Android mobile development for Zebra devices: challenges and key insights

In this first article, we’ll talk about the customer requirements we had to meet, and why we decided to recommend Zebra Solutions. We’ll also share some of the trickier aspects we encountered during the development process. In the following articles, we’ll dive deeper into these challenges and break down how we tackled the technical side.

It’s important to note that the series covers the development experiences of target applications that are not available to the general public, were not uploaded to Google Play, and were often developed and optimized for a limited number of specific hardware types. These applications are typically used by employees in certain departments of a company. They generally support logistics processes (warehousing, on-site traffic), manufacturing processes, or e-commerce backend processes. These are cases where employees need to be provided with a dedicated device that performs its tasks with pinpoint accuracy, speed, and reliability, making daily work more efficient. However, this does not mean that the solutions presented cannot be applied in other types of applications.

Label printing is a very common requirement. Customers typically expect to be able to print small labels with minimal data, but they need to be printed quickly and locally. These printed labels can be used in a variety of ways, such as attaching an identifier to a physical object that, when scanned later, can provide additional information to the business. This makes it easy to identify individual items. For example, in a warehouse with thousands of products, picking up a product and scanning it allows you to quickly determine its specifications, history and other useful details.

The best way to print these labels is with a small, portable, wireless label printer. There are many label printers on the market with these features, so making the right choice can be difficult. Firstly, it's important to identify the key characteristics that will guide your decision. These could include a stable manufacturer with a long market presence and comprehensive integration and support options.

QR codes are often printed on labels for tracking purposes. The device needs to have a QR code reader that can read and identify these codes. When it comes to scanning QR codes on Android devices, there are two methods we can use. The first works with almost any Android device, while the second requires special hardware.

The easiest way to scan a QR code with a phone—which any Android device can do—is by using the device's camera. There are plenty of ready-made solutions for a QR code reader app that can be easily integrated into an Android app to handle both the camera and the QR code scanning process for us.

The other option is to purchase an Android device with a built-in laser QR code reader. In this case, the device typically comes with a physical button that allows you to quickly and easily activate the QR code reader. Once the QR code is successfully scanned, the application receives the scanned code, and from there, we can start processing it according to the specific needs of the project.

You might ask: if every Android device has a camera, why would you need a device with a built-in QR code reader? The answer is that it saves time. For example, scanning with a camera can take 5-10 seconds, whereas a built-in scanner can do the job in 1-2 seconds. If you scan 1,000 QR codes a day, this difference becomes significant, allowing you to use the time saved for other productive tasks.

For dedicated applications, clients typically require that no other applications are accessible on the device, meaning that the application should run in Kiosk mode. This is useful when we want to ensure that no other applications can be used. For example, we may not want employees using social media apps on devices that are primarily provided to streamline work processes.

There are several solutions. Rooting the device can achieve the desired functionality, but comes with security risks. Another option is Google's Lock Task Mode, which allows us to manage the app through the Google Play Store, including handling updates. This dependency may not be acceptable in all cases. However, some manufacturers provide built-in solutions for running applications in kiosk mode. In these cases, either a configuration provided by the platform must be set up, or a pre-installed mobile application designed for this purpose can be used to enable kiosk mode. As with most things, a custom solution is the most reliable, but the configuration is often not straightforward.

Internet coverage is pretty widespread these days, and it's rare for a device to be unable to connect to a Wi-Fi or cellular network. Therefore, most applications rely on a backend application running on a remote server. The data required for the user and the functionality of the app is stored in the server's database. However, this means that the app can only operate at full capacity when there is an internet connection.

However, there are situations where internet coverage is unavailable or unstable. Think of a large warehouse or a collection point on the outskirts of a city or in a rural area. In such cases, the device needs to process data 'offline first', and when internet access becomes available, it can synchronise with the server - ideally without the user even noticing. However, this increases the complexity of the application and requires careful planning to avoid data loss. For example, two devices operating in offline mode may be editing the same data, and when they reconnect to the Internet, their changes may conflict.

With Zebra devices, we have addressed the customer needs mentioned above. There are many reasons why we chose Zebra devices such as tablets, phones and Bluetooth Zebra label printers.

The main reason for choosing these devices was that they are optimised for harsh environments, making them ideal for use in warehouses and rural areas where conditions are often less than ideal. The rugged design and reliability of Zebra devices ensures that they'll continue to operate smoothly in harsh environments, whether it's dust, moisture or extreme temperatures.

Here are a few examples, but this is not an exhaustive list:

Another important factor was that Zebra offers a comprehensive ecosystem that covers all the necessary functions. They offer several wireless Zebra label printers that come with Android SDKs for integration, as well as tablets and phones with built-in laser QR code scanners. This allowed us to stay within a single ecosystem, simplifying both integration and operation. There was no need to experiment with devices from different manufacturers as Zebra provided a complete solution.

Another key consideration was the level of support Zebra provides to users. There are many support applications pre-installed on the devices, such as those that make it easy to set up kiosk mode. The devices are highly customisable to meet individual needs, providing additional flexibility in their use.

Last but not least, Zebra is a long-established company with a proven track record in the market. Their equipment is widely used and trusted in various industries. This has given us the confidence to recommend them to our customers, knowing that they offer stable and reliable long-term solutions.