Warehouse operators know creating a connected workforce is the key to greater efficiency. Research for a Zebra Technologies 2024 Vision Study found that 77% of warehouse decision makers see equipping their teams with mobile devices as an onramp to automation.

Furthermore, 80% have planned investments in new tech to increase their competitiveness. However, at a time of economic uncertainty, making the best use of those investments counts. The Device as a Service model is a budget-friendly, future-proof way to equip a mobile workforce with warehouse tablets. 

Warehouse Tablets Enable Organizations to Meet Today’s Challenges 

Deploying warehouse tablets is the key to solving some of the industry’s biggest problems. It eliminates paper-based processes that add time to workflows and create human error opportunities. Additionally, warehouse tablets increase employee productivity, which is particularly important during the labor shortage. They also allow a warehouse team to update inventory data in real-time, providing management and customers with much-needed visibility for smart decision making. 

To provide maximum value, however, warehouse tablets must be purpose-built. In addition to a rugged design for standing up to use in a harsh environment, warehouse tablets must be ergonomic. Employees need both hands to do their jobs safely and efficiently, so it’s often more practical and safer to mount tablets on forklifts or workstations on wheels or provide an easy way to carry them, such as wearing a holster. 

Rugged tablets for the warehouse also include multiple connectivity options, including Bluetooth, 4G or 5G, and Wi-Fi 6. In addition, they include security features, such as multifactor authentication (MFA), to ensure that only authorized personnel can use them.  

The evolution of warehouse tablets has also given administrators more effective ways to deploy and keep them operational. Services enable centralized management for fast configuration and provisioning and for providing insights into device health, security, and usage. With these solutions, warehouse operators always have the assurance that tablets are charged, in good operating condition, and secure. 

The Device as a Service Model Breaks Down Barriers to Tech Upgrades

Although warehouse tablets have evolved into valuable tools for competitive businesses, making a capital expenditure (CAPEX) for new devices can put an upgrade out of reach for some companies. The Device as a Service model eliminates those barriers and makes new technology upgrades possible.

With the Device as a Service model, companies:

Replace a CAPEX with an OPEX

Instead of paying for devices outright, warehouses pay a monthly fee to use tablets. The provider bundles everything the warehouse needs, including hardware, software, and management tools, into one package for one cost. Replacing capital expenditures with an operating expense makes it more likely for CFOs to approve new devices more quickly. 

Leave maintenance and service to the provider

The Device as a Service model includes solution service and support. As a result, the warehouse’s IT team isn’t burdened with deploying and maintaining new devices – and there aren’t any surprise costs for repairs that devices occasionally need due to everyday use. In addition, with the provider covering maintenance, repairs, and support, warehouses typically see a lower TCO when they choose a Device as a Service solution than when they purchase solutions outright and maintain them with in-house staff. 

Aren’t locked into obsolete technology

The rate of technological advancements is accelerating, making an outright purchase riskier. The Device as a Service model allows businesses to upgrade after their contract term, often 36 months, so they always use the best tech available for their operations. 

Can scale more easily

This model allows a warehouse to deploy the tablets it needs now and plan strategically to add more devices as demand increases. The Device as a Service provider can manage that plan economically and according to the company’s technology roadmap. 

Will benefit from the provider’s lifecycle management services

An experienced provider will manage warehouse tablets from selection to decommissioning, safely removing data and handling recycling or disposal responsibly.

Barcodes, Inc. Makes Deploying Warehouse Tablets Easy

As an experienced Device as a Service provider, Barcodes, Inc. is ready to provide you with the hardware, software, and services you need for a hassle-free, affordable warehouse tablet deployment or upgrade.

For three decades, Barcodes, Inc. has leveraged its industry and technical expertise and relationships with top manufacturers to successfully provide warehouse tablet solutions, tailoring them to meet specific customers’ needs. We also offer unparalleled customer service, proactively monitoring Device as a Service deployment and ensuring they always operate in peak condition.  

The Device as a Service model allows competitive warehouse operations to upgrade tablets for more efficient, productive operations. Contact us to see how this model can work for you. 

Within the barcode scanning industry, there has been rapid growth in retail and manufacturing. This growth is estimated to increase to more than US$1500 million between 201 and 2031. With the combination of growth, product demand, and inflation on the rise, there needs to be a more straightforward purchasing method for the tools and technologies companies use on a daily basis.

Device as a Service (DaaS) is a great solution to look for when purchasing new barcode scanners for your business. DaaS, also sometimes known as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), combines the elements of Hardware as a Service (HaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS) into one top-to-bottom solution with little to no upfront cost.

The global device as a service market size was valued at US$30.75 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 37.8% from 2021 to 2028.

So what are the benefits to you and your business when it comes to implementing a DaaS solution over buying outright materials?

1. Little To No Upfront Costs

The #1 perk of a DaaS program is not having upfront costs for your barcode scanners. You are able to pay overtime based on your exact needs. So don’t wait time and money on additional services, software, or hardware you don’t need.

As an example, in an operational lease or traditional contract, the customer agrees to use a product for a specific period of time. This time is agreed upon in advance with very minimal leniency. In contrast, an ‘as a service’ contract is very flexible and often on a monthly basis.

Build What Works For You

Having the ability to avoid upfront costs is ideal for many businesses, especially for startups and young companies. When looking for the right barcode provider and DaaS contract for you, ensure all your needs are met, from financials to software needs and equipment quantities, to properly stock your barcode scanning team.

2. Repair and Replacement Plans

Are you having labor shortage issues? No need to add additional IT staff when on a DaaS contract. Being on a DaaS plan, you will be surrounded by a very supportive culture. In this transaction you will, in essence, be leasing the equipment from your provider. When you are done with it, they will want to clean the device of your business’ data and refurbish the barcode scanners for another company. However, this can only be done if the equipment is appropriately taken care of while involved in a DaaS plan.

Both Sides Benefit

Regular maintenance is key to your DaaS contract and will benefit both parties.

Your provider is going to want to ensure any equipment you have out on DaaS is being updated with the latest and greatest, as well as adequately handled if an error or issue occurs.

Luckily, for your business, you will always have the most updated barcode scanning solutions and will have access to a reliable support staff for questions, issues, and updates. Best of all, the costs and effort associated with upgrades and new releases are lower than the traditional model.

3. Scalability Options

For most companies, an end goal is usually to grow and scale your business throughout the years. So why not work with a provider that allows your barcode scanning solutions to grow with you?

Being on a DaaS contract, you are able to add and take away hardware and software solutions as your company deems fit. From the start of your contract, your provider will lay out the required timelines for specific parts of the agreement. Still, they will never wave off adding new scanners or additional software features that can benefit you and help your business skyrocket to the next level.

So, What Are You Waiting For?

If you are struggling with inflation or old, outdated barcoding solutions, consider finding a barcode scanning provider that offers you the convenience of a DaaS contract. Eliminate the headache of upkeep, upfront costs, and working with different vendors, when you can get all elements of your barcode scanning solution from one provider for a low monthly cost that is built unique to your business needs.