Chip Shortages Are Here. Is Your Warehouse Ready?

If you rely on mobile computers, barcode scanners, or printers to keep your operation running, you've probably started hearing about memory chip shortages. The global supply of memory chips is tightening fast. The biggest driver is the explosive growth of AI data centers, which are consuming massive quantities of the same memory components used in enterprise mobile devices, industrial printers, and scanning equipment (read more). Chip suppliers are being pulled in a new direction, and that's creating real pressure on the supply side for the devices your teams use every day.

This isn't a single-vendor issue. It's hitting across the board. Honeywell, Zebra, and others are all navigating the same constraints. OEMs are already communicating to their partners about potential price increases, longer lead times, and limited availability on certain SKUs. If you've been through a supply crunch before (the 2020-2022 semiconductor crisis comes to mind), this will feel familiar, though the root cause is different.

Everyone in the industry is facing the same challenge. The question isn't whether it will affect you, it's whether you'll be ready when it does.

What it means for your operation

Here's what this could look like in practice:

Mobile computers are the most immediately affected category. The memory chips used in handheld devices and rugged tablets are directly competing with AI infrastructure demand. If you're planning a device refresh or fleet expansion in 2026, timelines and pricing may shift.

Printers and scanners aren't immune either. While the impact varies by product line and manufacturer, the broader supply chain pressure has a ripple effect. Components, shipping, and production schedules are all connected. Even products that don't use the specific chips in short supply can be affected by the overall strain on manufacturing capacity.

The bottom line: if you have hardware needs coming up this year, the sooner you plan, the better positioned you'll be.

What we're doing at Liberty

We've been through supply chain disruptions before, and our approach hasn't changed: get ahead of it, communicate clearly, and make sure our customers aren't caught off guard. Here's how we're already addressing this:

• We're keeping a close eye on things. Our team is actively monitoring updates from Honeywell, Zebra, and our other OEM partners so we can give you accurate, timely information, not speculation.
• We're meeting regularly with our manufacturer and distribution partners to understand which product lines are most affected, what inventory is available now, and where we can secure supply for our customers before things tighten further.
• We're on the lookout for equipment that may not be affected. Not every product line is hit equally. We're identifying alternative devices, configurations, and SKUs that can keep your projects moving without waiting on constrained components.
• We're continuing to build out our repair and refurbished lines. If new devices are harder to get or more expensive, extending the life of your current fleet becomes even more valuable. Our repair services and certified refurbished inventory are a great option for used devices that still have good life in them.
• We're keeping you informed every step of the way. We'd rather over-communicate than leave you guessing. As things develop (availability updates, pricing changes, new alternatives), we'll pass that information along so you can make decisions with full visibility.

What you can do now

You don't need to panic-buy, but you shouldn't wait until Q3 to start thinking about Q3 deployments either. A few things worth doing now:

Review your 2026 hardware roadmap. Look at what's planned (refreshes, expansions, new sites) and talk to us about locking in pricing or reserving inventory where it makes sense.

Be open to configuration flexibility. In a tight market, exact memory configurations may not always be available. In many cases, a different memory density or a comparable SKU will work just as well. We can help you evaluate substitutions so your deployment doesn't stall.

Don't sit on aging equipment hoping prices drop. If devices are nearing end-of-life or causing productivity issues, delaying a refresh in a tightening market usually costs more in the long run through downtime, increased support needs, and eventually paying higher prices anyway.

Talk to us sooner rather than later. We're not here to push you into buying something you don't need. But if you have a need coming, let's get it on the radar now so we can plan around it together.

The bigger picture

Supply chain challenges aren't new to this industry. What's different this time is the driver. AI demand isn't going away, and it's only going to grow. That means the pressure on memory supply is likely structural, not just a short-term blip.

The companies that come through this well will be the ones that planned early, stayed flexible, and worked with partners who kept them informed. That's exactly what we intend to do.

Have questions about how this affects your specific environment? Reach out to your Liberty Systems rep or contact us directly. We're happy to walk through your hardware plans and help you get ahead of whatever comes next.