AI-Enabled Workflows Lift Profitability and Productivity

29 Jul 2026 CW Team

The research covered 1,000 senior leaders across retail, manufacturing, transportation and logistics in the US, Mexico, the UK, Germany, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

In transportation and logistics, 54 per cent of companies that improved picking and packing operations reported faster operational performance, while 34 per cent recorded stronger staff retention and satisfaction. Around 56 per cent of manufacturers reported productivity gains after modernising production lines.

The study estimated that manufacturers improving supply chain and inventory management could achieve a potential profit increase of $6.6 million for a typical organisation. Modernising maintenance workflows could add $6.2 million, while upgrading production lines could contribute $3.5 million.

In retail, modernising point-of-sale operations could generate a potential $4 million profit increase. Transportation and logistics companies improving shipping and loading workflows could record gains of around $2.8 million.

Subramaniam Thiruppathi, Country Lead, India and Subcontinent, Zebra Technologies, said Indian companies are increasingly focusing on measurable outcomes from technology investments. He added that AI, automation and real-time visibility can simplify frontline workflows, improve productivity and create financial value.

The research also highlighted growing demand for AI across industries. In manufacturing, 50 per cent of leaders planning to improve production lines identified AI as their leading technology priority. Interest in AI for shipping and loading operations also increased sharply among transportation and logistics companies seeking further improvements.

Tom Bianculli, Chief Technology Officer, Zebra Technologies, said integrating intelligence into daily workflows can simplify operations, strengthen frontline productivity and convert insights into measurable action.

Zebra said its technologies help organisations improve asset visibility, reduce manual errors, automate repetitive activities and support real-time decision-making across frontline operations.

The study used surveys and econometric analysis to examine workflows including inventory management, quality control, delivery operations, material handling, loss prevention, production lines and point-of-sale systems."

Organisations modernising frontline workflows with artificial intelligence, automation and real-time data are reporting stronger financial performance, higher productivity and improved employee engagement, according to a global study by Zebra Technologies and Oxford Economics.The research covered 1,000 senior leaders across retail, manufacturing, transportation and logistics in the US, Mexico, the UK, Germany, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.In transportation and logistics, 54 per cent of companies that improved picking and packing operations reported faster operational performance, while 34 per cent recorded stronger staff retention and satisfaction. Around 56 per cent of manufacturers reported productivity gains after modernising production lines.The study estimated that manufacturers improving supply chain and inventory management could achieve a potential profit increase of $6.6 million for a typical organisation. Modernising maintenance workflows could add $6.2 million, while upgrading production lines could contribute $3.5 million.In retail, modernising point-of-sale operations could generate a potential $4 million profit increase. Transportation and logistics companies improving shipping and loading workflows could record gains of around $2.8 million.Subramaniam Thiruppathi, Country Lead, India and Subcontinent, Zebra Technologies, said Indian companies are increasingly focusing on measurable outcomes from technology investments. He added that AI, automation and real-time visibility can simplify frontline workflows, improve productivity and create financial value.The research also highlighted growing demand for AI across industries. In manufacturing, 50 per cent of leaders planning to improve production lines identified AI as their leading technology priority. Interest in AI for shipping and loading operations also increased sharply among transportation and logistics companies seeking further improvements.Tom Bianculli, Chief Technology Officer, Zebra Technologies, said integrating intelligence into daily workflows can simplify operations, strengthen frontline productivity and convert insights into measurable action.Zebra said its technologies help organisations improve asset visibility, reduce manual errors, automate repetitive activities and support real-time decision-making across frontline operations.The study used surveys and econometric analysis to examine workflows including inventory management, quality control, delivery operations, material handling, loss prevention, production lines and point-of-sale systems.

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