The Best Warehouse Mobile Computers to Help Modernize Your Workflows

Whether you’re moving from paper to digital or upgrading your existing devices and mobile processes, the mobile computing technology you choose can make or break your modernization effort. So, as you look to modernize, you need to understand which mobile computers are the right choices to make improvements to and get the best results in each specific area or task in your operations.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the four main categories of mobile computers you should consider:

• Industrial handheld mobile computers
• Touch mobile computers
• Rugged tablets
• Wearable mobile computers

We’ll examine the processes and workflows where each type of device works best, how it can help you modernize the pros and cons of each form factor and other key considerations you should keep in mind.

So, let’s jump in and get started.

Industrial Handheld Mobile Computers

If you’re already using mobile computers in your warehouse, there’s a good chance that they’re industrial handheld mobile computers. These are the traditional workhorses that have helped many warehouses digitize their workflows and automate their barcode scanning and data capture, but things have changed pretty dramatically with these devices in recent years.

In the past, gun-style industrial handheld mobile computers with Windows mobile operating systems were the go-to devices for mobile computing, scanning, and high durability in the warehouse. But they didn’t have touchscreens, so you had to manually key in all your data and use physical buttons and function keys to navigate your apps and complete warehouse transactions.

They also tended to run “green screen” apps, which used Telnet to connect to warehouse management systems and databases. So, everything looked like it was still 1996.d

Now, industrial handheld mobile computers come with touchscreens and Android operating systems, so they provide a completely modern user experience, and they’re as simple and easy to use as a smartphone.

You can simply tap digital buttons on the screen and eliminate many of the manual keystrokes and button presses that slow down warehouse tasks and workflows. Additionally, you can convert “green screen” apps to sleek and modern mobile apps using tools such as Zebra’s All-Touch terminal emulation (TE), which allows you to convert your old apps to beautiful new touchscreen apps with simple design wizards and no coding required.

However, if you still need a physical keypad for data entry, Zebra manufacturers devices such as the MC9400, its latest-generation industrial handheld. It’s an Android device with both a touchscreen and physical keypad, plus a traditional gun-style design for easy point-and-shoot scanning. It’s also loaded with octa-core computer processing, blazingly fast Wi-Fi connectivity, and advanced data capture to scan barcodes faster and more reliably, from longer distances, even if barcodes are scratched, smudged or poorly printed.

Today’s industrial handhelds are as rugged and arguably more rugged than ever before, with advancements in manufacturing materials and designs. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that they’re still bulkier and heavier than some other devices, and their screen sizes tend to be small. But screen sizes are getting larger as manufacturers keep improving their designs and space utilization.

If you have scanning-intensive workflows where it’s best to have a point-and-shoot gun-style device with extremely rugged durability, then an industrial handheld mobile computer is an ideal choice.

PROS:

• Great for scanning-intensive workflows
• Outstanding durability for industrial environments
• Gun-style grip and trigger for easy point-and-shoot scans
• Easy touchscreen smartphone-style navigation
• Keypads and touchscreens for data entry
• Easy conversion of green screen apps to modern touch apps

CONS:

• Bulkier and heavier than some other devices
• Limited screen size

RECOMMENDED DEVICE:

• Zebra MC9400 Industrial Handheld

Touch Mobile Computers

You’ve probably seen a lot of delivery drivers and other mobile workers using them, but rugged enterprise-grade touch mobile computers are also becoming increasingly popular in warehouses. The big advantage of these devices is that they’re roughly equivalent to a smartphone in size, weight and familiarity, with large screens that make it easier to navigate and use your mobile apps. But enterprise-grade touch mobile computers are built with extremely durable materials, scratch- and shatter-resistant screens, military-grade drop and tumble specs, and resistance to extreme temperatures, humidity, rain, snow, dust, dirt, and even full-force water jets. This makes them vastly more durable than a consumer-grade smartphone.

They’re also available with built-in advanced barcode scanning engines, so you can use them as high-volume data capture devices, using a programmable button on your device or a digital button on an app screen to trigger each scan. This makes them an excellent alternative to gun-style industrial handheld mobile computers. While those devices are well-suited for many warehouse applications and tend to be more durable, they are also bulkier and heavier compared to smaller, touch-based handheld devices. However, with the right rugged boot, you can get comparable durability from today’s touch mobile computers.

Much like industrial handhelds, touch mobile computers now offer amazingly fast app response times and overall performance, thanks to octa-core computer processing, next-generation memory, and the latest Wi-Fi technology for ultra-fast connections. You can also add optional 5G wireless networking support, so you can connect to external or private mobile networks and not just your internal Wi-Fi network.

If a smaller, more lightweight and compact device would be ideal for some of your warehouse workflows and tasks, and the instant familiarity of a smartphone-style device would help your workers complete tasks faster and more easily, then a touch mobile computer is a great device to consider.

PROS:

• Compact, lightweight, rugged devices
• Familiar smartphone-style design
• Larger screen than industrial handhelds
• Touchscreen simplicity and ease of use
• Octa-core computer processing and Wi-Fi 6E
• Built-in barcode scanning via camera or scanner
• Excellent all-purpose device

CONS:

• No gun-style grip for high-volume scanning
• No physical keypad for data entry
• May need an optional rugged boot for maximum durability

RECOMMENDED DEVICE:

• Zebra TC53 or TC58

Rugged Tablets

Another increasingly popular choice for warehouse mobile computing is the enterprise-grade rugged tablet. In many warehouses and offices, a tablet is an ideal option due to its larger screen size, which allows you to view more information at once and simplifies workflows by reducing the number of screens, taps, and steps needed to complete tasks.

Also, with the tablet’s camera and built-in scanning engines, you can use these devices to scan barcodes. However, their form factor isn’t quite as optimized for high-volume scanning in the way that gun-style industrial handhelds or touch mobile computers are.

Enterprise-grade rugged tablets offer easy-to-use Android or Windows touch mobile computing with maximum screen size and extreme durability. They can withstand extreme temperatures, drops, tumbles, dust, dirt, and even full-force hose-downs. The best devices also feature scratch- and shatter-resistant screens.

They come in various form factors, including 2-in-1 tablets that can function as a desktop, laptop, or vehicle-mounted device. Additionally, there are hard-handle models designed for rugged industrial environments where a durable, easy-to-carry handle is essential.

If you need a device that’s extremely versatile and allows you to see far more information at a glance and complete tasks faster by requiring fewer app screens, scrolls, taps and steps, then a rugged tablet might be an ideal fit for specific use cases in your warehouse.

PROS:

• Much larger screen size than other devices
• More information available at a glance
• Task completion in fewer screens and taps
• Extremely versatile device for multiple use cases
• 2-in-1 desktop/laptop replacement or vehicle-mounted device
• Easy-to-use Android or Windows touch computing
• Octa-core computer processing and Wi-Fi 6E
• Built-in scanning with an onboard camera or optional scanning engine
• Hard-handle and other specialized form factors available

CONS:

• Not as compact as a smartphone-style touch mobile computer
• Form factor not as optimized for high-volume scanning

RECOMMENDED DEVICE:

• Zebra ET8x, ET6x or L10 tablet

Wearable Mobile Computers

One of the most important developments in warehouse mobile computing over the past decade has been the proliferation of wearable mobile computers. These are devices you can comfortably wear on your wrist or the back of your hand, to scan barcodes, complete mobile warehouse transactions, and help create more efficient hands-free and voice-directed workflows in your warehouse.

By equipping your workers with hands-free wearable devices, you can help them complete warehouse transactions and scan barcodes without having to juggle or switch devices, and they can keep their hands free to handle inventory and focus on the task at hand.

Two of the most innovative new devices are Zebra’s WT6000 and the ultra-compact WS50 wearable computer. These devices enable you to run Android warehouse apps, including mobile versions of your warehouse management system. They also streamline barcode scanning, fulfillment, and other tasks by pairing with a ring-style scanner worn on your finger or by using the onboard scanner. You can receive visual cues on the device screen or audible instructions through the device or a paired headset.

This allows you to create highly efficient fulfillment workflows by automatically guiding your workers to the correct inventory locations along the most efficient pathway. They can quickly scan barcodes to track inventory and work through pick lists in far less time, with far fewer steps.

If you’re looking to gain an edge in warehouse efficiency, then we definitely recommend you take a deeper look at wearable technologies.

PROS:

• Vastly more efficient warehouse workflows
• Hands-free devices to focus on the task at hand
• Voice-directed picking to save time and effort
• Compact, lightweight, and ergonomic devices
• Easy integration with your apps and processes
• Multiple device types to fit your tasks and workflows

CONS:

• May require third-party software for WMS integration
• Requires voice software for voice-directed picking

RECOMMENDED DEVICE:

• Zebra WT6000 or WS50

Hopefully, this article has helped you gain a better understanding of which warehouse mobile computers are available today, which might be a bit for your workflows, and which options to consider.

To learn more and get some expert solution recommendations as well as tips for how to modernize and optimize your warehouse workflows with the latest technologies from Zebra, feel free to contact SK&T today by calling 720-851-9108 or email us.