Expanded research across retail, transportation and logistics, and manufacturing links AI, automation and data-driven workflow upgrades to higher profits, faster operations and improved worker satisfaction.
Zebra Technologies said updated research conducted with Oxford Economics found that organizations in retail, transportation and logistics, and manufacturing can achieve operational and financial gains by modernizing frontline workflows with AI, automation and data. The study, based on surveys and econometric analysis of 1,000 senior leaders across eight markets, said manufacturers that improved supply chain and inventory management reported a potential $6.6 million profit increase for a typical organization, while maintenance workflow upgrades were linked to a $6.2 million uplift and production-line improvements to $3.5 million. In retail, modernizing point of sale was associated with a potential $4 million increase in profits, and in transportation and logistics, improving shipping and loading workflows was tied to a potential $2.8 million gain. The report also linked workflow upgrades to workforce outcomes: 34% of transportation and logistics firms that improved picking and packing reported better staff retention and satisfaction, 54% said they increased operational speed, and 56% of manufacturers reported productivity gains from modernizing production lines. Zebra said the findings point to accelerating AI adoption, including among manufacturers prioritizing production-line improvements and transportation and logistics firms seeking to upgrade shipping and loading workflows.