As Zebra Technologies predicts, companies in the supply chain will begin to introduce mobile communication and collaboration tools. This will enable employees to better coordinate with each other, suppliers, customers and logistics/shipping partners. According to Zebra, these tools will also increase overall productivity and workflow compliance. In addition, technology and sensors, both in the hands of employees and in the infrastructure of distribution centers, will be used to make responses to incidents faster and more accurate. In environments with limited staff availability, sensors and fixed infrastructures will play a crucial role in data collection. Fixed industrial scanners, intelligent cameras and image processing as well as RFID will find their way into integrated supply chains.

Investments in physical automation solutions

Another innovation Zebra sees is a supply chain transformation that will involve investment in physical automation solutions and new product profiles, packaging levels and routes to market. Three factors will impact supply chain redesign: customer expectations, costs and inventory levels in brick-and-mortar stores. Customer expectations will determine service in terms of assortment and lead time. In addition, cost trends will determine priorities. For example, higher fuel costs will lead to an increase in transportation costs on the road. Higher capital costs will lead to a reluctance to hold more than a minimum safety stock. Uncertainty will prompt more companies to enter into partnerships with third-party providers where appropriate.

Fragmentation of the supply chain

According to Zebra, supply chain fragmentation is also expected to increase, especially as supply chain resilience has been tested and proven to be insufficient. With more complex and fragmented supply chains, the number of supply chain nodes will increase. Each node has its own data in existing systems. Deciphering this local data and accessing it for an end-to-end view will have an impact on the transparency of the flow of goods from production to the end consumer. Closing transparency gaps will become increasingly important, if not unavoidable, in the future. Changing sourcing and purchasing patterns will require new inbound networks and routes in 2024. Nearshoring of production will have an impact on the flow of goods. In 2024, new transparency requirements will be imposed by regulators, retailers, consumers and manufacturers.

Zebra Technologies helps companies monitor and accelerate workflows and make them predictable by empowering their employees through comprehensive visibility, connectivity and optimization processes. Zebra's portfolio ranges from software to innovations in robotics, machine vision, automation and digital decision making.