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Zebra's market-leading solutions and products improve customer satisfaction with a lower cost per interaction by keeping service representatives connected with colleagues, customers, management and the tools they use to satisfy customers across the supply chain.
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Zebra's range of mobile computers equip your workforce with the devices they need from handhelds and tablets to wearables and vehicle-mounted computers.
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Zebra's 1D and 2D corded and cordless barcode scanners anticipate any scanning challenge in a variety of environments, whether retail, healthcare, T&L or manufacturing.
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Zebra’s line of kiosks can meet any self-service or digital signage need, from checking prices and stock on an in-aisle store kiosk to fully-featured kiosks that can be deployed on the wall, counter, desktop or floor in a retail store, hotel, airport check-in gate, physician’s office, local government office and more.
Discover Zebra’s range of accessories from chargers, communication cables to cases to help you customise your mobile device for optimal efficiency.
Zebra's environmental sensors monitor temperature-sensitive products, offering data insights on environmental conditions across industry applications.
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Zebra Workcloud, enterprise software solutions boost efficiency, cut costs, improve inventory management, simplify communication and optimize resources.
Keep labour costs low, your talent happy and your organisation compliant. Create an agile operation that can navigate unexpected schedule changes and customer demand to drive sales, satisfy customers and improve your bottom line.
Empower the front line with prioritised task notification and enhanced communication capabilities for easier collaboration and more efficient task execution.
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Reduce uncertainty when you anticipate market volatility. Predict, plan and stay agile to align inventory with shifting demand.
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Make the most of every stage of your scanning journey from deployment to optimization. Zebra's barcode scanner software lets you keep devices current and adapt them to your business needs for a stronger ROI across the full lifecycle.
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Zebra DNA is the industry’s broadest suite of enterprise software that delivers an ideal experience for all during the entire lifetime of every Zebra device.
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The Zebra Aurora suite of machine vision software enables users to solve their track-and-trace, vision inspection and industrial automation needs.
Zebra Aurora Focus brings a new level of simplicity to controlling enterprise-wide manufacturing and logistics automation solutions. With this powerful interface, it’s easy to set up, deploy and run Zebra’s Fixed Industrial Scanners and Machine Vision Smart Cameras, eliminating the need for different tools and reducing training and deployment time.
Aurora Imaging Library™, formerly Matrox Imaging Library, machine-vision software development kit (SDK) has a deep collection of tools for image capture, processing, analysis, annotation, display, and archiving. Code-level customisation starts here.
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Designed for experienced programmers proficient in vision applications, Aurora Vision Library provides the same sophisticated functionality as our Aurora Vision Studio software but presented in programming language.
Aurora Vision Studio, an image processing software for machine & computer vision engineers, allows quick creation, integration & monitoring of powerful OEM vision applications.
Adding innovative tech is critical to your success, but it can be complex and disruptive. Professional Services help you accelerate adoption, and maximise productivity without affecting your workflows, business processes and finances.
Zebra's Managed Service delivers worry-free device management to ensure ultimate uptime for your Zebra Mobile Computers and Printers via dedicated experts.
Find ways you can contact Zebra Technologies’ Support, including Email and Chat, ask a technical question or initiate a Repair Request.
Zebra's Circular Economy Program helps you manage today’s challenges and plan for tomorrow with smart solutions that are good for your budget and the environment.
70% of Frontline Workers Report Rising Concerns with Injuries on the Warehouse Floor
Workers also stressed about meeting business goals if warehouse leaders don’t embrace intelligent automation
LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. – Feb. 27, 2025 – Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA), a global leader in digitizing and automating frontline workflows, today released the findings of its latest Warehousing Vision Study. In the study titled, “Elevating Every Move: The Formula for High-Performance Warehousing,” frontline workers clearly communicated the benefits of automating warehouse operations – and the risks of not automating fast enough.
According to the study, 63% of warehouse leaders plan to implement artificial intelligence (AI) software and augmented reality (AR) within five years. In addition, 64% plan to increase spending on warehouse modernization in the next five years, and 63% plan to accelerate their modernization timelines by 2029.
Interact Analysis projects global warehouse square footage will increase by 27% to 42 billion square feet in 2030 from 33 billion square feet in 2023. Warehouse labor spend is also expected to show long-term expansion projected at a compound annual growth rate of 7% through 2030.
As this expansion continues and daily order volumes increase, feedback shared by frontline workers as part of Zebra’s Warehousing Vision Study suggests that warehouse leaders will need to move a bit faster to expand workforce capacity:
- 85% of associates say, “If my employer does not invest in technology to improve warehouse operations, we will not meet business objectives.”
- 74% of associates are concerned they are spending too much time on tasks that could be automated.
- 72% of associates are concerned about safety on the (increasingly busy) warehouse floor with 70% specifically worried about injuries.
- 69% of associates reported there is a lack of qualified staff on the warehouse floor and express concerns about fatigue and physical exhaustion.
Even warehouse leaders admit they find it challenging to maintain the fill rates (51%) and prepare orders (47%) outlined in their service level agreements (SLAs), with order accuracy and outbound processes cited as the top two operational challenges in the Zebra study. Increased e-commerce activity is also making “faster delivery to the end-customer” a top challenge for warehouse teams, even as technology use is on the rise.
Given the disparity between customers’ growing expectations and warehouse operators’ limited hiring capacity, warehouse associates say it’s important that collaborative robots (88%), ergonomic mobile devices (88%), communications applications (87%), and task management tools (91%) are used to help solve workplace issues.
Ninety-three percent of associates agree the increased availability of automation and mobile technologies would help attract and retain more warehouse associates, and 89% say they feel more valued by their employers when provided with technology tools and automation designed to help them.
“Warehouse associates are telling us they feel their lives would be better if their employers thoughtfully integrated more automation solutions into their workflows,” said Andres Boullosa, Global Warehouse Vertical Strategy Leader, Zebra Technologies. “Automating material movement, data collection, and information management helps make busy warehouses safer. It also makes it easier for teams to meet SLAs and maintain a steady, reliable flow of quality goods to the market, which increases both customer satisfaction and worker engagement.”
How (and How Much) Automation is Really Expected to Help Warehouse Workers
Warehouse leaders believe the biggest impact of mobile device-based AI applications will center on worker safety, quality control, and inventory management. While 79% say AI will positively impact their ability to detect potential hazards and issue alerts for prevention, 78% think AI would make an impact on their ability to detect issues or anomalies using AI. In addition, 77% feel AI applications would impact their ability to forecast needs, streamline stock levels, and maximize space using AI applications.
Many warehouse leaders who plan to augment/automate or have already done so say their goal is to mitigate errors (71%) and meet SLAs (70%). They hope automation will increase worker efficiency and productivity (54%) as well as reduce order errors and manual picking (53%). Plus, 82% of warehouse leaders agree giving warehouse workers more technology tools will help them exceed productivity goals while reducing physical strain and preventing injuries. Eighty-one percent of the leaders also admit automation improves morale.
Warehouse Leaders Need More Help, Too
Warehouse leaders say their biggest supply chain network challenges are “innovating with technology and intelligent automation” and “meeting changing customer service expectations.” Yet, the latter will not prove possible until warehouse leaders figure out a clear path forward with technology.
“There are so many things that frontline workers are being asked to do in warehouses, including things they don’t enjoy doing, which could and should be automated today,” added Boullosa. “It’s good to hear so many warehouse leaders plan to digitize, automate and add intelligence to their frontline operations, and we are here to help.”
KEY REGIONAL FINDINGS
- Asia-Pacific: Missed SLAs are a tremendous financial burden for 88% of decision-makers, underscoring the need to swiftly address inefficiencies.
- Europe: Workplace safety remains a concern, with 73% of associates worried about injuries on the warehouse floor.
- Latin America: 70% of decision-makers who plan to augment/automate or have done so already say the biggest driver for automation is the need to mitigate errors.
- North America: 88% of decision-makers agree adopting new technology is essential to remain competitive in the fast-paced, on-demand economy.
ABOUT THE STUDY
Zebra Technologies commissioned a global research study to explore the trends and technologies shaping warehouse and distribution center operations. Conducted online by Azure Knowledge Corporation, the study gathered insights from over 1,700 associates and decision-makers across manufacturing, retail, transportation, logistics, and wholesale distribution.
ABOUT ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES
Zebra (NASDAQ: ZBRA) provides the solutions to help businesses grow through increased asset visibility, connected frontline workers and intelligent automation. The company operates in more than 100 countries, and our customers include over 80% of the Fortune 500. Designed for the frontline, Zebra’s award-winning portfolio includes hardware, software, and services, all backed by our 50+ years of innovation and global partner ecosystem. Follow Zebra on our blog and LinkedIn, visit our newsroom and learn more at www.zebra.com.
Media Contact:
Daniel Chan
Zebra Technologies
+65-6510-2231
daniel.chan@zebra.com
Industry Analyst Contact:
Kasia Fahmy
Zebra Technologies
+1-224-306-8655
k.fahmy@zebra.com
ZEBRA and the stylized Zebra head are trademarks of Zebra Technologies Corp., registered in many jurisdictions worldwide. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2025 Zebra Technologies Corp. and/or its affiliates.
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ZEBRA and the stylized Zebra head are trademarks of Zebra Technologies Corp., registered in many jurisdictions worldwide. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2025 Zebra Technologies Corp. and/or its affiliates.