VTS Transport & Logistics, a major pharmaceutical logistics provider headquartered in the Netherlands, has rolled out Zebra Technologies’ connected frontline solution across its European operations. The deployment aims to modernize how the company manages deliveries, warehouse workflows, and device oversight across multiple countries.
The implementation was carried out in partnership with Actemium, a Zebra Premier Solution Partner with deep expertise in logistics automation. Together, the two companies deployed a suite of Zebra hardware and software tools designed to keep frontline workers connected and productive throughout the supply chain.
At the heart of the rollout are Zebra’s TC2X Series mobile computers, rugged handheld devices built for demanding logistics environments. The TC2X Series features integrated barcode scanning and is widely used alongside RFID-enabled systems in pharmaceutical supply chains, where accurate tracking and chain-of-custody documentation are critical. VTS also deployed Zebra ET4 Series rugged tablets for use in fleet and warehouse settings, giving drivers and warehouse staff access to real-time data on larger, more readable screens.
Tying everything together is Zebra DNA Cloud, the company’s centralized device management platform. DNA Cloud allows VTS to remotely configure, update, and troubleshoot devices across its entire European footprint – reducing the need for on-site IT support and cutting device downtime significantly.
The benefits for VTS have been tangible. Real-time package scanning and delivery confirmation have replaced manual paperwork, speeding up task completion and reducing the risk of errors that can be costly in pharmaceutical logistics. With strict regulatory requirements governing the transport of medicines and healthcare products, having a digital, auditable record of every scan and handoff is a major advantage.
Nick Lenting, VTS Director of IT Projects, Innovation and Strategy, highlighted the need for a unified technology platform that could meet both regional and international logistics demands. The Zebra solution delivers exactly that, providing consistent tools and workflows whether a driver is operating in the Netherlands, Belgium, or Poland.
Phil Sambrook, Zebra’s Transport and Logistics Vertical Strategy Lead for EMEA, emphasized the importance of giving frontline workers reliable and intuitive tools that build trust in the technology they use every day.
VTS operates a substantial logistics network with over 325 trucks and 60,000 square metres of storage capacity, serving leading pharmaceutical companies across Europe. The connected frontline approach also supports VTS’s sustainability goals – improved route efficiency and fewer delivery delays translate directly into lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions.
As pharmaceutical supply chains face growing pressure to deliver faster, more transparently, and with full regulatory compliance, connected worker solutions like this Zebra deployment at VTS represent the direction the industry is heading. The combination of rugged mobile computing, integrated scanning, and cloud-based device management gives logistics providers the digital backbone they need to stay competitive.