Following are the top challenges that warehouses and distribution centers face in the e-commerce and retail sector.

lobal labor-productivity growth in construction has averaged just 1% per year over the past two decades, compared with growth of 2.8% for the total world economy.

Warehouses face continuing headwinds from e-commerce demand and labor shortages. Automation has gradually gained acceptance as a way to improve efficiency throughout, while holding onto a finite workforce with better working conditions.

Continuing supply chain threats and opportunities are the new normal and warehouse and IT leaders need to take an evolutionary approach to warehouse change that emphasizes speed-to-benefit, flexibility, and adaptability.

If 2022 made one thing clear, it’s that warehouses and distribution centers are the most critical link in the supply chain. Manufacturers and retailers alike rely on efficient warehouses to keep inventory moving, track goods accurately, and fulfill orders quickly.  

Vision capabilities provide warehousing workers and operations with simplicity, efficiency, and accuracy in generating, communicating and performing tasks that systems based on voice, radio frequency and paper can’t.

Will it be all virtual reality and robots or perhaps something a little more pragmatic? You might have seen the speculative and imaginary video of pickers with augmented reality glasses viewing all kinds of images superimposed over the actual warehouse

Understanding one's constraints and business needs is the first step to building a case for beginning the automation journey, says Lori Gibson, director of consulting services at Johnson Stephens Consulting.

What is a "smart" warehouse? And is it here already, or a vision of the future? Dan Gilmore, chief marketing officer of Softeon, has answers.

It’s highly likely that warehouses will more actively embrace automation technologies in 2023 to manage tight labor markets, increase inventory capacity and expand visibility into their supply chain operations.