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.  

With all the pressures of the usual end-of-year scramble, and the need to be planning now for 2023, it might seem like the worst possible time to overhaul the management of forklift fleets.

It’s easy for organizations to take their warehouse operations for granted, often overlooking the functional importance of warehouses and their direct impact on customer satisfaction and loyalty.

More and more warehouse operators are opting for implementation of robotics technology, says Kait Peterson, senior director of product marketing at Locus Robotics.

Automation in the supply chain is certainly not new. However, recent advances in artificial intelligence-based systems have made automation far more effective.

Automated forklifts are designed to do a lot on their own, but they're not as self-sufficient when it comes to service and maintenance.

The definition of a warehouse is evolving rapidly, and automation must keep pace with the change, says Jayesh Mehta, industry group manager with MHI.

Vision, mobility and enhanced safety features make robotics ideal for labor automation, says Divya Prakash, director of business consulting at SICK.

A discussion about the major themes and challenges that emerged from the recent spring meeting of the MHI Solutions Community, held at Modex 2022 in Atlanta.