Mobile Device Storage & Charging with Zebra Intelligent Cabinets
Better Management of Mobile Device Fleets with Zebra’s Storage Solution
As businesses acquire growing fleets of mobile computers and tablet PCs, effective management of these devices presents challenges. Enterprises often struggle with ensuring devices are adequately charged, tracking who has last signed out devices, and maintaining security to keep the company assets safe.
These challenges can lead to increased operational costs: workers have downtime due to devices which aren’t adequately charged, and economic costs due to device loss or theft. Zebra Technologies addresses these issues with its Intelligent Cabinets product line, offering a comprehensive solution for storage, charging, and management of your Zebra mobile computers and tablets.
Note: Since this article was published, Zebra has renamed Intelligent Cabinets to Guardian Cabinets.
Challenges in Managing Mobile Computers
Companies deploying numerous mobile computers face several hurdles:
Device Tracking: Without a centralized system, keeping tabs on each device’s location becomes cumbersome, increasing the risk of loss or misplacement.
Charging Management: Ensuring all devices are charged and ready for use is critical. Inconsistent charging can lead to downtime, affecting productivity.
Security Concerns: Unauthorized access or theft of devices can compromise sensitive data and lead to financial losses.
These challenges not only disrupt workflows but also escalate costs related to device replacement, repairs, and operational inefficiencies. That’s where the Intelligent Cabinets storage solution steps in:
Zebra’s Intelligent Cabinet Solution
Zebra Intelligent Cabinets provide an integrated approach to these challenges by offering:
Secure Storage: Customized cabinets and Zebra intelligent racks ensure devices are stored safely, reducing the risk of loss or damage.
Efficient Charging: Built-in charging capabilities guarantee that devices are powered and ready for deployment at the start of every shift.
Automated Management: The system automates device tracking and access management, streamlining operations and enhancing security.
Zebra Intelligent Cabinets are ideal for use in logistics, manufacturing, the warehouse, and retail environments. By consolidating devices into a centralized system, Zebra’s solution enhances device readiness and operational efficiency.
Key Features of the Intelligent Cabinet Product Line
Configurability: The modular design of Zebra’s cabinets allows businesses to customize storage solutions to fit various device types and quantities, ensuring optimal space utilization.
Device Monitoring: Integrated software provides real-time insights into device status, including battery levels and usage patterns, facilitating proactive management.
Charging Options: The cabinets are equipped with power distribution units, ensuring that all stored devices are charged simultaneously, eliminating downtime due to uncharged equipment. You can utilize the correct charging cradles for your Zebra device models.
Security and user accountability: Enhanced security features, such as key barrel locks and the Zebra Access Management System (ZAMS), control and monitor device access, reducing unauthorized usage and potential theft.
Ensuring User Accountability with ZAMS
The Zebra Access Management System (ZAMS) is a pivotal component in promoting user accountability. This software solution automates device access management by:
User Authentication: Requiring workers to authenticate before accessing devices, ensuring that only authorized users can retrieve equipment.
Usage Tracking: Recording which user has taken which device and when, fostering a sense of responsibility and enabling quick issue resolution.
Battery Status Monitoring: Providing visibility into device battery levels, allowing users to ensure devices are adequately charged before use.
By implementing ZAMS, organizations can significantly reduce device loss and damage, leading to a lower total cost of ownership.
Hardware Requirements for ZAMS
ZAMS can run on Zebra Tablet PCs such as the ET60 , or the Zebra CC6000 Kiosk computer. The device is mounted on the outside of the cabinet, and as seen in the screen graphic above, it provides at-a-glance visibility into quantities of devices which are available, in use, or missing, allowing managers to quickly remedy problems. Behind the scenes, ZAMS keeps track of device usage, enabling audits and accountability if devices go missing.
Learn More About the Intelligent Cabinet Mobile Device Storage Solution
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Intelligent Cabinets, now called Zebra Guardian Cabinets
Q: What is a Guardian Cabinet, and how does it help manage our mobile device fleet? A. Guardian Cabinets are Zebra’s enterprise device storage and management solution, built to keep mobile computers, tablets, and mobile printers (including Zebra’s TC2x, TC5x, and TC7x device families) charged, secured, and accounted for between shifts. Rather than devices being left scattered across a warehouse floor or checked out informally, Guardian Cabinets centralize storage in a single, purpose-built rack system — giving IT and operations leadership a consistent process for device deployment and return.
Q: How many devices can a Guardian Cabinet hold, and does it scale to our operation’s size? A. Guardian Cabinets are available in six sizes, from Compact to Extreme, supporting anywhere from 5 to 100 units depending on device type and cradle configuration. Single- and double-sided modular racks can each hold 30 to 60 devices in a mix of configurations, so a distribution center running a large fleet and a smaller cold storage or manufacturing site can both be outfitted with a right-sized solution rather than an off-the-shelf cabinet that doesn’t match the operation.
Q: Will devices be fully charged and ready at the start of every shift? A. Yes. Guardian Cabinets include integrated battery charging, so devices dock, charge, and stay ready for the next shift without staff needing to manage charging separately. For operations running multiple shifts, this removes one of the more common causes of delayed shift starts — workers waiting on a charged device or hunting for one that wasn’t returned to a charger.
Q: How do Guardian Cabinets improve device security and accountability? A. Each cabinet provides multiple layers of security, including mechanical cradle locks compatible with intelligent racks, so devices can’t simply walk off the floor. Just as important, the system supports personal ownership and accountability by tracking which user is assigned to which device. That visibility is often what reduces loss, damage, and replacement costs more than the physical lock itself — when a device is tied to a specific user, it tends to get treated with more care.
Q: Can we manage and monitor devices remotely, and does this integrate with our existing device management approach? A. Guardian Cabinets connect to the cloud, enabling remote management and reporting from anywhere. The system runs on Device Guardian Access Management software, which automates device administration, manages access control, and tracks individual assignments and usage through a cloud-based interface. For IT teams already running an MDM platform, this adds a layer of physical device accountability that complements software-based fleet management — giving both IT and warehouse operations leadership a clearer picture of where devices are and who’s responsible for them.
