If your business relies on Zebra mobile computers, printers, tablets, or scanners, you know they are the heartbeat of your daily operations. But what happens when devices go missing, run out of battery mid-shift, or employees spend valuable time hunting for a working unit? This is where Zebra Guardian comes in—a portfolio of smart software and hardware solutions designed to keep your devices secure, fully charged, and always accounted for.

Think of Zebra Guardian as your all-in-one safety net: preventing device loss, automating access, and giving you total visibility across your fleet of Zebra technology.

The 5 Most Common Problems Zebra Guardian Solves

To make it easy, let’s pose these as real-world questions you might be asking yourself today:

• Do you have missing or lost Zebra handheld devices?
• Do your employees waste time checking devices in and out at the start/end of shifts?
• Are your devices often dead, uncharged, or out of service when workers need them most?
• Do you struggle with device abuse, theft, or lack of accountability among workers?
• Is productivity slowing down because devices aren’t stored, tracked, or deployed efficiently?

What is Zebra Guardian?

Zebra Guardian is a portfolio of hardware and software solutions from Zebra Technologies that helps businesses:

• Secure devices so they don’t get lost or stolen.
• Streamline access so employees quickly grab fully charged, work-ready devices.
• Track devices in real time, both inside and outside your facility.
• Improve accountability by tying every device checkout to a verified user.

In short: Zebra Guardian makes sure the right person gets the right device at the right time—every time.

The Four Components of Zebra Guardian

The portfolio is made up of four main components, each addressing a specific problem and working best when combined together. Let’s break them down in plain English:

1. Zebra Identity Guardian

Problem it solves: Slow logins, shared device frustration, weak security.
How it works: Instead of typing complicated passwords, employees log into shared Zebra devices using facial recognition or a simple PIN—just like unlocking their personal phone.
Why it matters: Saves time at the start of every shift, reduces password resets, and protects company data.

2. Zebra Device Guardian

Problem it solves: Devices go missing, get misplaced, or can’t be found.
How it works: Think of it as a “Find My Zebra” feature. Device Guardian lets managers see exactly where every device is—inside or outside the facility—using Google Maps tracking, alarms, and proximity indicators.
Why it matters: Reduces device loss, recovers missing devices quickly, and increases accountability.

3. Zebra Device Guardian Access Management (DGAM)

Problem it solves: Slow, manual device check-in/check-out processes.
How it works: DGAM transforms Zebra Guardian Cabinets into automated self-serve kiosks. Employees check out a device by scanning a badge or PIN, and the system logs who took it, when, and whether it’s fully charged.
Why it matters: Eliminates lines at shift changes, ensures workers only grab fully charged devices, and reduces damage by boosting accountability.

4. Zebra Guardian Cabinets

Problem it solves: Inefficient or insecure device storage.
How it works: Smart charging cabinets, racks, and carts store, charge, lock, and manage devices automatically. They even allow software updates and health checks while devices are docked.
Why it matters: Protects against theft, automates overnight charging, and ensures devices are always ready to use.

Investment and ROI: What Does Zebra Guardian Cost?

While Zebra does not publicly list pricing (since it varies by fleet size and configuration), here are ballpark ranges:

• Identity Guardian: $50–$100 per device license/year.
• Device Guardian: $50–$75 per device license/year.
• DGAM software & integration: $3,000–$5,000 per site, plus per-device licensing.
• Guardian Cabinets: $3,000–$20,000+ depending on capacity and features.

Implementation time: Software typically takes a few days to a couple of weeks; cabinets and DGAM may take a few weeks to deploy.
Ease of use: Simple, self-service interfaces require little training.
ROI timeline: Most companies see a return in 6–12 months thanks to fewer lost devices and improved productivity.

5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Choosing Zebra Guardian

• Do I have problems with lost, stolen, or misplaced devices?
• Do my workers waste time finding, charging, or logging into devices?
• How much money am I spending each year on replacing lost/broken Zebra devices?
• Do I have a reliable way to track accountability—who has which device and when?
• Would automating device storage and access free up my workforce for higher-value tasks?

Alternatives: Do Competitors Offer Anything Similar?

Yes, but Zebra’s approach is more integrated and device-specific:

• Honeywell Smart Talk + Operational Intelligence: some device tracking and user management, but not cabinet integration.
• SOTI MobiControl / Ivanti Velocity: focus on MDM, not physical storage or biometric login.
• Third-party lockers: secure storage but lack Zebra’s seamless device integration.

Bottom line: Zebra Guardian uniquely combines software, tracking, authentication, and hardware in one ecosystem built for Zebra devices.

Is Zebra Guardian Right for You?

If your business depends on Zebra devices, Zebra Guardian is like adding a digital security guard, charging station, and tracking system all in one. It reduces device loss, streamlines workflows, and ensures maximum productivity. With Identity Guardian, Device Guardian, DGAM, and Guardian Cabinets working together, your fleet is always secure, fully charged, and ready for action.

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