Zebra Technologies Introduces Intuitive, Flexible Industrial Machine Vision and Fixed Scanning Solutions

Company further accelerates Enterprise Asset Intelligence vision through acquisition of Adaptive Vision and introduction of PartnerConnect Industrial Automation track

Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA), an innovator at the front line of business with solutions and partners that deliver a performance edge, today announced it has entered the fixed industrial scanning (FIS) and machine vision (MV) markets with a new portfolio of solutions that enable track and trace capabilities and quality inspection of manufacturing work in process. Zebra’s suite of machine vision smart cameras and fixed industrial scanners is unlocked by Zebra Aurora™, a unified software platform that can easily set up, deploy and run both cameras and scanners, meeting businesses’ need for simplicity, speed, productivity and efficiency.

Leveraging the same ultra-rugged stationary hardware, Zebra’s fixed industrial scanners and MV smart cameras can inspect production lines and product movement processes, helping improve quality in manufacturing, warehouse and logistics environments. Businesses can reduce complexity and costs by using Zebra Aurora which is designed to drive efficiency and productivity through advanced industrial automation processes. This technology also enables customers to accelerate their solution deployments and add functionality in the future as their needs evolve.

As part of its move into the FIS and MV markets, Zebra has acquired Adaptive Vision, a leading provider of graphical MV software for manufacturing and other industries. Adaptive Vision’s comprehensive set of tools and algorithms help power-users easily create complex MV applications while assisting customers who are relatively new to MV produce full-featured applications without coding. The addition of Adaptive Vision’s MV software, deep learning expertise and team of machine vision engineers will provide manufacturers greater visibility into the status and condition of their goods and assets through visual-based sensing and analytics capabilities.

“The acquisition of Adaptive Vision accelerates our Enterprise Asset Intelligence vision as we continue to embrace new methods of data capture to meet the expanding and evolving needs of our customers,” said Anders Gustafsson, Chief Executive Officer of Zebra Technologies. “We are pleased to welcome the talented Adaptive Vision team to the Zebra family to help expand our next generation of solutions including fixed industrial scanning and machine vision.”

These new industrial automation solutions expand on Zebra’s Cortexica acquisition and Zebra’s portfolio of vertically oriented intelligent edge solutions including SmartPack™ and SmartSight™ that utilize computer vision hardware and software to improve workflows at the operational edge of business.

“This is an exciting time to join Zebra and bring our machine vision software to help Zebra’s industrial customers operate more efficiently in increasingly automated, data-powered environments,” said Michał Czardybon, Chief Executive Officer of Adaptive Vision. “Our machine vision software and libraries are designed to allow users to easily build MV and deep learning applications, so this is a significant strategic enhancement to Zebra’s new solutions.”

Zebra’s flexible new portfolio includes seven fixed data capture products featuring a unique set of FIS and/or MV capabilities. Businesses can choose the products that meet their needs today and upgrade at any time to add support for new barcode symbologies, increased scanning speeds, or advanced machine vision tools via the simple purchase of a software license.

The fixed industrial scanners improve track and trace capabilities throughout the supply chain with flawless decoding of every part and package moving through production, storage and fulfillment. Capable of reading 1D/2D barcodes, direct part marks (DPM) and optical character recognition (OCR) text, Zebra’s fixed industrial scanners help improve productivity and automate the movement of goods, enhancing the efficiency of warehouse, shipping and returns processes. Zebra’s MV smart cameras are ideal for automating quality inspections in a variety of discrete manufacturing processes, reducing defects as well as validating assembly and tracking information to improve productivity and quality.

“We are excited to introduce our first suite of MV and FIS solutions for the industrial automation market,” said Donato Montanari, Vice President of Machine Vision Solutions, Zebra Technologies. “These solutions will provide a simple, out-of-box experience and superior reliability that enables maximum visibility and the rapid transformation of image capture into actionable business information.”

Zebra is also introducing a new specialized track in its award-winning PartnerConnect program for experienced industrial automation business partners, distributors and systems integrators. These select partners all have deep fixed industrial scanning, machine vision and automation expertise to help provide companies with the best possible solution.

Zebra funded the acquisition of Adaptive Vision with cash on hand. The transaction is expected to be immaterial to sales and profitability in the near term. Financial terms of the acquisition are not being disclosed.

Zebra Technologies Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements, as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, the statements regarding the company’s outlook and the ability to complete the acquisition of Profitect Inc. Actual results may differ from those expressed or implied in the company’s forward-looking statements. These statements represent estimates only as of the date they were made. Zebra undertakes no obligation, other than as may be required by law, to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or any other reason after the date of this release.

These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions and are subject to the risks and uncertainties inherent in Zebra’s industry, market conditions, general domestic and international economic conditions, and other factors. These factors include customer acceptance of Zebra’s hardware and software products and competitors’ product offerings, and the potential effects of technological changes. The continued uncertainty over future global economic conditions, the availability of credit and capital markets volatility may have adverse effects on Zebra, its suppliers and its customers. In addition, a disruption in our ability to obtain products from vendors as a result of supply chain constraints, natural disasters or other circumstances could restrict sales and negatively affect customer relationships. Profits and profitability will be affected by Zebra’s ability to control manufacturing and operating costs. Because of its debt, interest rates and financial market conditions will also have an impact on results. Foreign exchange rates will have an effect on financial results because of the large percentage of our international sales. The outcome of litigation in which Zebra may be involved is another factor. The success of integrating acquisitions could also affect profitability, reported results and the company’s competitive position in its industry. These and other factors could have an adverse effect on Zebra’s sales, gross profit margins and results of operations and increase the volatility of our financial results. When used in this release and documents referenced, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “outlook,” and “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to the company or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying these statements. Descriptions of the risks, uncertainties and other factors that could affect the company’s future operations and results can be found in Zebra’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company’s most recent Form 10-K.

ABOUT ADAPTIVE VISION

Adaptive Vision is a leading provider of user-friendly machine vision software. Since 2007, the company has been working as a reliable partner of machine builders, vision system integrators and industrial end-users.

ABOUT ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES

Zebra (NASDAQ: ZBRA) empowers the front line in retail/ecommerce, manufacturing, transportation and logistics, healthcare, public sector and other industries to achieve a performance edge. With more than 10,000 partners across 100 countries, Zebra delivers industry-tailored, end-to-end solutions to enable every asset and worker to be visible, connected and fully optimized. The company’s market-leading solutions elevate the shopping experience, track and manage inventory as well as improve supply chain efficiency and patient care. In 2020, Zebra made Forbes Global 2000 list for the second consecutive year and was listed among Fast Company’s Best Companies for Innovators. For more information, visit www.zebra.com or sign up for news alerts. Participate in Zebra’s Your Edge blog, follow the company on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook, and check out our Story Hub: Zebra Perspectives.

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.@ZebraTechnology introduces intuitive, flexible industrial machine vision and fixed scanning solutions