BY BEN AMES, SENIOR NEWS EDITOR
MOBILE TECH
Technology
Distribution centers across the country are on the verge of replacing their fleets
of mobile computers, as Microsoft backs out of the market. But experts say there’s
more to a refresh cycle than just swapping one brand of handheld for another.
MANAGERS TODAY NEED WIDE-RANGING TECHnology expertise to keep up with the fast-changing demands
of logistics and fulfillment operations. On any given day,
their challenges could range from installing the robotic and
automated systems required to keep up with Amazon.com
Inc. to deploying the augmented reality (AR), gamification,
and social media tools many DCs have introduced as a way
to engage the millennials in their workforce.
There’s another issue that demands a more timely
response, however, and finding the right answer could be
more complex than it seems.
That issue concerns the ubiquitous mobile devices—
think bar-code scanners and tablets—that have become
nearly indispensable in today’s warehouse and fulfillment
operations. Many—if not most—of those mobile devices
run on the Windows 10 Mobile operating system (OS),
which means they are about to become “unsupport-
ed” devices. In December, Redmond, Washington-based
Microsoft Corp. will end its support for those units, mean-
ing it will stop providing security patches and anti-virus
updates. After that point, the Windows-powered devices
will still work, but they will be increasingly vulnerable to
hacks and cyberattacks, putting both customer and corpo-
rate data at risk.
Interviews with vendors and customers indicate that
many companies will migrate to Google Inc.’s Android
operating system, while a smaller number may switch to
than just making a straight trade.
