who may want to pick up extra shifts as their normal hours are cut now has the means to do so without having to beg a manager for more hours. This real-time, collaborative approach to scheduling leads to a more satisfied and engaged workforce.

3. Simplify Task Execution for Warehouse Employees

With so much work coming into warehouses from online orders and returns, it’s easy for your workforce to feel overloaded and stressed out. When you don’t have the ability to send the right tasks to the right employees, or to ensure activities are being executed correctly, you risk frustrating warehouse workers who receive an unmanageable workload and begin to make mistakes.

Real-time task management solutions alleviate the pressure of a high-volume workload by automatically and intelligently prioritizing and distributing all tasks according to best practices, ensuring each employee is receiving the right amount of work throughout their shifts.

Warehouse managers can view and measure task status and completion rates in real time, which helps to pinpoint employees who are struggling to manage their workload and those who may be powering through each task quicker than expected. This provides an opportunity to coach and assist underperforming employees, opening a dialogue before they become increasingly frustrated and disengaged from their work. It also allows you to ensure fast workers are fully utilized.

THE TAKEAWAY

Though retail warehouse operators are facing new challenges in today’s on-demand economy, each of them can be effectively managed if you have the right people in the right place and focused on the right tasks. Leveraging the right communication, workforce management, and workflow execution tools can help foster a more productive and engaged workforce, increasing each employee’s daily contributions and increasing the fulfillment capacity of your entire warehouse operation.

If you’d like to learn more about the software solutions that can easily be added to your workers’ mobile computers, tablets and other devices to improve communications, visit our website or contact our team today. 

Originally published here!

Many of the manufacturers, warehouse operators and retailers we’ve spoken with lately feel like they’ve hit a wall, at least when it comes to inventory management. That’s because many are limited in their barcode scanning capabilities both inside and outside the four walls – and limited exclusively to trigger-pull data capture with the scanners they have now.

Some are using legacy devices that can only scan a single barcode at a time. Others are trying to make do with devices that weren’t built for all day use in retail or industrial environments. And some don’t have the ability to read damaged, faded, wrinkled or otherwise imperfect barcodes from any distance…with any device.

On top of that, it’s challenging to find an indestructible handheld barcode scanner that features a simple-to-use keypad and display. Workers need to be able to scan a barcode, input quantity and/or location data, and move on to the next scan in seconds – without having to take days to learn how to use the device.

And though mobile computers with built-in barcode scanners, keypads and color displays technically fit the bill by allowing workers to input all data in one place, at one time, not everyone is going to have the resources or interest to write new applications for each workflow – something required with a mobile computing solution. Many would prefer an out-of-the-box software kit that can get workers up and running quickly. Plus, there’s typically less of a learning curve for workers with barcode scanners, as the functions are simplified compared to a more fully featured handheld mobile computer or tablet.

That’s why I suspect the new Zebra DS3600-KD Ultra-Rugged Scanner is going to be so well received by supply chain organizations worldwide.

Just released today, it relieves many of the pain points our customers have reported when trying to fulfill orders and optimize the customer experience in today’s high-pressure omnichannel world.    

THE VALUE OF AN UNSTOPPABLE SCANNER – ESPECIALLY ONE THAT HAS A KEYPAD AND COLOR DISPLAY

One of the new capabilities of the DS3600-KD scanner that your workers will appreciate is the ability to input item quantity and location data on the same device they’re using to capture barcode data. They no longer have to walk to the nearest host device to add that additional information or scan an item multiple times to indicate the correct quantity – both of which unnecessarily extend the time it takes to complete each task. They should be able to scan, key in data, and move on within seconds – and now they can. The DS3600-KD comes with five pre-built applications that enable them to use the built-in keypad and color display to:

• scan and add the quantity data via the keypad without multiple trigger pulls. (Finger fatigue is real, and there really isn’t a need for a worker to have to stand there and repeatedly scan an item 10 – or 100 – times over.)
• scan and add location data to any scanned barcode, such as the aisle and shelf number.
• confirm the contents inside a container match the outer label.
• verify a captured image before sending it to the host.
• add location data during inventory counts while roaming away from the host.

Better yet, they’ll be able to do all these things quite comfortably. The ergonomic keypad is designed for easy one-handed operation, even with gloves, and the accompanying color display provides the modern and intuitive experience today’s workers expect.

Just as importantly, they’ll be able to find their rhythm knowing their devices will work reliably no matter how much they’re used or where they’re used.

Workers’ devices get dropped all the time. (We’re only human.) And depending on the environment in which they’re being used, they’re probably subjected to constant contact with dirt, dust, grease, grime, water and other things that don’t mesh well with electronics. Even high humidity and extreme temperatures can be harmful to many devices. That’s why Zebra takes great care to design barcode scanners (and other business-critical devices) that can withstand rough handling and harsh conditions – and why we specifically built the new DS3600-KD scanner to have the most indestructible design in its class.

You are most likely going to give your workers the DS3600-KD for picking, work in process, point of sale (POS) or inventory management tasks. They are going to be moving fast, and they’re going to be moving around a lot. There is also going to be a lot of movement around them – colleagues, cobots, carts and forklifts – and an accidental bump or two of the scanner is bound to happen. If they’re working near a loading dock, the climate is going to vary seasonally. And if they’re going in and out of refrigerated or frozen areas within your facility, the climate conditions are going to change fast.

So, we made sure the DS3600-KD – like all 3600 Series scanners – is ready for anything it may encounter. In fact, we’ve now reinforced all 3600 Series scanners to new ultra-rugged standards. For example, they have always been able to survive sub-zero temperatures, blazing heat, some serious 8 ft./2.4 m drops and up to 5,000 tumbles. But now they can endure multiple 10 ft/3 m drops onto concrete and up to 7,500 tumbles, too, in addition to those extreme temperature variances. They are also 100% dustproof, a bonus in any type of environment. And not that we expect anyone to go swimming with these scanners, but they can be fully submerged and handle the force of jetting water thanks to they’re enhanced IP65/IP68 rating*. Yes, even the DS3600-KD will come out swimmingly, with its built-in keypad and color display! (No pun intended.)

We didn’t stop at the device, either. The cradles are IP65-sealed, and the cables – which support IP65/IP68 sealing – are freezer ready! Nothing will stop these scanners, or your workers, from getting the job done. In fact, they’ll probably be able to get through tasks faster than ever, and far more comfortably than they would if they didn’t have the keypad and color display.

THE NEED FOR SPEED GROWS EVERY DAY – AND NOW YOU’LL BE ABLE TO KEEP UP

Customers want frictionless shopping experiences and fast fulfillment, and the success of your business depends on your ability to deliver both. But when you think about what it takes to increase the speed of picking, POS, work in process or inventory management actions, it all comes back to faster, more accurate data capture which, in many cases, boils down to faster barcode scans.

So, we’ve engineered all 3600 Series scanners, including the DS3600-KD, with DataCapture DNA, Zebra’s exclusive software ecosystem, and other important features to help speed up multiple business processes and minimize the risk of missteps that could slow things down. Together, these software and hardware elements simplifyliterally every stage of the scanning experience over the life of your scanner by…

• reducing the number of trigger pulls required to capture data even at increasing scan distances, thus speeding up task completion without compromising accuracy. When picking or ringing up multiple quantities, workers simply need to scan the item once, then key in the quantity on the keypad. Thanks to Zebra’s exclusive PRZM Intelligent Imaging Technology, the DS3600-KD will quickly capture data from up to 7 ft/2.1 m away, no matter the condition of the barcodes. Yes, even dirty, torn, smudged, shrink wrapped and poor-quality barcodes will be read the first time, every time.
• providing more feedback: Between the (haptic) vibrations, wraparound LEDs, Direct Decode Indicator and loud beep tones, workers will know with certainty that a scan or other action was successful. They’ll also know when a scanner is about to go out of range. The built-in Virtual Tether feature will literally sound the alarms and set off the lights on the scanner and cradle when a device approaches or leaves the predefined perimeter. (You can learn more about how it works in this blog post from my colleague Greg Carras.)
• allowing for an instant transition between tasks. The AutoConfig cradle now offered with the 3600 Series Ultra-Rugged Scanners lets you automatically switch workflows without having to manually change scanner settings. So, you can take the cordless scanner from the forklift and use it for shipping, or seamlessly transition from online order picking to checking out shoppers when the line at the register starts getting too long.
• giving workers more power. The PowerPrecision+ battery enables DS3600-KD users to capture over 60,000 barcodes before needing to stop and recharge the scanner. (Other 3600 Series scanners can go 100,000+ scans before they run out of power.) It also features smart technology that generates comprehensive health information so end users can more easily spot and replace aging batteries – something IT teams really appreciate.
• giving you the option to diversify – and specify – your data sets with every scan. With the Preferred Symbol tool, you can single out one barcode from many without having to physically cover nearby barcodes before scanning. And the Multi-Code Data Formatting (MDF) feature enables you to transmit only the barcodes you need, in the order your application expects, no matter how many barcodes are captured in that one scan. And, as I mentioned before, you can capture all the inventory information you need from GS1 labels with just one press of the scan trigger thanks to our exclusive Label Parse+ software. (If you’re responsible for transporting, storing or administering blood bags or medical devices, our 3600 Series scanners also work with Blood Bag Parse+ and UDI Scan+ software so you can easily capture all the data required at every stop of the supply chain. And some scanners also offer Intelligent Document Capture, which you can learn more about here.)
• empowering you to customize your scanning applications however and whenever is best for you. Zebra’s Scanner Software Development Kit (SDK) includes the documentation, drivers, test utilities and sample source code you and your team need to easily develop new apps for the DS3600-KD.
• enabling IT to stage, deploy, upgrade, monitor, manage and troubleshoot devices easier and faster than ever before. The 123Scan and Scanner Management Service make it easy to configure and manage your scanners, whether you have a handful of devices in one location or a fleet of scanners around the world. The 3600 Series Scanners also come with Remote Diagnostics tools that provide up-to-the-minute insight into every aspect of your scanners. And our exclusive ScanSpeed Analytics give you the ability to monitor decode speeds to spot barcode issues before they impact productivity, while battery metrics help you easily identify aging batteries before they can no longer last a full shift. All of this combined makes it simple to understand how scanners are being used across different locations so you can improve utilization and flag issues that could lead to downtime if left unaddressed too long.
• making simple, secure network connections. The Network Connect for Automation delivers a seamless connection between the DS3600-KD and your Industrial Ethernet network without the need for third-party conversion equipment. This helps eliminate a point of failure and create a more secure data environment.

In other words, several of the scanning-related problems you were facing yesterday are finally solvable! (And with a single indestructible scanner, no less.)

Is the DS3600-KD the Scanner That Will Help You Overcome Your Current Data Capture Challenges?

The Zebra DS3600-KD is the only ultra-rugged cordless scanner on the market that comes with a built-in keypad and color display. And the DataCapture DNA tools are exclusive to Zebra. So, it is truly a one-of-a-kind solution, and the best solution for your most scan-intense workflows in your most work extreme environments – especially if workers do need to be able to add location data or view images on the display before submitting.

Circling back to something I said earlier: there are mobile computers that have built-in barcode scanners, keypads, and color displays that might look like a comparable, or even better, option on paper. And perhaps they will ultimately be the right way to go. However, the only way to know for certain whether it’s better to give your workers handheld barcode scanners or mobile computers is to consult with a technology solution provider who can assess your individual needs within the context of current and planned applications, environmental conditions and more. If you have a Zebra representative, I encourage you to reach out to learn more about the DS3600-KD and our other ultra-rugged scanners. Or you can contact your local team here.

Originally published here!

At Zebra, we talk a lot about how our customers can improve their operational execution. We share best practices solutions that supply chain organizations, healthcare providers, utilities, public safety professionals, governments and others can apply to improve efficiency and safety. We look at how processes can be refined to speed up task completion as business demands grow (and labor resources do not). We recommend ways to increase accountability. And we do all of this so they can better serve their customers.

However, the reason we’re even in a position to serve as such trusted advisors is because we practice what we preach.

If something within Zebra isn’t working – if a workflow is not serving the company, its partners or its customers – it is prioritized for change. Though sometimes a heavy lift, this commitment to constant process improvement isn’t viewed as a burden. It’s an opportunity. At least that’s how Zebra Chief Financial Officer, Nate Winters, sees it.

In a recent interview with Jack Sweeney of the CFO Thought Leader Podcast, Nate shares what he’s learned about “minding your workflows” as he has progressed along his career journey. He also details things you (and your company) can do to stay grounded while embracing change. Listen now:

CFO THOUGHT LEADER PODCAST EPISODE 717: “MINDING YOUR WORKFLOWS”

When you have a few extra minutes, you might also want to listen to this earlier podcast interview with Nate about how diversification of people, processes and the portfolio has helped Zebra sustain profitability in the past year, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic:

Ask the Expert: What Can Chief Financial Officers (CFO) Do Right Now to Help Their Organizations Recover from the Pandemic?

Originally published here!

With so many uncertainties in the world today, it’s hard to predict exactly how many devices you will need to scale and when. That’s exactly why many organizations are making the decision to buy or renting pre-owned mobile devices to help meet customer and operational demands.

Warehouse operators, retailers, healthcare providers, public safety leaders and telecommunications service providers all agree that mobile devices boost worker productivity. Even restaurateurs, hoteliers, mail couriers, and transportation and logistics providers are finding the digitalization of dispatch, inventory management, sales, and customer service actions transformative. With the right mobility solution in hand, their teams can see what’s happening, know why it’s happening, and clearly understand what to do about it. Issues can be minimized, opportunities maximized, and workflows optimized as often as needed without significant operational disruption.

But many Zebra customers have told us that ensuring workers are equipped with the right devices is easier said than done – even when they have a trusted partner consulting on their technology strategy.

The explosion in e-commerce and upsurge in healthcare needs is causing both operational and labor demands across supply chains and supporting industries to skyrocket. Job boards are lighting up in nearly every sector – and almost every one of those new hires will likely need access to a mobile computing device (at a minimum) to be able to jump in on day one and be productive, especially if they’re on the front lines. The problem is that no one knows for sure if these demand levels will be sustained long term. So, many organizations are hesitant to buy 100 extra sets of mobile computers, chargers and accessories today that may not be needed a year from now, especially if budgets are tight. The jobs being created today might prove to be seasonal.

Then again, maybe they won’t.

The current driver shortage is causing déjà vu for some who faced similar challenges in 2018, and warehouse labor was scarce long before the pandemic compounded the issue. We’ve also yet to see a traditional peak season since the winter of 2019. The surge demand seen in the early days of the pandemic hasn’t really subsided. It has only shifted, influenced by new supply chain disruptors. There are also several dynamics making it difficult for healthcare providers, utility companies and other service providers to “return to normal”: major weather events, wildfires, and demand carryover from the pandemic among them.

Either way, two things are for certain:

1. Every worker needs to be able to connect to information systems and receive actionable insights right now if they are to be productive and help relieve the burden being placed on businesses.

2. Purchasing or renting certified refurbished mobile devices buys businesses time to figure out their long-term technology needs and strategy by closing the gap between current workforce and workflow requirements.

THE MANY (NEW) BENEFITS OF THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY – AND MOBILE DEVICE RENTAL PROGRAMS

When Zebra first introduced its Device Buy-Back program and started selling Zebra Certified refurbished devices as part of our expanding Circular Economy model, we thought the primary beneficiaries would be customers who weren’t quite ready to transition from Windows® CE/Mobile devices to Android™ devices. Most companies had stopped selling Windows mobile computers since Microsoft was ending support for those devices by 2021, yet many customers were still running a Windows-based system – and their Zebra mobile computers still had a lot of life left in them. So, our Zebra Certified Refurbished Devices program gave them a way to purchase additional Windows mobile computers as needed to support a growing workforce or new workflows until they made the full transition to Android – something they now had the flexibility to do on their own time. When they eventually completed their full tech refresh, they could sell us their working legacy Windows devices via the Device Buy-Back program or we could recycle them to keep them out of the landfill.

By creating a sustainable loop – a Circular Economy – we were able to ensure customers could get their hands on the mobile technology they needed, when they needed it, while keeping legacy devices out of landfills. (We will eventually recycle devices when they reach end of life, but the goal is to extend their lives as much as possible to everyone’s benefit.)

Then the pandemic hit and so did the reality that even one’s best laid plans are probably going to change. For most businesses, they changed a lot – and often! So, we decided to add a device rental option to our Certified Refurbished Device program and Circular Economy model, hoping it would make it easier for you to make the best of today while you figure out what the best technology move is for tomorrow. We know…

1. it’s hard to articulate future needs given how much is changing these days. Though we do our best to help you anticipate market demand and follow a well-defined technology roadmap that aligns with business forecasts, it’s impossible to know for certain what you will need long term (unless you have a crystal ball.) Even if you expect your current workforce levels to remain stable or you think you have enough spare devices on hand to replace those reaching end of life, it’s very possible you will need extra devices before your next tech refresh. You may also need different capabilities than your current devices can support. So, being able to temporarily add different device models or form factors onto your existing mobility platform without a significant, long-term investment is valuable.

2. technology deployments may be delayed when business demands surge. It’s possible you will need to rely on legacy technology solutions longer than expected. Even before COVID-19 and ensuing supply chain disruptions complicated business operations, it took a great deal of effort to keep large-scale modernization projects on track. Even the most straightforward mobile solution implementations take time, and it only takes one minor setback to stall the migration from one OS or device model to the next. Rented devices can address current gaps while you continue to make progress toward the larger refresh.

3. you may not be quite ready yet to make technology changes. In a perfect world, every organization would be able to upgrade to the latest and greatest technology when it hits the market. However, we know that not everyone is going to be in a position to rip and replace devices every few months – or every few years. If the mobility solutions you rolled out five years ago are still working very well within your environment (even those running on the Windows Mobile or CE OS), and you don’t have the resources to introduce new devices into the mix or overhaul your mobility architecture right now, then renting or buying Zebra’s certified refurbished devices enables you to scale your existing solution to keep up with evolving business demands while you map your path forward and start to build your new solution.

4. you may need time to test certain technology strategies before committing. Though most solution trials use the intended mobile device models to ensure proper functionality, it’s possible to test new workflows using an older generation version of the same form factor. For example, if your patrol officers had previously been dispatched with bulky laptops and you want to test a lighter rugged tablet or handheld mobile computer for those some field-based workflows, you may decide to rent those devices to see how officers respond to the smaller, more mobile form factors. Do they find it easy to navigate to calls, file reports or issue e-citations? User feedback can help inform your final solution design.

THE LONG-TERM PAYOFF OF TEMPORARY MOBILITY SOLUTIONS

The pandemic accelerated innovation. Yet, we know customer expectations and market disruptors continue to outpace innovation in many cases. Even organizations that thought they were gaining an operational edge have learned frequent technology expansion and solution refinement is needed to maintain that edge.

By renting or buying certified refurbished devices from Zebra, you can integrate the enterprise-grade technology tools that meet your current needs without overhauling entire systems and workflows or overspending on what will likely be a temporary solution. We ensure every certified refurbished device meets the same performance and durability standards as a brand-new device, and we include all the software licenses you need to maximize the device toolset at no additional cost. We also give you access to Zebra OneCare™ service and support.** All of this combined will make it easier for you to boost worker output, extract a greater return on investment for your existing solution, have time to build confidence in – or simply build out – your next-generation solution, and save money in the meantime.

If you’re interested in learning more about Zebra’s Certified Refurbished Device purchase or rental program or any of our other Circular Economy programs, I encourage you to visit our website or contact your Zebra representative. They can provide more detailed information about your current* device rental, purchase, recycling and buy-back options.

*Rental devices are currently available to customers in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, European Union, China, and Australia. Refurbished devices are more widely available for purchase across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa as well as China, Australia, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Ecuador.

**Only Zebra can certify Zebra refurbished devices to the highest original manufacturing standards, offer access to proprietary and authorized software, and provide customers with access to Zebra trained service and support experts. If you want to verify the certification and support offerings for a refurbished device, please contact us here.

Originally published here!

The global pandemic has changed us. The way we feel. The way we think. The way we act.

An afternoon shopping trip, previously a treat with friends or family, now fills me with faint feelings of unease. What new processes do I need to navigate? Where do I stand? Will people respect social distancing around me? Whilst I still find myself trekking off to the shops, it is now more from necessity than desire.

This hesitancy to hit the high street sits on top of a lengthy stint of forced change. Lockdown enforced a change to the way we transact. We lost, overnight, the ability to assess many purchases ahead of buying via touch, smell, sight, sound, even taste. And bar a few misfitting dresses with labels still on, some shoes for the boys to “grow into,” and some undersized seat cushions, the experience wasn’t all so bad.

I no longer groan to see grocery bookings fully taken weeks ahead. Or see a 50^th birthday card delivered weeks after the big day. These issues are no more. Next day delivery is normal again (at least where I am in the UK).

And with a host of new apps on my phone for favourite clothing brands, marketplace platforms, do-it-yourself (DIY) retailers and supermarkets, my shopping takes moments – not hours or afternoons. I no longer forget to stock up on floor cleaner, buy school uniforms for fast growing children, or birthday presents for friends and family, as its all at my fingertips. DIY inspirations are planned and purchased with time, transport and be-bothered-ness barriers mown down. I’m shopping more frequently, spending more, and I am more varied in my purchases.

Life, for me, is much easier. But this change has been fast – and at scale. With billions of people changing their behaviour, literally overnight, what are the impacts of such rapid, momentous change on our global supply chains?

The arteries, veins and capillaries of society, our distribution network, is under immense pressure to satisfy the exponential increase in home delivery, with demanding customers wanting more variation, greater volume, and all of it right now.

On a micro level, my dad runs a successful haulier business, conceived in the 1970s with a fleet of 50 trucks. He has had to take down signage attracting new business as they are at full capacity. The business is creaking at the seams with every warehouse, truck and driver maxed out. He sees a drivers’ market with lucrative salaries up for grabs as demand outstrips supply.

With so much opportunity yet market forces holding back unbridled growth, transportation costs are creeping up. Air freight has leapt in price because passenger flights have been cut, and with it the cargo space used for transportation. Fewer flights mean less freight – and costs 2-3x pre pandemic.

Yet, when demand outstrips supply, opportunity lies for those who can adapt. And when growth is restricted, the importance of efficiency grows in magnitude.

Think of a healthy business generating 10% net profit. For every euro of revenue, only 10 cents is profit. Yet a euro saved is a full euro on the bottom line. Ten times the value of bringing in more business, with significantly less hassle.

Zebra recognised the disproportionate value of a euro saved versus a euro earned many years before COVID-19 came on the scene. This inequality is what has been driving the company’s development of a plethora of cost-saving solutions for decades. The difference today is the impact multiplier. Extra pressure on the supply chain means efficiency benefits have bourgeoned.

Eliminating pinch points, making the best use of time, using every bit of shipping space, and preventing equipment failures are building blocks to a streamlined business that add up to big savings in today’s climate.

As I was pondering these dynamics recently from a personal perspective, I started to connect some dots between the pain points and the solutions I know exist today from my professional life. Though it will take some time to fully repair supply chains and smooth out distribution networks, there are four simple things every organisation involved in transportation and logistics can (and must) do to build efficiency and boost their bottom lines:

1. Let things flow.

Making operations flow smoothly, without bottlenecks or delays, is a great way to improve efficiency. Having a digital footprint for assets moving across your yard is a sure-fire way to optimise workflows. This is something easily satisfied by a solution such as Zebra Motionworks™ Yard, which gives you instant visibility of all key assets in your yard. It lets you check in trailers, detach tractors, and allocate shunters. It also helps you see how best to move goods to dedicated bays, accurately maintain a data trail regarding deliveries, and set alerts. The best part: it enables you to find the best ways to make things flow – the sum of many mini savings adding generously to your balance sheet.

2. Optimise everyone’s time.

The culmination of just an hour saved on a daily basis can add up to huge savings when multiplied across a large fleet, so carefully managing both your time and your stakeholders’ time is an important step in your efficiency drive. For example, a timeslot solution can enable stakeholders from multiple businesses to book delivery slots with clear visibility to everyone. Layered appointments can ensure different areas of your business can have different booking rules. Fresh goods may require an hour to unload, dry goods just half an hour. The solution should be flexible to meet your requirement.

3. Stop shipping air.

Shipping air is detrimental if that space could be filled with fee-earning packages. Using every inch of space in your trailer or air cargo container eliminates the wasted cost of transporting nothing. That’s why every transportation and logistics manager should be looking into a solution such as Zebra SmartPack™, which lets you monitor every inbound and outbound data point from cross docks with trailers to loading stations with air cargo containers. You can proactively decrease expenses and increase performance by identifying and responding to problems. As my colleague Dave Silk explained in his latest blog post, “You’ll be surprised at how much you can learn about your load operations, and how much you can improve them, when you have a clear view of every movement taken, every second and in every corner.” By implementing technology that eliminates blind spots – that helps you “automatically sense, analyse and act on both sudden and subtle issues in the load process that can impact fulfillment and compliance” – it becomes easier to generate ROI and efficiencies while reducing costs no matter where (or how) you ship your freight.

4.  Use equipment that works.

The benefit of great software that optimises business operations is crystal clear. Yet software is only of any use if you can use it. The performance and ROI of hardware and software are synergistic. That’s why it’s so important to use enterprise-ready mobile computers built for the challenges of a harsh working environment and to fully support the software needed to manage daily task challenges – especially those that are data centric. Zebra rugged tablets, for example, have a large, bright screen size to enable better visibility of images, streaming video, and dashboards both inside and outside, day and night. They are fully rugged from the inside out for the knocks and bumps anticipated in a busy yard environment. High computing performance and advanced connectivity let you gain instantaneous access to the data needed to make real-time decisions about where to send resources when. And the tablets’ ability to sync with head-mounted displays and run augmented reality tools makes it easier for you to remotely coach teams at different cross-docks, across the yard, or at the gate on how to adapt task execution. In turn, you and your team are better empowered to avoid delays and backlogs – and recover from them when they occur for reasons beyond your control, such as weather.

ONE LAST TIP

The global pandemic has changed the way people shop, forever. We now buy more to be delivered to our homes, which has added pressure to the distribution network on a global scale. With such powerful forces at work, the impact of efficiency savings has magnified. Maximise the benefit that everything from mobile technology to machine learning and locationing systems can provide to your business and combine a series of money saving strategies as you map out the road ahead. Together, they will make a sizeable difference in how your business – and the entire distribution network – are able to handle the heat rising in today’s world. 

Originally published here!

More pressure than ever is put on young, college-aged adults to know exactly what they want to do with their lives. Many recent graduates feel obligated to choose a career path for themselves without getting a chance to test out first-hand whether it is a good fit with their skillsets or aligns with their personal and professional goals. (I should know – it wasn’t too long ago that I fell into that category).

While it’s great to belong to the bunch who has already pinned down what they want out of their career and the journey they’ll take to attain it, I want to tell those who aren’t quite sure where they belong yet that you’re not alone. The important thing to know is there are many great opportunities designed to help you discover which positions in your desired career field are the best fit for you. If you’re pondering a career in “something” finance related, Zebra’s Early Careers Finance Development Program is one of them.

This three-year rotational program exposes graduates to various functions of finance within the organization. It gives participants a chance to explore their potential interests in depth while getting to know the company better along the way. Building skills and experience from difference vantage points of finance by spending a year at a time hyper-focused on a specialization such as Financial Planning & Analysis, Internal Audit, Commercial Finance, Financial Reporting & Accounting, Treasury, or Global Business Services. This helps foster a well-rounded perspective when participants are determining where they fit best and can be most successful. At the end of the program, the graduates collaborate with the finance organization to determine which position best suits their skills and interests at Zebra.

What makes this program so special?

At a high level, it empowers early career professionals to explore their many different options in a real-world setting and learn more about their own potential and passions before committing to a specialized role long term. It is not just job training, though. It’s career enrichment, uplifting future generations of passionate business leaders to thrive within the world of finance.

As both Daniella Pierini and Tyler Decwikiel called out when we connected recently, there are authentic rewards that result from participating in a program that promotes rapid growth. They both interned with Zebra while in college and progressed along to the Finance Development Program in the last couple of years. Though the internship offered several hands-on learning experiences, the early careers program is fully immersive.

IT TAKES TIME TO FIND ONE’S PATH, SO WHY NOT USE THE TIME TO EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS?

According to Daniella, what makes this program so valuable and unique is how it’s segmented into one year-long rotations for a three-year period versus the typical six month-long rotations over a shorter two-year period, which is how many other companies’ programs are designed.

“Zebra’s program gives me more time between rotations, so I get the most accurate snapshot of what each finance role entails and whether it’s a good fit for me,” she says. “Because I’m able to stay in each position for an entire year, I can truly test the waters and discover what area of finance I’m most passionate about before making a long-term career commitment.”

Additionally, she said everyone she has encountered at Zebra has been willing to take the time to educate program members about their unique roles and experiences in finance and other functions – and everyone is always happy to help with daily tasks that extend beyond their core responsibilities upon request.

“We have been able to really get to know the company in a meaningful way, which is important to someone like me who wants to work in an environment that promotes agility and a strong work ethic,” Daniella emphasizes. “I’m glad to be partaking in a program with a company like Zebra that lives up to its values.”

Tyler agrees.

“The program offers great mentorship and the opportunity to challenge the status quo. This allows you to see the meaningful impacts from the work you put forth,” he explained.

 “Additionally, having the ability to network and learn from individuals who excel at what they do and are leaders in the industry is a unique benefit of the program.”

What’s most prominent in his mind is how the Finance Development Program helps its members challenge themselves to grow and strive for their career goals.

“There are always new challenges and initiatives that keep my work exciting and unique, and I take great passion in telling others about the products and solutions Zebra develops to help customers and front-line workers.”

An Experience That Goes the Extra Mile

On top of all the invaluable insight and experience gained from the rotational positions, members get the chance to create their own committees to coordinate philanthropy outings, partake in shadowing opportunities and participate in fun, organized social events. Daniella shared how she leads the Finance Development Program’s social event efforts, adding a new, colorful dimension to her rotational duties and giving her the opportunity to develop skills that can be applied more broadly in life.

“I’ve enjoyed the chance to add more variety to my day-to-day work by creating and spearheading these committees. Intermixing event planning with my regular finance tasks is helping me feel more fulfilled with my experience,” says Daniella.

The Finance Development Program’s alignment with Zebra’s EDGE Inclusion Network has created an even more welcoming environment for Gen Z and Millennial employees. Through EDGE, members are being equipped with resources unique to their needs as recent college graduates. In fact, as part of our EDGE Month celebration in July, Zebra has been hosting several events to connect our global interns and young professionals to a supportive community of mentors and peers who will ensure they are fully supported year-round. We have several Zebras who are eager to share their experiences with early career individuals and give them new opportunities to grow within the company.

As someone who spent nearly three years as an Early Careers Program Manager for Zebra’s Talent Acquisition team, I know it is vital to help all employees feel fulfilled by their work, especially those who are still discovering what it is that fulfills them. That’s why Zebra works so hard to create spaces and programs where employees like Tyler and Daniella can authentically connect with their colleagues and the company. When employees can relate to each other in some fashion, and when they feel fully supported by their employer on a personal and professional level, many report greater job and life fulfillment. This heightens the opportunity for individual growth and inspires greater learning from each experience.

REFLECTING ON A LASTING IMPACT

When asked to reflect on some hallmark takeaways that are relevant for any young professional who is trying to discover where they belong, Daniella shared some sage advice.

• Don’t be afraid to make mistakes because making mistakes is truly the best way to learn.
• Ask for feedback. Whether it be after a presentation, on a project you executed, how you communicate, or something else. Hearing that direct feedback builds a positive relationship with your mentors and can only make your work stronger.
• Try and stay up to date on new technology and work to understand new processes. The best way to do this is to read up on the industry you’re interested in entering. Stay curious!
• Know your first job isn’t the only job you will ever have! Most companies (especially Zebra) encourage employees to consider rotating positions to improve job satisfaction and increase accomplishments.

In addition, Tyler emphasized that you should…

• expand your skillset. Early in your career, it is important to work on both your technical skills as well as your other skillsets, such as presentation and communication skills.
• know the “why” behind your work. While it is important to able to complete your work, it’s also important to be able to explain why it matters so you can demonstrate the huge value-add to the company. It also makes your work feel more meaningful.
• network with others. By doing this you gain a better understanding and knowledge of what roles are available in a career field, which helps you identify what areas might interest you.

Both also agree you must find ways to challenge yourself, enhance existing processes, and take on new responsibilities. This enables you to gain valuable experience and improve skills, while uncovering specializations that pique your interest.

“There is no better way to excel in any role then by being interested in what you do,” Tyler says. “I have always had a passion for technology and enjoy working with numbers, analytics, and strategy in my career. I try to bring these passions into all of my roles. If you have an interest in the work you do, you are setting yourself up for success.”

It also empowers you to make an impact in your role(s).

“Daniella and I, along with other Finance Development Program members, feel we have been able to grow our skills, knowledge, and experience while also seeing the opportunity to make real impacts from within the company,” notes Tyler. “There has been growing interest from various departments within the company to have a program member on their team. They see how we’re able to quickly adapt to our new rotational roles and they appreciate that we bring in new insights and perspectives to each team we join.”

In other words, the Finance Development Program is helping to improve employees’ strategic execution of their skillsets and the execution of Zebra’s business.

A FINAL THOUGHT FOR BOTH EARLY CAREER PROFESSIONALS AND THOSE CHARGED WITH DEVELOPING THEIR TALENTS

Being unsure of what you want out of life and your career is only human, and while there’s a tendency to present yourself as knowing exactly what you want, it’s okay to be transparent when you don’t. There are thousands of others facing the same uncertainties.

And if you are a company looking to attract and develop top talent, remember that offering an exploratory program like the one Zebra offers is essential to recruiting soul-searching graduates. It gives them an avenue to discover who they want to be with very little risk and a lot of reward. So many years can get spent toughing it out in long-term job positions before professionals have a chance to find a role that could be exponentially more fulfilling to them.

Despite their similar education paths, every young professional is moving forward on a different career path. Even those who may seem like they have things figured out when they receive their degree could realize once they clock in on day one and understand the job description that they want to make a change. So, it benefits both employers and employees to give young professionals an opportunity to identify their passions, embrace the possibilities that lie ahead of them, and find their place both within your company and in life.

Originally published here!

We sat down with Chris Whyde, Vice President of Global Technology DevOps and Engineering, to hear his insights on the upcoming trends and state of technology, as it pertains to TransUnion. Learn more about Technology at TransUnion.  

1. What are the most important/innovative technology trends you see as companies adapt and how would you describe TU’s technology culture?

One of the major trends we continue to see is the rise of a DevOps culture. DevOps transformations push security left and advance technology culture while focusing on new disciplines such as feature flagging, static code analysis and container security – all with an eye toward delivering product faster in a secure and performant fashion. To provide some context, DevOps is an approach to software development, which enables a stronger lifecycle process and enhanced back-end operation.  

The days of infrastructure, applications and security being separate and isolated are over. As we expand our use of Cloud, we’re leveraging new opportunities for automation. Through the implementation of DevOps – a development culture of end-to-end automation – we’re freeing up developers from manual tasks to focus on innovation, while reducing potential risks in our environment. This not only increases predictability, quality and security, it also improves the overall developer experience. At TransUnion, we are actively executing our technology transformation to bring new solutions and products to the marketplace. 

2. What do these trends mean for engineers and technologists?

This means that engineers and developers can now experience a more integrated process as new applications spin up. At TransUnion, we believe in hiring and growing the best talent and creating space for innovation. When DevOps processes, tools and culture take hold in an organization, the pace of innovation increases and engineers are able to focus on making an impact versus manual tedious tasks. Organizations also benefit through the adoption of these practices by achieving radical transparency into code quality, security, and compliance. 

TransUnion is giving employees opportunities to grow their skills and become stronger professionally. We’ve centered our strategy around our people and providing the resources to build a robust DevOps environment. With offices all around the globe, collaboration and unique perspectives drive our workplace environment forward.  

3. How is TransUnion leveraging DevOps to create/enhance new solutions and applications?

Currently, we are revolutionizing our developer experience through focused implementation of robust and mature CI/CD pipelines and strategic investment in the latest tools to create an enriching environment for our development teams. This work is fostering an environment of collaboration and creativity unlocking the potential of our teams to deliver best in class products for our customers globally. The work we have done in this space has enabled TransUnion to deploy solutions on average 2 times more frequently – significantly impacting the velocity with which we can innovate. 

4. If someone is interested in joining the team, what skills come to mind as must-haves?

Let me start by saying they should absolutely join the TransUnion team! The skills we look for are depth of technical prowess in various technologies like Java, .Net, and Abinitio to name a few. We also love to see a wealth of experience in building and supporting cloud native applications. Additionally, we look for builders – what I mean by this is we want to hire creators that can chart the course of our technology landscape. Overall, I’d say that we are looking for people with creative minds and deep technical skills who are ready to make an impact and engineer great products.If creating the next wave of solutions excites you, then consider finding your next challenge by joining our Technology Team at TransUnion.

Learn more here!

In September 2020, I wrote about how the current complexity and price of RFID data aggregation, analysis and distribution to the operational edge prevents companies of all sizes from understanding the specific actions that can be taken to either fix issues or minimize/maximize the impact of certain business trends.  

Given that anyone in the business of producing, storing, moving, managing or selling goods needs to know what actions people are taking and the status of inventory assets and equipment at all times – and service providers, such as hospitals, utilities and energy companies, need to be able to locate people and equipment in an instant – we have to find a way to bring down the cost of operational visibility. We also have to prevent that cost from scaling up as organizations scale their IoT architectures and increase utilization of RFID for track and trace purposes.  

But, as I said before, the only way to do that is to move away from the use of on-premise servers and middleware and move data captured by RFID readers “on the ground” into the cloud.

That is why Zebra teamed up with GS1 and other members of a working group months ago to collaboratively develop the EPCIS 2.0 standard that should be ratified soon, as I mentioned in my last blog post.

It is also why Zebra decided to simultaneously develop the industry’s first unified read-to-cloud RFID application programming interface (API) – which is not something that I previously disclosed.

(Surprise!)

We wanted to abstract the physical six-figure RFID infrastructure that makes RFID a non-starter in smaller operating environments such as pharmacies, retail storefronts and quick-service restaurants (QSR) and condense it into just two components: the reader and the cloud. We knew that if we could help customers place this data in a centralized location such as the cloud versus an on-premise system, they could enable users across their entire organization and supply chain to view, interpret and act upon critical metrics.

So, we got to work and here we are: making RFID attainable for companies of all sizes by delivering a full-featured RFID experience via the cloud for a fraction of the cost of a full-fledged on-premise deployment.

INTRODUCING ZEBRA DATA SERVICES FOR RFID…

This new Zebra Data Services for RFID application programming interface (API), which was known as Cloud Connect during the development and beta testing phases, leverages the Zebra Savanna™ platform to give you full use of the connectivity, data handling and analytics capabilities built directly into your RFID readers and the cloud. You no longer need to invest in complex and expensive on-premise infrastructure to gain end-to-end visibility into your operations, track inventory, streamline workflows and create efficiencies. In fact, the cloud-based structure of the Zebra Data Services for RFID offering enables you to deploy it in both large facilities and smaller operating environments, such as branch and franchise locations, where RFID track and trace simply wasn’t feasible before.

Why We Developed Zebra Data Services for RFID and Why We Think It Will Make an Immediate – and Powerful – Impact on Your Business

At the most fundamental level, we want to make it both financially and technically feasible for even the smallest of businesses to become truly intelligent “enterprises.” Capturing the millions of little “events” that are occurring across your operations and being able to wrap any sort of meaningful business context around those events are both significant challenges given the sheer number of devices capturing data day in and day out. We want you to be able to create, access and act upon a single source of data truth – no matter how many information sources are plugged into your IT architecture and without having to install any servers on premise.

So, our mission with this solution is to enable you to distill the “who, what, when, where and why” from your many disparate data systems with just a few lines of code.

Mission accomplished!

Literally within minutes, you or one of the world’s 50 million coders who support your business can now build or optimize the software applications your workers need to see, analyze and now, effectually act on the data that’s being captured by your Zebra Internet of Things (IoT) and edge devices.

Zebra Data Services for RFID…

• enables RFID readers with native cloud access to transmit tag read events through on-reader filtering and modes for custom event information. In turn, you only receive information that directly helps your workforce, and your workers only see the data that matters to them.
• breaks down data silos by making both raw data and detailed analytics available to all in a centralized manner via the cloud.
• stores all RFID data transmitted to the cloud in a decoded GS1 format in the Zebra Savanna cloud for historical views and advanced analytics. This eliminates bottlenecks that are common with on-premise systems and makes it almost effortless to perform operational analytics and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs).
• alerts stakeholders to key action items such as addressing out-of-place or out-of-stock inventory or items stalled on the production line.
• analyzes tag reads with simple API calls by resource, location and time.
• allows you to remotely setup, receive alerts and monitor the functionality and health of RFID readers via the cloud. You will receive actionable intelligence on device health, inventory tracking and more.

“Why didn’t anyone think of this sooner?” you might be wondering.

To be honest, the idea to harness the power of RFID via cloud technologies seems like a simple one. We’re a little surprised it took us so long to see the possibility of a read-to-cloud API such as this, and we’re even more surprised that no one else thought of it first. But we’re appreciative to those working on the GS1 EPCIS 2.0 update for the inspiration and thrilled to be able to be the first to bring this capability to our customers and developer community. Anything we can do to give you a competitive edge, and help you cut costs in the process, is deemed a win in our books!

As our Chief Technology Officer Tom Bianculli explained quite elegantly in this podcast, Zebra is continuously innovating because you – our customers, partners and software developer community – need us to innovate. You need to be able to increase your operational agility, so we innovate with agility. We think outside the box so that you can see what’s happening both inside and outside your four walls at all times.

THE BOTTOM LINE

You no longer have to be a passive observer of your operations. With Zebra Data Services for RFID, you can actively orchestrate your workflows – and for a fraction of the cost that it previously required to install, provision, secure and maintain on-premise servers and middleware for RFID. 

Your front-line workers can gain the insights needed to mitigate errors as they start to move faster to keep up with demand. And you will be able to make more informed decisions when evaluating how best to reduce risks, increase efficiency, improve margins and boost both employee and customer satisfaction levels. The best part is that you’ll be able to do all of this without having to make the $100k+ upfront investment in on-premise RFID servers and middleware!

If you want to learn more about how Zebra Data Services for RFID can be leveraged by your organization or developers, you can check out the Zebra Developer website. You can also contact us here.

Originally published here!

In January 2021, the Trump Administration published a Final Rule, modifying the H-1B visa lottery and selection process for Cap-subject petitions to introduce a wage-based system. Under the Final Rule, petitions with the highest proposed wage levels will be granted selection first before the lower wage level registrations are considered. For example, Wage Level IV registrations will be prioritized first. Once all the Wage Level IV registrations have been selected, USCIS will move on to Wage Level III and so on until the selection process is complete.

In February 2021, USCIS announced that the Final Rule would be postponed until December 31, 2021, because the Department would not have sufficient time to update the current system before this year’s H-1B registration period, which began back in March. At the time, this was a much welcomed relief for H-1B petitioning companies, who may not be able to afford the highest wages in order to secure visas and meet their staffing needs.

Until now, it has been unclear if the Biden Administration would allow the Trump-era rule to go into effect later this year, although we know President Biden supports a wage-based system as we have reported in the past. Now, President Biden has made his support of the Final Rule and its wage-based system explicit.

In a new court filing, the Biden Administration defended Trump’s Final Rule on three grounds. The Biden Administration argued that the rule was properly issued by a duly authorized official, that it complies with our immigration laws, and that DHS adequately responded to all significant comments during the rulemaking process. The rule’s validity is being challenged in Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America v. U.S Department of Homeland Security, an ongoing lawsuit. The outcome of this lawsuit could impact the H-1B program going forward, so this is a development to watch.

Should the court decide that the Final Rule was improper because of how it was created, nothing would prevent the Biden Administration from undergoing a new rulemaking process and publishing their own rule to create a wage-based system. This seems probable, as President Biden has been clear he favors a wage-based system for the H-1B cap rather than a lottery. However, if the court decides that the wage-based system does not comport with the Immigration and Nationality Act, which states that H-1B visas “shall be issued… in the order in which petitions are filed for such visas,” an administrative rule may not be sufficient to change the current lottery system and any future published rules could be similarly struck down.

Should that happen, there is always the possibility a wage-based system could be included in any legislative action from Congress. As a reminder, the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 introduced in February outlining President Biden’s plans for comprehensive immigration reform included a provision to codify the wage-based system into law. Whether such a provision would survive, or an immigration reform bill will even pass, is something only time will tell.

ILBSG will continue to keep its clients updated on any new developments in this area. If you have any questions, reach out to an ILBSG attorney today.

Originally published here!

The spirit of giving will never go out of style, and with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, taking the time to renew the strength and joy of our communities has become more important than ever before. That is why Zebras across the globe are channeling their passion for volunteerism into restoring communities and supporting our local front-line heroes throughout our second annual Global Week of Service from July 12 – 16, 2021.

HOW OUR MISSION HAS CHANGED IN THE LAST YEAR – AND HOW WE HOPE IT WILL HELP OTHERS FULFILL THEIRS THROUGHOUT THE COMING YEAR

Zebra hosted our inaugural Global Week of Service in 2020 with the mission of helping front-line heroes as the pandemic was approaching its peak. Now, our team of empowered volunteers takes on the mission of restoring the front-line heroes who have supported our families and communities through this time of uncertainty. Whether participating individually from home or socially distanced in their local communities, we know the actions of each employee, partner, customer, friend, family and perfect stranger who joins this effort will help make a positive impact on the lives of others.

The ways in which we ultimately give back will be diverse and far-reaching. For example, groups of volunteers will be sending cards of cheer to elderly care facility workers and residents, both of whom have been deeply challenged by the COVID-19 crisis. Others will be volunteering online with the Missing Maps Project, tracing over satellite imagery of areas at high risk for natural disasters. This will help ensure first responders and disaster relief workers can operate with more ease and effectively deliver lifesaving aid without delay.

Many Zebras have also committed to:

• donate processing power from personal home computers to Folding@Home to help researchers and scientists around the globe develop cures and vaccines for coronaviruses and other diseases.
• scan and proofread books with Book Share, an e-book library powered by volunteers which provides those with reading barriers, such as dyslexia and visual impairments, a vast collection of customizable books they can read in an accessible manner.
• join a global network of digital volunteers to help research and expose human rights violations with Amnesty Decoders.

Much like how our products and solutions give a performance edge to the front line of business, we look forward to supporting our front-line workers and their families through our philanthropic efforts in July (and beyond).

Check back into the Your Edge Blog in mid-August to see the impact of our efforts during the 2021 Global Week of Service. (Or subscribe to bi-weekly updates to find out all the different ways Zebra gives back.) Until then, Zebra Nation encourages you to find your own way of restoring the heroes in your community.

Simply volunteering for one hour or one week can make someone’s life better. Acts of service, both big and small, help make our world a stronger, more resilient, and more joyful place. Spending a few minutes to lend a hand, share a smile, or even sort books may mean the world to someone who really needs it. Even passing out school supplies or passing down gently used clothes can inspire young children to pay the kindness forward to their peers – or the next generation behind them – while providing a little relief for their caregivers. Kindness is contagious!

So, please join us in our mission of doing well by doing good by giving back to the front-line heroes who have spent months delivering the goods, services and compassionate care we needed to overcome hardship and heal from one of the most challenging experiences of our lives.

Originally published here!

Rumor has it there will be 35 billion Internet of Things (IoT) devices installed around the world – and 46 billion connected devices online – by the end of 2021. On top of that, 70% of the global population is expected to have mobile-network-based connectivity by 2023. Amazing! But, also, a little frightening. The most recent generation of wireless networks weren’t built to handle that much traffic, despite their anticipatory design. Forget about the tremendous growth in consumer smartphone or smart device utilization for a second. Consider just the rapid uptick in connections being made for the sake of business.

Who knew a global public health crisis would precipitate the need to equip “unserved mobile workers” (i.e., workers that need a mobile device, but do not have one) across every global sector, including retail and hospitality? Or that such dramatic warehouse and supply chain technology maturation would occur within months – and years ahead of schedule. Even the most refined predictive models would have struggled to forecast the massive demand for technology over the past 18 months, much less bandwidth.

That’s why I liken the current acceleration of wireless infrastructure expansion to what we’re seeing with roads in high growth U.S. states like Texas. Highways widened from two lanes to four (or more) in the last decade were rendered insufficient almost immediately after project completion. Due to several factors, such as population and economic growth, the number of vehicles hitting the road each day – and the number of times they hit the road – has skyrocketed far beyond original forecasts.

To be fair, such infrastructure projects take years to plan and ultimately execute. And there have been a host of unpredictable dynamics that have driven traffic congestion to the brink of capacity once again for roads and wireless networks. Nonetheless, we must figure out a way to reduce congestion to make it easier for people and data to get where they need to go.

From a wireless perspective, we’re seeing a movement toward greater Wi-Fi utilization to alleviate pressure on cellular networks. In fact, more than half of U.S. internet traffic transits a Wi-Fi network today, and it’s expected that 71% of 5G mobile data traffic will be offloaded to Wi-Fi by next year.

What does that mean for organizations that rely on Wi-Fi to keep employees and customers connected to information and experiences on their campuses? Will Wi-Fi 6 really provide a better, faster connection and reduce latency to better support all the data that will be captured, sent and received just within the four walls of retail stores, warehouse, hospitals, hotels and other businesses?  Enterprise mobility expert Bruce Willins is back to give us the scoop:

Your Edge Blog Team: Bruce, in one of our recent discussions, you spoke about several benefits that businesses can expect to gain from emerging wireless technologies. Can you quickly recap what you see as the major advantages of Wi-Fi 6 over Wi-Fi 5?

Bruce: In summary, I’d have to say there are nine potential benefits of Wi-Fi 6. They include higher data rates, better resource allocation, improved uplink performance, lower latency, better 2.4GHz support, improved cell density, improved power management, improved range for low rate devices, and improved/updated security.

Your Edge Blog Team: And how will Wi-Fi 6E compare to Wi-Fi 6?   

Bruce: With Wi-Fi 6E, we go from a dual band (2.4GHz and 5GHz) solution to a triband solution, adding 6GHz. Wi-Fi 6E adds 1200MHz, which is more than the aggregate of ~560MHz available in the legacy bands. However, one does have to consider that 6GHz coverage may be less than the lower frequency bands, with all other parameters being equivalent, and the amount of bandwidth available may vary outside the United States.

Your Edge Blog Team: There’s a lot of talk about how game changing Wi-Fi 6 will be for the home network. But can you elaborate more about its potential for company networks? What can organizations expect to gain as they upgrade from previous generations of Wi-Fi technology?

Bruce: Enterprise customers are quite excited about Wi-Fi 6, as they have multiple use cases where capacity is front and center. They are seeing significant growth in the number of Wi-Fi nodes on their networks. This includes corporate devices, customer devices, and new IoT device types, which include everything from sensors to weight scales. They are also seeing an increase in high bandwidth applications ranging from high-definition video streaming to augmented/virtual reality.  Finally, they are increasingly running time-sensitive applications such as voice and/or video conferencing over Wi-Fi. All these applications stand to benefit significantly from features in Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E.

Your Edge Blog Team: Is there any reason they should temper expectations about certain marketed benefits for either Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E?

Bruce: I used the word “potential” earlier to describe some of the benefits. Exploitation of some of the features may take time to find their way into both client and infrastructure devices. Of course, for Wi-Fi 6E, band availability may differ outside the U.S. As mentioned before, we must consider physics at 6GHz as compared to lower frequency bands. Thus, customers that implemented site surveys for a 2.4GHz network may not reap the benefits of 6GHz at fringe areas. And those that are not stressing their current capacity may not see a significant difference but may be avoiding future bottlenecks.   

Your Edge Blog Team: Are there specific applications that warrant a faster transition to Wi-Fi 6 – or even Wi-Fi 6E?

Bruce: A converged voice/data Wi-Fi network has been a goal and a challenge for many enterprise customers. Wi-Fi uses a contention-based channel access protocol. Thus, as the network becomes saturated, latency grows and degrades voice/telephony sessions. Additional capacity, MU MIMO, and OFDMA resource units, all have the ability to offer lower, more predictable, latency.

Whether for training or collaboration, video conferencing, or augmented reality, video continues to need more network bandwidth. Cell density, additional spectrum, higher degrees of channel aggregation, and higher order modulation all provide customers increased capacity per node, per cell, and per square meter.

Your Edge Blog Team: We’ve briefly discussed this before, but can you talk more about the benefit of Wi-Fi 6E compared to Wi-Fi 6?

Bruce: Well, if you add all 2.5Ghz and 5Ghz bandwidth and multiply by two, you still don’t get all the bandwidth offered by Wi-Fi 6E. The 6GHz band offers a huge capacity boost to those who are going to be running data-intensive applications around the clock or may have 500 devices simultaneously trying to connect to the network. Remember, Wi-Fi 6 – and especially Wi-Fi 6E – are all about the reduction of network congestion. So, as traffic climbs for whatever reason, the value of that extra 6GHz band also climbs.

Your Edge Blog Team: With that in mind, is there a scenario in which it makes sense for someone to jump straight to Wi-Fi 6E and bypass Wi-Fi 6? Has a new use case emerged in recent months where the extra bandwidth is essential to success?

Bruce: I’m always taken back to the early PC days when processor upgrades seemed like they were coming out daily and you could easily fall into a perpetual waiting scenario. Wi-Fi 6 is becoming widely available in 2021 and 2022. Wi-Fi 6E will likely lag by 12-18 months. If you have a strong use case for the added capacity of Wi-Fi 6E and have the luxury of time, then certainly waiting is a viable strategy.  Customers buying long-service-life client devices should give significant consideration to WiFi6/6E.

Your Edge Blog Team: What would you say to a customer that says they’re waiting for more Wi-Fi 6E devices, access points or other solution components to become available before upgrading from Wi-Fi 5? Is that a smart move?

Bruce: Again, it’s all about context. Why do they feel it’s best to wait? What are they trying to accomplish? And why do they think Wi-Fi 6 will be insufficient? Can they even afford to continue with their current system setup? Or is it maxed out?

Your Edge Blog Team: It sounds like it makes sense for companies to start migrating to Wi-Fi 6 now if they can, once those use cases are clearly defined. But are there risks to being an early adopter?

Bruce: The beauty of Wi-Fi technology is that you can have a mixed infrastructure online in your facility, so you can upgrade your devices incrementally. You can also start buying Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E mobile computers or tablets now if you’re in the market for new devices to support an expanding workforce or introduce new workflow applications where certain feature sets are needed – even if you don’t have a Wi-Fi 6 access point. Wi-Fi 6 devices will still connect to Wi-Fi 5 networks. In fact, a lot of infrastructure will feature tri-band access points with concurrent operation. This flexibility enables retailers, for example, to update Wi-Fi infrastructure more aggressively in their stores to support both employee and guest use even if they wait a bit longer before making a change in their warehouses.

Your Edge Blog Team: Thinking holistically, are there other considerations that customers should consider as we transition to Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E?  What are those things organizations should think about when designing the network architecture and selecting devices? And what should they be on the lookout for when monitoring network and device performance in this type of wireless environment?

Bruce: Yes. As we start adding capacity and increase our Wi-Fi loading, we must ensure backhaul networks and back-end servers are proportionately scaled.  Also, we must consider operationally if access point placement is commensurate with 6GHz propagation models.  Optimal performance may require customers to consider a new site survey and access point placement given their specific locale needs and new features available in Wi-Fi 6 (i.e., “band coloring”).

Customers should also carefully understand performance claims and significance. “Throughput” and “data rate” claims are often misleading. So, customers should confirm the burst data rate, the device throughput, system capacity, and capacity/square-meter.

The burst data rate is the maximum data rate at which a device can burst on the channel. There are hundreds of possible burst data rates depending on modulation, modulation settings, channel aggregation, and degrees of spatial diversity. Plus, the ability to reliably transport data at a specified burst rate will depend on having adequate signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). To give an example: the max burst rate for a Wi-Fi 6 2×2 MIMO handheld mobile device in a high SNR Environment would be approximately 2.4 GBPS (1024 QAM, 160MHz, 800ns GI, 5/6 rate). In contrast, in a low SNR environment, this may drop to 14.7 Mbps (BPSK, 20MHz, 3200ns GI, ½ rate). 

“Device throughput” is generally measured as the maximum data that can be consumed or transmitted by a device. This metric incorporates processor performance. Customers should be pragmatic when considering this metric. Does a device with 200Mbps of device throughput provide twice the value of a device that supports 100Mbps?  Certainly, if the time to download a full motion picture is a key metric, then this might be heavily weighted. On the other hand, if you’re streaming a 4K ultra-HD video that has a throughput of approximately 25Mbps, it might make no difference.

For many, “system capacity” may be more significant.  Even if a device may not have a very high sustained throughput, it may have a high burst rate on the channel – meaning it gets on and off the channel very fast. This enables other devices to communicate, providing higher system capacity.

Finally, there is the concept of capacity/square (sq) meter. One access point covering a large area will have less peak capacity/sq meter than four access points covering the same area. 

Your Edge Blog Team: Are there certain types of mobile computers, tablets or other devices that are better suited for Wi-Fi powered applications than others? Or certain things to look for when reviewing a spec sheet to ensure a Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E device is going to be able to fully support a specific application or work well in a certain type of Wi-Fi-enabled environment?

Bruce: There are platforms that may not be Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E Wi-Fi Alliance (WFA) certifiable. For example, some devices may be designated as “ax-ready.”  We strongly suggest customers ask suppliers if they are WFA certifiable. Also, customers should be careful to scrutinize Wi-Fi 6 performance claims.  For example, many vendors boast Wi-Fi 6 data rates up to 9.6Gbps. Do realize this is only possible with an 8×8 MIMO array and with appropriate signal-to-noise ratios.

Your Edge Blog Team: Before we let you go, we wanted to get your opinion on one more thing. We’re being told there will be more than three times more networked devices on Earth than humans by 2023. Already, there are 35 billion devices connecting to the internet every minute! Even if some leverage wired Ethernet cables to connect, it’s fair to assume many are connecting to a wireless network in some capacity – if not always. With Wi-Fi activity this year approximately 80% higher than it was before the COVID-19 pandemic, and more smartphones, tablets, laptops and IoT devices coming online every day, we’re curious if the current advancements being made with Wi-Fi 6 – or even other wireless technologies – will indeed be sufficient to support this much traffic in the near future.

Bruce: History is replete with quotes about future technology adequacy. For example, Bill Gates once said, “640K [computer memory] ought to be enough for anybody.” Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E are the next step in the evolution of WLAN technology. In fact, Wi-Fi 7 is already being developed which will provide yet another step-up in burst data rates via higher order modulation and increased spatial diversity. Wi-Fi 7 is not expected to be finalized until 2024. But, to answer your question, digital transformation is almost always a journey, not a destination.

Originally published here!

Every day, women around the world are subjected to social and economic factors that put them at greater risk for poor mental health, including gender biases at work and home, domestic violence, and sexual harassment. However, with the added stresses of the pandemic, mental health struggles among women seem to be even more prevalent. One study revealed that women worldwide are suffering three times more than men when it comes to mental health, with women in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region being especially affected. According to a recent study, 85% of women in Thailand believe their mental health has been affected by COVID-19, and 66% of women in India admitted to being more stressed during the pandemic lockdown compared to only 34% of men. More concerning are the consequences. In Japan, suicide among women rose nearly 15% in 2020, and domestic violence issues climbed 300% in Hubei, China, in the first month of the pandemic.

It is important for both individuals and companies to recognize the high percentage of women mentally affected by the pandemic so we can create a safe environment for women to come forward with their struggles. Just as importantly, it’s critical to understand and help reduce the other difficulties women are facing in their daily lives as they strive to balance family, community, and career obligations; comply with cultural expectations; find sanctuary from violence; and/or secure financial independence.

In this latest installment of our “Around the World with WIN” series, we hear from Smitha Naik and Peter Morris about the polarity between women and men’s mental health in APAC. As co-leads of the Zebra Women’s Inclusion Network (WIN) in the region, Smitha and Peter work hard to promote equality for women both within and outside the workplace. Their intimate discussion with colleagues, community members and family members, along with their own personal experiences, have helped inform their actions as women’s mental health advocates. Their learnings will help us all become better allies for the women in our lives…

Your Edge Blog Team: There is growing evidence that many women around the world are subjected to social and economic challenges that can put them at a greater risk for poor mental health. What hardships are affecting the mental wellness of women in your region the most right now?

Smitha: Research from the Indian Journal of Psychiatry suggests that gender has been described as a critical determinant of mental health and mental illness, typically driven by a patriarchal society. Although mental health cannot be gender specific, mental disorders disproportionately affect women due to gender-based violence, socioeconomic disadvantage, income inequality, subordinate social status, and unremitting responsibility for the care of others. In urban India, dual responsibilities of home and work, along with increased stress levels, lead to mental health issues such as depression in women.

Peter: I see everyone I talk to both at work and outside being impacted by the pandemic. Some are finding it hard to work at home, while others are having to look after/manage an extended family on top of their normal responsibilities. So, it’s hard for me to define a single contributing factor to the decline in women’s mental health across the region. That’s why it’s so important we take the time to listen to each individual and understand their unique struggles – which, by the way, might be different today than they were a month ago.

Your Edge Blog Team: According to recent reports, many countries in the APAC region work an average of over 40 hours a week. Has that been a temporary increase due to the pandemic or a long-term trend?

Smitha: Forty hours a week is normal in the APAC region. However, since the pandemic, there has been an increasing blur between work and personal time, resulting in some working more than 40 hours. People in the technology industry have specifically worked additional hours since the pandemic started due to the absence of access to office facilities, devices, and high-speed internet. Internet connectivity is very good in cities like Bangalore, but it may become limited as one moves away from cities to towns. So, it’s taking some workers longer to complete tasks. On the flip side, teams have reduced commute time, which is saving a few hours every day, and that’s time they are able to give to their work and personal lives. There are also certain industry proponents calling for an increase in working hours to increase productivity, which is essential to strengthen the economy. So, it is possible it will become standard to work more than 40 hours a week.

Peter: In addition to the average workday increasing over the years, it has become more evident as of late that working virtually presents a unique set of challenges for global companies. For example, it’s very common for me to meet with colleagues during U.S. working hours, which is in the evening in Singapore. This can often be a challenge for APAC workers, who often put in even more work hours to virtually meet with colleagues in different regions on top of other daily responsibilities.

Your Edge Blog Team: Are you finding women in APAC are challenged to strike a work-life balance as a result?

Smitha: While people have always managed work commitments on top of home responsibilities, the pandemic has created a much heavier workload outside of the office. One of the most significant challenges that the pandemic has presented to women in APAC — and even globally – has been caretaking. For example, the closure of nurseries, daycare facilities, and schools has increased the responsibilities on parents with young children. This burden has specifically fallen on mothers who are traditionally the caretakers in the family.

Another pandemic-related challenge with work-life balance has been caring for family members affected by COVID-19, especially in situations where isolation and social distancing is a requirement. This has caused a disruption in support systems across the APAC region – be it from a family member, neighbor, external help, or even social meetings.

Peter: I have personally experienced challenges with this “always on” mentality and can imagine how increasingly difficult this must be on those who are caretakers as Smitha mentioned.

Your Edge Blog Team: You have both hosted and attended events through WIN to discuss topics such as work-life balance and emotional intelligence, with the mission of starting an honest dialogue regarding women’s mental health. What did you learn from these discussions? And how can conversations like these eliminate the gender inconsistencies in mental health?

Smitha: One of the events Zebra’s APAC WIN hosted earlier this year was a session on the neuroscience of breaking bias in honor of the #ChooseToChallenge Women’s History Month theme. About 250 Zebras attended and were incredibly engaged in this discussion, which challenged them to be part of the change. Events like this one give me hope that more and more people are talking about these issues, discussing biases candidly, and willing to take steps toward equality.

Peter: Events like the one Smitha mentioned show that people are willing to attend these kinds of discussions – that’s a start. When we open ourselves up to listening, we’re learning. The more people learn, the more we can change the way we act or speak up for those around us who do not feel empowered.

Your Edge Blog Team: Would you say there is a stigma around mental health in APAC?

Smitha: It is hard to open up about any health issues, including mental health. This is not something that is commonly discussed in the APAC region or anywhere in the world.

A little over a year ago, WIN APAC hosted an event where a doctor came to give advice on how to manage stress. It was clear during the discussion that individuals were not comfortable speaking about their struggles openly. While it may be hard to open up about mental health struggles, conversations like this one start a dialogue that can encourage more individuals to be candid with the challenges they are facing. The more conversations are had, the more comfortable people feel like seeking help.

Peter: I agree. It’s difficult to openly discuss and accept this, since much of these conversations are still considered taboo in many Asian countries. However, working from home has helped more people see the human side of their colleagues. The more we accept that we are all human, the more we can empathize with the struggles others are facing.

Your Edge Blog Team: What can be done to remove this stigma and bring more support to women who feel uncomfortable seeking help due to perceived consequences?

Smitha: In my opinion, we should take a scientific approach and review the recommendations that are revealed through research.

Peter: Talking about it more. It’s good to talk! And it’s good to listen!

Your Edge Blog Team: Here at Zebra, we believe every person should have equal access to mental health resources as well as opportunities to be transparent with mental health struggles. While Zebra encourages employees to look after their mental health, this is not necessarily the case at other companies. What practices does Zebra incorporate that you would encourage other organizations to implement to help ensure their employees are receiving these crucial resources?

Smitha: Zebra provides tons of material on our internal Zebra Education Network (ZEN) platform that our team can learn from. Along with this, WIN has held yoga sessions and discussions with doctors on mental health and methods to manage stress during these uncertain times. The session on the neuroscience of breaking bias also discussed how to continue building an inclusive team and eliminate unconscious biases.

More companies can support team members who are struggling with mental health, like Zebra does, by building a strong leadership that holds the highest regard and support for inclusion and diversity. Being willing to listen, encourage conversations, and provide psychological safety to company members can create a safe environment for those who need it.

Your Edge Blog Team: While it is important to provide equal access to mental health resources within organizations, it is also important to encourage individuals to be agents of change outside of the workplace. What advice would you give those who aim to be better advocates for women’s mental health or, even their own mental health?

Peter: I know I might sound like a broken record but talk about it! It’s valid and helpful to express how you feel. It’s also good to acknowledge the normalcy in having good days and bad days. By being open with your struggles to friends, co-workers, or mentors, you can inspire others to do the same.

Smitha: I agree, talking about mental health is so important. It is also okay to seek professional help when needed!

Your Edge Blog Team: What steps are the two of you personally taking to improve or maintain your mental health?

Smitha: I have started taking care of my balcony garden, giving me some “me” time, and I recommend others take up a hobby too.

Peter: Meditation helps and – funnily enough – little motivational messages on Instagram and reminders each day to stay positive. Listen to the early morning birdsong.

Your Edge Blog Team: Thank you both for sharing your thoughts and experiences and for paving the way for more women to be open with their mental health struggles. We look forward to hearing more about how your efforts through WIN are creating safe spaces for women across Zebra Nation and the region to open up to others and access the resources they need to better manage stress and heal from trauma.

Originally published here!