EP 278: Signode at MODEX 2022
On this episode, I was joined by Mike Stein of Signode at MODEX 2022. I first spoke to Signode at ProMat 2019 when they had multiple solutions available to the market but they have since evolved to become an integrator as well as a solution provider. We discuss how that evolution came about and the importance of being able to provide end-to-end solutions for customers. Key Takeaways Signode is focused on making sure that your products are getting packaged and out the door in the most efficient and optimized way possible. Originally they had started out focusing on packaging and different components of packaging which we have spoken about here on the podcast but they have been able to evolve in the marketplace as an integrator as well. They recognized the fact that they were providing components that were helping operations become more efficient but had multiple requests for end-to-end solutions which they decided to take on themselves. As an integrator, they are now able to take your operation towards automation from end to end from automated wrappers to ASRS build-outs. Mike and I discuss the importance of being able to provide end-to-end solutions and how that can be beneficial to the customer. Having this option for the customer allows them to move faster and smoother. Working with multiple different companies can result in disconnects between systems and products which may result in frustration and ultimately long-term issues. By getting end-to-end solutions from one provider, a company can know that they are going to be on the same page and that the integration of different components will run smoothly. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 278: Signode at MODEX 2022
EP 277: MobileDemand at MODEX 2022
In this episode, I was joined by Scott Medford of MobileDemand at MODEX 2022. MobileDemand is focused on taking your tablets to the next level with their rugged cases that include interesting extensions. We discuss MobileDemand and their xDim product at MODEX. Key Takeaways MobileDemand is focused on taking your table to the next level and they work with multiple different types of tablets including iPads, Microsoft Surfaces, and Lenovo. I’m particularly a fan of the Microsoft Surface so that certainly caught my attention. Scott is sure to mention that MobileDemand believes in empowering the worker where they are doing the work so they want to enable you to take your mobile device to exactly where you need it to complete your task. Not only do they have rugged cases but their cases are able to take different modules that expand the capability of your tablet. Their latest innovation is the xDim which takes measuring packages to a whole new level. I have worked with other measuring devices in the past but this one is the easiest to use and mobile that I have seen. xDim works off a 3D camera module that attaches to one of their cases and essentially to your tablet. Through the 3D camera, it is able to get the dimensions of the box that you are pointing out. This is a real game-changer as I have had to do the painstaking process of collecting items and taking them to a central location for measuring and then returning them to their original locations. Now, with xDim, you can scan and measure them right where they sit so there is no extra movement and you can get dimensions in a much more rapid way. Post MODEX I was also lucky enough to get a demonstration of the xDim and I will say it is very impressive. Not only is mobility a great factor but it is also very quick which allows you to keep moving and get your tasks done efficiently. While it is only available for up to certain sizes of boxes at this time, MobileDemand is working on scaling it up to handle bigger items and loads as well. Definitely looking forward to seeing how they expand on this range. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 277: MobileDemand at MODEX 2022
EP 276: Supply Chain, A Family Affair at Open Sky Group
In this episode, I was joined by the father-daughter duo of Dave and Maddie Haley. They are both in the supply chain with Dave being from Open Sky Group on the solutions side and Maddie being from Genuine Parts on the continuous improvement side. We discuss their reactions to MODEX and the current warehousing environment. Key Takeaways When I featured Dave on the podcast at MODEX he mentioned that his daughter was also in attendance so I knew I had to get them together on the microphone. Dave provides supply chain solutions through Open Sky Group and his daughter has followed in his footsteps and is working for Genuine Parts helping to improve their distribution operations. Maddie was in attendance at MODEX as someone who is shopping for solutions so I thought it would be interesting to get her perspective. Overall, both Dave and Maddie had the same thoughts on their reaction to MODEX. While it is great to see all of the technology advancements and automation, they are concerned that companies will not fully optimize before they get to the point where they really should be utilizing automation or robotics. As we discuss, you don’t want to be stuck with robots sitting in the corner of your warehouse collecting dust. If you are going to move to automation you have to ensure that your processes are as optimized as possible first. Another great highlight is the growth that Maddie has experienced in the supply chain. She was able to get into a rotational program through Genuine Parts and has been able to experience multiple different aspects of the supply chain. She gives some great advice for students who are undecided on whether the supply chain is for them or are going to be graduating in the near future. Listen to the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 276: Supply Chain, A Family Affair
Podcast EP 275: Procensis at MODEX 2022
In this episode, I was joined by Ed Kennedy of Procensis at MODEX 2022. Procensis is focused on turning your employees into warehouse superheroes by utilizing different mobile solutions. We discussed what Ed was seeing at the show being a veteran of the industry and what that means for us going forward. Key Takeaways One of the big things that Ed points out is the amount of robotics that has come into play in our industry. As he reflects on the multiple years of MODEX that he has attended, he says that this is the first time where he has seen so many robots. I think this show made it pretty evident that robotics is here to stay in our industry and it is only expanding. When we look at ways to improve our operations and help address labor concerns these forms of automation are certainly a direction to go in. Procensis is very focused on mobile devices for picking and doing other tasks in the fulfillment and distribution industries. Ed’s perspective on the future of wearable devices is that smart glasses are going to be coming up and gaining more traction. While we have seen a few iterations of these here on the podcast, Ed discusses how these are evolving to be more comfortable for the user. Additionally, the battery is becoming more usable and practical on these devices. This is a great thing because with battery life you can utilize these more effectively and efficiently. Another big thing for Procensis is developing more gamification for employees to help motivate them and give them real-time insights into their productivity. Ed discusses how many companies are moving to an incentive-based system whether it is a bump in pay for hitting certain thresholds or giving them rewards based on their productivity which relies on having accurate data. Procensis is putting in place visibility to the number of picks and scans right on the screen for the user. This gives them an idea of where they are at and allows them to pick up their pace if they are not quite where they need to be. Listen or watch the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 275: Procensis at MODEX 2022
EP 274: Verses at MODEX 2022
In this episode, I was joined by the President of Verses, James Hendrickson, at MODEX 2022. James and I reconnected after three years to learn about his new role at Verses which is focused on bringing spatial intelligence into the supply chain. We discuss why digital twins are so important in the supply chain and what they can help us to achieve. Key Takeaways Verses is focused on bringing the spatial web to enterprises through a robust suite of technologies that have been developed with the Spatial Web Foundation. As James breaks it down, it is really focused on the digital twin or the duplication of our physical space into a virtual one. Harnessing these technologies can really help to advance your organization in a sophisticated way and prevent potentially costly mistakes. As we look at the sheer number of innovations and technologies at MODEX this year, there is a need to be able to implement these virtually before we do things physical to ensure operations will still flow properly. What does it mean to duplicate virtually? As James explains, this is the metaverse for the supply chain. With the technology, you are able to create your operation and adjust things with the ability to know where everything is. It’s almost like making an AutoCAD come to life which can allow you to have better visualization into what your operation could potentially look like or where obstructions might be. There is a lot of potential for this technology in our space and James gives a few examples of how they may partner with companies to give them better visibility and capability. One of Verses offerings is Wayfinder which is a spatial picking platform that allows your employees to be navigated throughout the facility. The technology knows where everything is and is essentially guiding the picker as a GPS would. The benefits of this are that the employees are getting the most optimized pick path every time and they are not getting lost or losing track of where the location is. This takes creating an efficient pick path to a whole new level. Listen or watch the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 274: Verses at MODEX 2022
EP 273: Phantom Auto wins at MODEX 2022
In this episode, I was joined again by Ryan Clifford and Ryan Chesterfield of Phantom Auto at MODEX 2022. Phantom Auto provides a remote forklift operation platform that allows you to tap into labor pools in any location to operate your equipment. We discuss the reaction to Phantom Auto at MODEX, their nomination, and a follow-up on their win at the MHI Innovation Awards. Key Takeaways While most companies were looking for solutions to replace or supplement labor at MODEX, Phantom Auto’s approach is different. They are looking to put available labor in different areas to work for you. Phantom Auto accomplishes this by creating a remote forklift operation platform. You can be anywhere in the world and operate a forklift from a computer setup in real-time. This means that if there is available labor in Arkansas but your operation is in Oregon you can still use these operators to remotely operate the equipment in your facility. Both Ryan’s shared with me some of the questions and challenges that customers were inquiring about at MODEX which included safety, union issues, and providing the labor. When it comes to safety, they explain that the platform can react in real-time which is key to preventing any accidents and the operators have full visibility of their surroundings with mounted cameras on the equipment. In regards to union issues, they explain that this is actually helping current forklift operators and helping to up-skill them with learning how to utilize the software and give them more flexibility in the jobs that they can take due to being remote. During our initial conversation at MODEX, Phantom Auto was nominated for the MHI Innovation Award which was announced just a few hours after our discussion so I had Ryan Clifford back to discuss what it meant for them to win that award. You can listen to this at the end of the episode and hear their reaction. For the future of Phantom Auto, they are looking to expand on the types of equipment they can utilize through their platform and they are in the process of setting up on-demand forklift operators that you can hire remotely as temps through Phantom. Listen to the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 273: Phantom Auto Wins at MODEX 2022
EP 272: SVT Robotics at MODEX 2022
In this episode, I was joined by A.K. Schultz at MODEX 2022 to discuss his company, SVT Robotics. SVT Robotics is focused on allowing automation solutions to function together in the same operation through their Softbot Platform. We discuss one of the big problems with automation integrations and how SVT Robotics is solving that problem. Key Takeaways A.K. was sure to start off our conversation by discussing the problem in automation which is one that has been multiplied by the number of solutions now available. He points out that with so many automation solutions coming into our world, they are from multiple different companies and they need to communicate. In addition to this, getting these solutions to communicate can be complicated at times, and companies that do not have the resources are simply not equipped with programmers that can handle making these integrations work. SVT Robotics has set out to simplify this and make this a reality for all companies. SVT Robotics has developed their Softbot Platform which helps to solve this problem. It provides the code already written for each solution that is requested (with many already in the database) and puts it in an easy drag and drop format. This gives access to companies of all sizes and skillsets to easily integrate multiple different automation solutions into their operation. Listen or watch the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 272: SVT Robotics at MODEX 2022
EP 271: Open Sky Group at MODEX 2022
In this episode, I was joined by Dave Haley of Open Sky Group at MODEX 2022. Open Sky Group is the number one reseller of Blue Yonder and has expanded beyond WMS to help companies integrate multiple different systems into their operation. We discuss their advisory services and why it is important to fully assess your operation before determining your next step. Key Takeaways Open Sky Group originally started with a focus on implementing WMS software into operations but has since expanded into multiple different system types and focuses on Blue Yonder. They have also expanded into advisory services which serve the purpose of ensuring the customer is getting the right system for their needs. Dave shares an example where a company was convinced they needed a tier-one TMS system but when they really looked at it they did not need all that functionality. Due to this, the company was able to save themselves a lot of spending so being able to determine the right fit with an expert is key. When going through the advisory services process, Open Sky Group really takes the approach to determine what the customer’s real need is and not go into it trying to sell them something. They will take a full assessment of what you are currently doing and look for the gaps. If they can fit into the gaps then they will give you their recommendation but as Dave says if they do not fit into the gap then they will advise you on some other companies that can help you do that. This is a very important partnership to form as you are looking at improving your operation. You need to get a fair assessment and need to be able to have someone that can help you understand what you truly need. Dave discusses how it is important to fully assess your operation before going after the shiny objects that we were seeing at MODEX. While these technologies can really help you to improve operations, it is important to optimize your processes as much as possible before moving in that direction. If you do that, you will not see the ROI or efficiency gains that you may be expecting. He also emphasizes that dealing with the labor shortage is more than trying to get employees and that retention should also have as much concentration as recruiting and trying to get new technology to supplement labor. Listen or watch the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 271: Open Sky Group at MODEX 2022
EP 270: Concentric at MODEX 2022
In this episode, I was joined by the COO of Concentric, John Winter, at MODEX 2022. Concentric focuses on bringing the right power fit to your material handling equipment so that you don’t have to worry about your batteries. We discuss what Concentric does, how the power space for lift trucks has developed, and how they help customers understand what the right fit for them is. Key Takeaways Concentric has been formed with a partnership with multiple different distributors allowing them the flexibility to determine the best fit for your power needs. They are focused on ensuring that they help customers understand what is needed in their operation which could be a mix of different power solutions and not just going with one or the other. This is important because it can help you to optimize your power to perform during all of your operational hours, help to reduce maintenance, and also ensure you are not spending more than you should be. John discusses how power for the material handling industry has been evolving and how it has evolved fairly quickly in the last few years. We have been mostly using lead-acid batteries in our industry for a very long time but in recent years we have seen growth in lithium-ion batteries and some others like hydrogen. Within these developments, there are also different variations of chemistry as well so Concentric wants to take on understanding all of these developments so that they can help you get the right fit. They also offer power as a service model where you are only being charged by the usage of power and not a total upfront cost. In our conversation, John also brings up that lithium will not be the last different type of battery chemistry that we will see. From Concentric’s perspective, they want to take on all of these new technologies and get the information together so that you do not have to. Their ultimate goal is that an operation will only have to worry about the operation and not its power sources. As John says, they want you to be able to have your battery options work like you expect the lights in your house to work and for you to never worry about them. Listen or watch the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 270: Concentric at MODEX 2022
EP 269: Jeff Lem and the students
On this episode, I put on my other hat which is Professor Lawton, and was joined by previous guest Jeff Lem. Being at MODEX 2022, I could not teach my class in person so we did it virtually and I had a guest speaker come on. That guest speaker was the president of Portable Intelligence and author, Jeff Lem. Key Takeaways Jeff highlights the amount of technology we are seeing coming into the warehousing space which was even more evident at MODEX 2022. Even with all of the technology, Jeff is sure to mention that you must rely on your data and that the data must be accurate and consistent in order to continue to make smart business decisions. This is very much a topic that I have discussed with my students as we have covered the importance of accurate data within the supply chain. He also highlights the growth of business intelligence and how it is being grown utilizing AI. This was very interesting as my students are very interested to hear about how AI is growing and being utilized in the supply chain. The biggest growth point for AI in the supply chain according to Jeff is the predictive analytics side. This is allowing operations to understand what is going to happen and how to plan for it in their operation. Additionally, emphasizes that having solid data for AI to work properly is a key to implementing it. One of the other things that Jeff highlights is how the pandemic has caused companies to rethink how they distribute products in their supply chain. He discusses how things have changed for the customer experience and how companies have adopted different ways to allow for contact-less experiences. Through this companies have been able to start not only distributing and fulfilling orders from warehouses but also through their stores. This expands the available inventory and allows it to get to customers with more efficiency. Listen to the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 269: Jeff Lem and the Students
EP 268: MODEX 2022 Recap
In this episode, I recap my experience at MODEX 2022 which just happened last week. It was an incredible event with over 37,000 attendees! Safe to say we are back in person and the material handling industry couldn’t be more excited. Here are my top two takeaways. Key Takeaways The labor shortage is at the top of everyone’s mind and every attendee was looking to see how could they address this ongoing issue. Most vendors there were offering some type of solution to this and it was heavily weighted on the robotics and automation side. What was most interesting about this was the different approaches that companies are taking to solve this. Some find ways to connect companies with workers in other geographical locations remotely and some try to turn the labor of one person into two or three. One thing is for sure is that human labor is here to stay for quite some time as most solutions were focused on empowering and enabling the worker to do more. There was not much discussion on the concept of a dark warehouse. This MODEX was the robotics and automation show! Everywhere you look there was some type of robot or something automated going on. It was pretty remarkable and some even joked that it was a robotics show and not a material handling show. There were so many innovations and technology on display that it was pretty incredible to see after two years of being isolated from seeing these things in person. My biggest takeaway in this area was that almost every part of the operational flow is being automated now and companies are looking at the bigger picture instead of just automating one piece at a time. Listen to the episode below and if you were at MODEX tell me what you thought in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 268: MODEX 2022 Recap
EP 267: SpaceGuard and the ProGMA
In this episode, I was joined by VP of Sales and Marketing at SpaceGuard Products Ray Niemeyer. SpaceGuard provides protective guarding for multiple different applications in the material handling industry. We discuss their product offerings and the ProGMA. Key Takeaways SpaceGuard Products offers multiple different types of protective guarding for our industry. With the increasing presence of equipment, robots, and automation there is an ever-increasing need to have protective measures not only for the people around this equipment but also to protect the investments in these things. Ray explains the importance of these and how SpaceGuard is keeping up with these things in order to be able to provide the proper guarding. One way that SpaceGuard keeps up is by being a part of the ProGMA which is the Protective Guarding Manufacturers Association. The association is focused on working together to ensure that end-users are getting the best quality protection. Even though members might be considered competitors in the industry, Ray explains how they are able to work together so that they can all benefit and most importantly the end-user benefits. Their work together helps to create standards and ensure that the quality of guarding that is being delivered to the industry is up to that standard. If this was not the case then you would see inferior guarding that would not withstand impacts. Listen to the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 267: SpaceGuard and the ProGMA
EP 266: Logistics in Georgia
In this episode, I was joined by Sandy Lake who is the Director of the Georgia Center of Innovation for Logistics. We discussed what the center of innovation is in Georgia, why logistics is so big in the state, and their Logistics Summit. Key Takeaways The Georgia Center of Innovation is a state resource that helps businesses to grow and give them opportunities to learn what is happening in their particular industry. Sandy is in charge of the logistics arm of the Center of Innovation which focuses specifically on the logistics sector of Georgia. There are many logistics companies with hubs or headquarters here in Georgia due to the great resources they have. Sandy discusses how the road network is substantial, the proximity to major areas in the southeast, and also the port they have with the minimal backlog. Sandy’s group puts on an annual Logistics Summit which brings together businesses from the Georgia area to connect and discuss logistics topics. They have seen many great partnerships and relationships come out of this event. Overall, it is a way for Georgia’s resources that can help the logistics industry to be put on display for all to see. I encourage you to check it out here. Listen to the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 266: Logistics in Georgia
EP 265: Locus and Waypoint Become One
In this episode, I was joined by Rick Faulk, Jason Walker, and Patty Katsaros of Locus Robotics. Locus has been on the show multiple times and I have even done a visit to their location in Massachusetts but recently they have acquired Waypoint Robotics which has expanded their robotic offerings. We discuss why Locus and Waypoint were such a great match for each other, why robots are improving jobs, and how robots can help with the high demand for space. Key Takeaways Locus Robotics has been offering one of the top cobot options for picking. As they have been growing rapidly and recently reached unicorn status they took a look at how can they continue to grow and bring the best offerings to their customers. One challenge that they had was that they were limited in the payload for supporting customers with larger items. One solution was to build new robots to address this challenge but the other solution was to go out and buy a company that was already addressing this solution. They went with the latter which led them to acquire Waypoint Robotics. Why were they the right fit? When Jason (of Waypoint) was looking for a home for Waypoint they saw that Locus had similar missions in putting the customer first and the way they were able to scale were big selling points. Bringing these two teams together has resulted in a great synergy in missions and a definite compliment to each other. Now they are both able to scale and grow to where they desired. It will be great to see how they grow together over the next few years and just how rapidly they expand. In fact, if you want to join in on the expansion they will have a booth just dedicated to recruiting employees! One of the most talked-about topics over the last few years has been the tight labor market. While robots and automation are helping to alleviate some of these pain points, some employees still have concerns that robots will replace them and they will lose their job. We discuss how this is not true with solutions like the ones that Locus is offering. These solutions actually help to improve the worker’s job and provide additional safety improvements. Rick even shares a great story about how one user of the Locus Bot gave a great testimony of how she can finally go home and have the energy to play with her kids without being worn out from the day’s work. Listen to the episode below and leave a comment on your thoughts. Be sure to check them out at MODEX! The New Warehouse Podcast EP 265: Locus and Waypoint Become One
EP 264: A-SAFE
In this episode, I was joined by the CEO of A-SAFE, Paul Barlow. A-SAFE focuses on protective guarding products made of polymer and providing safe products for the material handling industry. We discuss how the idea of polymer guarding came about and what the differences are, between the ProGMA and the new RackEye product. Key Takeaways A-SAFE was founded as a polymer company making varying products since the beginning including polymer pallets. One day they were told that they needed to put up some protective guarding in their facility which gave the idea that their polymer pallets put on their side looked like guarding. This sparked the idea for what led to their main product now which is the polymer guards they create. The benefits to these, as Paul explains, are their flexibility and how they can take the energy of an impact. Instead of bending the steel upon impact, the polymer can flex back into place restoring its previous form. Paul and A-SAFE are part of the Protective Guarding Manufacturers Association of MHI which is a collection of different guarding manufacturers that are focused on bringing safe products to the material handling industry. They have also recently come out with a protective guarding search tool that can help you to find exactly what you need for your specific application. Their focus is to create more awareness around the types of protective guarding that are available for our industry. The newest product from A-SAFE is RackEye which is a rack monitoring system. As Paul and I discuss oftentimes it is hard to know when your racking has been damaged. You may rely on your operators to alert you if something happens but unfortunately, not everyone will feel the need to report any issues. RackEye attaches to your racking and senses when there is an impact. This then creates an alert for your management team on where to go check the racking. The technology has been in development for some time but the great part about it is that the devices are all battery powered which means you do not have to do any special wiring. Another step in the direction of the connected warehouse. Listen to the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 264: A-SAFE
EP 263: Bonnie Plants
On this episode, I was joined by the Director of E-commerce Operations & Fulfillment at Bonnie Plants, Sid Phelps. Bonnie Plants provides all of the pre-grown vegetable plants that you would find at places like Lowe’s and Home Depot. We discuss Bonnie Plants distribution model, how they developed a robust e-commerce business for live plants, and some career advice from Sid. Key Takeaways Bonnie Plants has been in business for 104 years bringing live plants to retail outlets for consumers to plant in their gardens and enjoy. Dealing with live plants creates a unique distribution model which includes greenhouses where the plants are grown and stored. Sid explains how there are main distribution centers and then smaller substations which allow the plants to be close to the point of sale and also stay in the proper environments to maximize their life and quality. We also discuss how the life cycle of the plant works into their distribution flow as it starts from a seed and grows to the retail stage. As you can imagine there are multiple challenges when dealing with live plants versus dry goods. Not only is it challenging to deliver them to retail outlets and ensure they are ready just at the right part of the season there is also an added layer when it comes to their e-commerce operation. Sid was one of the main individuals at Bonnie who helped develop their e-commerce business and explains how the biggest challenge was finding the right package. You can tell from the way Sid talks about this that Bonnie Plants has the customer experience top of mind which is such an important part of e-commerce. Sid has been with Bonnie Plants for 22 years and as he explains started in his teens as a greenhouse laborer doing whatever job needed to be done. He has since worked his way up to his current position. I asked him what his career advice would be and he advised that the most important thing to do is to get experience on the floor and do the tough jobs. He explains that doing this allows you to better understand the processes and ensures that when you are leading people you can ask them to do things knowing that you would be willing or have done them yourself in the past. Listen to the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 263: Bonnie Plants
EP 262: A. Duie Pyle Navigates NYC
In this episode, I was joined by John Luciani of A. Duie Pyle. Pyle is a transportation and logistics company providing LTL, FTL, and warehousing services based in the Northeast of the United States. John is the COO of LTL services and we discussed how the pandemic has had an impact on the trucking industry we also discuss how Pyle navigates difficult areas for trucking like New York City. Key Takeaways Pyle has been around for close to 100 years now and remains a family-operated business. This is very admirable to me as they are very focused on “making decisions for a lifetime” as John says. Definitely, a great thing to see these days and it shows as they have been resilient through the pandemic. John explains how they had seen a 40% drop in business right when everything happened but were able to navigate their way through to a point where they are now growing again from pre-pandemic numbers. While they saw challenges dealing with different restrictions throughout the pandemic they have been dealing with challenges for a long time. Some of the biggest challenges that Pyle’s faces are those that a carrier operating in a congested city like New York would face. With many restrictions for trucks in New York, Pyle finds different ways to still accommodate their customers and ensure they deliver goods. John discusses the challenges that they face like having only two entry points into the city and parking issues. Many places in the city are outdated to accommodate modern trucks so oftentimes double parking or idling trucks can occur. The issue is that these carry major fines. Pyle was hit with $300k in fines in just the last year from these different restrictions. John believes that working with the city and shifting to more nighttime deliveries will help them to avoid some of these restrictions and get the product to customers in a better way. Another challenge for trucking companies is the green initiatives that the city has put in place. For older trucks, this is hard to meet due to their emissions but Pyle has been testing both hybrid and electric trucks to help move their fleet into the future. However, they also face challenges in this area because of the amount of power that is needed to charge the number of trucks that are required. Another issue that they are ensuring they tackle is to make sure that the power they are utilizing for electric trucks is coming from a sustainable source and that the energy is “green” all the way through the process. Listen to the episode below and leave your thoughts on the challenges they are facing in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 262: A. Duie Pyle Navigates NYC
EP 261: Phantom Auto
In this episode, I was joined by two Ryan’s both from Phantom Auto. Ryan Chesterfield and Ryan Clifford both work for Phantom Auto which is helping to bring remote work capabilities to the warehousing world. We discuss Phantom Auto’s technology, how it is changing the way we work and what the future looks like. Key Takeaways Phantom Auto is bringing revolutionary technology to the warehousing world by providing a solution that allows machine operators to work remotely. Originally developed to be able to support autonomous trucks on the road in case there is an issue, the technology has since be adopted to allow forklifts to be operated remotely by humans. Based on incredibly fast communication the platform can allow almost immediate response time allowing for these types of operations to be controlled and performed thousands of miles away. What Phantom Auto is bringing to the table certainly helps to address one of the largest issues we’ve been experiencing which is a shortage of labor. Ryan brings up a great point in our discussion that in some areas demand for labor is high so it creates a shortage but there may be other areas of the country where labor demand is not as high. Typically there would be no way to tap into this available labor because they would need to be physically present, however, with Phantom Auto’s technology these individuals could now operate a forklift in Texas for a warehouse that is in New Jersey. It truly opens up the labor market. For the future of technology, there is a goal to be able to get beyond a one-to-one ratio for equipment. The idea is that an operator could handle two vehicles at once and be able to intervene when necessary. Right now companies are hiring operators internally that can work remotely for them but Phantom is considering the possibility of offering operators that are Phantom employees to companies on an as-needed basis. This would allow the operators to work for multiple different operations depending on where they are needed. Listen to the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 261: Phantom Auto
EP 260: 3 Years of The New Warehouse!
Three years of The New Warehouse Podcast! I can hardly believe it but I’m taking a moment to celebrate all of the episodes that we have created over the last three years. It has been quite the learning journey and it only continues to grow. Thank you! There is nothing more to say here but thank you. I am very thankful to all of the listeners and those that have shown interest in The New Warehouse over the last three years. I have certainly learned a lot and I hope you have to. It has been quite the experience and it is far from ending in my eyes. Be sure to listen to the episode below to hear my reflections and a special announcement. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 260: 3 Years of The New Warehouse!
EP 259: StayLinked Evolve
On this episode, I was joined by the previous guest Justin Griffith of StayLinked. Justin is the CTO at StayLinked and he came on to discuss their new technology Evolve. We discuss the technology that StayLinked helps improve, their new product Evolve, and why ease of integration is so important for our industry. Key Takeaways StayLinked helps with terminal emulation when it comes to Telnet. In other words, they help to ensure that your handheld devices are working properly and can support your legacy systems. Justin gives some insight into just how long this technology has been around which leads to an interesting discussion on disruption in our industry. One thing that can scare operations is the thought of disrupting their shipments. Getting behind on shipments can be extremely costly so with the uncertainty of how integration will go there can be resistance. Recently StayLinked released their latest offering which is called Evolve. This product allows companies to easily integrate multiple systems together. A great example is that you can know how your handheld device communicates with a robot without any intensive programming or difficult system work. Definitely a huge step forward in allowing companies to bring new technologies into their operation and reduce the fear of disruption. Justin discusses how the main driver for creating this product was hearing how companies were struggling through integrations. With so many technologies entering our world there are many instances where communication between the technologies cannot happen or is incredibly difficult to make happen. This is where smaller businesses run into issues because they do not have the resources to make these communications happen. StayLinked Evolve now allows these companies to be able to do this with ease and within a few hours according to Justin. As the technology grows there will be multiple platforms that can communicate with each other and it will definitely open up the market for the operations world. Listen to the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 259: StayLinked Evolve