Enterprise AI Transformation: A Regional Perspective
Enterprise AI transformation is reaching a critical juncture, with Zebra Technologies unveiling ambitious plans to revolutionize frontline operations across the Asia Pacific region. As CISQ estimates that poor software quality will cost US businesses $2.41 trillion in 2022, the push for practical, results-driven AI implementation is urgent.
Intelligent Automation: The Key to Practical AI Implementation
According to Tom Bianculli, Chief Technology Officer at Zebra Technologies, intelligent automation is the driving force behind the company’s three-pillar strategy. “We’re not just digitising workflows – we’re connecting wearable technology with robotic workflows, enabling frontline workers to seamlessly interact with automation in ways that were impossible just five years ago,” Bianculli explained.
Real-World Impact: Practical Applications Driving Change
The real-world impact of enterprise AI transformation is already evident in Zebra’s recent collaboration with a major North American retailer. The solution combines traditional AI with generative AI capabilities, enabling fast shelf analysis and automated task generation. “You snap a picture of a shelf, [and] within one second, the traditional AI identifies all the products on the shelf, identifies where there’s missing product, maybe misplaced product… and then it makes that information available to a Gen AI agent that then decides what should you do,” Bianculli explained.
Significant Operational Improvements
This level of automation has demonstrated significant operational improvements, reducing staffing requirements at the retailer by 25%. When it detects missing stock, the system automatically generates tasks for the right personnel, streamlining what was previously a multi-step manual process.
Asia Pacific: A Frontrunner in Enterprise AI Transformation
The Asia Pacific region is emerging as a frontrunner in enterprise AI transformation. IBM research presented at the briefing indicates that 54% of APAC enterprises now expect AI to deliver longer-term innovation and revenue generation benefits. The region’s AI investment priorities for 2025 are clearly defined:
* 21% focused on enhancing customer experiences
* 18% directed toward business process automation
* 16% invested in sales automation and customer lifecycle management
Innovation at the Edge
Zebra’s approach to AI deployment encompasses:
* AI devices with native neural architecture for on-device processing
* Multimodal experiences that mirror human cognitive capabilities
* Gen AI agents optimising workload distribution between edge and cloud
Advancing Edge Computing
The company is advancing its activities in edge computing, with Bianculli revealing plans for on-device language models. This innovation mainly targets environments where internet connectivity is restricted or prohibited, ensuring AI capabilities remain accessible regardless of network conditions.
Regional Market Dynamics
The enterprise AI transformation journey varies significantly across APAC markets. India’s landscape is particularly dynamic, with the country’s GDP projected to grow 6.6% and manufacturing expected to surge by 7% YOY. Its commitment to AI is evident, with 96% of organisations surveyed by WEF actively running AI programmes.
Japan presents a different scenario, with 1.2% projected GDP growth and some unique challenges to automation adoption. “We used to think that tablets are for retail, but the Bay Area proved us wrong,” Goh notes, highlighting unexpected applications in manufacturing and customer self-service solutions.
Future Trajectory
Gartner’s projections indicate that by 2027, 25% of CIOs will implement augmented connected workforce initiatives that will halve the time required for competency development. Zebra is already moving in this direction with its Z word companion, which uses generative AI and large language models and is scheduled for pilot deployment with select customers in Q2 of this year.
Positioned for Success
With a global presence spanning 120+ offices in 55 countries and 10,000+ channel partners across 185 countries, Zebra is positioned to play strongly in the enterprise AI transformation across APAC. As the region moves from AI experimentation to full-scale deployment, the focus remains on delivering practical innovations that drive measurable business outcomes and operational efficiency.
See Also: Walmart and Amazon Drive Retail Transformation with AI
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