Four Reasons Why You Need to Pay More Attention to the Quality and Accuracy of Your Labels

This blog post was contributed by Robin Kallsen, Content Specialist, Omron Automation, a Zebra original equipment manufacturer (OEM) integrator that provides scanning and print verification technologies to a broad set of industries, including healthcare and manufacturing.

What drives the requirement for accurate, high-quality labels? With so much hanging in the balance for manufacturers and retailers competing on a global scale, there’s no good reason to ignore the need for label quality. Mislabeled packaging could have consequences that range from wasted product to (potentially severe) consumer health issues. For example:

• Undeclared ingredients can lead to allergic reactions and recalls. (Did you know inaccurate labels are one of the top reasons for food recalls?)
• Missing marks can lead to fines.
• Unscannable labels can lead to costly returns and chargebacks.
• Illegible labels can lead to reprints, reporting errors and even lost inventory – all of which waste labor and financial resources.

And these are just a few of the many reasons why it’s critical to ensure the accuracy and legibility of product and packaging labels. Today, I want to point out the four things that most often prompt organizations to reevaluate their labeling strategies and ultimately invest in label verification technology solutions:  

1. General product traceability

Product traceability, in a general sense, is essential for consumer safety, regulatory compliance and overall quality perception. If there’s a problem with a product, traceability allows the consumer, retailer or another entity to quickly locate and segregate defective products. This is especially beneficial in the event of a recall and to ensure compliance with regulatory mandates, such as those that improve visibility into the location and use of medical equipment, raw materials and more.

In fact, companies paid up to $24 billion USD in recalls in 2018 for reasons including misprinted labels, and just last year a major auto manufacturer was fined $20 million for failing to adhere to recall procedures mandated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a government body. The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) has even defined common transport label standards to facilitate the easy and compliant movement of goods and the exchange of data among all members of the supply chain.

2. Life sciences industry regulations

In most life science-related industries, and particularly in the medical device and pharmaceutical industries, there are regulatory requirements requiring that labels are legible, show the correct content, and contain barcodes of a minimum quality.  

Noncompliance with respect to labeling can lead to warning letters from regulatory bodies and recalls. In fact, label issues have historically been one of the top three causes of recalls in the pharmaceutical industry. According to the Sedgwick Brand Protection Recall Index, there was a 22% increase in medical device recalls from 2019 to 2020.

Large retailers are also working to ensure quality compliance for pharmaceutical products. Amazon, for example, has begun imposing Food and Drug Administration (FDA) labeling requirements on firms selling supplements on its U.S. site. If a seller can’t demonstrate this compliance, the product will be removed. And the European Union (EU) has enacted strict traceability standards for pharmaceutical drug manufacturers to help mitigate the risk of counterfeit items entering the supply chain.

3. Customer-driven labeling specifications

Many manufacturers of higher value or higher risk items rely on proprietary, serialized label content to help mitigate the risk of counterfeit products entering the supply chain. Label authenticity can be controlled and verified by means of label inspection and serialization.

As an example, the recent report of counterfeit N95 masks entering the supply chain highlights the need for anti-counterfeiting strategies. Plus, compliance with GS1 labeling standards has been a key investment driver for verification infrastructure in regards to the serialization of retail merchandise and healthcare products.

4. Safety and brand protection

Most retailers require their suppliers to conform to certain specifications that define label content and printing quality. If retailers cannot receive product due to a poor-quality barcode or incorrect information within the barcode, they often return the product and issue a financial penalty to the supplier.  

For example, one manufacturer of brooms and mops incurred costs in excess of $100,000 due to the use of an incorrect barcode type on the product packaging. This issue led to the manufacturer adopting a printer-integrated label inspection system to avoid such errors in the future.

THE POWER OF PRINTER-INTEGRATED LABEL INSPECTION

Printer-integrated label inspection systems are a highly effective way to prevent labeling errors and ensure that only high-quality barcodes make it onto final packaging. These systems are capable of analyzing 100% of all labels produced in a way that doesn’t slow down production. If an error is discovered, the system can be programmed to stop all printing immediately.  (One such system that is integrated into the Zebra ZT600 series thermal printers is the Omron V275 barcode verification and print quality inspection system.)

In the long run, automated label inspection can dramatically increase a company’s competitive advantage by minimizing the likelihood of hefty fines or dissatisfaction among retailers and consumers.

Originally published here!

A key hallmark of a world-class Professional Services organization is the customer experience it provides. That’s why the best service providers will ask customers to rate their performance and then follow through on that feedback. They want to continuously fine tune their service delivery models to improve project outcomes and ensure customers are fully satisfied with project outcomes.  If there is a customer-facing issue, chances are that changes may need to be made behind the scenes to improve planning and communications, either among the implementation team, with the customer, or both. Perhaps a product or solution change is required and fast action is now needed to both resolve the present issue and avert similar setbacks in the future. Customer feedback might also indicate the need to adjust the overall service delivery strategy and approach on either a project basis or larger program scale. That’s where a Program Management Office (PMO), such as mine, comes in.

WHAT IT TAKES TO PERFECTLY ORCHESTRATE A TECHNOLOGY SOLUTION IMPLEMENTATION

Though I now lead the PMO for Zebra’s Professional Services team, I am an engineer by trade. I spent many years overseeing software and firmware implementations before moving into customer advocacy and project management roles. One thing I’ve learned in these many different roles is that project managers are a lot like the ‘maestro’ in a classical music concert. The maestro directs the musicians (i.e. engineers, sales team members and other integrators) to ensure they play in harmony from start to finish. The result is pleasant to the ears (especially for front-line workers), and attendees (i.e., our customers) enjoy the show. This encourages attendees to invite more people to watch it (or in this case, become a referencable customer).

Now, the PMO and project managers aren’t exclusively responsible for customer satisfaction. However, they are the ones charged with leading a continual improvement program. They are the ones who must ensure their organizations adopt best practices at the global and regional levels to provide the best customer experience possible.

Though each organization is different, it is important that the PMO ensures alignment of internal practices with external benchmarks. This will make it easier to incorporate the right assets, technologies, and quality attributes into operational processes, methodologies and tools – which is critically important considering how challenging it actually is to coordinate and direct technology implementations.

When you take into consideration the amount of people that must participate in one project to drive it to completion, or when you think about the planning needed to deliver on time and achieve the desired outcome, you realize that effective program and project management – both behind the scenes and on the front lines – is crucial to achieving the right result in the right time. The project manager is the one who is ultimately responsible for delivering the highest level of customer satisfaction, garnering the customer’s trust and laying the foundation for a long-term relationship with Zebra.   

Now, I’m sure you want to know the secret sauce for a perfect project implementation. So, let me share some of the best practices, processes and procedures our project managers employ within Zebra’s Professional Services organization to ensure the right assets and technologies are leveraged and help maintain accountability among all stakeholders. These are the ways in which we prioritize quality behind the scenes to deliver an excellent service experience and improve the quality of front-line results, no matter the type of technology being deployed, the complexity of the solution or the scale of implementation:

– Establish a framework by which you deliver, govern, and onboard. Defining the right process for each project is vital, as is the creation and distribution of a highly detailed scope of work. You can start with templatized guidelines and then tailor accordingly. Make sure you define, communicate and stick to strict timelines and due dates. This will help ensure high-quality handovers between each department and individuals participating in the project in any capacity – both on the solution/service provider side and within the customer organization.

Like everything in life, you must also set up milestones that allow you to monitor progress and confirm you’re still going in the right direction. Dashboards and regular cadence reviews will be critical to this type of project tracking. Just ensure all parties have access to them. This is key to setting expectations, maintaining accountability and proactively mitigating risks that could delay certain actions or otherwise hinder project execution.

· Communicate, communicate, communicate. Gather internal project team members regularly to review plans and progress. Conduct discovery workshops, planning sessions, design collaborations, site visits, and project reviews with the customer.And communicate with everyone regularly. There is no such thing as overcommunication when it comes to project management. Don’t leave room for misunderstandings or oversights. Confirm – and reconfirm – that everyone within the Professional Services organization and customer organization understands roles, timelines, goals, and deliverables. Encourage people to ask questions and don’t be afraid to send frequent status updates along with detailed reminders about next steps.

· Choose the right project management tools and leverage them to the fullest extent. At Zebra, we use a Professional Services Automation (PSA) tool which interfaces to other systems such as our customer relationship management (CRM) platform and other business tools. Together, this suite of tools is the one-stop-shop that helps us easily facilitate our business, specifically as it relates to:

o   bid and quote management

o   project planning

o   project execution

o   resource capability and capacity planning

o   project administration including booking, billing, and project financials

o   project and portfolio reporting

We also use this technology to facilitate remote service delivery and remain highly coordinated with geographically disperse teams. It gives everyone visibility into the same data sets and allows for an aggregate view of project progress.

· Make “Talent Excellence” the top priority when convening the project team. This is the ace under my sleeve. People are your most valuable asset. Leverage all your internal tools of communication to solicit ideas during the discovery and planning phases and verify that all best practices are being taken into account during the implementation and optimization phases. Leverage both internal and external resources to address different geographical needs (when applicable). Promote training and compliance on tools and processes. And keep communication channels open to gather feedback and build a collaborative community.

·  Utilize phase gates to better monitor and control service delivery – while there’s still time to correct course. Most of our Professional Services projects are segmented into four phases: scope, plan and design, delivery, and review. Before we move from one to the next, we pause to review that all goals have been met and that the customer is fully satisfied. This helps reduce the risk of oversights and facilitate smooth, successful solution delivery. If there is an issue, the gate stays ‘closed’ until there’s mutual agreement on how to best move forward.

A FINAL THOUGHT

You can either leverage these insights to benchmark service providers’ capabilities when soliciting project support, prepare your internal team for project success, or better support your customers as a solution/service provider. Just know that the effort put forth behind the scenes by the solution/service provider is just as influential on project outcomes as what actually happens on site during the implementation. Without the proper project planning, coordination and service delivery, it will be difficult to extract maximum value from the solution.

If you want glowing customer reviews – and repeat business – solicit customer feedback at frequent intervals. More importantly, welcome constructive criticism with enthusiasm and make adjustments to your methodology as needed. Continual improvement is not a concept exclusive to hardware or software design. Service innovation is just as essential to solution performance and customer satisfaction (with both your people and products).

Originally published here!

This post was written by Daniel Kwoka, Solutions Account Manager, RMS Omega, a Zebra Premier Solutions Partner.

More and more businesses are considering an investment in radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to help automate their inventory, data capture, and tracking processes. However, despite the proven value it adds to organizations, there is no shortage of questions and misunderstandings around the full capabilities of RFID:

• How effective and accurate is RFID?
• Is it the right fit for my business and application needs?
• How can I leverage it to get the best results?
• How difficult is it to implement?

If you’re struggling with these questions, don’t worry. RFID has been around for more than a decade and is used by thousands of businesses in a wide array of applications. That means there is a lot of experience and results to share when implementing and using RFID technology.

Over the years, we’ve seen firsthand what works and what doesn’t when it comes to using this technology. (RMS Omega has been part of the RFID revolution by advising many of our clients on this technology, and we have an entire decade of experience in designing, installing, and supporting RFID systems alongside other RFID solution experts such as Zebra).

More importantly, we’ve seen a lot of misinformation circulate throughout the market about what RFID can and can’t do, much of which has caused hesitation among organizations that can gain considerable benefits from the technology. In turn, we wanted to review the top ten myths and misconceptions about using RFID and paint a more accurate picture about what the technology can do and how it can add value to your business.

So, let’s get started!

Myth #1: RFID Is Only for Big Organizations

RFID technology provides the most efficient and accurate way for organizations to track, trace, and monitor assets, and enterprises of all sizes can benefit from the improved asset visibility and management facilitated by RFID. So, while it’s true that big companies were among the early adopters of RFID technology – and the cost of RFID tags and infrastructures was originally quite expensive – the reality today is that RFID is often the right solution for all enterprises, even smaller businesses with limited budgets.

In fact, RFID can be very cost effective depending on your application and the infrastructure and resources you’ll need. For example, if you want to better see and manage assets within a warehouse or manufacturing facility, you can potentially use handheld RFID readers and relatively inexpensive RFID tags that you can print with an affordable RFID printer.

Additionally, you don’t even need to have a warehouse management system (WMS) or enterprise resource planning (ERP) system in place to utilize RFID, which translates into potentially more cost savings when compared to other types of asset tracking technologies. RFID solutions can be standalone systems that simply run on your handheld devices using a basic software app that connects to whatever database you might be using to track inventory, tools, people, raw materials, semi-finished goods and more.

Myth #2:  You Need a Barcode System Before Getting into RFID

Some people think they need to have a barcoding system in place before they start using RFID, but they don’t. Yes, many businesses use barcode solutions as a stepping stone from completely manual processes to automated systems, but you don’t need to have a barcoding system at all to use RFID. If RFID meets your application needs, you can jump right into it and use it exclusively. And if you prefer to start with barcoding, know that it can serve as a cost-effective and straightforward way to make incremental improvements while you build toward a more sophisticated and automated approach that includes location tracking.

Myth #3: RFID Will Replace Barcoding

In the early days of RFID, some champions of the technology predicted that RFID will eventually replace barcoding. And some businesses are under the misconception that if you implement RFID, you have to replace your barcoding system.

Both of these ideas are incorrect. While RFID is a fantastic technology that has revolutionized inventory and asset tracking, there are plenty of use cases where barcoding is sufficient to meet a business’ needs. If it would cost significantly more to use RFID for the same application and you’re not going to get any added benefits, it wouldn’t make sense to take on the extra cost. Conversely, if barcoding is requiring your workers to do too much manual scanning, and you need a more efficient way to track and locate assets, RFID will typically generate better results and provide a higher ROI.

RFID and barcoding each have their place, so one isn’t going to replace the other. Moreover, there are many applications and processes where they can be used together. For example, in healthcare, patient ID wristbands can have both RFID inlays as well as barcode data. The RFID tags allow healthcare facilities to track the locations of at-risk patients for safety or identify a patient without disturbing them, and the barcodes are used by nurses to quickly scan and verify a patient’s identity and medical record number.

Myth #4: With RFID, You’ll Always Have Real-Time Information on Item Locations

The ability to locate tagged or labeled items and track their locations in real time is one of the biggest selling points of RFID. But the reality is that not everyone needs real-time visibility into item location. In fact, previously known location information delivered via passive RFID solutions is often more than sufficient once use cases and desired outcomes are clearly defined. Of course, there may be times when real-time visibility is required – and this can absolutely be achieved if you choose the right RFID solution.

For example, to gain true real-time information on item locations, you may need to have fixed RFID readers placed in many strategic locations, such as doorways or aisles, so those readers can send out signals, read tags, and detect items where they are currently stored or as they move past the reader.

But, the ability to detect item locations is dependent on the range of your tags and readers. If a tagged item is out of range, it won’t be detected. So, there’s a built-in physical limit. However, if you’re using the right RFID tags and reader technology for your application and you have the right amount of infrastructure in place, you can track items in real time with a high degree of location accuracy—down to as little as a few feet.

There is also a common misperception that active RFID is more accurate than passive RFID for locationing when, in fact, properly designed passive RFID solutions are accurate within 2-4 feet. If you need more precise location information, then Ultra Wideband (UWB) RFID technology provides location accuracy within a few centimeters. So, consult with a solution partner to clearly define your use case requirements, including when, where and how tags will need to be read to extract desired asset data.

Myth #5: RFID Is Only for Inventory

This is a natural misconception because RFID is used so widely in inventory management. However, it has also proven to be useful in other applications. RFID can be used for a wide array of applications, including equipment and asset tracking, work-in-process tracking, checking items in and out, monitoring chain of custody, maintaining maintenance and safety records, quarantining defects for quality control, and much more.

For example, major aerospace manufacturers use RFID tags to track and locate expensive equipment that they need to move and share between buildings. Similarly, energy companies use RFID tags to track equipment and update maintenance and repair records for those items in the field.  Other companies have used RFID to track parts and materials as they move through production processes, so they can validate when the correct items have reached each stage.

RFID is an excellent tool for any use case where you need to accurately identify, track, and/or locate items, especially when they’re higher-value or business-critical assets. You can track items and quantities and tie them to virtually any type of information you want to maintain about them in a database. Advanced active RFID tags can even record conditions such as temperature and humidity, so they can be used to monitor transit conditions in cold chain applications.

Myth #6: RFID Is a Problem for Privacy

Some people wonder if the RFID tags used to track a company-issued asset (such as a laptop) or items they purchase from retail stores (such as clothes) can be used to track their movements or create profiles. This should not be a concern at all.

Companies might use RFID for employee tracking on their premises and to limit access to restricted areas. And, in the event of a building evacuation, such as a chemical spill or fire, RFID tracking can be used to verify that all workers have left a location and are safely out of harm’s way.

However, employees should know that a badge can only be read if it is in range of their company’s RFID infrastructure. Many people confuse RFID and GPS as being synonymous, but an RFID badge cannot be read if an employee is off work and outside the company’s RFID network. Plus, the only way someone can “read” RFID tags is if they have both a suitable RFID device and access to the associated database of RFID tag data to understand the meaning of the number they read – and neither the hardware or database access are readily available.

In other words, it’s natural for some people to worry about privacy if they know their locations might be tracked. Understanding how and why it’s being done, in addition to the extreme limitations of RFID tracking, goes a long way in alleviating some of those concerns.

Myth #7: RFID Can Solve Any Asset or Inventory Problem

RFID has solved many asset and inventory problems in countless applications around the world. However, as with any technology, it may not solve every conceivable business problem. So, it cannot be force fitted to solve every use case. You must be aware of the proper use of RFID and choose the right type of solution to meet your business objectives. This includes having the right tags, labels, readers, antennas and software to create a successful system.

Plus, not every RFID system is the same. Each solution is unique to each business and might be used differently, so it needs to be tailored to your needs. It’s also important to remember that RFID is not GPS. As noted before, RFID tags can only be read where you have the right readers and infrastructure in place. Part of the confusion about RFID stems from the fact it is actually a broad umbrella of technologies: active (which includes UWB), passive (which includes high-frequency/near-field communications and ultra-high frequency) and semi-passive or battery assisted passive (BAP). Each has unique characteristics that make it ideal to address some specific use cases. UHF RFID generally has broader applicability in terms of use cases and verticals.

With all this being said, you can use RFID to solve most asset tracking and inventory problems, especially if you work with an experienced technology partner who can help you design, implement, and maintain the right system for your needs. Partnering with Zebra, the RMS Omega team works with many businesses to evaluate RFID, determine if it would be feasible and effective for their needs, and identify exactly what kind of RFID technology, infrastructure, and software they’ll need to implement a successful system. The process often starts with an RFID assessment and then a site survey and pilot test to validate whether RFID will work for a specific application, perform reliably in a given environment, and deliver the results that are expected.

Myth #8: RFID Is 100% Accurate

It’s true that RFID is a highly accurate (99.5% or better) way to identify, locate, and track inventory and assets. However, 100% accuracy is not always guaranteed and depends greatly, once again, on how and where you’re using RFID technology. This is why it is critical to work with an RFID technology provider who can help you construct the proper solution based on each use case. They can help you determine whether you need a passive or active system (or both, if you have multiple use cases that warrant different technology system designs). And they will make sure you select the right components, including tags, readers and antennas.

If you follow the lead of RFID experts and are disciplined in your discovery, design and execution processes, then you will be able to come up with a solution that addresses your pain points very well. In fact, the Zebra team reports 99.5% or better accuracy among its customer deployments, which it credits to its collaborative solution development and deployment approach.

Myth #9: Transitioning to an RFID System Is a Big Challenge

Many businesses assume that moving to an RFID system is a big undertaking filled with challenges. Some implementations can be challenging, especially if a business needs a highly complex, sophisticated, and comprehensive solution on a large scale. But in the vast majority of cases, RFID is relatively easy and manageable to implement.

The key is to start by working with an RFID expert through a discovery and design process to identify your business goals, explore how RFID will fit into and improve your workflows, and figure out what sort of RFID solution you’ll need. From there, you’ll need to design a solution, test it in your environment, and then deploy it and make sure your workers are trained to use it effectively.

Once an RFID solution is in place, you should find that it reduces or eliminates the more labor intensive, error-prone, and cumbersome manual processes related to inventorying, tracking, tracing and monitoring assets. Depending on the implementation, these processes may become mostly or fully automated which will make them far faster and more accurate than they are today.

Of course, this is a process that takes time and effort, but that is why there are technology experts, like Zebra and RMS Omega, that can work closely with you to achieve your goals. And once your system is in place, you can rely on your technology partner to help maintain and support your system, so there isn’t additional strain on your IT resources, and you can keep things running smoothly.

Myth #10: Implementing RFID Is Difficult

Over the last 15-20 years, RFID technology, solutions, and processes have all matured greatly, and there are many domain experts available to help ease implementation across a number of use cases.  

Thousands of businesses have already implemented RFID in some capacity, and many have expanded their solutions beyond the initial use case to gain tremendous benefits. But, because the scope of your project is going to be unique to your business, the key to reducing complexity is spending the time properly assessing your environment, identifying your pain points, defining your use case and refining your strategy.

Get the process rolling by scheduling a consultation or two with a trusted RFID solution provider. They’ll guide you through the discovery process and help you structure the solution accordingly to ensure you have the right hardware and software, including fixed and/or handheld RFID readers and antennas, tags and printers. For example, the software component can include RFID reader middleware, a comprehensive RFID platform, or asset tracking and inventory software.

You’ll also want to invest in a site survey and take time to test and validate your system before you plan a full-scale rollout. Finally, there’s the task of actually deploying your infrastructure, hardware, and software; providing the required training; and maintaining your system over the long term.

Again, an RFID partner will help you assess and design your system, work with you to test and integrate the components, and then optimize as necessary to ensure everything goes smoothly and works correctly. A good partner will also provide you with ongoing services and support and a dedicated expert to be a point of contact for all your RFID needs.

READY TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITIES WITH RFID?

At RMS Omega, we are a single-source provider for all components of your RFID project. We work closely with Zebra Technologies, a global leader in RFID and other solutions, to bring the world’s best RFID hardware, tags, labels, and expertise to every project.

If you’re considering RFID for asset tracking, inventory management, or any other business application, feel free to contact us to get answers to your questions, learn more about RFID systems and solutions, and find out how we can help you achieve a successful implementation.

Originally published here!

As the lovable Kermit the Frog of the Muppets once sang, it’s not easy being green.

That’s why Zebra has formed a cross-functional council to meet regularly and discuss opportunities for reducing hazardous substances and packaging, increasing the usage of alternative materials, assessing our product life cycles and more.

Formally referred to as Zebra’s Green Product Council (GPC), this group of engineers, product managers, environmental health and safety experts and other thought leaders, has set out to champion green product initiatives across Zebra in alignment with our commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and protecting the environment via Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) programs.

Michelle Grodzki and Nick Clemente, co-leaders of the GPC and members of our Product Environmental Compliance team, are leading the charge to explore innovative and impactful ways Zebra’s product portfolio can become greener and more sustainable. And Steve Le Goff, Vice President of Design, Management and Operations for Zebra, is actively steering the GPC’s strategy, providing execution oversight, and ensuring alignment with the company’s brand values as executive sponsor.

All three joined us for a special podcast episode on this World Environment Day to discuss what the cross-functional team has accomplished thus far, what other businesses can learn from the endeavor, and what’s on the horizon.

Listen to this podcast episode now to learn more about:

• how Zebra’s GPC originated and the ambitious goals the group has set out to achieve.
• the most notable initiatives of the GPC to date, for both the environment and the business.
• what the group plans to tackle this year.
• why EPEAT certification has been among the council’s top priorities and how it can encourage businesses operate more sustainably.
• why cross-functional representation within the GPC is key to collaborative innovation and success.
• how Zebra, its customers, its partners and the planet will benefit from the GPC’s work.
• how businesses can best prepare for the rapidly changing regulatory landscape globally.

Deanna Self was just named one of Supply and Demand Chain Executive’s 2021 Pros to Know, but we think she is a person whom everyone should know. Deanna has faced many roadblocks in life on a personal and professional level, and to say her career path has been unconventional would be an understatement. Yet, she has figured out a way to achieve her goals – mostly because the failures she has endured have created the opportunity to become more creative to overcome them.

So, to kick off Pride Month, we asked Deanna to share her story of both strife and success as she trailblazed her way up the corporate ladder. Learn what has set her apart from other supply chain professionals the past 25+ years, why she insists on staying true to herself no matter the consequences, and why she has become a hero to so many in the LGBTQIA+ community who have big dreams like Deanna…

Your Edge Blog Team: First off, congratulations for being named one of Supply and Demand Chain Executive’s 2021 Pros to Know! I know it’s well deserved.

Deanna: Thank you. It was a nice surprise to find out I was one of the winners. There are some amazing people on that list.

Your Edge Blog Team: Can you tell us a little bit about your role at Zebra? What are your responsibilities? And what does your day to day look like?

Deanna: My main role here at Zebra is to help bring insights to our customers and the organization in terms of what’s happening within the industry. The goal is to help drive and define roadmaps and provide recommendations on where it makes sense to invest. At the end of the day, I really want to be able to help customers succeed and eliminate pain points within their operations, so I am proactive in sharing my expertise on what solutions would be most effective. Outside of that, as you can imagine, I also spend a lot of time immersing myself in the industry itself, keeping up to date on various technologies and solutions, and in turn, sharing and engaging in thought leadership to further those insights and validate trends.

Your Edge Blog Team: Why did you decide to work in sales?

Deanna: Ihave worked in sales or supported sales my entire career. For me, when you really believe in the products or solutions the company is selling, it makes you want to be a part of that because you understand the value it’s bringing to customers.

Your Edge Blog Team: What values are important to you from a career perspective?

Deanna: The first words that come to mind are trust and integrity, but those are immediately followed by having an innovative mindset and agile approach. I also consider diversity and inclusion very important. I’ve learned through past personal experiences that if you don’t have this strongly embedded into your culture, you don’t get the best from your people.  

Your Edge Blog Team: Have you experienced those values here at Zebra?

Deanna: One of the most refreshing things for me to see here at Zebra is the innovative mindset.  I love the curiousness and how people are always looking to improve. It’s also nice to see the pace at which some of that change can happen. Coming from a larger global company, the pace wasn’t near as fast. But in terms of the other values, it’s very clear in our stock price and relationships within the market that Zebra is a trusted company.  

Your Edge Blog Team: Is that why chose to work at Zebra?

Deanna: Absolutely. I would never work for a company if I didn’t share the same values and vision.  Zebra used to be my vendor when I was at my previous company, and the one thing I most valued was how much Zebra employees wanted to do the right thing at the end of the day – even if it meant they missed out on a sale. Doing the right thing and having a trusted relationship is what I value most.

Your Edge Blog Team: Well, we’re grateful you are a part of Zebra Nation. In fact, you’re making quite an impact beyond your day-to-day professional role as a champion of inclusion and diversity. Can you tell us about some of the I&D initiatives you’ve been involved in lately?

Deanna: I just recently joined the Zebra Equality Alliance, otherwise known as ZEAL, which is a resource group for the LGBTQIA+ community. I haven’t had a chance to really get involved yet, but I’m excited to do so. I am also a part of the I&D team for Zebra’s North America Sales organization. As part of our recent initiatives, we brought in an outside company to provide I&D training, and I was able to share some “cover” stories to help others realize what I go through when I can’t be authentic as well as the downside it has on my performance as well as the company’s performance.

I am married to a woman, and we have two small children.  I can recall early in my career, and even occasionally now, when I felt that I had to “cover” for the safety or security of my family or job. When you have someone who can’t show up and be their full self every day, you’re losing out on so much greatness from that person. And for me, I got tired of not sharing my full self and not being treated equal because of it. It’s hugely important we provide support in every way possible to make sure everyone can show up every day and bring their true, best version of themselves – that’s what makes a company better.  You’ll find the ideas, teamwork, and overall effectiveness of your employees go way up when this type of environment is fostered.

Your Edge Blog Team: Have you always been actively involved in I&D initiatives such as this?

Deanna: Prior to coming to Zebra, I was involved with a group that’s very similar to ZEAL. I feel it is super important to support the community in a number of ways, such as by listening, coaching/ mentoring, standing up, and even sharing in my own personal experiences.

Your Edge Blog Team: What advice would you give to allies? How can they help foster a culture of belonging, whether in the workplace, social settings or within their homes?

Deanna: Be conscious about the things you say and what you’re joking about. Speak up, educate, and stop behaviors that don’t support an inclusive culture. Don’t just assume things. For example, I think many people assume I am straight because I don’t fit the typical lesbian stereotype. It makes it very difficult for me to be myself when you think I’m something else. Be a friend and listen, and ask questions about how you can help or even maybe how you can challenge your own biases.

Your Edge Blog Team: What advice would you give to members of the LGBTQIA+ community who are faced with biases in their personal or professional lives? Is there something you would say to help give them the strength and courage to continue to forge a path forward – and up the career ladder?

Deanna: If you’re surrounding yourself with people, professional or personal, that don’t support you being the full you, then go find those that do. From a professional standpoint, it’s okay to ask questions regarding inclusion and diversity when you’re thinking of switching roles or careers. It’s important to understand the culture you’re entering and whether or not it allows you to flourish. I used to work for a company that wasn’t supportive and created a lot of fear and uncertainty about my career. It took me a few years to realize it was in my power to address this. Ask yourself if you’re able to bring the best version of yourself to work every day – and, if not, why not?  Address those “whys” until there is nothing stopping you from being the awesome person you were born to be.

Your Edge Blog Team: That is great advice! Now that you’re able to put your full self forward at work each day, we know you’re probably running full steam ahead. What do you enjoy doing in your free time to help rebalance yourself? What brings you joy?

Deanna: My twin two-year-old boys take most of my free time. You can generally find us outdoors playing and exploring. But when they are sleeping, or when my wife and I sneak away for a couple hours, I enjoy all kinds of things from catching up with friends, to trying new foods/restaurants, going out for cocktails, and fun events – anything music or sports, you can count me in.

Your Edge Blog Team: Is that how you’re going to celebrate Pride Month, or do you have something else planned?

Deanna: Ahhh…Pride Month! We’ve been in the process of selling our home and will be moving the majority of Pride Month. I know that sounds like a terrific way to celebrate. HA! But in all seriousness, I support Pride Month by taking time to listen, educate myself on how I can continue to improve, challenge myself to create more inclusion.  This is outside of work, but right now my main focus on this topic has been with my kids’ daycare because I also want to make sure they have a diverse and inclusive environment to thrive in. I work with the principal there to expose them to various books, and I recommend ways to incorporate I&D both inside the class and with their staff.

Your Edge Blog Team: What is your proudest accomplishment in life thus far, either personally, professionally, or both?

Deanna: When I graduated high school, I already had a passion for business and was ready to get started, so I never went to undergrad school. Instead, I opened my first business by the age of 20.  Once I did that, I never looked back at college. That was until I realized, after I joined the corporate world, that the policies in place were going to stop me from further climbing the ladder.  And at that point, companies were really looking for more than a bachelor’s degree, they were seeking master’s degrees. So, I set out on a personal mission to figure out how to get a masters, but not via the traditional method. I’ll be honest, I had zero desire to get a bachelor’s degree, so I wasn’t quite sure how I could possibly make this happen. After a lot of research, a lot of testing, and a lot of interviewing, I’m proud to say I’m probably the only person you know that has a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) without an undergrad degree. I graduated from the McColl’s School of Business at Queen’s University in Charlotte in 2014. So, my advice to everyone out there: don’t let all the rules, policies, or politics in place stop you from achieving your goals. Figure out how to change or work around them!

Originally published here!

Chicago, IL – June 3, 2021 – ServerCentral Turing Group (SCTG), a cloud, network, and data center managed service provider, has completed an extensive rebranding initiative to better convey its expertise in converting complexity into success for businesses large and small. The rebrand includes a new website, logo, and name – Deft.

After adapting to extraordinary circumstances in 2020, businesses will spend the duration of 2021 reconfiguring their operations for the future. As technology becomes a critical aspect of their core competencies, businesses continue to undergo fundamental shifts in how they operate and deliver value to their customers.

“No company is too big or small for technology complacency,” said Jordan Lowe, CEO of Deft. “With promises of streamlined hybrid cloud infrastructure, instant scalability, and seamless cloud migrations, today’s technology has the potential to fundamentally change the way businesses operate and deliver value to their customers. The challenge is successfully meeting these opportunities.”

The name change reflects Deft’s commitment to bringing humanity to every client journey and supporting its customers through its core business areas including public, private, and hybrid cloud services, cloud consulting, managed services, and data center services.

Deft partners with its clients to deliver on the promise of technology to the benefit of their employees, customers, and business through:

• Consistent thought leadership: Deft leverages over two decades of experience to anticipate an organization’s needs and proactively deliver expert advice.
• Ever-evolving skill sets: Deft recognizes the steady pace of innovation in technology and stretches its skill sets to set new standards over maintaining the status quo.
• Creative problem-solving: Deft embraces innovative thinking within its problem-solving process, allowing for an original, informed viewpoint to guide strategic decision-making and achieve dynamic business outcomes.
• Thoughtful guidance: Deft understands the role it plays within an organization and positions its solutions to act as a launchpad toward big-picture success.

Deft offers the combined expertise of an expansive partner network as it designs, builds, operates, secures, and scales unique hybrid cloud solutions tailored to businesses’ unique needs. As day-to-day operations continue while companies redefine themselves with technology, Deft ensures continued digital transformation occurs with minimal disruption to critical systems and processes.

For more information about Deft, visit www.deft.com.

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Originally published here!

COVID-19 changed the retail experience in many ways, the most notable being the widespread implementation of contactless ordering and checkout options that support strict social distancing. Though it may have been inconvenient to reconfigure store layouts to install self-checkout lanes or staff up to offer drive-up services, those who were able to do so quickly were applauded by customers and associates alike – particular in convenience store (c-store) settings.

C-stores’ main value proposition is convenience – it’s literally in their name – and they have always been held to a higher standard than traditional retail and grocery stores when it comes to speed of service. Customers expect to be able to get in and out fast and will become frustrated if they must wait in line more than a few minutes to pick up food, pump gas, refill their cups or pay.

Yet, COVID-19 health protocols and customers’ inclination to minimize time in stores has made it difficult to sustain traditional c-store operations:

• Associates must now manage what were previously self-service food and beverage stations, a job that can keep them from doing anything else during a shift when foot traffic is high.
• The increased frequency and thoroughness of cleaning leads to more “downtime” between transactions and can take associates away from registers for a prolonged period of time to attend to other parts of the store.
• Some local regulations still dictate capacity limits for c-stores (and all businesses), which can delay customers in transit and drive them to forgo the high-margin impulse purchases or find an alternative pit stop completely.

Though many of these factors are beyond anyone’s control, C-store operators must find ways to adjust their service models if they want to regain their competitive edge. That’s where contactless scanning comes in.

CONTACTLESS CHECKOUT (AND CHECK IN) IS PROVING VERY CONVENIENT – FOR EVERYONE!

Even before the pandemic, C-store staff members were challenged to offer a speedy experience. During a typical peak-period shift, there may have only been three or four associates on duty: one running the food station or restocking shelves, one handling the administrative tasks (i.e., vendor, inventory and logistics management), and one or two managing registers. That’s if the C-store was fully staffed. Sometimes there was one person at the register and one person doing everything else. A single lottery ticket transaction could cause the queue to build 10-people deep in a matter of minutes, significantly slowing down checkout and reducing the convenience factor. And it wasn’t unheard of for coffee stations to run empty or cleaning duties to be delayed to the end of the shift, all of which impacted the overall c-store customer experience. Customers and associates alike would have appreciated the convenience of self-checkout lanes, much like the ones you see at a traditional grocery store.

But what would have been deemed a luxury just 12 months ago is now table stakes.

We know from Zebra’s latest Global Shopper Study that many people will only shop at stores with contactless checkout options, such as self-checkout. And we know C-store associates can’t sustain the increased workload brought about by the pandemic. Cleaning duties can no longer wait until the end of a shift. And customers are no longer at liberty of reaching into a warmer to grab a hot dog or under cabinets to restock the creamer bin themselves. This has led many C-store operators to take a page – and some scanning solutions – from traditional retailers:

It’s becoming more likely that C-store customers will get in and out without ever interacting with an associate thanks to new self-checkout lanes being installed. Bioptic scanners that can weigh produce, confirm a customer indeed has donuts in a bag and accurately scan barcoded items with a single swipe are allowing C-store operators to keep register queues short and customers happy with the convenience of the shopping experience. Those who want to get really creative – and embrace more sustainable practices – can even create reusable beverage cups with built-in Digimarc codes that customers can scan at self-checkout to confirm the size of their beverage – no associate verification needed. Even better, the customer can be rewarded with a discount for using the more environmentally friendly cup.

It’s common to see countertop barcode scanners that empower customers to rapidly scan loyalty app QR codes and even make digital payments in a completely touchless manner. In fact, 64% of C-store operators in the U.S. offer mobile pay in-store today and many in Europe were offering this option as early as 2018. Some are even taking it to the next level by allowing customers to self-scan items as they shop using a mobile app on their smartphones so the associate doesn’t even have to touch the items. The benefits are significant, as the only thing the associate and customer may need to exchange is a quick hello as the barcode or QR code is scanned at the counter and a visual inspection of cart items is completed.

Kiosks are helping to manage capacity at truck stop shower stations, restaurants and even tire service centers, allowing for quick check-in and queuing as well as automated alerts when guests are cleared to enter the facilities. This helps to prevent crowding inside or at entry points and allows associates to stay focused on managing food orders, assisting customer with controlled items (i.e., tobacco, alcohol and lottery tickets), cleaning stalls and other high-value tasks which help improve customer churn rates.

Those who have vending machines in store should also consider transitioning to a digital payment option that allows customers to tap and go. If the vending machine has a built-in scan engine in the display, it could be easy to accept QR code- or barcode-based payment methods and even scan loyalty cards to allow customers to earn and redeem rewards these types of transactions.

Along those same lines, it could be very beneficial to set up a buy online, pick up in store (BOPIS) contactless collection station using either temperature-controlled lockers (as Rowan Fuller described in this blog post) or even a vending machine-type system to provide a fast grab-and-go service for pre-made and made-to-order food items as well as convenience items. The store associate could prepare/pick orders, put them in the lockers, and move onto the next batch. Customers could be alerted via the C-store’s loyalty mobile app when their orders are ready and then retrieve the items themselves – either in store or in the parking lot. With many C-store operators planning to add “app-based order ahead” and “order at the pump” shopping options this year, it only makes sense to simultaneously introduce self-service pickup options. Plus, it reduces the burden on associates and reduces the number of face-to-face interactions for all.

WHAT’S MORE CONVENIENT THAN A “DRIVE THRU” OR “DRIVE UP” TRANSACTION?

Of course, many C-store operators are also starting to realize the definition of “convenience” has drastically changed in the past year. For many consumers, convenience is no longer about how quickly they can get in and out of the store, but whether they have to go in at all. In fact, many C-store retailers, though optimistic about economies opening back up and travel resuming, understand foot traffic may not recover to pre-pandemic levels this year. So, they’re looking for ways to serve customers outside the four walls to increase transaction volume and size. In fact, curbside, drive thru and home delivery services are among the hottest new trends for C-stores in 2021, as is “mobile pay at the pump” for those with fuel service. Again, contactless scanning solutions are proving key to execution, though:

Interactive touch displays with barcode scan engines allow for customers to shop and pay for items at the pump using multiple contactless methods while fueling up. They can, of course, also pay for fuel and earn/redeem loyalty rewards with a quick, touchless scan of a mobile app’s barcode or QR code.

Customers who place orders in the app can scan the QR code or barcode at the pump before they begin fueling vehicles to notify the attendant of their arrival and allow time for final order prep. They can either meet at the door for the handoff, customers can go into the store to pick up the order or they can have orders brought curbside while pumping. If there are any issues, the attendant can communicate with customers over the speaker at the pump, and customers can respond using push-to-talk functionality.

Those who go through the drive-thru can present a QR code or barcode to the attendant at the window for a quick loyalty and/or payment scan using a cordless barcode scanner. It’s even possible to position the scanner so the associate doesn’t have to pick it up and put it down each time; it can just remain on the ledge for the customer to reach from the vehicle to facilitate a touchless scan transaction once the order total is confirmed. (Think about what you might experience at a drive-thru Starbucks today.)

Those who operate walk-up C-stores in airports, shopping centers, office buildings and heavily (foot) trafficked city centers should also consider the ways kiosks and other image scanner technologies can facilitate access and/or payments – particularly for locations that are minimally staffed or not staffed at all. For example, you could position a hybrid imager at the door to read ID cards before granting automated door access. The customer could then scan items as they go using a mobile app – or checkout using a countertop imager or bioptic scanner to ensure accurate scanning. A quick scan of the ID card again to confirm the customer’s identity, along with a scan of the loyalty app and/or alternative mobile payment method, could then complete the checkout process and automatically open the exit doors. The bioptic scanner if used, could help reduce fraud and theft in combination with other loss prevention solutions.

MORE “FOOT” TRAFFIC, LESS FRICTION

No matter your C-store model, the key to recovery lies in your ability to offer the most convenient shopping and dining experience possible. You have to take the best of what grocery stores, drug stores and quick service restaurants (QSR) offer in terms of fulfillment if you want to keep customers coming to you first – and keep them coming back. If they feel it takes too long to get what they need from you, or they feel their safety is not being prioritized, they will move on. It’s also important to have the right inventory mix on the shelf and menu, but we’ll talk more about that in a future blog post.

For now, take some time to assess your workflows and your traffic flow. How can you help customers get in and out of your parking lot (not just your doors) faster – and more refreshed – than ever before? If you’re not sure how best to introduce contactless scanning technologies into your C-store environment or you need help selecting the right solutions, mapping out an implementation strategy and actually getting the tools online, the Zebra team would be happy to help. We have C-store retail experts in every region of the world. Send us a note and we’ll connect you with the right person to get the conversation started.

You can also learn more about the Zebra scanning solutions many C-store retailers are already using with great success on our website:

• The near-zero footprint Zebra DS9300 Series 1D/2D Presentation Barcode Scanner
• The Zebra DS9900 Series Hybrid Imager (There’s also a video and application brief detailing various use cases.)
• The Zebra MP7000 Bioptic Scanner (Also check out this video and infographic.)

Originally published here!

Jump-start your career in advertising and technology and utilize Centro Prep resources along the way! Our mission is to help future leaders in advertising be more prepared, informed, and diverse.

CHICAGO and NEW YORK, May 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Relativity, a global legal and compliance technology company, today announced that it has acquired Text IQ, a Top 100 AI company applying artificial intelligence (AI) to identify sensitive data.

Text IQ leverages the latest in unsupervised machine learning (ML), graphical modeling, social network analysis (SNA), natural language processing (NLP) and deep learning to create AI solutions for the world’s largest enterprises to manage and mitigate risks in enterprise data. Text IQ’s AI helps to lower the cost and risk of legal privilege review, speed up and increase the accuracy of data breach response workflows, and quickly identify and manage personally identifiable information (PII) which are often associated with Global Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Data Subject Access Requests.

The team at Text IQ is comprised of widely recognized, pioneering leaders in their field. They have long been focused on deep learning models that scale horizontally across massive data sets while improving in real-time—identifying people, relationships and sensitive data at scale with limited human input. Text IQ’s technology is applied within legal, compliance and privacy departments in most major industries spanning the Global 2000, uncovering latent risk buried in unstructured data. Text IQ will continue to focus on selling to and servicing the industry and its customers and innovating its technology. It will work with the Relativity team to build a seamless integration between its products while also embedding some of its core capabilities to improve existing AI and ML functionality in RelativityOne and Relativity Trace—providing Relativity’s 300,000 users with access to Text IQ’s leading AI capabilities.

“We’re merely scratching the surface of what the application of AI to our industry can mean. Our customers recognize that while AI offers immense possibility, it must be thoughtfully designed and applied to address use cases that yield specific business outcomes,” said Mike Gamson, Chief Executive Officer at Relativity. “We know that Text IQ’s proven technology, coupled with its incredible team of talented professionals, will be a wonderful addition to Relativity and help us deliver even more value to our customers.”  

“Most of the industry’s legal and compliance data already live within the Relativity ecosystem, which adds to our excitement around increasing Relativity’s customers’ access to our AI models,” said Apoorv Agarwal, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Text IQ. “The fusion of our companies and technology will deliver on the promise of AI in a way that our industry has yet to experience all while ensuring that ethical and unbiased AI is at the core of everything that we do.”

In addition to accelerating the pace of innovation in RelativityOne and Relativity Trace, Text IQ’s unique approach to AI and ML and its product offerings will expand the legal and compliance challenges that Relativity can solve for its customers, like privilege reviews. Conducting privilege reviews can take thousands of hours and is prone to human error – leaving enterprises open to risk of sharing privileged information. Text IQ’s flagship product reduces the time and cost of conducting privilege document reviews by up to 75%, and significantly reduces the associated risk.

“Text IQ’s AI has brought intelligence and automation to a process that was ripe for innovation,” said Lynn Charytan, Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Comcast Cable. “Their privilege review solution cuts down a lot of legal expenses while preventing inadvertent disclosures of privileged data in the discovery process.”

Central to a legal or compliance team’s understanding of any data set are the people involved and the roles they play. However, gleaning that information from large amounts of unstructured data is a huge challenge. Text IQ uses NLP, SNA and other leading techniques to extract complete social networks from unstructured data through their Socio-Linguistic Hypergraph. This includes relationships between individuals, how they communicate, and how they communicate differently with different groups of people. Text IQ finds every trace of a person in a data set – providing insights impossible to gain through manual review or supervised review.

Increasingly, Relativity’s customers, which include 198 of the AmLaw 200, use Relativity to run critical data breach response projects. The integration of Text IQ’s AI into this process will result in a new standard for this type of work.

“The timelines for breach response are oftentimes more challenging to deal with than anything you’d see in litigation. A complete response is a substantial manual effort that’s very prone to error,” said Rick Lutkus, Partner, Privacy & Cybersecurity at Seyfarth Shaw. “Text IQ changes that, allowing us to take on more work and deliver better outcomes for our clients.”

Relativity’s global network of partners that provide project-based support and managed services, including world-class consulting, data management, legal, compliance and consulting services will greatly benefit from this acquisition. Offering Text IQ to Relativity’s partner community will provide them with an even stronger AI toolset to deliver more value across the e-discovery lifecycle and solve a wider array of data challenges for their customers.

“As the first certified Text IQ partner, we’ve seen their technology, which uniquely combines machine learning and social network analysis, drive measurable quality and consistency on matters,” said Julia Hasenzahl, CEO at ProSearch. “As a company that is always pursuing portfolio level solutions, we are excited about this acquisition as it sets the stage for Text IQ integration across all client matters within Relativity.”

Text IQ will continue to offer its core products for privacy, legal and compliance teams as well as its unconscious bias detector, which is part of Text IQ’s AI for Good initiative.

The acquisition follows an announcement in March of this year that Silver Lake, a global leader in technology investing, had made a substantial minority investment in Relativity to help the company accelerate growth, innovation and technology differentiation.

About Relativity
Relativity makes software to help users organize data, discover the truth and act on it. Its SaaS platform RelativityOne manages large volumes of data and quickly identifies key issues during litigation and internal investigations. The AI-powered communication surveillance platform, Relativity Trace proactively detects regulatory misconduct like insider trading, collusion and other non-compliant behavior. Relativity has more than 300,000 users in 49 countries serving thousands of organizations globally primarily in legal, financial services and government sectors, including the U.S. Department of Justice and 198 of the Am Law 200. Relativity has been named one of Chicago’s Top Workplaces by the Chicago Tribune for 10 consecutive years. Please contact Relativity at sales@relativity.com or visit http://www.relativity.com for more information.

About Text IQ
Text IQ is a B2B technology company with a reimagined approach to using AI to manage and mitigate risks in enterprise data. Text IQ’s Unstructured Data Platform helps Global 2000 and government organizations identify sensitive information to reduce risk, protect privacy and create a fair, inclusive and diverse workplace. The Text IQ Brain, powered by its proprietary Socio-Linguistic Hypergraph, uncovers 99% of sensitive information at a 75% reduction in cost and time, and is used at the world’s leading financial services, insurance, pharmaceutical and government organizations. Since its founding in 2014, Text IQ has achieved record revenue growth. Backed by FirstMark, Sierra Ventures, Intel Capital, and Floodgate, Text IQ was recently recognized in the AI Top 100.

Relativity Contact
Mike Gilhooly
PR@relativity.com

SOURCE Relativity

Originally published here!

Nurses have been celebrated for their compassionate care and heroic actions every day since the COVID-19 pandemic began. However, it’s important we stop to really consider the life-changing impact they have always made on society and the substantial influence they have on healthcare modernization. Nurses go above and beyond their call of duty to ensure patients and loved ones are fully supported in some of the most challenging times of their lives, and they continuously advocate for a higher standard of care. Their voices and actions have proven to elicit positive change in healthcare delivery models worldwide. And they never stop innovating.

So, this year for International Nurses Day, we decided to speak with three very special women who have been on the front lines of public health crises in various capacities, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Two of them – Rikki Jennings and Elizabeth Miller – are Registered Nurses. The third, Alex Van Ryne, will earn her bachelor of science in nursing degree this weekend and will become a Registered Nurse in June.

All have gained tremendous insight into the evolving challenges nurses face in today’s healthcare environment. And each has been able to contribute to the ongoing innovation occurring both behind the scenes here at Zebra and on the front lines in hospitals and other facilities. Listen to the 20-minute discussion now to get the inside scoop on:

• the sentiment among nurses one year into the COVID-19 pandemic.
• the questions arising about nursing students’ preparedness for the real world.
• the acceleration of digital strategies to facilitate a “care anywhere” model via “digital front door,” expanded home healthcare, and virtual collaboration tools.
• the efforts being made to improve workplace safety.
• how foundational technology is being leveraged in new ways to improve clinical workflows, better support nurses, and help improve the quality of both the patient and caregiver experience.
• ways in which the “clinical voice” is giving rise to more impactful innovation at Zebra and across the global healthcare community.
• the simple way in which the public can celebrate nurses on International Nurses Day – and every day.

Listen to the podcast here!

Many supply chain organizations are exploring the potential of more automated and intelligent technologies right now, Zebra included. With ever-changing production goals and tighter order fulfillment timelines, manufacturers need easy-to-use solutions that help elevate quality and drive production performance. Warehouse and distribution center operators are looking for ways to streamline the returns process. And retailers are constantly seeking tools that take the burden of increased fulfillment demands off workers, without compromising the quality of the customer experience.

That’s why there’s growing buzz around technologies such as machine vision and computer vision.

But despite their similar-sounding names, these technologies have two very different purposes which, at times, do converge. There are also technologies, such as fixed industrial scanners, that can work in tandem with machine vision and computer vision solutions to bring more breadth, depth and speed to operational visibility and industrial automation. So, we’ve asked Donato Montanari, Vice President and General Manager of Zebra’s Machine Vision business, to break down the terminology and uses cases in the latest installment of our “Ask the Expert” series:

Your Edge Blog Team: Can you start by explaining the differences between machine vision and computer vision?

Donato: It might be easiest to start with the similarities. Machine vision and computer vision are both intelligence-based systems used for image capture, processing, and analysis. In enterprise and industrial environments, their shared value lies in their ability to improve quality control and process control by catching both isolated issues and patterns that a human might miss for whatever reason. For example, both machine vision and computer vision systems are trained to look for discrepancies within some component of an operation. When issues are identified, the systems will notify key stakeholders and then help them decide what steps to take to avoid incurring significant inventory, financial or customer losses.

However, the speed and level at which this intelligence is gathered, distributed and applied is one of the most distinguishing factors between the two types of technologies.

Machine vision is often used on a production line in a manufacturing facility to look for visual inconsistencies in a label, package or even item design that could lead to returns, noncompliance penalties, and other costly consequences. Many use a pass/fail alert structure to help inspectors quickly decide whether items are cleared to continue down the line or should be removed without having to consult with others first. Machine vision systems also tend to be self-contained, meaning the image capture and analysis occur right there on the line – data doesn’t have to be sent to a back-office system for processing.

Computer vision, on the other hand, is often used as a back-end processing platform for image capture technologies used on the front lines, such as intelligent automation solutions, bioptic scanners, and even mobile computers. Advanced algorithms are used to help decision makers see what’s happening within their operations and fully understand why it’s happening. Though computer vision still elicits fast decision making and action, there tends to be a little bit longer lead time between the two given the depth and breadth of data being processed through the system. Computer vision is typically a far more comprehensive analysis tool than machine vision, which is much more comparative at a single factor level (i.e., the text on the item’s warning label is supposed to be red but the machine vision camera indicates that it’s purple.)

In fact, machine vision systems tend to be designed to support very specific industrial automation applications due to their unique line of sight capabilities – and limitations. Computer vision algorithms, on the other hand, can be used more broadly to support qualitative analysis needs. That’s why you’re more likely to see machine vision or some derivative – such as fixed industrial scanning – in manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution environments, and computer vision in retail or healthcare.

Your Edge Blog Team: So, is machine vision essentially a camera solution?

Donato: Yes and no. Machine vision relies on highly specialized camera technology to reconcile an item or label’s current visual state with what it should look like per the standards guide. However, when someone talks about machine vision, it’s unlikely he or she is referring exclusively to the camera component. “Machine vision” is actually a cohesive set of technologies and methodologies that are used for the automatic, imaging-based inspection and tracking of work-in-progress items and finished goods from a process control and quality control perspective.

For example, an automotive supplier might use machine vision to improve the speed and accuracy of visual inspections as items move down the line in a discrete manufacturing environment where quality control is critical. The machine vision system – meaning the smart cameras or sensors – positioned either overhead or in line with the conveyor belt can learn to recognize when a part is mislabeled or there is a discrepancy in the design when compared to the blueprints. After capturing a snapshot, an intelligent analysis will occur on the spot to verify the quality of what’s being produced and prepped for shipment. If multiple anomalies are identified by the machine vision system, that could be indicative of a larger process issue that the manufacturer may not have otherwise recognized until after parts were shipped to – and returned by – the customer.

Your Edge Blog Team: Can machine vision cameras be used to track and trace items, then?

Donato: Fixed industrial scanning solutions are utilized more for the track and trace of parts or finished goods as they move down a production, picking, packing or shipping line, whereas machine vision is used most often for the visual inspection of such items for quality control or process control purposes. However, fixed industrial scanners – at least the ones Zebra offers – can be used for machine vision with a fairly simple software reconfiguration.

Your Edge Blog Team: Can you clarify what you mean by track and trace in this case?

Donato: Fixed industrial scanners are typically used to read the barcodes on items moving along conveyor belts or order fulfillment lines in distribution centers and warehouses and provide a status update to logistics managers or possibly even customers. In addition to verifying that an item has passed by a checkpoint, which is the tracking component, these scanners might be set up to verify the accuracy of product or package labels, automatically confirm that all items in an order have been picked and passed along for packing, or even facilitate shipment routing. Fixed industrial scanners can also be used to verify returned items and help expedite the reshelving process. If configured for machine vision, these scanners could even be used to identify items that aren’t acceptable for return per quality standards defined in the system.

At the end of the day, logistics managers and quality control teams just want a good tool to help decode items coming down the line more quickly than is possible today. Any technology that can help eliminate the quality issues and fulfillment errors that cost them time, money and – in some cases – customers is also much appreciated.

Your Edge Blog Team: Is that why Zebra decided to develop a new lineup of fixed industrial scanning and machine vision solutions?

Donato:That is certainly a key driver. Customers are always motivating us to innovate, and we’re proactively exploring ways in which technology can be better designed and utilized to address their pain points.  Zebra has a strong heritage in data capture, proven success with track and trace solutions, and a number of high-performing inspection technologies within our existing portfolio. Even more than that, we understand what is required technologically speaking to get data to the right place at the right time​ to maximize its value.

While 88% of manufacturers say they are capturing data about their assets and operations, only 18% believe they are fully equipped to deliver on the Internet of Things (IoT) and connect that data to their business systems to improve operations. Many warehouse and distribution center operators share the same frustration and challenge. So, Zebra has worked diligently to deliver solutions that help automate the collection, analysis and application of all kinds of data in a simple way.

Fixed industrial scanning and machine vision solutions, which are natural extensions of our existing portfolio, fill a gap in customers’ needs that can’t be addressed as effectively by the other automation solutions. And they’re both key to improving productivity and efficiency and mitigating quality issues that could challenge an organization’s ability to meet demand.

Your Edge Blog Team: Fixed industrial scanners and machine vision have been around for a while, though. Why did Zebra feel now was the right time to enter this category?

Donato:We’re continuously monitoring the market and, more specifically, the performance of all technologies our customers utilize across their operations. As you noted, these aren’tnew technologies. The math and science behind machine vision actually dates back to the 1930s. However, customers and partners have repeatedly told us in recent years that most machine vision solutions are complex and hard to use. Setting up and managing industrial automation inside a manufacturing plant, for example, is often slow and difficult due to the reliance on multiple devices with different software and old, antiquated user interfaces. Many vendors also require customers to use different software for fixed industrial scanners and machine vision cameras, which makes it all hard to figure out, navigate and costly. That runs counter to the core principles of scalability, longevity and compatibility that we apply across all portfolios, especially our mobility, scanning, and automation platforms.

That’s why we decided to design our fixed industrial scanning and machine vision solutions to run on the very same software platform, which we call Zebra Aurora™. This ecosystem approach gives customers a toolset that can immediately improve their ability to track and trace items throughout their automation processes with trusted decode performance. And, at the same time, it provides them with a logical upgrade path that helps them access more features and unlock value as needed without the complexity typical for these types of solutions. The extreme flexibility, versatility and scalability of both the hardware and shared software platform gives customers a natural stepping stone from fixed industrial scanning to machine vision.

This type of innovation takes time. However, many of our customers and partners are excited that we did take the time to engineer these new solutions. They provide a level of simplicity not found with other fixed industrial scanning and machine vision systems from an implementation, handling and management perspective. These new solutions are very easy to learn and run.

Your Edge Blog Team: So, Zebra’s fixed industrial scanning and machine vision systems both leverage Aurora?

Donato: Yes, there is one software platform powering the entire product family. In fact, three out of the four scanning devices in this new portfolio can be used for either fixed industrial scanning or machine vision. So, customers don’t have to rip and replace hardware every time they want to expand or add on applications. They can easily configure the devices for either fixed industrial scanning or machine vision – or repurpose for either use case – using the same Zebra Aurora software​ platform. This drastically reduces the time and training required to onboard new applications, as well. Once operators learn how to use the hardware and software, it’s easy to transition that knowledge and skill set to new use cases. The commands on the devices and overall system structure aren’t changing. Plus, you don’t actually have to be a machine vision expert to use our system, like you do with many others. It has a very intuitive user interface, and the software platform streamlines the vision inspection process in a way not matched by any other offering on the market to date.

Your Edge Blog Team: What has the feedback been from customers thus far?

Donato: Those who had the opportunity to see the solutions under NDA are very excited about the ability to transform a fixed industrial scanner into a comprehensive machine vision solution as needed to meet evolving operational, market and compliance requirements. The highly fragmented and complex nature of industrial automation, in general, has turned off manufacturers and supply chain organizations from technologies that – if designed and executed the right way – could really have a positive impact on their businesses. We’re confident that our solutions are addressing a decades-old pain point for our customers and the broader market.

Originally posted here!