Zebra Technologies Corporation Introduces Comprehensive Picking Solution to Help Businesses Improve their Fulfillment Operations
October 21, 2021 at 08:00 am EDT
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Zebra Technologies Corporation introduced the industry?s most comprehensive picking solution to help businesses improve their fulfillment operations. The fulfillment solution consists of three new autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) - FlexShelf, FlexShelf Guide, and RollerTop Guide - and a new FetchCore fulfillment software package for order or batch picking. These new offerings further extend Zebra?s position as a leader in automating and digitizing critical workflows in warehouses, distribution and fulfillment centers as order volumes increase, labor pools get more competitive and customer expectations continue to rise. FetchCore enterprise cloud software allows companies to quickly modify workflows on-demand for warehouse operations. It enables the dynamic orchestration of labor and robots by integrating with leading warehouse management systems (WMS) and warehouse execution systems (WES) to optimize order, batch, case, and pallet picking workflows. FetchCore?s new fulfillment software package incorporates warehouse annotation, wave management, a pick heatmap, advanced fulfillment analytics and forklift detection features. The warehouse annotation feature superimposes the physical pick locations in a facility logically into FetchCore eliminating the need for QR codes and enabling AMRs to automatically adjust to reslotting within a warehouse. Powered by the enhanced fulfillment software package in FetchCore, the three new AMRs expand upon Fetch?s existing case picking capabilities while providing several unique advantages over existing each picking AMRs in the market. Fetch AMR?s can deliver up to three times increased productivity in fulfillment operations while total throughput in a facility is increased as a result of these new AMRs operating up to 50% faster than other fulfillment AMRs. Built on the proven Fetch Freight100 platform, the FlexShelf and FlexShelf Guide provide flexible configurations for bin sizing and spacing, which expands the types of items that can be picked using AMRs. Both AMRs also reduce worker training time and increase picking accuracy by incorporating put-to-light and pick-side lighting ? a critical element during seasonal peak periods when order volumes and seasonal staff are at their higher levels. Attracting and retaining staff is easier as the solution can reduce the amount of time pickers spend walking by up to 60%, and features like ANSI RIA R15.08 compliance help keep them safe. An industry-first forklift detection feature enables AMRs to avoid forklift blind spots helping prevent damage to the AMRs. Businesses deploying the RollerTop Guide AMR can integrate each picking workflows with existing fixed conveyance, sortation and automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS). All of these new AMRs can be purchased utilizing a capital or Robot as a Service (RaaS) model, depending upon customer preference. Deployments are fast and cost-effective because all Fetch AMRs operate on a facility?s existing Wi-Fi network with the option to use current handheld, voice and vision technologies capable of interfacing with FetchCore?s software-as-a-service (SaaS) in the cloud. According to Zebra?s Warehousing Vision Study, 77% of respondents agree augmenting workers with technology is the best way to introduce automation in the warehouse. Given increasing consumer expectations driven by the on-demand economy along with a limited workforce, automated processes can help streamline tasks, create happier, more efficient workers, and help businesses stay competitive in a dynamic marketplace. KEY TAKEAWAYS - Built on the proven Fetch Freight100 platform, the new FlexShelf, FlexShelf Guide and RollerTop Guide AMRs are faster, more accurate and safer than industry alternatives. FetchCore enterprise cloud software has been enhanced to automate each and case picking workflows while maintaining support for material transport operations for wholesalers, 3PLs and retailers. These new offerings further extend Zebra?s unique ability to help businesses modernize their entire warehouse operations with improved accuracy, productivity and worker safety - from inbound operations to outbound fulfillment.
Zebra Technologies Corporation specialises in the design, manufacture and marketing of automatic identification and data capture technology systems. The products are mainly intended for the distribution, e-commerce, transportation, logistics and healthcare sectors. Net sales break down by category of products as follows:
- visibility and mobility systems (70%): mobile terminals (ruggedized computers, tablets, mobile radio transceivers, RFID readers, point-of-sale systems, interactive kiosks, etc.);
- product information and traceability systems (30%): barcode printers and scanners, card printers, RFID label printers and encoders, printing consumables (thermal transfer labels, receipt paper, ribbons, plastic cards, RFID tags, etc.) and location solutions.
Net sales by source of income are divided between sales of products (85%) and sales of services and software (15%).
At the end of 2022, the group operates 117 production sites worldwide.
Net sales are distributed geographically as follows: the United States (31.8%), North America (18.7%), Germany (16.4%), Europe/Middle East/Africa (16.8%), Asia/Pacific (10.5%) and Latin America (5.8%).