The termination of Windows CE Support, has the potential to cause major disruption to your operations, but with our ultimate upgrade solution of migrating to Android, you can ensure that your Supply Chain won’t be affected. However, we at Labelman Ltd understand that this is a huge transition that raises a lot of questions.

To assist you with your upgrade, we have devised a list of FAQs from our customers:

Should I Upgrade Now?

If you’re going to keep pace with new demands and keep devices secure, you’ll need to upgrade the devices workers use day in and day out. This will also boost worker productivity, and data performance.

Should I Still Migrate if my Current Devices Work Just Fine?

This is highly advised, as some parts such as chips are no longer being made on legacy windows devices. If Zebra runs out of stock, then you’ll be forced to retire the device completely, which can disrupt your daily operations.

Why is it Better to Upgrade an Entire Device Versus Just the OS?

New hardware brings improved functionality, continuity of parts (less chance of issues with supply components), better battery performance and productivity gains thanks to intuitive user interfaces on new form factors.

Can I Avoid Having to Re- customize My Apps?

Yes, but this does depend on the application. Zebra’s all-Touch Terminal Emulation, powered by Ivanti, can run on your devices in green-screen mode right out of the box. For other apps, migration is inevitable, given Microsoft’s end of support. It’s just a question of when you want to seize the advantages of modern technology. Now or Later?

Is Android Secure?

Over the years, Android has demonstrated a history of incremental security enhancements, such as NSA “Security Enhanced” (SELinnux) features, per-user VPNS, and Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR), amongst others. Android OS is meeting regulatory security certifications in multiple verticals, including retail via Pcl DSS, healthcare’s HIPAA and government’s FIPS 140-2.

Are Security Breaches a Threat to Your Supply Chain?

It should be said that any business can be a target. Most of your devices run on Windows CE, a 20-year-old operating system. They’re simply not architected to handle modern-day threats. Microsoft have now declared that it is not going to be patching these devices for such vulnerabilities, which can stall your operations, ultimately posing threats onto your business revenue and future prospects.

Standard Android OS Support Lasts for Three Years. How Does Zebra Support my Device for Five to Ten Years?

With the purchase of Zebra OneCare, you can extend the protection of your Zebra Android devices up to 10 years with LifeGuard for Android. LifeGuard gives you predictable, periodic security updates and legacy OS security support with transitioning to a newer OS. Frequent updates will enhance your security, and LifeGuard makes them easy to install at your discretion, either locally or remotely.

Although this may answer a lot of your questions, for further assistance on Zebra for Android and Zebra OneCare, you can contact us here.

You can find more information on Zebra for Android here.

Labelman Ltd are Zebra Technologies Premier Supplier of Printers, Scanners, Handheld Devices, Barcode Labels, Ribbons and Support Services.