SOTI tips AI & automation to transform Aussie mobility

Canadian software group SOTI has outlined a series of technology and mobility shifts it expects will reshape how Australian retailers, logistics operators and healthcare providers run their device strategies in 2026, with a stronger focus on automation, on-device artificial intelligence and frontline productivity.

The company said organisations face rising pressure to cut downtime, lift productivity at the edge of operations and extract clearer returns from existing mobile investments, rather than rely on new hardware rollouts.

Michael Dyson, VP of Sales, APAC at SOTI, said the next year will require tighter control of critical mobile devices and applications. "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," he said. "The real mobility gains for businesses in 2026 will come from using existing device fleets in smarter, more connected and more productive ways."

Manual work bottlenecks

SOTI expects manual processes to emerge as one of the largest constraints on scale in 2026. Retailers and logistics providers that operate large device fleets and seasonal workforces still rely on manual steps for onboarding, troubleshooting and compliance.

The company said these approaches now struggle to keep pace with fluctuating demand and short planning cycles. It forecasts a shift towards intelligent automation and real-time visibility across mobile environments, with organisations seeking to remove repetitive administrative tasks from frontline and IT teams.

Automation is likely to extend across the device lifecycle. This includes provisioning, maintenance and reporting. SOTI said end-to-end automation will move from optional to standard practice as businesses look to cut downtime and keep operations running during peak trading periods.

AI at the edge

SOTI also predicts that more artificial intelligence workloads will run directly on handhelds and other mobile devices. That trend would reduce dependence on constant network connectivity.

The company expects smaller and more efficient language models to sit on devices in stores, delivery vehicles and in the field. These models would give staff rapid answers on tasks such as product locations, stock levels or delivery sequencing. Workers would receive this information even when offline.

SOTI said this on-device approach will be significant in Australia, where regional and rural coverage remains patchy compared with metro areas. The company expects this shift to strengthen the resilience of mobility strategies that sit across both urban and remote operations.

Retail under pressure

Ongoing inflation, changing consumer behaviour and margin pressure are pushing retailers to re-examine how they judge the impact of their technology spending. SOTI expects device strategies in the sector to frame value over the whole life of a device.

Retailers are likely to place more emphasis on maintenance, security, uptime and live device health metrics. SOTI expects leadership teams to create key performance indicators that tie device performance directly to measurable aspects of shopper experience on the shop floor.

The company said reducing mobile-related downtime will sit as a central metric in return-on-investment calculations. It expects this to influence everything from service contracts to software selection.

New AI use cases

SOTI forecasts an expansion of artificial intelligence beyond customer-facing chatbots and office workflows. It expects retailers to increase their use of robotics and automation in-store and in warehouses.

These systems would perform tasks such as inventory scanning and overnight shelf replenishment. SOTI said this could reduce labour costs while keeping products available more consistently.

IT teams are also expected to make more use of AI for device management. SOTI predicts greater use of AI tools that analyse configuration data, detect issues and recommend fixes. These systems would draw on real-time device data. The aim is shorter diagnosis and resolution times.

Frontline focus

SOTI said the next phase of mobility innovation in Australia will centre on frontline staff. Retail, transport and logistics firms are expected to invest in mobile workflows that simplify common tasks for store associates, drivers and field workers.

Areas of focus include faster authentication processes and real-time insights that allow staff to act on up-to-date information. Organisations are looking to reduce unnecessary steps in daily routines, such as order fulfilment, inventory updates and in-store customer responses.

A key theme in SOTI's outlook is demand for real-time operational visibility across mobile estates. Businesses want a single view of their devices, applications and usage patterns.

The company said managers increasingly seek end-to-end transparency over their mobile ecosystems. They want the ability to identify bottlenecks, track behavioural patterns and adjust processes quickly on the ground. Live data on workflows and device performance would allow leaders to see the operational effect of decisions as they occur and act before minor issues build into wider disruptions.

"Australian businesses are realising that frontline productivity is the next big opportunity," Dyson said. "When you give workers tools that are fast, reliable and smart, you change the pace - and confidence - of the entire operation. 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."