HÀ NỘI — Warehouse leaders in Việt Nam are being urged to accelerate digital transformation and adopt intelligent automation, as frontline workers across the region express growing concerns over workplace safety, labour shortages and the pressure of rising operational demands.

This call to action follows the release of Zebra Technologies Corporation’s latest Warehousing Vision Study titled 'Elevating Every Move: The Formula for High-Performance Warehousing'. 

The report shows that 63 per cent of warehouse leaders globally – and the same percentage in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region – plan to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) software within the next five years. In APAC, 65 per cent also intend to adopt augmented reality (AR) software in that timeframe.

“As Việt Nam embraces intelligent automation and accelerates into a smarter future that drives warehousing longevity, it is critical for local warehouse leaders to actively digitise, automate and elevate intelligence to transform their staff into connected frontline workers,” said Christanto Suryadarma, sales vice president for Southeast Asia, South Korea and Channel APJeC, Zebra Technologies.

According to Zebra’s findings, 64 per cent of warehouse leaders worldwide – and 63 per cent in APAC –plan to increase spending on warehouse modernisation over the next five years. At the same time, 63 per cent globally and 64 per cent in APAC plan to speed up their digitalisation timelines by 2029.

The sense of urgency is reinforced by warehouse associates themselves. Globally, 85 per cent of frontline workers (88 per cent in APAC) believe their organisations will fail to meet business goals if they do not invest in technology to improve operations. Many also expressed concerns about time spent on manual tasks and 74 per cent globally (77 per cent in APAC) feel they are burdened with tasks that could be automated.

Workplace safety remains a top concern. Seventy-two per cent of warehouse associates globally – and 79 per cent in APAC – said they are worried about safety on increasingly busy warehouse floors. Seventy per cent globally and 72 per cent in APAC are specifically concerned about the risk of injuries. Additionally, fatigue and physical exhaustion were cited by 69 per cent of global workers and 76 per cent in APAC.

“Automating material movement, data collection, and information management is a win-win outcome for all,” said Vivien Tay, APAC Vertical Solutions Lead for Transport & Logistics, Warehouse and Healthcare at Zebra Technologies.

“As it makes busy warehouses safer, teams can more effectively meet service-level agreements and maintain a steady, reliable flow of quality goods to the market, increasing both customer satisfaction and worker engagement.”

The report also found that technology is seen as key to talent attraction and retention.

Ninety-three per cent of global warehouse workers (92 per cent in APAC) believe automation and mobile technologies would help bring in and keep qualified staff. Workers also reported feeling more valued when provided with tools that reduce manual strain - 89 per cent globally and 90 per cent in APAC agreed.

Warehouse leaders share similar expectations. More than four in five (82 per cent globally, 84 per cent in APAC) believe technology will help workers meet productivity goals while also reducing physical stress and preventing injuries. Around 81 per cent globally and 80 per cent in APAC also agree that automation improves morale.

While many warehouse leaders are planning to invest in AI to improve safety, quality control and inventory management, challenges remain. Nearly half admit difficulties in meeting order fill rates and preparing accurate shipments, with order accuracy and outbound processes cited among the top operational pain points. Meanwhile, 37 per cent globally and 36 per cent in APAC cite the pressure of faster delivery expectations as a growing challenge.

To help address these issues, Zebra is offering a portfolio of advanced products suited for the warehousing industry, including enterprise mobile computers (ET60, MC3400), rugged scanners (DS3600-XR), RFID solutions (FXR90), and machine vision systems. These tools are designed to support warehouse operations in Việt Nam and across the region as the industry works to modernise and meet rising customer expectations. — BIZHUB