How Zebra’s EM45 Mobile Boosts Circularity and Productivity
Zebra Technologies, a mobile computing company, has launched its new AI-ready EM45 Enterprise Mobile.
The new mobile is designed to enhance productivity for frontline managers and workers in retail, hospitality, healthcare, manufacturing and warehousing.
Beyond its technical capabilities, the EM45 also reinforces Zebra’s ongoing commitment to sustainable business practices.
Enhancing frontline efficiency
Frontline workers across industries increasingly rely on mobile technology to manage workloads, collaborate with colleagues and solve challenges in real time.
Zebra’s latest research confirms this with 91% of warehouse associates citing task management as essential to solving workplace challenges – 88% value ergonomic mobile devices.
87% of retail associates feel more valued when equipped with modern technology, with a strong preference for store-issued devices.
Zebra data shows that in healthcare, mobile computers are ranked among the top three transformative technologies for improving inventory accuracy and visibility in non-clinical roles.
The EM45 is addressing these needs directly.
It features an AI-capable Qualcomm processor, dual work and personal profiles and push-to-talk collaboration.
A standout feature is its 25-hour battery life and the ability to transform into a desktop workstation with Zebra’s Workstation Connect.
"This new class of sleek enterprise mobile computers can be carried in your pocket as a company-owned, personally enabled device," explains James Poulton, Senior Vice President, Enterprise Mobile Computing, Zebra Technologies.
"The EM45 enables better real-time decision-making along with improved collaboration, orchestration and intelligence for frontline workers across multiple industries."
Multi-industry versatility
The EM45 is tailored to real-world demands across multiple industries, including:
Retail
The EM45 can scan products, take payments and manage stock levels with ease, improving inventory visibility and reducing shrinkage.
Logistics
High-resolution imaging can support proof of delivery and barcode scanning, enabling more accurate and timely deliveries.
Healthcare
Clinicians can use the EM45 to track medical assets and patient locations, improving care coordination and reducing delays.
Manufacturing
The device has rugged durability and AI capabilities, supporting real-time tracking, quality control and task management in complex production environments.
The EM45 series also includes a model with a built-in RFID reader, eliminating the need for multiple devices and boosting workflow efficiency.
“For years, we’ve been embedding AI into our products, elevating outcomes for our customers and partners,” says Yogesh Kulkarni, Vice President, Product and Solution Strategy, Zebra Technologies.
“Our AI-enabled solutions are shaping the future of frontline operations by creating new ways of working.
“We’re proud to collaborate with our extensive partner community and customers to enhance our AI and GenAI capabilities to automate workflows, streamline processes and boost efficiency, making work easier every day.”
Sustainability at its core
Zebra Technologies’ innovation is not limited to hardware.
The company integrates sustainability across the product lifecycle through its award-winning Circular Economy Programme.
The programme has helped to significantly reduce the company’s electronic waste since launch through its:
- Device Buy-Back: Customers return end-of-life Zebra devices, which are then refurbished, resold or responsibly recycled.
- Certified Refurbished Devices: Zebra extends device life while offering customers affordable and sustainable alternatives.
- Recycling Services: Devices beyond repair are dismantled and recycled in compliance with environmental regulations.
To date, more than 600 metric tons of end-of-life products have been diverted from landfill through these initiatives.
Emissions and energy commitments
Zebra has set science-based emissions targets, pledging to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50%, and Scope 3 emissions by 15% by 2030.
Concrete steps include:
- Energy-efficient upgrades, such as LED retrofits across 350,000 sq ft of supply chain facilities.
- The company’s repair site in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, now runs on 100% renewable energy.
- EV chargers are being installed at major sites, and Zebra’s top suppliers already average 40% renewable energy use, with some reaching 80%.
“Leveraging the right technology solutions is crucial for driving better outcomes, and automation is the key to the future,” wrote Richard Hudson, Chief Revenue Officer at Zebra Technologies, on LinkedIn.
The EM45 Enterprise Mobile isn’t just an advanced tool for frontline productivity, it embodies Zebra Technologies’ comprehensive approach to innovation and sustainability.
By designing devices that are smarter, more efficient and more environmentally conscious, Zebra is helping organisations across industries advance both operational excellence and climate responsibility.
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