Zebra Technologies Corporation , a global company focused on digitizing and automating workflows to deliver intelligent operations, announces new research in collaboration with Oxford Economics. The study shows how modernizing frontline workflows with technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and data increases profitability and enhances the customer experience.
The research also highlights the transformative impact that improved workflows can have on the retail, manufacturing, transportation, and logistics sectors. For example, retailers reported a 21% improvement in customer satisfaction, manufacturers saw a 20% increase in employee productivity, and transportation and logistics leaders reported a 21% growth in productivity with more efficient workflows. Furthermore, the study indicates that investments in AI help organizations gain real-time visibility, generate actionable insights, and increase efficiency.
Optimizing frontline workflows drives financial growth.
If the 20 largest organizations on the Forbes Global 2000 list in each of these sectors – retail, manufacturing, transportation, and logistics – were to achieve significant improvements in their frontline workflows, Oxford Economics estimates that each company could gain, on average, $3 billion in additional revenue and about $120 million in extra profit.
Organizations that adopt intelligent operations – integrating advanced technologies such as AI, automation, and data with human expertise to optimize business processes – are seeing significant gains. The study indicates that:
- Retailers achieved up to 1.8 percentage point growth in revenue and profitability by improving the priority workflow of inventory management.
- Manufacturers that optimized their core quality control and assurance flow saw a 2.4 percentage point increase in revenue growth and a 1.4 percentage point improvement in profitability.
- Transportation and logistics companies that optimized key delivery and inventory flows recorded revenue growth of up to 3.4 percentage points, with a similar increase in profitability.
“Retail, manufacturing, and logistics are being redefined at the workflow level – where speed, visibility, and accuracy drive growth, increase frontline productivity, and improve customer experience,” says Joe White , Chief Product & Solutions Officer at Zebra Technologies. “Intelligent operations simplify complexity by combining the best of advanced technologies with the people on the front line, enabling organizations to adapt quickly and thrive in competitive markets.”
Investments in technology, including AI, generate tangible benefits.
The study titled “Impact of Smart Operations” indicates:
- Retailers are testing AI to address critical areas such as loss prevention, risk detection, and inventory optimization.
- More than two-thirds of transportation and logistics organizations and nearly half of manufacturers have already implemented AI in inventory management, demand forecasting, and predictive analytics.
- Advanced tools such as RFID and computer vision are essential for enhancing operational visibility and efficiency across various industries.
From the warehouse and production line to the retail aisle and hospital bedside, Zebra offers solutions that help organizations address persistent challenges such as labor shortages and shifting consumer expectations. Zebra's new brand platform, " Every Day ," reinforces the company's commitment to delivering intelligent, connected solutions and services that continuously improve frontline performance, agility, and responsiveness in critical workflows.
“Zebra Technologies empowers organizations of all sizes around the world to continuously drive more efficient processes and adapt to change,” says Bill Burns , CEO of Zebra Technologies. “Our powerful portfolio of connected, cutting-edge solutions, asset visibility, and intelligent automation is specifically designed to support modern workflows and optimize the way you work every day.”
Through deep industry knowledge and a global ecosystem of partners, Zebra leverages the power of these advanced technologies in a portfolio of products and solutions that enable organizations to:
- Capture and act on real-time data, making faster and smarter decisions.
- Standardize repetitive tasks, reduce manual errors, and increase consistency.
- Redesigning workflows for greater simplicity, speed, and productivity.
- Using AI on the front lines to drive continuous innovation at the point of execution.
MAIN CONCLUSIONS
- According to research by Zebra Technologies and Oxford Economics, retailers, manufacturers, and transportation and logistics companies have seen significant increases in revenue and profitability by optimizing frontline workflows.
- Industries are increasingly adopting AI for predictive analytics, inventory management, and risk detection, while tools such as RFID and computer vision are enhancing operational efficiency.
- Zebra's new brand narrative, "Better Every Day," reaffirms the company's commitment to empowering organizations through automation and AI, creating new ways of working that make everyday life better.
- For more information, visit this page on Zebra.com.
METHODOLOGY
Zebra Technologies commissioned a global survey from Oxford Economics, conducted through a combination of interviews and econometric analyses. Participants included 1,000 senior executives from the retail (400), manufacturing (400), transportation, and technology (200) sectors in the US, Mexico, UK, Germany, India, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. Focus areas included inventory management, quality control, delivery operations, materials handling, and loss prevention workflows. A regression analysis was applied to correlate workflow improvements with financial performance metrics.
