About ZWC

Zebra Workstation Connect 2.0

See what's new in ZWC 2.0

About Zebra Workstation Connect

Overview

Zebra Workstation Connect (ZWC) is a hardware and software solution for select Zebra devices running Android that allows a mobile device to provide a desktop-like experience. The solution includes Zebra's Workstation Docking Cradle, which provides connections to an HDMI external monitor, wired Ethernet and four USB ports for attaching a keyboard, mouse and other peripherals.

image Click image to enlarge; ESC to exit.

Key applications for ZWC include retail, healthcare, warehousing, transportation and many others. ZWC software leverages Android Desktop Mode either to mirror the device screen on an external monitor or to present a different set of apps and content on the device and monitor screens.

New in ZWC v2.0

  • Secondary display settings are now configurable through the Workstation Connect UI
  • Administrators can now elect to hide the soft input panel (SIP) icon on the taskbar, preventing users from making changes to admin-configured settings
  • Administrators also can now block access to the SIP settings UI when the icon is shown. In this state, hovering over the icon displays the currently selected soft keyboard.
  • Supports additional protocols for use with web-linked shortcuts
  • Removes limitation to HTTP or HTTPS protocols for shorcuts
  • Supports secure mass deployment of configuration files through Zebra SSM
  • Can export JSON file set from a Managed Configuration using the Workstation Connect UI
  • Adds "Do Not Change" option for configuring some settings witout effecting all
  • Toggles between Mirror Mode and Desktop Mode without a device reboot
  • User can now configure display settings from the ZWC UI
  • Now supports the Zebra MP7000 Grocery Scanner Scale on 6490-platform devices running Android 11

ZWC 2.0 is available from Google Play or the Zebra Support Portal.

For devices running Android 11, minimum LifeGuard software updates required:

Device Platform (models) Required Update
6375 (ET40*, ET45*) 11-27-20.00-RG-U00-STD-GSE (or later)
6490 (TC53, TC73) 11-27-16.00-RG-U00-STD-ATH-04 (or later)
6490 (TC58, TC78) 11-28-08.00-RG-U00-STD-ATH-04 (or later)
SDM660 (EC50, EC55, ET51, ET56, L10, TC21*, TC26*, TC52, TC52x, TC52x-HC, TC52ax, TC52ax-HC, TC57, TC57x) 11-39-27.00-RG-U00-STD-HEL-04 (or later)

* A Mobility DNA Enterprise license is required to use ZWC on Zebra Professional-series devices. Learn more about Zebra licensing.

See all supported Zebra devices

Desktop Mode

Desktop Mode allows an external monitor to appear to work independently of the mobile device, displaying a separate set of apps and data from the mobile device. All running apps can accept input from a connected keyboard and mouse as well as the touch screen.

image Desktop Mode can display different sets of apps on the device and monitor.
Click to enlarge; ESC to exit.

This is made possible by Zebra Workstation Connect, a secondary app launcher for Android that executes automatically whenever a device containing the ZWC app is inserted into a Zebra Workstation Docking Cradle. ZWC handles all communications through the dock, presents the preferred desktop on the external monitor and stores the display resolution settings, app shortcuts and all other user preferences.

image The "All Apps" button (circled, above left) displays all apps on the device. The image at right shows the "Desktop" with taskbar, running apps, shortcuts, settings icons and notifications.
Click to enlarge; ESC to exit.

Desktop Mode includes all features of Mirror Mode and also can display:

  • A "Desktop" screen with custom wallpaper
  • Content on the external monitor unique from the device
  • Notifications from the device
  • Device settings such as audio volume, network and battery status
  • Icons of running apps with click-to-switch functionality

Desktop Mode also allows an administrator to:

  • Create actions (i.e. launch an app) to execute when docking or undocking
  • Configure app launch behavior for Desktop vs. device
  • Configure ZWC settings remotely using StageNow or an EMM system

Desktop Mode allows the device user to:

  • Switch between running apps by clicking icons on the taskbar
  • Create and display app-launcher icons (shortcuts) on the desktop
  • Move running apps from device to Desktop and vice-versa
  • Respond to notifications
  • Show and change audio volume, date and time and network settings and Wi-Fi connections
  • Show charging and status of device battery

Mirror Mode

Mirror Mode displays the same content on the monitor as on the device. The only difference between the two is the orientation, which is adjusted to display content in landscape mode on the monitor from the vertically oriented device (see image, below). Supported devices will use Mirror Mode by default whenever they're docked in a Workstation Docking Cradle that's connected to an HDMI monitor.

This mode offers the easiest setup; after installing the required OS on one or more supported devices and connecting a keyboard, mouse and monitor to a Zebra Workstation Docking Cradle, setup is complete. If Mirror Mode functionality is adequate for the intended use case, no further configuration is required.

image Mirror Mode displays the same content on device and monitor, with adjusted orientation.
Click to enlarge; ESC to exit.

For additional features, including the ability to remotely configure ZWC settings, install the Workstation Connect app.

Version History

Added in ZWC v1.7

  • Set monitor resolution and content size as automatic (admin only)
  • Create desktop shortcuts using Android Intents to trigger specific actions
  • Return output from applied Managed Configurations to originating EMM
  • Automatically hide/show the taskbar when an app enters/exits immersive mode (admin only)

ZWC 1.7 is available from Google Play or the Zebra Support Portal.

Supported Devices

ZWC 1.7 adds support for the following cradled Zebra devices with the corresponding LifeGuard update as shown below.

Supported Device(s) Minimum LifeGuard Update
EC50, EC55
ET51, ET56
L10
TC21*, TC26*
TC52, TC57		 11-31-27.00-RG-U00-STD-HEL-04
ET40*, ET45* 11-19-13.00-RG-U00-STD-GSE-04
TC52ax, TC52ax-HC, TC52x, TC52x-HC
TC57x		 11-33-08.00-RG-U00-STD-HEL-04
TC53, TC58, TC73, TC78 11-19-15.00-RG-U00-STD-ATH-04

Added in ZWC v1.6

  • Configuration changes can be implemented immediately or on next docking
  • Simplified shortcut deployment process
  • Screen size (in inches) can be set for monitor to be used
  • Using Chrome, open web pages in current tab without creating a new tab
  • Unlock device from secondary screen
  • Configure NumLock and shortcut key actions on external keyboard using MX UI Manager

ZWC 1.6 is available from Google Play or the Zebra Support Portal.

Supported Devices

ZWC 1.6 added support for cradled devices with the corresponding update as shown below.

Some devices might require purchase of an additional license.

Supported Device(s) Minimum LifeGuard Update
EC50, EC55
ET51, ET56
L10
TC21*, TC26*
TC52, TC52ax, TC52ax-HC, TC52x, TC52x-HC
TC57, TC57x		 11-30-24.00-RG-U00-STD-HEL-04
ET40*, ET45* 11-17-20.00-RG-U00-STD-GSE-04
TC53, TC58, TC73, TC78 11-17-16.00-RG-U00-STD-ATH-04

Added in ZWC v1.5

  • Reset Configuration option allows users to reset Managed Configuration to Out-of-Box state
  • Custom Shortcut Icons allow the admin to create shortcuts with a custom image file
  • Drag and Drop Shortcuts between Group Shortcut Folders to help improve user productivity
  • Supports DS3678-SR and DS2278 scanners connected through the cradle
  • New Usage Notes have been added in Administration/EMM and Screen Resolution sections

ZWC 1.5 requires LifeGuard update 11-25-18.00-RG-U00-STD-HEL-04 or later.

ZWC is supported only on select Zebra devices

Added in ZWC v1.4

  • Additions to Development Best Practices for password display, making camera apps, querying the monitor
  • Increased administrative control to show/hide desktop UI elements:
    • Shortcuts
    • Desktop wallpaper
    • Contextual menus
    • Notification panel
    • Taskbar
  • Notification badges now appear on app taskbar icons
  • Control whether apps run in a movable/resizable window
  • Configure soft input panel (SIP) on secondary display
  • Enable specific app behaviors to persist following an Enterprise Reset

ZWC 1.4 requires LifeGuard update 11-23-13.00-RG-U00-STD-HEL-04 or later.

Added in ZWC v1.3

  • Now supports Shortcut Grouping, adding the ability to:
    • Create/delete named shortcut folders
    • Add/remove shortcuts in the shortcut folder
    • Click on a shortcut folder to display its contents in a window
    • Drag shortcuts from the desktop into an open shortcut folder window
    • Drag a shortcut from an open shortcut folder window to the desktop
  • Now supports Copy Screenshot to Clipboard, adding the ability to:
    • Copy screenshots to the clipboard for pasting into email and other supported apps

ZWC 1.3 requires LifeGuard update 11-20-18.00-RG-U00-STD-HEL-04 or later.

Added in ZWC v1.2

Administrative features now support:

  • MX/Audio Volume UI Manager for setting min/max volume settings for apps running on desktop
  • Monitor density settings
  • Automatic dimming/disabling of mobile device screen
  • Show/hide specific running apps in Desktop Taskbar

User features:

  • "Relaunch and Reset" Action for apps running on Desktop
  • Web, File, Static and Dynamic shortcuts on the Desktop
  • Keyboard shortcuts added:
    • PRTSCR captures the Desktop screen and stores as a file on the device
    • ESC works like the BACK button for apps running on Desktop
    • Windows+L Immediately locks and suspends device

Added in ZWC v1.1

  • Support added for ET56 tablet. See all supported devices.
  • Launch corresponding settings UI when clicking on Taskbar status icons
  • Administrative features added:
    • Restrict device user access to specific device apps to run on Desktop
    • Select whether icons of running mobile apps are displayed in Taskbar
    • Allow users to enable the All Applications panel
    • Select whether to launch the corresponding settings UI when clicking on a status icon

Also See