For eGourmet Solutions, selecting a technology provider was about more than purchasing software.

As supply chains become more dynamic, technology-driven, and customer-centric, third-party logistics (3PL) providers face mounting pressure to deliver greater speed, visibility, and operational agility.

A typical unplanned stoppage can cost between $12,000 and $24,000 when accounting for labor stand-down, recovery time and lost throughput.

Mark Schuchter, director with United States Cold Storage, describes how his company works with Westfalia Technologies to ensure the quality of chilled and frozen goods.

Good data and AI go hand-in-hand, says Dan Keto, president and chief technology officer with Easy Metrics, Inc., but companies must ensure that data isn't trapped in functional silos.

Warehouse leaders should process-map current operations, identify pain points and understand where manual workarounds already exist before beginning the selection process.

Many companies fear over-automating and losing flexibility in their operations. Will Mansard, vice president of systems sales with Toyota Automated Logistics, explains how those concerns can be assuaged.

With AI and automation evolving rapidly, warehouses are undergoing a major shift in how they operate and manage complexity. As intelligent tools become easier to adopt and automation becomes essential, top performers are pushing beyond small efficiency boosts. T

The warehouse model is under intense pressure, and operations need to fundamentally change, says Sarah Hollinger, vice president software implementation with Hy-Tek Intralogistics.

For third-party logistics providers, flexibility is paramount in being able to meet the diverse requirements of today's customers, says Jim Hoefflin, chief executive officer of IFS Softeon.