The Shifting Enterprise Operating System Ecosystem is Helping Warehouse Operations Evolve

According to IDC, Android powers around 85 percent of smartphones globally in 2017 and they anticipate that Android’s market share in consumer mobile devices will continue to hover around this level over the next few years.

The use of Android in enterprise mobile fleets makes adoption and use quicker for organizations, especially for Millennials—a key group that is the future global workforce. According to the Zebra Warehouse 2020 Vision Study, warehouse managers estimate that 50 hours are spent on training for new staff to reach maximum productivity, and that they hope to slash that to 36 hours—a 20 percent productivity increase. Using the devices loaded with a familiar OS like Android can ease the learning curve for workers who are often hired on a casual basis to meet seasonal demands.

For example, Zebra’s new Android-powered MC3300 handheld computer, designed to help retailers and logistic providers increase productivity in their distribution centers, warehouses, and inventory management, features a large, bright touchscreen display that enables the Android’s intuitive touch-based interface. This provides staff with the flexibility they need to decrease learning curves and increase efficiency in fast-paced backroom and warehouse environments.

Furthermore, Android offers a secure platform with a good range of management Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) that will allow warehouse IT departments to prevent data leakage and enforce compliance. An example of this is Zebra’s Mobility DNA suite of applications that is developed to fortify the Android OS with enterprise-grade traits for ultimate control. The software suite features a unique set of productivity, management, and developer tools designed for easier integration and optimal business efficiency. For enterprises favoring bring your own device (BYOD) policies, there is also an option for IT to deploy a work profile to create an OS level separation between personal and company data.

Last but not least, the current Android platform has a strong emphasis on security, ensuring that devices, data, and apps are safe through exploit mitigation and device encryption. In addition, management APIs allow companies to enforce policy controls across their fleet of devices.

A good example of how Android devices are improving logistics operations is Winc in Australia, which migrated from a Windows-based fleet to Zebra’s Android-powered mobile computers to improve driver productivity and enhance customer experience. Winc rolled out the rugged mobile computers across its distribution centers across the country and as a result of the deployment, the office supply retailing corporation has increased scanning compliance from approximately 50 percent to 98 percent. Overall, the move to Android has saved each Winc driver around 15 minutes per day, which amounts to a savings of approximately 1,200 man-hours every year.

All in all, it is clear that the use of Android is providing significant benefits – workforce productivity, accuracy, robust security, and user-friendly functionality—in warehouse operations, and for the logistics industry as a whole. It is becoming more critical than ever that warehouses re-assess their digital capabilities to see how they can gain a performance edge and stay ahead of customer expectations and the on-demand economy.