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The challenge of fragmented labour performance data
Warehouse leaders struggle to manage labour effectively when operational data remains fragmented across multiple disconnected systems. This lack of complete visibility makes it difficult to track indirect work, identify where time is spent, and deliver real-time feedback to associates on the floor. Without centralised tracking, supervisors must rely on delayed, paper-based historical reports, which prevents them from identifying and resolving bottlenecks during active shifts.
Consequently, these administrative blind spots inflate warehouse labour expenses, which represent the largest and most complex cost in fulfilment operations. When inefficiencies disrupt order processing on the floor, the resulting bottlenecks trigger order backlog and shipment delays. This ultimately increases operational overhead and damages relations with end consumers, who experience delayed shipments and increased costs.
The real-time labour performance tracking and task capture solution
Zebra mobile computers, wearables, and tablets create a continuous data loop that connects all staff with a single view of performance. This unified approach addresses fragmented data challenges by capturing direct and indirect tasks seamlessly. By equipping associates with mobility and supervisors with mobile dashboards, operations establish complete labour visibility to manage teams with confidence and deliver real-time integrated coaching during active shifts.
Potential benefits
Adopting unified labour tracking solutions helps warehouse operations move from fragmented, delayed metrics to real-time, actionable insights. Leaders can use these capabilities to achieve tangible, positive outcomes across every operational shift.
Reduced operational waste
by capturing indirect activities that traditionally go unmeasured
Faster workforce adoption
by aligning floor associates quickly with established labour standards to boost productivity across every shift
Accurate unit-cost visibility
by providing finance teams with the detailed data required to analyse and control true cost per unit
Demand-aligned labour plans
that help empower planning departments to seamlessly create schedules aligned with active consumer demand
How the solution works
Log direct tasks and exceptions instantly across high-velocity floors
Associates navigating high-velocity warehouse environments use a Zebra mobile computer to document active workflows on the move. Featuring fast processing power, Zebra mobile computers can capture barcodes in different conditions, enabling fast and accurate task logging. This device helps workers record direct tasks, kitting activities, and exceptions instantly. This instant tracking eliminates communication delays and keeps performance data accurate across the shift.
Capture hands-free workflows at the point of physical activity
For physical work that requires both hands, workers equip the WT6400 wearable computer to streamline active operations on the floor. With its lightweight design and optimised mounting options, this wearable computer facilitates efficient and hands-free workflow capture. By keeping hands free to lift boxes and handle inventory, this device increases scanning speed and productivity during kitting and sorting. This seamless data capture connects floor associates directly with performance tracking systems.
Monitor real-time performance dashboards on the move
Supervisors and engineers use the ET401 tablet to access critical labour standards and mobile dashboards from any location in the warehouse. Built with a high-resolution display and rugged durability, this mobile tablet delivers on-the-go access to workforce performance metrics. Leaders can identify bottlenecks during active shifts, review performance benchmarks, and conduct integrated coaching on the warehouse floor. This mobile capability allows management to address problems immediately, improving overall associate accountability.
Expert partners for modern labour management
For organisations looking to optimise warehouse labour and gain control over escalating workforce costs, ISV partners like TAKT are critical. They specialise in transforming fragmented WMS and HRIS data into real-time, actionable insights through their AI-powered labour management platform. Their expertise in capturing "invisible" indirect labour and delivering continuous, data-driven coaching directly to Zebra devices ensures rapid frontline adoption, driving double-digit performance gains and maximising the return on your mobility investment in just a matter of weeks.
Note:
Use case figures, savings estimates and images are illustrative only and may be derived from customer data, projections, or controlled testing. They do not represent guaranteed results, and actual outcomes will vary by application; customers should consult a Zebra sales representative to evaluate their specific environment.
