Managing inventory can feel like a never-ending game of catch-up, especially in fast-moving industries like retail. The good news? Technology is changing the way we handle it, and two of the most powerful tools leading the charge are electronic shelf labels (ESLs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) that scan inventory. They’re impressive on their own, but when combined, they create a powerful and seamless solution that optimizes both the operational and the shopper experience.

‍What makes electronic shelf labels so useful?

Think of ESLs as the smarter sibling to traditional price tags. Instead of needing to physically swap out price stickers or update product information, ESLs can be easily managed and updated digitally. Whether it’s changing the price for a promotion or updating the product details, everything can be updated in real-time across your stores. That means less paper waste, fewer mistakes, and faster operations.

Reasons why businesses choose ESLs:

• Instant updates: Say goodbye to slow, manual updates and hello to real-time changes.
• Fewer mistakes: Everything is synced with your inventory system, so you can ensure you’re showing the correct info.
• Eco-friendly: No more endless piles of printed labels, making it a win for both businesses and the planet.
• Better oversight: Digitally managing price tags enables better transparency and visibility across operations. 

One of the leading providers of ESL technology is JRTech Solutions, whose Pricer electronic shelf label (ESL) platform offers advanced synchronization with backend inventory systems. Their ESLs are designed to keep shelves accurate and operations efficient, making them a valuable partner for retailers.

How do inventory scanning robots help?

ESLs are great at showing what’s happening with price tags, but you still need to ensure items are stocked and in the right spot. This is where inventory scanning robots, like those powered by the BrainOS® Sense Suite, come in. 

AMRs like the Dane AIR™ can scan shelves with consistent precision, making sure your inventory data is always accurate. With advanced navigation, they run quietly in the background, allowing your teams to focus on other tasks.

Here’s why inventory scanning robots can transform your operations:

• Autonomous efficiency: These robots handle inventory scans autonomously, reducing the need for hours of manual labor.
• Accurate stock tracking: With continuous, real-time scanning, stock issues are flagged early and accurately.
• Optimized labor: Your team can focus on more critical work, like helping customers, while AMRs handle the repetitive workflows around inventory scanning.

Why inventory scanning robots and ESLs work better together

So, what happens when you pair ESLs with inventory scanning robots with BrainOS®? They make inventory management even more efficient and accurate. Think of it as creating a smart store, where your systems are connected and communicating with each other, so operations are sharply fast. 

Imagine:

An autonomous mobile robot (AMR) navigates your store, scanning shelves and detecting when a product is out-of-stock. Almost instantly, it sends an alert to associates for quick replenishment and, because it’s connected to the electronic shelf label (ESL) system, updates the label to read "Replenishment in Progress”. 

The ESL can even display when the item will be back in stock, helping customers plan their shopping. To make operations even more efficient, the robot can also trigger the ESL to shine a guiding light of where the out-of-stock item is, highlighting the exact location where associates need to restock.

This seamless integration of AMRs and ESLs ensures near real-time syncing, with product details displayed on the ESLs regularly verified by a robot. If any discrepancies are detected, alerts are triggered for quick correction. This process eliminates guesswork, making operations effortless. 

This means your team no longer has to perform manual checks, freeing them to focus on tasks that drive growth. This approach also becomes a cost-saving superpower, optimizing labor efficiency and minimizing mistakes, making your teams more productive and effective.

What’s next?

Combining electronic shelf labels and inventory scanning robots isn’t just a tech trend—it’s the future of inventory management. Together, with partners like JRTech Solutions, we’re helping retailers deploy autonomous solutions to operate more efficiently, save time, and reduce costs. 

As more companies adopt automation, this dynamic duo will be key to staying ahead. By embracing this tech, you're not just making inventory management easier today—you’re setting your business up for the future, with systems that adapt as you grow.