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Every day, more retailers are evaluating the ways in which intelligent automation solutions can help offset the operational burdens levied by the COVID-19 pandemic. With labor pools shrinking and e-commerce fulfillment demands growing, there just aren’t enough store associates to properly manage inventory turnover on shelves and in stockrooms. Plus, there are things that the human eye might miss that smart robots can pick up on in a single pass, as I outlined in my last blog post about the economic benefits of intelligent automation.
Purchasing this type of technology solution is not the same as purchasing a smartphone or even an artificial intelligence (AI) system. Intelligent automation systems require thoughtful consideration of things such as “human robotic interaction” (HRI), safety redundancies and liability insurances – which are not topics that typically come up when talking about mobility solutions or that you’ll readily find disclosed in online spec sheets. That’s why human interaction is vital when you’re evaluating your options. You must pick up the phone, jump on a video chat or – when safe to do so – meet in person with a trusted consultant or partner to understand what it will take to safely, efficiently, securely and cost-effectively deploy intelligent automation in your retail environment.
First things first, you want to define your desired outcomes. What are you hoping to achieve via intelligent automation? Once that is articulated, you’ll be able to ask sales representatives and solution engineers the right questions about technology design and extensibility. For example, you’ll want to know if:
You will also be able to clarify staff resource and competency requirements, such as whether or not:
Of course, anytime you introduce a life-size piece of roving technology into your store environment, human safety must be prioritized and accountability must be maintained. Be sure to confirm:
Picking the right solution provider is just as important – if not more so – than picking the right solution. There’s a reason why I didn’t answer the above questions or tell you exactly which features and capabilities you need to get from your intelligent automation investment. There isn’t a standard “right answer” or solution that will apply to every situation. Your needs are going to depend on your intended applications and desired outcomes, and even those might change tomorrow.
Ultimately, though, intelligent automation technology won’t deliver the capabilities, benefits and return on investment (ROI) you want or need if not properly implemented or maintained. That’s why the best thing you can do when you start thinking about implementing an intelligent automation solution is to call up a trusted advisor or partner. They can help ensure you are considering all of the important requirements. There may be more than what I listed above – and getting all the answers you need to successfully plan, configure, deploy and manage your technology solution.
How will you know you’ve found someone you can trust? They will help you realize potential applications and outcomes you may not have any been considering. They will be focused on helping you gain more efficiencies pre- and post-deployment. And they will listen versus just talk. Of course, you’ll want to verify their track record with others, too. Ask for references and do your own market research to be sure there aren’t any red flags shared in the public domain.
Now, it is quite possible that individual or company will, in fact, be the solution provider from whom you plan to source the intelligent automation solution. If that’s the case, don’t be afraid to comparison shop – if even you’re confident you’ve found what you needed. If the solution provider you engage with shies away from answering any question or you don’t feel like you’re getting a straight answer, look for someone who will guide you through the buying process and beyond: a partner for life. If they don’t help you better your business and are only worried about closing a sale – then you will struggle to achieve your goals.
Plus, the right solution provider will help you strengthen the business case and secure buy-in from other stakeholders that your decision is in the best interest of your company, employees and customers before you take the next step toward implementation which, for many, is the point of no return.
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If you’re interested in learning more about the questions you should be asking, reach out to Zebra’s intelligent automation experts. We’ll schedule a discovery session to understand your goals and challenges and help you find a solution that will deliver your desired ROI – and quite possibly benefits you didn’t even know were possible.
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