Top Trends for Frontline Worker Productivity

By Anees Haidri, Global Retail Strategy Lead, Zebra Technologies

s the COVID-19 pandemic A continues to evolve, forward-thinking companies are testing new technologies and processes that protect the safety of frontline workers to drive sustained productivity. Companies worldwide are grappling with the rebuilding phase of this pandemic, strategizing on how best to adapt operations to enhance employee safety while also addressing fast-changing business demands to deliver strong results while ensuring customer satisfaction.

The following are some top trends companies are exploring to increase frontline worker productivity, speed, and effectiveness via technology and refreshed business operations.

REVOLUTIONISING DELIVERY AUTHENTICATION

The common practice of providing a signature on a delivery driver’s mobile device to obtain a certified package is no longer ideal in today’s world given the ease in which germs can spread. One new solution companies are rolling out to protect both the frontline worker handling the package delivery and the recipient involves barcode scanning to avoid direct contact.

With this trending approach, the delivery driver scans the barcode on the package and then hands it to the recipient. Then the package recipient can use his or her own mobile device with camera functionality to authorise and certify that he or she has in fact received the package while eliminating any contamination from handling a shared mobile device.

REINVENTING THE ROLE OF BRICK AND MORTAR SPACES

Retailers specifically are looking at creative new approaches for reutilizing brick and mortar square footage in productive ways given current consumer shopping

habits are gravitating toward e-commerce, resulting in a decrease of in-store traffic.

One trending approach is providing the front line with more space and moving logistics farther up the supply chain. Some retailers are shifting toward “dark stores” – determining that they are better suited to meet customer demand by closing the store to the public and instead, converting the space into a mini-distribution centre to fulfil e-commerce orders.

By adjusting their supply chain to address demand, this retail strategy allows inventory and workflow to be organized in a manner that keeps employees safe and consumers satisfied while addressing critical needs at every step of the process. Other retailers are opting to increase the footprint of “back-of-store” while remaining open to the public, allowing for additional items that are traditionally only sold online to be stocked in-store, driving increased inventory levels that better support in-store customers, fulfilling e-commerce and rapidly growing “buy online, pick-up in store” demand.

PRIORITISING FRICTIONLESS CHECKOUT

Some consumers still prefer in-store shopping, while others prefer to order online and pickup curbside. Consumers expect limited engagement and interaction with employees, which provides a definitive health benefit for frontline workers as well.

Removing friction (“pain points”) from the shopping experience helps drive productivity and business growth, as friction impacts both frontline workers and shoppers – and ultimately a company’s bottom line. Adopting social distancing measures has caused retailers to consider ways to limit touchpoints and customer engagements around the checkout process.

Empowering associates with technology to quickly provide customers with service or answers to questions helps keep employees and customers safe.

ENABLING SAFETY WITH MOBILITY

While mobile technology for the frontline worker is now a mainstay for most businesses, the pandemic has highlighted that there is an opportunity for even more value. In retail stores, mobile devices are enabling the pickup process that is needed as shoppers shift from in-store purchases to online shopping and curbside pickup. Retailers that leverage mobility can also ensure the curbside experience is seamless by providing alerts to associates on arrival leading to the instant handoff of merchandise. Additionally, mobility is providing retailers with a way to meter customers, creating a safer shopping environment and providing associates with a communications tool that helps ensure they can move safely through the store. Mobile solutions also enable associates to receive real-time communications and information about product availability or the company’s latest health procedures. In addition to retail stores, warehouse workers are safer because of mobile solutions that offer proximity sensing and contact tracing.

Transportation and logistics companies, field service providers, retailers, and other businesses with warehouse environments can benefit from implementing various new safety precautions and shifts in distribution and manufacturing operations like those mentioned above to keep the frontline workforce as productive as possible. To learn more about technology solutions that can drive frontline worker productivity, please visit www.zebra.com/retail or Scan here to talk to us:

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Taiwan-based FunNow acquires Malaysian startup, TABLEAPP

The acquisition will bring more enriching reservation experiences by connecting patrons to restaurants and hospitality outlets more efficiently and seamlessly.

oth companies, in a joint B statement, said that the acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, consisted of cash and equity. The merger is set to provide a platform for users to have instant online access to both restaurants and other hospitality and lifestyle activity merchants.

Philip Ting, founding partner and head of Southeast Asia of FunNow, said the combined resources of both entities would be able to supply consumers with a 360-degree hospitality solution experience with access to even lastminute deals in Klang Valley.

FunNow, a leading reservation platform for various entertainment and leisure venues, started out with mainly Japanese and Malaysian customers on their app. It has since ventured out to provide deals globally.

Ting said that there is a growing trend of diners and restaurateurs relying on online reservation platforms, and more so since Covid-19 due to required social distancing measures. “This acquisition of TABLEAPP aligns with FunNow’s mission of creating more memorable experiences, a big part which is for users to be spontaneous before enjoying what lies ahead through a powerful reservation platform within their mobile devices. “Now with TABLEAPP, we are set to become the largest reservation platform in Malaysia and soon other cities in Southeast Asia for urbanites,” Ting stated in the statement.

TABLEAPP Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Benson Chang, said the synergy from both companies and the pooled resources would further strengthen their positions in the food and beverage and lifestyle industry.

“The combined entity enables restaurants to sell their empty tables at the last minute while, concurrently, attracting a bigger user base to also capitalise on discounts and offers. The combined platform also helps eliminate no-shows for restaurants while also providing deals for diners — a win-win solution indeed,” said Benson Chang. Since its establishment in 2013, TABLEAPP has seated over 6.3 million diners.

Benson Chang will join FunNow as the Director and Head the Operations of the combined platform in Malaysia.

The TABLEAPP team joining FunNow will be based at the FunNow Malaysia office in Kuala Lumpur while its core restaurant reservation and table management tools for merchants will continue to operate as standalone applications.

The acquisition will result in TABLEAPP’s current investors including SEA Unicorn, an investment holding company controlled by former PIKOM Chairman Ganesh Kumar Bangah, global venture capital firm 500 Startups and Singapore-based venture capital firm Crystal Horse Investments, together with TABLEAPP’s core team, becoming shareholders of FunNow.