Brandon Copeland is a career athlete who has not stopped working for a day since he left the NFL. Wait until you hear everything (and we mean everything) this entrepreneur, professor, investor, advisor, coach, and philanthropist has been up to.
Were exactly should RFID, machine vision and other automation technologies be used within the reverse logistics chain? Alex Whiting, founder of MiTEQ, reveals what he’s found to work best.
Two healthcare and pharmaceutical sector experts say resistance to change is causing many organizations to miss out on the benefits of automation and experience preventable disruptions in their operations. Yet, there are many ways you can turn DSCSA requirements into business advantages...if you're open to automating certain parts of your business. Find out how.
Though AI can work more quickly than people can in some cases, it still takes its cues from us. That's why you always need to keep a human in the loop. But that’s not the only reason why you shouldn’t let an AI work completely independently. Zebra's Senior Director of AI and Advanced Technologies sits down with the Interim CEO of Humans in the Loop to talk more about why human oversight will always be needed with AI systems and if there’s ever a time an AI system can be left to work autonomously.
What does a “good” company culture look like? And does a good culture really influence customers' perception of your company - or purchases from your company - or just employees' perceptions? Zebra's Chief People Officer weighs in.
There are so many new technologies being touted for healthcare, and so many new ways of working. Which ones really make a difference? One Zebra deeply embedded in the healthcare community provides her take based on others’ stories she heard at HIMSS '24.
You may be trying to control the wrong thing when it comes to inventory management, and that may be sinking your (manufacturing, warehousing or retail) ship. That’s why you must look for the rocks and remove them rather than smashing into or avoiding them, says one supply chain inventory expert.
If you’re looking for a way to complete airplane cabin inspections and turn around flights faster without compromising passenger or crew safety, check out this new RFID-supported process that’s proving helpful for airlines like AirAsia.
Cammy Shaheen shattered the glass ceiling for women. She also pulled many others through it behind her. Find out how she inspired inclusivity by helping women translate their non-technical skills to technology sector jobs.
As the CEO of a 3PL emphasized in a recent podcast interview, "There's a difference between structuring logistics operations for a customer and with a customer." Listen to the entire conversation with Cathy Langham, CEO of Langham Logistics, to find out what happens if you're not innovating with customers and instead just adding new technology in the hopes of attracting new customers.
If you use direct story delivery to get your goods on retailers' shelves, and you're trying to get more SKUs to more stores more frequently, then you'll probably need to enlist the help of more drivers and merchandisers. That's why you may need to rethink how you plan, coordinate, and execute DSD, according to one supply chain expert.
You need safety stock in your store or warehouse, but you also need to avoid overstocks. So, how can you get the math right when you’re not even sure what figures to put in?
Bluetooth has become ubiquitous over the last 20 years. (30 billion devices using Bluetooth.) But can it really get even more widely deployed (or better) than it is today? Inventor Jaap Haartsen has some interesting thoughts on what may happen in the next 20 years. Check it out.
From multiple substrate applications to automated compliance checks, the team at Cobalt Systems has come up with some interesting techniques to affix and validate labels on almost anything using common technology such as industrial printers and industrial scanners. Hear what they've done (and you can do) to the benefit of manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, and fulfillment operations.
A strong (wireless) connection is often missing in factories, plants, and warehouses. But there’s an easy solution to that, as two wireless technology experts pointed out in my recent discussion with them. Here are their recommendations.
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Yes, shortages can drag down revenue, but excess inventory can drag down your bottom line even more. Here’s why.
AI must fail over and over to succeed. But there are several mistakes you want to avoid making when teaching an AI-driven application how to look for anomalies on a product, component, or label using deep learning.
They say there’s two sides to every story. Well, now there’s at least two viable machine vision solutions to every problem when you invite both seasoned and early career vision system engineers to the table, and that’s making it easier to see the right path forward. These two engineers (from different generations) explain why.
Two venture capitalists from Zebra Ventures share the out-of-the-box thinking that helped them become more strategic (and successful) investors across the supply chain.
The blessing and curse of inventory science is the number of different formulas and models. The blessing is that there is a model and research to support thousands of different nuances. The curse is that this confuses practitioners and companies getting started, leading companies to waste time and money implementing nuanced policies that aren’t better than a simple model. Read this post to find out what makes an inventory formula good (enough.)
The traditional 1D barcode scanner isn’t going to help you see and intervene when losses occur at the point of sale (POS). Nor will it reduce the number of interventions required by retail store associates or restaurant workers. But retail leader Mark Thomson has seen something that will. He explains in his latest blog post.
There are many things happening behind the scenes from a security and performance perspective that requires intervention (and likely an upgrade) right now if you're front-line workers are using older Android mobile devices. Find out which Android devices are affected and how their continued use could impact your business.
The thinking used to be that a warranty plan was enough to protect business mobile devices, scanners, and printers. Here’s why that thinking has proven to be flawed.
What are you doing to ensure your newer utility workers can keep up with retirees? Are you training them more? Using technology to transfer knowledge? Or just hoping that expertise will be restored with time? Find out which method(s) is going to be best for your next-generation workforce and your business.
While AI is certainly proving helpful with quality control during the electric battery production and electric vehicle assembly processes, AI isn’t the only thing that improves inspection results. Find out what can help automotive suppliers, manufacturers, and integrators even more.
Zebra CEO Bill Burns highlights some notable accomplishments of Zebra employees, partners, and customers in his latest blog post about the impact of culture on a company.
There are three things you must do – and one reality you must accept – when managing inventory data…if you want to get your inventory right. Find out what they are by reading this blog post from a supply chain expert.
What are the little things you wish you could change about your current barcode scanners? Do you wish they were physically smaller and easier to install and manage? Easier on the eye? Something else? Well, don't compromise when you're choosing barcode scanners for your business. Why? You don't have to anymore. Read this blog post to learn how the issues you've had with your scanners were recently solved.
When it comes to technology implementations, there's never benefit in trying to go it alone. You always need to bring in someone who knows the technology tools you want to use. They'll help you get things working perfectly. But should you try to find one partner who can “do it all”? Or is it better to assemble a team of experts to help you manage the IT/OT convergence and achieve your business objectives? Larry Walsh, CEO and Chief Analyst, Channelnomics, helps answer those questions.
Zebra's Senior Director of AI and Advanced Technologies, Stuart Hubbard, sat down with inspired software engineer Saliha Demir to find out what she has learned – and once misunderstood – about AI. Her early AI experiences are certainly a wake-up call to us all. Listen to this…
In a very candid conversation, tech industry leader Tim Stoddard shares the best way to steer your career and life so that you become who you want rather than who others want you to be.
When an ambulance is dispatched to a call, the assumption is that it will be fully stocked with the right equipment and medicines for EMTs to stabilize patients or perform life-saving measures in the field. But with the increased number of calls for service, it’s becoming more difficult for EMTs to maintain proper stock in their ambulances – and that has patient care implications. Why is such a fundamental task so hard to manage? That’s one of the questions we asked two public safety experts. The other question? Is there anything that can be done to reduce the wait times for ambulance services where the calls for service are exceeding EMTs’ capacity? These experts have some thoughts.
Donating blood doesn’t take much time or effort. We’ve done it 10,000+ times in the past 20+ years… in just one city! But 97% of people haven’t donated once...ever. Help us change that.
When store shelves are empty, people clearly notice. While that’s a problem, the bigger issue is what people are missing before that empty shelf becomes apparent. Let’s look at that for a minute and talk about what more retailers can be doing behind the scenes to avoid out-of-stocks and solve this hidden crisis.
When working with an ecosystem of partners on digital transformation or other complex IT/OT projects, it can be advantageous to have one partner who leads the charge. Larry Walsh of Channelnomics explains why in this blog post.
The National Football League knows how to collect, decode, and harness data fast – and it’s having a huge impact on its brand and bottom line. These are the best practices you can extract from its Next Gen Stats initiative and apply to support your business or marketing strategy.
AI, robots and other automation technologies will help you drive operational improvements sometime in the future. But, today, you need to be using voice-command automation (which is not the same thing as the voice-directed picking “solutions” you’re struggling with today.) Find out how voice-command automation differs from the other ways your frontline workers are using voice technology today.
NFL Coach Sean Payton talks about the uncommon things he wants his players to do each day. He also revealed the common practices he’s moving away from as a coach, what’s on his vision board, what he saw in his time “in the booth,” and what he’s looking for when deciding which players will make it on the bus.
Find out how one Fortune 1000 manufacturing company is going to save $1.1 million annually…just by digitizing forms and going paperless with a zero-code, SAP-friendly software solution.
Find out why you must put your workers’ mobile experiences first when modernizing your SAP warehouse. Plus, learn about the seven things you must do to ensure you are addressing your frontline warehouse workers’ needs when making warehouse management system (WMS) and workflow changes.
If you’re only thinking about which mobile applications you need to develop or download to support workers, they may not be getting what they really need to be effective at their jobs. That's one of the reasons why you need to put more thought into your software decisions. Find out the other reasons why you need to look closer at the software you're running across your operations.
I’m often asked this question, along with two more: ‘What training format is best?’ and ‘Do I need to train them on every little change or new feature?’ Here’s my advice (based on some regrets other business leaders have expressed.)
There is so much that can be done on planes, in airports, and on the tarmac to make the air travel experience so much smoother. Fortunately, it sounds like some very smart tech upgrades are going to be made by airlines to improve the passenger experience amidst competing priorities and regulatory pressures. Find out what will likely be changing soon (and what changes are already starting to land).
Do you know exactly when, where and why losses are happening within your operations? If not, it will be hard to figure out how to prevent them, fix inventory distortion, and eliminate friction within your operations. So, let’s talk about loss detection.
If you're a healthcare provider or administrator who wants to reduce the shocks and stress felt when the world seems to shatter - or just simply grows bigger - you need to make one simple change today then repeat tomorrow. Don't wait "for the money to come in" or a policy push to make the changes needed to improve care capacity or quality. The team at Hull University Hospital didn't. It took a pragmatic approach to modernization and has made great progress with Scan4Safety and strategic RFID implementations in a short period of time. So, if you're not sure what to do first (or next), the story and advice shared in this blog post might help you get the answers you need...or at least know the right questions to ask of the right people.
If you're planning to use machine vision to assist with quality control or automate other visual inspections, there are some things you need to account for when designing your system. In the latest episode of the Industrial Automation Insider podcast, two engineers from Tri-Phase Automation explain what you should think about when spec'ing out your vision system to avoid headaches later on and make sure you get the results (and return on investment) you want.
The food wasted annually – the ~1.3 billion tons of food that ends up in the landfill – contains enough calories to feed approximately three billion people for a year! So, why is even a single person experiencing food insecurity or hunger right now? There is clearly enough food being produced to feed everyone on the planet today and then some. In this blog post, Leo Lowy takes a closer look at the root causes of food waste and loss as well as the technology tools that could be applied right now to stop food waste in its tracks at a global level. Read his recommendations.
Responsible AI development, training, testing, and use require ongoing engagement and foundational practices to ensure long-term success and ethical implementation. Here is what you need to do to get started, whether you're an AI model developer, tester, or user.
What do you think about on-device AI? Is it all hype or will it prove helpful to frontline workers? Zebra CTO Tom Bianculli sat down with Art Miller from Qualcomm and Rouzbeh Aminpour from Google Cloud in this new podcast episode to break down the benefits of this new approach to AI so you can decide for yourself.
Did you know there’s a way to configure your SAP mobile apps so they – and you – can keep working when offline? That's probably good news if you’re losing access to your SAP data and workflows every time your mobile device loses its connection to a Wi-Fi or 4G/5G network connection, you’re going to want to hear this. Read this blog post to learn more.
There are many reasons why you should be automating – and incorporating AI into your demand planning. A more accurate and trustworthy “prediction” is just the start. Octavio Hinojosa, Co-Founder and Vice President at Wise Athena, explains the others in this blog post.
We hear a lot about the potential dangers of BPA and BPS. That's why the labels going on every package, product, customer pickup order, or patient (wristband) should be phenol-free – especially since there’s now a phenol-free label option for almost every application. This isn't just a concern with food labels. But when was the last time you checked what was in the labels you use across your business? If you can't remember or don't think you ever have, read this blog post to find out what you do and don't want to see in your labels then go check the labels you're buying to see if it might be time to make a change.
The features and functionality of the cameras, sensors, and scanners used across your vision system won’t matter if you don’t have the right software underneath. Software is the glue. So, I'm curious: Did you closely inspect the software needed to run each of those pieces of hardware before buying them? Did you consider how easy (or difficult) it would be to get all the software platforms to work together as part of "one system"? Or have you found the software complicating things since putting those new hardware components in place? No matter your answer, you need to read this post.
Bob Bova, President and CEO of AccuspeechMobile, sits down with Andre Luecht, Global Strategy Lead for Transport, Logistics, and Warehouse at Zebra, to provide his honest take on why you may be struggling with your voice technology.
Do you dread the day you have to migrate to a new Android OS? Are you delaying the move to Android 14 because you fear it will be too much work? According to one solution architect, doing these things should help reduce your anxiety. They may even prompt you to get excited about migrating applications to A14 (or whichever OS is next for you) rather than dreading or delaying it and paying the price.
Many frontline jobs have become harder to do over the last decade. That’s why we have further accelerated our innovative approach at Zebra since making our largest acquisition 10 years ago. We want to create new ways of working to help make frontline jobs more efficient, impactful, and fulfilling. Learn more about how we're driving advancements that help frontline workers.
Skilled labor shortages are likely here to stay, and skills aren’t gained overnight. But they won’t remain problematic for your business if you do these three things.
Need to connect your Zebra printers to a new Android mobile device? Or want to know how to initiate a print job from a Zebra Android mobile device? There's an app for that...and it's free! Here’s everything you need to know about how to download and use the new Zebra Print app to print labels, PDFs, images, and more while on the move.
Are you a military service member or veteran? Don’t let your current or past affiliations define who you are or who you want to be. And don’t let your career history define your current self-worth, say these two Marines-turned-Zebras. Find out why they warn you not to attach your military experience to your identity.
According to one retail industry observer (and nearly every shopper), the answer is “yes!” Convenience is what drives satisfaction with retailers. Find out which conveniences matter most, though. It may not be the ones you think.
Security-minded solution architects from Google Cloud and Qualcomm explain how far you’re going to have to go – and the lengths to which they’re going – to help protect your organization’s data.
Is enough being done to protect the health and safety of football players and other contact sport athletes at all levels of their game? Cognitive scientist (and former NFL tight end) Julius Thomas provided his professional opinion in a recent episode of Chalk Talk. See if you agree with his perspective and advice.
You can’t just bolt on AI and expect things to get better. If you don’t take these steps first, AI use will only add to your care team’s workload, detract from patient care, and multiply your IT spend.
Traditions may offer comfort, but they often deter the changes required for greater fulfillment and success – especially in business. So, how do you move past them without too much discomfort? Zebra's Chief People Officer, Jeff Schmitz, has some recommendations based on personal experience.
Kristen Ludwig is taking a different approach to customer experience design, advocating for technology customers and end-users of all abilities to have representation in business decisions and are fully supported in their work. See if it could help your organization, too.
It's standard procedure for you to get a wristband when you go to the hospital as it helps healthcare providers confirm your identity and update your patient records. But have you ever stopped to think about how much this technology actually helps you get the care you need? Lorna Hopkin didn't until recently, when a trip to the "birth place" of Zebra wristbands helped her appreciate just how much this technology is protecting her and her family every day. Find out what she learned.
According to two home health specialists, AI may not be what home health providers really need right now. It all depends on what type of basic mobile technology capabilities they have – and most providers are lacking the basics. Find out what issues home health providers are having with their current technology and how you may be able to easily fix it (so that you can start looking seriously at AI tools).
Let’s talk about how Scrum compares to Waterfall project management, what it has in common with Agile, and how you can start using Scrum to keep your projects on time and on budget.
Shoppers expect the same things from retailers they always have, including convenience and quality. But it’s seemingly more difficult for retailers to deliver those things now. Why is that? And what can they do to fix it? Here's one retail strategist's perspective.
These are the questions to ask every time you’re assessing a new machine vision project for a production or distribution environment, if you want to get it right the first time and save money in the process.
It's so important to manage pricing and promotions in tandem and to integrate them into your demand planning strategy, especially when managing consumer packaged goods (CPG). This is why.
While buying technology online for your business can be convenient in the short-term, in some situations buying from a sales rep can save you time, budget, and a headache long-term. Here's when you should buy online versus direct from a person.
Would they be able to communicate with first responders, customers, and each other in real time…even when they couldn’t talk?
Curious about Zebra's AI practices? Want to confirm we're acting responsibly and making decisions with your best interests in mind? This is how we’re working to build trust in our systems and help protect your interests when using any Zebra technology solutions that leverage AI.
There's a lot more to consider than just the temperature rating when choosing a handheld mobile computer or tablet – or even an RFID reader, barcode scanner, printer, or wearable – for use in cold chains (or cold weather). So, Andre Luecht took the time to detail what other factors influence the performance of technology devices, accessories and supplies in different types of cold settings so that you always make the right choice for your operation the first time.
Unlike most clinicians, nurses at Hull University Teaching Hospitals don’t have to worry that patient care will be compromised due to missing equipment or medical supplies shortages. Why? They’ve found an unconventional but effective ‘cure’ using RFID. Hear about the inventory management solution that is helping clinicians focus on patient care.
Retailers: how do you know if it's really as convenient to shop in your store as you think? Zebra's Retail Industry Principal Jim Musco and Tony DiPaolo from Manhattan Associates share some ways to objectively assess your convenience rating (from both a shopper and associate point of view)
Zebra’s inclusive, innovative culture ensures our employees are empowered to bring their whole selves to work every day. Find out how.
Hear how T&L companies, utilities, government agencies, and other service providers are using the tablets currently installed as ELDs to inject more automation and intelligence onboard their fleet vehicles. Our guest, Michael Inglima from Ram Mounts, explains how these mobile devices are working with AI software, cameras, RFID and more to assist workers in and out of the cab as well as those coordinating goods transport and service call response.
Perishable good restocks require precise inventory planning by retailers. That’s why predictive ordering AI/ML algorithms may be some of the best innovations since sliced bread. Find out how they work.
With a little AI assistance, you’ll be able to get the right people on the schedule at your bank branches at the right time to fully support customers and convert sales. Learn what "a little" means..
As only the third CEO in Zebra’s history, Bill Burns' vision is to maintain continuity and drive change. Here’s how he plans to do both – with the help of employees, partners and customers.
Find out how OCR Wedge enables you to automatically capture VIN, TIN and license plate data across automotive supply chains, stores and service centers using only a handheld mobile computer.
Hear what makes Tommi Vincent, the wife of an NFL Legend, legendary in her own right, beyond her innate generosity. Listen to this exclusive interview (and get to know your new role model).
Find out how this small business quickly turned around its operations - and inventory locationing – to ultimately reduce delivery times by up to 86%.
Sogegross Group turns to Zebra’s VisibilityIQ™ Foresight to manage fleet of devices. Learn more about the Italian wholesaler's experience.
We are asked a lot of questions about why enterprise mobile devices should be the only type of devices used for business applications when consumer devices are being marketed for business use, too. Technology Solutions Engineering Fellow Bruce Willins attempts to answer them all now.
Jim Nagy explains why it's like to be an NFL scout and shares what scouts are really looking for in recruits at each level. He also explains why the Reese’s Senior Bowl has become a top NFL recruiting event.
Software requires technical support and feature optimisation (just like hardware). So, unless you have access to experts via ongoing consulting services, the business impact of your software investment may disappoint.
The more we lean into technology, the more valuable human talent becomes, for technology would have no impact if not for people’s creativity, curiosity and compassion.
How much memory do you really need to keep your mobile device from crashing? We ask a mobility expert to explain the (semi-simple) math you should do before buying a device that you’ll be using for business purposes.
Retail, logistics, shipping, and warehouse teams are having to move more cold chain goods every day. So, they will appreciate how the Zebra RS6100 can survive extreme temps and help them maintain a steady tempo in and out of freezers.
With it becoming more challenging than ever to make money in retail, it’s crucial to streamline your store operations in line with the new “Modern Store” framework introduced at NRF.
There’s far more to consider than the “total cost of ownership" when deciding whether to set up a private wireless or Wi-Fi network, and consistency is worth more than anything when it comes to wireless connectivity in the workplace, says one mobility expert.
Find out why Martin Luther King, Jr. Day shouldn’t just be seen as a holiday – or just a U.S. holiday. It’s a day that we should all spend reflecting on the meaning of peace and equality.
Learn where to focus your efforts if you are in the floricultural sector.
If your employees transition between multiple roles each day, you need to consolidate their “profiles” onto a single device so they can flip between tasks and teams faster. Here’s how.
The more mainstream AI becomes in business, the more important it becomes for developers and engineers to adopt best practices – and for technology buyers and IT managers to understand those practices. So, we asked an AI expert to share the practices he and his team use to bring AI into production, including the use of ML Ops.
Part of the third largest retail operator in Northern Europe, Kesko found a way to reduce costs and boost efficiency in its warehouse with…wait for it…a printer! Find out how exactly they accomplished this feat.