SOTI, has released its top technology predictions for 2026, outlining how retailers, logistics operators and healthcare organisations across Australia will approach their mobility strategies in the year ahead.
The insights reflect rising pressure to reduce downtime, lift frontline productivity and generate stronger returns on technology investments.
Michael Dyson, VP of Sales, APAC at SOTI, said the coming twelve months will demand a more disciplined and intelligent approach to critical device mobility management. “Australian organisations are telling us the same thing.
“They want technology that removes friction for frontline teams and helps them work faster, not systems that add more complexity,”
“The real mobility gains for businesses in 2026 will come from using existing device fleets in smarter, more connected and more productive ways.” he said.
- Manual Processes Become the Biggest Roadblock
In 2026, manual workflows will be one of the most significant barriers to scale. For retailers and logistics providers managing large device fleets and seasonal workforces, manual processes for onboarding, troubleshooting or compliance are now unable to keep pace with demand.
SOTI predicts a major shift toward intelligent automation and real-time visibility that removes these bottlenecks entirely. End-to-end automation, from device provisioning to maintenance and reporting, will quickly become a must-have for reducing downtime and keeping operations moving.
- AI Moves On-Device
AI will increasingly run directly on mobile devices, giving workers instant answers even when offline. Small, efficient language models will support store associates, drivers and field teams with quick information, such as product locations, inventory levels or delivery sequencing.
For Australia, where connectivity varies across rural and metro environments, bringing AI to the device will create a new level of resilience.
- Retail Volatility Drives Holistic Device Management
With inflation, shifting customer expectations and margin pressure continuing into 2026, retailers will reassess how they measure the value of their technology investments. SOTI expects device strategies to shift from procurement to whole-of-life management.
Organisations will prioritise maintenance, security, uptime and real-time health monitoring while establishing KPIs that directly link device performance to shopper experience. Reducing downtime will become a key measure of ROI.
- Employee-Facing AI Strengthens the Link Between Frontline and Back Office
AI use cases will expand from chatbots and admin tasks to applications that directly support frontline work. Retailers will deploy robotics and automation for inventory scans and overnight replenishment, reducing labour costs and improving product availability.
IT teams will also use AI to diagnose configurations, identify issues and resolve problems faster through real-time device data.
- The Frontline Productivity Wave Begins
The next wave of mobility innovation will be defined by how effectively organisations can empower their frontline workforces.
Over the next year, Australian retailers, transport and logistics providers will invest heavily in mobile workflows, frictionless authentication, and real-time insights that enable staff to get up and running faster.
The goal is to eliminate wasted motion and empower employees to act on information instantly; whether that’s fulfilling an order, updating inventory or responding to a customer in-store.
A key driver of this productivity wave will be real-time operational visibility. Businesses are demanding end-to-end transparency across their mobile ecosystems, giving managers the ability to identify bottlenecks, detect behavioural patterns, and make immediate adjustments on the ground.
With live insights into workflows and device performance, leaders can see the impact of decisions as they happen, preventing recurring issues before they escalate.
“Australian businesses are realising that frontline productivity is the next big opportunity,”
“When you give workers tools that are fast, reliable and smart, you change the pace – and confidence – of the entire operation. Dyson said.
“Organisations that will see significant operational improvements in 2026 will be those that focus on simplifying complex device and application mobility management, digitising workflows to help with visibility and most of all enabling empowerment with their people through the use of better technology.”
