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By Nick Kurtenbach | Dec. 5, 2025
Making Frontline Work Smarter with the ET401 Tablet
Making Frontline Work Smarter with the ET401 Tablet
Picture this: David, an employee in a bustling store, notices a customer who looks frustrated as she is searching through the jeans display. Across town, Pam is braving extreme weather conditions to complete her delivery route, juggling proof-of-delivery documentation and package updates. Meanwhile, Rick is in a massive warehouse, managing inventory to keep production lines running smoothly. These scenarios represent the daily challenges faced by frontline workers across industries. They demand agility, precision, and the ability to adapt on the fly. With the Zebra ET401 tablet in hand, though, these tasks become less daunting and more attainable.
Designed to empower frontline teams, the tablet seamlessly blends rugged reliability and long life with intelligent automation. Designed for work on the retail floor, in the cab of a delivery truck, or amidst warehouse aisles, the ET401 equips workers to achieve more; faster, smarter, and with greater ease.
Retail Teams Need Real-Time Solutions
When David saw Lisa’s frustration finding the right size jeans, he approached her and secured her loyalty as a customer by using his ET401 tablet to quickly check inventory, find her size in the backroom, and recommend similar styles she might love. And David doesn’t stop there. He offers to complete the purchase right on the spot, using the ET401’s integrated point-of-sale functionality. Lisa leaves the store without waiting in line, thrilled by the personalized and efficient service.
David’s ability to provide such efficient service highlights a broader industry need: according to Zebra’s 18th Annual Global Shopper Study, 80% of retail associates in North America and 88% in Latin America cite real-time inventory visibility as a critical challenge. With the ET401, associates can bridge this gap, leveraging scanning and RFID technologies to ensure customers efficiently find what they need every time.
This isn’t just a vision. It’s the reality the ET401 enables for retailers. The tablet’s integrated data capture capabilities and real-time connectivity simplify complex workflows like assisted selling, line busting, and inventory management. Associates can swiftly locate items, manage stock, and process payments, all while staying engaged with customers. With the ET401, retailers can deliver the kind of frictionless, tailored experiences that keep customers coming back.
Optimizing Logistics Operations in Any Condition
Pam starts her day early, having to deal with severe weather conditions to make timely deliveries. The weather doesn’t faze her because she knows the ET401 is up to the challenge. Its rugged design keeps her connected and operational, no matter the weather condition. With gloved hands, Pam captures proof of delivery, scans barcodes on packages, and updates her delivery log in real time. The ET401’s dependable 5G connectivity ensures she stays linked to her team and systems, whether she’s on the road or inside a customer facility.
Pam’s experience is a testament to the broader impact of workflow optimization in the transportation and logistics sector. According to our research with Oxford Economics, organizations that improved delivery and inventory workflows reported a 21% boost in employee productivity over two years. Tools like the ET401 play a pivotal role in these gains, empowering frontline workers with the visibility and precision needed to execute flawlessly and adapt to challenges.
For transportation and logistics professionals, the ET401 is designed to be your ultimate partner in streamlining operations and boosting productivity. It simplifies critical tasks such as routing, vehicle inspections, and proof of delivery, helping you stay ahead in a fast-paced industry. Its AI-enabled, adaptive touchscreen works seamlessly with gloves, a stylus, or bare fingers—eliminating the hassle of manual adjustments and letting you focus on the job at hand, no matter the conditions.
The ET401 also ensures you stay connected when it matters most. Equipped with Bluetooth 6.0, Wi-Fi 7, and 5G connectivity, it provides lightning-fast, reliable communication with your peripherals and backend systems. Whether you’re coordinating a delivery, updating a route, or managing fleet inspections, you can trust the ET401 to keep operations running smoothly and efficiently.
Maximizing Warehouse and Manufacturing Productivity
Rick faces a monumental task: managing inventory in a sprawling warehouse. With the ET401 in hand, he can scan multiple labels at once, capture data from damaged barcodes, and even read RFID tags on items from an entire shelf. The tablet’s ultra-bright screen adapts to his environment, whether he’s working in dimly lit corners or under direct sunlight on the loading dock. And when it comes to durability, the ET401 holds its own against drops, dust, and extreme temperatures, ensuring Rick stays productive no matter the conditions.
In manufacturing and warehousing, speed and efficiency are non-negotiable. The ET401’s advanced data capture capabilities and rugged design help managers like Rick keep operations running smoothly. Its long lifecycle and compatibility with Zebra’s DNA software suite make it a dependable investment, enabling intelligent automation and connected collaboration across teams.
With Zebra’s Workcloud Sync communication tools the ET401’s AI-powered audio enables crystal clear conversations even in loud warehouses and manufacturing facilities. From inventory management to quality assurance, the ET401 empowers frontline workers to perform at their best.
Delivering Intelligent Operations for the Frontline
The ET401 isn’t just a tablet. It’s a platform for intelligent operations. Zebra’s decades of expertise in data capture and enterprise mobility shine through in its design, combining advanced technologies with user-centric features. By equipping frontline workers with tools that simplify complex tasks, the ET401 helps businesses achieve real-time insight, optimize workflows, and drive meaningful results.
Retailers can enhance customer experiences through seamless service and inventory management. Logistics teams can navigate challenges with confidence, knowing their tools will perform under pressure. Manufacturers and warehouse managers can streamline processes, reducing downtime and boosting productivity. Across industries, the ET401 is redefining what’s possible for frontline operations.
A Partnership Built on Progress
At Zebra, we believe in creating solutions that make work better; for businesses, employees, and the customers they serve. The ET401 reflects this commitment, offering a blend of innovation and practicality that addresses the unique challenges of today’s industries. With its rugged design, AI-enabled capabilities, and dependable connectivity, the ET401 stands as a testament to Zebra’s role as a trusted partner in progress.
As organizations continue to navigate a rapidly changing world, tools like the ET401 tablet provide the foundation for success. By investing in connected frontline solutions, businesses can unlock new levels of efficiency, agility, and customer satisfaction. Together, we’re building a future where every operation is digitized, automated, and intelligent.
The ET401 isn’t just a device. It’s a catalyst for better work and better outcomes. From retail to logistics to manufacturing, it empowers frontline workers to rise above challenges and deliver excellence at every turn. With Zebra, the possibilities are endless. Let’s make work better, together.
Learn more about the ET401 tablet.
