Page 16 - Logistics News - May June 2022

WAREHOUSING VISION STUDY

enjoyable, even if they had to pick or handle more items, and six in 10 decision-makers say they will invest in technologies
81 percent strongly believe AMRs could make warehouse that increase inventory and asset visibility within their
jobs less stressful. warehouses and overall visibility throughout supply chains
over the next five years.
Decision-makers should take note, as only 35 percent
in Europe and 41 percent globally completely agree Nine in 10 expect their use of sensor-based technologies
implementing warehouse technologies such as robotics and such as radio frequency identification (RFID), computer
devices can help attract and retain workers even though vision, fixed industrial scanning and machine vision systems
most associates: to become more prevalent over the next five years. As
• who work alongside AMRs today confirm they have businesses invest in advanced technologies that enable more
helped increase productivity and reduce walking/travel visibility, real-time guidance and data-driven performance,
time (83 percent), reduce errors (73 percent) and enable they’re focusing on increasing team productivity and
advancement to new roles or opportunities (65 percent). better utilisation of assets, equipment and people, which
• claim they are more likely to work for an employer that equates to improved worker well-being and overall market
gives them modern devices to use for tasks versus an competitiveness.
employer that provides older or no devices (83 percent
globally and 87 percent in Europe). However, it will become critical for warehouse operators
to become more thoughtful about how they implement
“Automation is the great equaliser, especially when and integrate technologies as they increasingly digitalise
labour is constrained or during unexpected surge periods workflows and scale systems. Following a phase-based
or seasonal peaks when it may be difficuslt to scale the roadmap will be key to steady, sustainable maturity.
workforce quickly,” adds Wheeler. “What’s interesting is
associates feel more strongly about this than warehouse Key regional findings
operators right now.” Asia Pacific: Nine in 10 APAC decision-makers agree
machine vision and/or fixed industrial scanning technology
Five-year technology outlook for warehouse in key areas would save time and eliminate errors, even
operations though only one-quarter are currently using them.
Eighty-five percent of decision-makers say they have Europe: European warehouse associates were the most
implemented mobility so frontline workers can capture likely to say they would view their employer more positively
each inventory move they make, and most feel they are if provided with mobile devices and technology (85 percent).
optimising the use of their devices to fit the task, safety and Latin America: 96 percent of associates in LATAM believe
ergonomics. However, more than eight in 10 warehouse implementing warehouse technologies such as robotics and
associates and around three-quarters of decision-makers in devices would help attract and retain workers, the highest of
Europe and worldwide are concerned they will not meet their any region.
business objectives unless more technology investments North America: 86 percent of North American
are made to improve operations, with associates in the decision-makers say the pandemic has prompted them
transportation (92 percent) and logistics (88 percent) sectors to evolve and modernise more quickly, the most of any
feeling most strongly about this need. As a result, more than region. •

SURVEY BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY

L O GI S T I CS NEWS Zebra’s Warehousing Vision Study was conducted in January and February 2022 by third-party research firm Azure

Knowledge Corporation. It includes feedback from over 1,500 decision-makers and associates that manage and
maintain warehouse or distribution centre operations in manufacturing, retail, transportation, logistics and wholesale
distribution across North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.

14 M A Y/JUNE 2022 www .l o g ist i csn e w s .c o .z a