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8 Tips for Optimizing Mobility in Your Supply Chain

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As you explore mobile devices that are available, it won’t take long to realize there are many options to choose

from. There are traditional “brick” handhelds, pistol grip devices, PDAs, tablets, vehicle-mounted computers,

baton-style devices, ruggedized smartphones, wearable devices, and more. To lay the groundwork for the

optimal mobile deployment, choose a device with form factor and features that match the requirements of your

application and that will be most ergonomic for your workforce.

For example, pistol grip devices, such as the Zebra MC9200, are often the workhorses of the warehouse. They

are specifically designed for high-volume and long-range scanning applications, feature a range of scan engine

options, and allow you to choose the keypad configuration that best suits your workforce. If your workforce needs

to keep their hands free for greater picking or packing speed, however, a wearable device or a device that

enables voice direction, such as the Zebra WT41N0 may be the better choice.

It’s also important to choose a device that’s powerful enough to run enterprise applications and rugged enough to

withstand harsh industrial or outdoor environments to avoid excessive downtime and costs of repair or replacement.

Mobile technologies enable manufacturers, warehouses, field service, and transportation and logistics

companies to increase efficiency, accuracy, and employee productivity. But how do you know you are getting the

most return for your investment in mobile technology? The greatest benefits from mobile technology will result

when you take a hard look at your operations and strategically ensure the right devices, processes, and support

are in place to meet your needs.

This e-book highlights eight things to consider that will help you optimize mobility solutions and ensure your

investment results in quick ROI and a positive impact on workflow and competitiveness.

READ MORE IN OUR BLOG» Supply Chain Efficiency: Why Form Should Fit the Function for Mobile Technology

» 3 Ways Wearable Tech Improves Warehouse Productivity

» 4 Ways Rugged, Industrial Mobile Computing Tops Commercial Devices for Enterprises

» 5 Reasons Why You Should Use Forklift-Mounted Tablets

1. Ensure Form Fits Function

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Many legacy industrial mobile devices used a Microsoft Windows operating system (OS), but today’s devices

give you more choices. Your mobile workers, especially younger employees, probably own smartphones, and

odds are, most are familiar with Android, now the most popular OS for mobile devices worldwide. The more

familiar your workforce is with an OS and interface, the faster they can train on the devices used in your operation

and the more efficiently and accurately they can use them. Deploying Android devices may mean smoother, more

cost-effective device deployments and greater employee productivity. Additionally, with new cost-effective tools

like Zebra’s All-touch Terminal Emulation (TE), you can easily convert your “green screen” terminal emulation

applications to a modern HTML interface, driving time, errors, and cost out of your business processes with

minimal effort.

2. Use the Best OS for Your Operation

READ MORE IN OUR BLOG» Workforce Mobility: 5 Reasons to Use Android

» What Are the Benefits of Green Screen Modernization?

MORE RESOURCES» Zebra Workforce Mobility Solutions

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As technology advances, you will find you have more options for tailoring mobile technology to the specific needs

of your operation and your workforce. A prime example is 2D barcode technology. 2D imagers, unlike 1D laser

scanners, are multidirectional — a specific orientation is not necessary for a good read. 2D imagers also read

at greater distances, read multiple codes at one time, and read a variety of barcode symbologies, including 1D.

They are also capable of reading direct part marks (DPM), small codes, codes in digital form, and even damaged

codes or labels under plastic wrap — thanks to error correction technology that helps them fill in “gaps” in the

data. 2D imagers can also take pictures, capture signatures and scan human-readable text.

The gains in scanning speed and accuracy with 2D barcode technology, not to mention that costs of 2D imagers are

now comparable with 1D laser scanners, could easily justify the upgrade in technology from an ROI perspective.

3. Migrate from 1D to 2D Barcode Technology

READ MORE IN OUR BLOG» What Makes 2D Barcode Technology the Smart Choice for Today’s Warehouse?

» 1D vs. 2D Barcodes: When and Why to Use Each Type

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More and more businesses are leveraging radio frequency identification (RFID) technology for data collection as

the performance of these solutions has improved while costs decreased.

An attractive feature of RFID is that it removes the “human element” from data collection. With barcode systems,

data collection is dependent on your workforce to capture data. With RFID, however, every tag is scanned, every

time, resulting in accurate, real-time data. RFID also doesn’t require establishing a line of sight — items don’t

even have to be unpacked or removed from a pallet to be read, which means faster throughput.

Other advantages of RFID technology include the ability for a tag to hold much greater amounts of data

compared to a barcode. In addition to storing data on products and assets, RFID tags can also include detailed

product information, service and repair history, and location, for assets on the move. RFID tags also have read-

write capabilities and can be modified multiple times. RFID tags can trigger activity, helping to automate your

operation, and they are also more secure than barcode labels.

4. Evaluate the Benefits RFID Can Offer Your Operation

READ MORE IN OUR BLOG» The Pros and Cons of RFID in Manufacturing

» RFID vs. Barcode: Which Technology is Right for Your Business?

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Routing products and packages to stationary printers for labeling can add time to processes and open the door

to errors. Deploying mobile printers can optimize this part of your operation by allowing your workforce to label

at the point of activity. Mobile printers are designed for the demands of industrial use, with multiple connectivity

options to avoid downtime, long battery life, and ergonomic design that make them easy to use and carry.

For example, Zebra’s QLn Series has optimized individual printers for specific applications. The QLn420

with a 4”print width has a great ecosystem of accessories in cradles, mounts, and power supplies for forklift

applications. The smaller QLn320 or QLn220 are durable 2” and 3” print width options for the mobile worker

walking the warehouse floor, while the ZQ520 with a 4” print width is a solid option for the mobile floor worker.

5. Enhance Processes with Mobile Printing

READ MORE IN OUR BLOG» 3 Reasons to Mobilize Your Label Printing Process

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Some operations and applications still require full-sized computer workstations and high-volume label printers.

You have the ability to mobilize these operations with mobile workstations and mobile power carts These solutions

allow you to take the mobile workstation to the point of activity, saving steps and, ultimately, saving time and

money. For example, cross-docking operations using mobile workstations, like Newcastle NB and PC series

mobile printing carts, can take less time from receiving and inspection to labeling and putaway. They also allow

for fewer touches and reduce the chance of mislabeling items. Mobile workstations can also make the returns

process more efficient, giving employees easy access to accounting and inventory systems so customers can be

credited and items can be used to fulfill new orders more quickly.

6. Eliminate Wasted Steps with Mobile Workstations and Power Carts

READ MORE IN OUR BLOG» 3 Ways Mobile Workstations Eliminate Waste and Improve Warehouse Efficiency

» 4 Things to Consider When Automating a New Warehouse

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Even with the perfect choice of mobile device and operating system, your mobile deployment will bring little

value to your business without an optimized wireless network. Problems your workforce experiences with mobile

devices can often be traced back to the network, not the devices themselves.

Ideally, your network installation followed a comprehensive wireless site survey that showed the best

configuration for your operation. If not, a site survey now can determine if the network is properly installed to

avoid interference and downtime.

It’s also important to follow best practices for network infrastructure, including keeping firmware updated,

deploying the optimal number of access points, and implementing network analytics software to help monitor the

network and pinpoint and correct problems.

7. Optimize Your Wireless Network

READ MORE IN OUR BLOG» Wireless in the Warehouse: Best Practices for Network Infrastructure

» 6 Reasons Why Your Wireless Mobility is Not Working Inside the Four Walls

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Taking advantage of professional services is a good strategy for optimizing and keeping you mobile deployment

operating at peak performance. Services such as wireless site surveys, mobility implementation, SOTI mobile

device management (MDM) and mobile computer health checkups will ensure you reap the greatest benefits

from your mobility investment, while taking the administrative and maintenance burden off your internal staff.

Also partner with service provider certified for your specific devices. Managed services are a wise option —

these providers offer service packages for a predictable monthly fee that keep your devices maintained and

less likely to fail. Mobile computers, imagers, RFID readers, and other solutions are of little value to you if they’re

staged for shipment to a repair center rather than in use in your operation.

8. Leverage Services to Keep Mobile Deployments Running

READ MORE IN OUR BLOG» How Professional Services Keep Your Supply Chain Running

» 3 Trends in Service Management

MORE RESOURCES» Download Our Services Brochure

N7 W22081 Johnson Drive, Waukesha, WI 53186 – Phone: 1.800.272.9013 – www.milesdata.com

Mobility solutions deliver greater productivity and efficiency — as well as a competitive edge — but a deployment

must be optimized to get the most return for your investment. You need to make sure you are using the best

devices, state-of-the-art technology, and that you have refined processes that involve mobile technology.

It’s also a good strategy to partner with an experienced mobility solutions provider for support. Miles Data stays

on top of technological advances and can keep you informed of new options as well as help you assess whether

upgrading will have benefits for your organization and suit your budget. Our experienced staff also consults with

you to understand your exact needs and responds with solutions tailored to your specific application and that

deliver precise results.

Contact Miles Data to learn more about solutions that can optimize mobility in your operation.

Miles Data is a leading solutions provider with experience supporting organizations as they transform to real-

time visibility for everything from products and assets to people and processes. We offer customers end-to-end

solutions that utilize purpose-built rugged mobile computers and scanners, specialty printers and labels, RFID

technology, software and services.

About Miles Data

Optimize Mobility to Stay Ahead of the Curve