Key Considerations When Evaluating Warehouse Automation Software Platforms

Assess these Critical Areas when Considering Warehouse Automation Software Options

Of all the takeaways from the COVID-19 pandemic, warehouse, and distribution center (DC) operators have learned that the key to resilience is agility.

That is, the ability to quickly respond and adapt to customer demands and supply chain disruptions by making radical adjustments—like adopting new automation and technology, upgrading equipment, and redefining processes, workflows, and more—is crucial to business success.

For many operations seeking to adopt more automated solutions and equipment to help cope with a workforce shortage, increasing customer expectations, and volatile inventory availability, their current warehouse software platform inhibits their ability to adapt.

In spite of needing to make a change, perceived barriers to adopting software need to be addressed, according to a recent research study conducted by Peerless Research Group for Modern Materials Handling magazine, the “2022 Materials Handling Technology Study.” found:

“When adopting materials handling software, 39% of respondents say compatibility with existing systems is a major roadblock, while 38% point to integration with existing software applications. Other obstacles to implementation success include the total cost of ownership of such systems (37%); compatibility with host or legacy systems (36%); the lack of resources to implement, manage, and maintain such systems (35%); and substantiating ROI (30%).”

Compounding these impediments to new warehouse automation software adoption are concerns about the age of software and material handling systems already in place (and those planned for the future). Worries about potential incompatibility between the old and the new often inspire reluctance to adopt new software.