Zebra Technologies Modernizes Warehouse Operations for Mobis Parts Australia

Zebra’s Android-based wearable solution with multi-modal capabilities improves productivity and accuracy

SYDNEY, Australia – Jan. 20, 2019 – Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA), an innovator at the edge of the enterprise with solutions and partners that enable businesses to gain a performance edge, today announced Mobis Parts Australia (MPAU)’s initial deployment of a multi-modal, voice-activated solution including Zebra’s WT6000 wearable computer and RS4000 ring scanner. Designed in cooperation with Zebra partners, Skywire and Ivanti, the solution offered a 15 percent productivity increase in MPAU’s warehouse operations, and an additional 39 percent reduction in errors when compared with voice-only solutions.

MPAU, the Australian subsidiary of a Korea-based automotive supplier, dispatches up to 7,000-line items daily with an average of 600 parts per hour. Given the complexities of the after-sales car parts supply management chain, MPAU needed a sophisticated warehouse solution that can efficiently track stock, pick orders, increase its distribution volume and revenue, and complement its existing custom warehouse management system (WMS).

“We needed a solution to increase our productivity and scanning accuracy while seamlessly integrating with our WMS. The rugged, multi-touch capacitive display on the WT6000 makes it easy for our workers across the supply chain to read and enter data, even with their work gloves on,” said Darren Bowley, Warehouse Operations Manager at Mobis Parts Australia. “We can easily add voice-directed applications at any time to increase the accuracy and speed of our pick and scan operations. And we only needed a day for our warehouse operators to become thoroughly familiar with the new devices after deployment.”

Microsoft® is ending its extended support of Windows® Embedded and Mobile operating systems in January 2020. MPAU proactively prepared for this by transitioning its Terminal Emulation (TE) apps to Android via the All-Touch TE application which is pre-licensed with the WT6000 directly from Zebra. MPAU also benefits from Zebra’s LifeGuard™ for Android™, the software security solution that extends the lifecycle of Zebra Android enterprise mobile computers by adding years of operating system (OS) security support to match the enterprise hardware lifecycle, thereby significantly lowering total cost of ownership.

James Shepherd, CEO of Skywire said: “The collaboration between Skywire, Ivanti, Zebra and Mobis was the key to the success of this project. The customer is our focus and I am delighted that we could help deliver this transformation and result to them. The Skywire services team did a fantastic job with great support from Ivanti and their rapid modernisation tool.”

“According to Zebra’s Warehousing Vision Study 2019, 73 percent of decision makers plan to invest in wearables over the next three years as they are user-friendly, secure and easy-to-manage,” said Tom Christodoulou, Regional Director of Australia and New Zealand, Zebra Technologies. “With Zebra’s wearable computer, MPAU’s warehouse operators will be able to find an item, provide verification and update their inventory almost instantly, thereby enhancing their productivity and efficiency. Meanwhile, the transition of MPAU’s warehouse operations to the Android OS supported by Zebra’s LifeGuard™, offers peace of mind in addition to cost savings which is a necessity in today’s modern warehouse environment.”

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • The multi-modal solution from Zebra and its partners offered a 15 percent productivity increase in MPAU’s warehouse operations, and an additional 39 percent reduction in errors when compared with voice-only solutions.
  • By leveraging the WT6000 and RS4000 wearable solutions from Zebra, MPAU joins the 73 percent of decision makers that plan to invest in wearables over the next three years.
  • Zebra’s solution effectively transitions MPAU’s warehouse operations from Windows Embedded and Mobile OS to Android, which is supported with ongoing security support through Zebra’s Lifeguard program.

 

ABOUT ZEBRA

Zebra (NASDAQ: ZBRA) empowers the front line of business in retail/ecommerce, manufacturing, transportation and logistics, healthcare and other industries to achieve a performance edge. With more than 10,000 partners across 100 countries, we deliver industry-tailored, end-to-end solutions that intelligently connect people, assets and data to help our customers make business-critical decisions. Our market-leading solutions elevate the shopping experience, track and manage inventory as well as improve supply chain efficiency and patient care. Ranked on Forbes’ list of America’s Best Employers for the last four years, Zebra helps our customers capture their edge. For more information, visit www.zebra.com or  sign up for news alerts. Participate in our Your Edge blog and follow us on LinkedInTwitter and Facebook.

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Media Contact:

Jeremy Tse
Archetype
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Jeremy.tse@archetype.co

Luke Turner
Archetype
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Luke.turner@archetype.co

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