A new generation of wearable computers has entered the market. These new devices are the result of technology convergence, which is the tendency for technologies that were originally unrelated to become more closely integrated and even unified as they advance. The first wearable computing systems were introduced 20 years ago and are commonplace in warehouse and transportation environments, as they provide workers with a hands-free work experience that is ideally suited for workers who require the use of both hands to perform their job.

Until now, wearable solutions generally consisted of a central mobile computer, often attached to the worker's forearm, with peripherals such as a barcode scanner connected to it. These new variants combine the computer and scanner into a single device that is worn on the hand. These new devices reduce the number of batteries to charge, eliminate cabling between devices and reduce the overall device weight and size.

At the core of these new devices is the Android operating system, which allows them to be programmed like other mobile computers. Velocity from Ivanti Wavelink is already powering these devices and providing customers with the ability to integrate them into their existing environments with no changes to their warehouse management system (WMS) or transportation management system (TMS) solution.

The Zebra WS50 is one such device that targets scan-intensive workflows with a limited need for keyed data entry and display, like loading trucks, sorting boxes and picking orders. Using its scripting capabilities, Velocity makes it easy to convert traditional mobile computer application screen images to the smaller WS50 format by only showing the user the information required for each specific step of the workflow. For example, mobile workflows that are designed for traditional mobile computers generally display lots of information on the screen at one time (shelf, bin, part number, description and quantity). With Velocity, this same screen image can be rendered on the smaller WS50 in multiple pieces as the worker proceeds through the task: shelf and bin, followed by part number and description, followed by quantity. This approach helps focus the mobile worker on the specific task at hand without interfering with workflows being performed on other devices or requiring changes to the WMS or TMS application.

The WS50 is one of a long list of validated Zebra devices that run Velocity TE or Web app framework with millions of devices in use today.

To learn more about Velocity and the wide portfolio of mobile computing devices we support, visit the Ivanti Wavelink solutions directory.