Agility and execution matter as much as forecasting.

Companies can implement new automation technology in steps rather than throwing everything out and starting over, says Fred Fox, president of Kardex Solutions Americas.

Warehouses today face a harsh reality: structural volatility is the new normal. Rising costs, labor shortages, and data overload are exposing the fragility of outdated models. This guide outlines a new framework built on four actionable tenets designed to transform your operations from reactive to resilient.

Ray DeMelfi, senior vice president strategic services with Hy-Tek Intralogistics, explains what sets successful cold-chain operations apart from ambient warehousing.

Fueled by robotics and AI, and following the trend in many factories, warehouses seem to be on a relentless march toward total automation. 

There’s been a lot of talk recently about designing robots in human form for manufacturing and distribution environments. Does that make sense? 

DecisionPoint Technologies revolutionized its field operations by replacing a patchwork of laptops, mobile phones, and handwritten notes with the Zebra ET45 rugged tablet—a single, powerful platform built for mobile productivity. Field technicians previously faced inefficiencies, manual errors, and data delays caused by juggling multiple disconnected tools.

Through 2026, robotics will be designed into the network, not added at the edges. 

Focus on process discipline first over equipment investment, and consider traditional solutions before adopting automation.

The next decade will bring a fundamental shift in material movement as facilities evolve into autonomous logistics networks.