Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA), a global leader in digitizing and automating workflows to deliver intelligent operations, today announced new research in collaboration with Oxford Economics. The study showcases how improving frontline workflows with modern technologies like AI, automation and data improves profitability and enhances the customer experience.

The research also highlights the transformative impact that improved workflows can have within the retail, manufacturing, and transportation & logistics (T&L) industries. For example, retailers reported a 21% improvement in customer satisfaction, manufacturers cited a 19% increase in employee productivity, and T&L leaders reported a 21% increase in productivity with better workflows. In addition, the study indicates AI investments help organizations achieve real-time visibility, generate actionable insights and improve efficiency.

Frontline Workflow Optimization Drives Financial Growth

If the top 20 organizations from the Forbes Global 2000 list in each of these industries – retail, manufacturing, and T&L – achieved meaningful improvements in their frontline workflows, Oxford Economics estimates that each company could potentially earn an average of US$3 billion in higher revenue, and an average of US$120 million in added profit.

Organizations which embrace intelligent operations – integrating advanced technologies like AI, automation and data with human expertise to optimize business processes – report significant gains. The study titled, “Impact of Intelligent Operations” indicates:

• Retailers achieved up to 1.8-percentage-point increases in revenue growth and profitability through improvements in their prioritized workflow of inventory management.
• Manufacturers optimizing their top workflow of quality control and assurance saw revenue growth uplift by 2.4 percentage points and profitability improvements of 1.4 percentage points.
• T&L firms optimizing key delivery and inventory workflows experienced a revenue growth increase 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 precision drive growth and elevate frontline productivity and improve customer experiences,” said Joe White, Chief Product & Solutions Officer, Zebra Technologies. “Intelligent operations simplify complexity by combining the best of advanced technologies with the people on the frontline, enabling organizations to adapt to rapid change and thrive in competitive markets."

Tech Investments, including AI, Deliver Tangible Benefits

According to the study:

• Retailers are piloting AI to address critical areas like loss prevention, risk detection, and inventory optimization.
• Over two-thirds of T&L organizations and nearly half of manufacturers are deploying AI for inventory management, demand forecasting, and predictive analytics.
• Advanced tools, such as RFID and machine vision, are central to enhancing operational visibility and efficiency across industries.

From the warehouse floor, production line, and retail aisle to the patient bedside, Zebra provides solutions that help organizations navigate persistent challenges such as labor shortages and shifting consumer expectations. Zebra’s new brand platform, “Better Every Day,” reinforces the company’s commitment to deliver intelligent, connected solutions and services that continuously enhance frontline performance, agility, and responsiveness across critical workflows.

“Zebra Technologies empowers organizations of all sizes globally to continuously drive better processes and adapt to changing conditions,” said Bill Burns, Chief Executive Officer, Zebra Technologies. “Our powerful portfolio of connected frontline, asset visibility and intelligent automation solutions is purpose-built to support modern workflows and improve the way work gets done every day.”

Through deep industry expertise and a global ecosystem of partners, Zebra harnesses the power of these advanced technologies in a portfolio of products and solutions that enable organizations to:

• Capture and act on real-time data to inform faster, smarter decisions.
• Streamline repetitive tasks, reduce manual errors and improve consistency.
• Redesign workflows for simplicity, speed and increased productivity.
• Leverage AI for the frontline to continuously drive innovation at the point of work.