Use Case

Replacing fragmented printer fleets with centralized grocery printing


A pervasive challenge in grocery stores is managing fragmented printing fleets. This causes high support costs and downtime. Standardizing on Zebra Mobile Printers provides a consistent hardware foundation, while Zebra DNA delivers printer firmware and software features. Zebra Nucleus provides the centralized device management capabilities IT teams can use to manage supported printers across store locations.

A grocery store associate uses a Zebra ZQ620 Plus mobile printer to create a new price and barcode label for a package of spinach in a supermarket aisle.

Reducing grocery printer downtime with standardized fleet management

A pervasive challenge in grocery stores is managing fragmented printing fleets, which can increase support demands and contribute to downtime. Without a unified system, administrators struggle to maintain device health, update security settings, and deploy new label formats. These inconsistent configurations can lead to frequent printer downtime and inconsistent shelf labeling across store locations.

These operational bottlenecks lead to significant negative consequences. Frequent device failures result in high costs from excessive IT support tickets and continuous maintenance. Furthermore, inconsistent labeling causes pricing errors on the floor, which leads to customer dissatisfaction and lost revenue. Grocery retailers lose valuable time troubleshooting instead of focusing on core business activities.

The centralized print management solution for grocery stores

Deploying Zebra Mobile Printers alongside Zebra DNA and Zebra Nucleus addresses the challenges of a fragmented printing environment. Zebra DNA provides firmware and software features that enhance Zebra printers, while Zebra Nucleus serves as the centralized device management platform. Together, they can help IT teams standardize printer configurations, simplify remote administration, and reduce configuration inconsistencies across store locations. This approach supports more consistent labeling and can reduce the time required to manage distributed printer fleets.

Potential benefits

A standardized printing environment supported by centralized management can simplify day-to-day administration and promote more consistent operations across store locations.

Reduced costs

by enabling IT teams to review printer status, manage settings, and troubleshoot supported devices remotely

Improved efficiency 

by helping store associates spend less time dealing with printer-related interruptions

Consistent execution

by supporting standardized printer settings and more consistent shelf labeling across locations

 

 

How the solution works

A retail associate uses a Zebra mobile computer and ZQ620 Plus mobile printer to print linerless labels for grocery order fulfillment.

Standardize grocery retail and back-office hardware

Standardizing on Zebra Mobile Printers establishes a reliable foundation for all labeling needs. This rugged hardware produces crisp text and barcodes for accurate shelf pricing and inventory tracking. Built for demanding grocery retail environments, these devices offer intuitive loading mechanisms and strong connectivity options. This accessible design reduces training time and empowers store associates to replace media quickly without relying on technical support staff.

Support printer operations

Building on the standardized hardware foundation, Zebra DNA provides a collection of printer firmware and software features that support setup, security, connectivity, and ongoing operation. These capabilities enhance Zebra printers but do not independently provide centralized fleet management. For centralized visibility and control, IT teams can use Zebra Nucleus to manage supported printers through a unified platform.

Centralize printer fleet management with Zebra Nucleus

Zebra Nucleus is a cloud-based device management platform for supported Zebra devices. IT administrators can view enrolled printers in a consolidated inventory, access printer status information, apply standardized settings and profile changes, and deploy firmware updates through network connections such as Wi-Fi. The dashboard makes printer status visible, so IT teams can respond to issues or take preventive action when the available information indicates attention may be needed. This centralized approach can help reduce configuration inconsistencies, simplify support, and keep printers operating reliably across store locations.

Strategic value of standardized printing

Standardizing printing hardware and centralizing the management of supported printers can simplify IT administration and support more consistent store execution. Grocery chains can reduce configuration complexity and establish a more manageable printing environment across distributed locations.

Let's discuss how Zebra's solution can work for you

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.