Zebra Technologies, a provider of digitising and automating workflows to deliver intelligent operations, has highlighted some of the key trends poised to influence the manufacturing, logistics, retail and public sector industries in 2026. As businesses grapple with labor shortages, supply chain disruptions and heightened consumer expectations, they are accelerating their adoption of advanced technologies to drive efficiency, build resilience and empower their connected frontline.
“The pace of change across the Asia Pacific region demands a new level of operational intelligence and that starts with empowering the frontline,” said Eric Ananda, Country Manager, Indonesia, Zebra Technologies. “Our focus is on delivering solutions that connect assets, data and people in real time. By leveraging AI-powered automation, machine vision and advanced analytics, organisations can overcome today’s challenges and unlock new opportunities for growth and profitability”.
The Modernisation of Manufacturing
To combat labour shortages and boost efficiency, manufacturers are turning to AI-driven solutions. A recent study by Zebra and Oxford Economics found that optimising quality control could increase a manufacturer’s revenue by up to 2.4 percentage points. In 2026, the adoption of AI-powered machine vision for real-time quality control will be critical in minimising errors and waste. Simultaneously, leveraging intelligent automation and RFID will provide the asset visibility needed to build more resilient supply chains.
Advancing Transport & Logistics
The logistics sector is moving beyond basic tracking to embrace predictive analytics. Real-time asset visibility, enabled by RFID and data from IoT-enabled devices, is becoming standard for high-value goods. To meet consumer demands for faster, more sustainable delivery, companies are adopting AI-driven analytics for dynamic route optimization. This focus on workflow optimization has already yielded a 21% productivity improvement for T&L organizations, underscoring the ROI of a connected supply chain.
Retail Digitisation
Retailers are leveraging AI and unified data platforms to deliver personalised customer experiences while streamlining operations. Self-service technologies like scan-and-go, self-checkout and intelligent kiosks are becoming mainstream. On the back end, retailers are addressing shrink and productivity challenges by empowering frontline workers with mobile devices and RFID-enabled inventory systems.
Building Resilient Supply Chains
The Zebra study with Oxford Economics estimates that top global organisations could unlock an average of USD 3 billion in higher revenue and USD 120 million in added profit by meaningfully improving their frontline workflows. This highlights the transformative impact of connecting every asset and worker in the supply chain with intelligent automation and advanced analytics to anticipate disruptions and improve decision-making.
The Rise of Intelligent Warehousing
E-commerce growth continues to fuel warehouse innovation, with AI-powered Warehouse Execution Systems (WES) and real-time data from IoT-enabled devices enabling faster, more accurate order fulfillment. Tools offering predictive analytics, like Zebra’s VisibilityIQ Foresight, maximise device uptime and prevent workflow disruptions. By optimising workflows, these solutions also reduce E-waste and unnecessary travel, helping organisations meet their sustainability targets.
Public Sector Modernisation
Public sector agencies are accelerating their digital modernisation efforts to improve service delivery and operational efficiency. In 2026, empowering frontline workers in areas like public safety, field service and administration with rugged mobile devices and real-time data will be critical for enhancing interagency collaboration and ensuring community resilience while protecting sensitive data.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- AI and automation are critical for addressing workforce challenges and optimising complex workflows across all major industries.
- Data-driven insights are essential for building the agile and resilient supply chains required to compete in 2026.
- Empowering frontline workers with intelligent tools is the key to unlocking significant gains in productivity, profitability and customer satisfaction.
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