Episode 138 – AutoGuide Mobile ASRS
In this episode, I was joined by the CEO of AutoGuide, Rob Sullivan. Rob was previously on the show on Episode 105 when we connected back at MODEX 2020 this year. We caught up again to discuss AutoGuide’s recently released Mobile ASRS and the MAX-N High Bay Pallet Mover. You will hear us talk about how the business has been since MODEX, the newly released products, and also the difference in building a robot from the ground up makes. Key Takeaways AutoGuide is an autonomous mobile robot company that does high payload movement. They have been doing tuggers and car movers but are now also into the ASRS and the high bay world as well. The unique thing about their robots is that they are modular. This means that a tugger can transform into a pallet stacker and give you a lot of flexibility when it comes to investing in a robotics fleet. Rob explains how this all works and the benefits of it in this episode. Mobile ASRS (autonomous storage and retrieval system) is one of AutoGuide’s newest solutions that brings more flexibility to the ASRS model. Rob describes that a typical ASRS would involve a crane system that would move the pallets of products or the products themselves in whatever storage unit is being utilized to bring it to a retrieval location. The Mobile ASRS by AutoGuide is a big step forward because it utilizes your existing infrastructure and just adds AutoGuide’s AMRs to create the system. The key is their software platform which locates the product and then moves it through the operational flow to get it to where it needs to be. It is a huge step forward in being able to bring automation into your existing setup. The next new release from AutoGuide is the MAX-N High Bay Pallet Mover. It is an autonomous counterbalanced forklift that allows you to bring automation to your high bay picking operation. This high bay pallet mover can go up to 36 feet high which allows for the majority of warehousing setups to fully utilize this robot. Rob mentions that approximately 95% of warehouses are under 40 feet which was the driver behind picking 36 feet. Choosing this height is very accommodating as it allows you to go higher with your automation and fully utilize your cubic space. One really cool thing (for my other inventory control nerds) is that the location software and vision that the robot has is able to capture data of not only the location it is storing or retrieving too but the locations that are next to it at the same time. Of course, I had to ask if this can be used for cycle counting and Rob confirmed that yes it is possible for the robots to be able to capture that data and input it into an inventory management system. Having these robots capture that data while they are performing other tasks is really an improvement to the overall process flow and certainly helps to improve the time it takes to cycle count. Listen to the episode below and let us know what you think about AutoGuide’s new solutions in the comments below. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 138: AutoGuide Mobile ASRS
Episode 137 – Rufus Labs Update
In this episode, I caught up with the CEO and co-founder of Rufus Labs, Gabe Grifoni. I last spoke with Gabe back on Episode 25 where we discussed how their solution works and the connected worker. In the newest episode, we discuss updates to their solution, how companies can help employees get through peak season, and how to speed up the training process. Key Takeaways Rufus Labs provides a wearable device that enables your operators to be hands-free when they are performing their tasks. They provide the device which is designed and made by them along with their Work Hero platform which is the software that drives the device and provides great insights into productivity. The device pairs with a scan glove that keeps the scanner close but also allows your hand to be used more freely. Additionally, it is a subscription-based service for hardware and software which allows you to stay up to date with their latest versions and technology. Since we last spoke the device has been updated more with a new cuff and additional features. The work hero platform has also been updated by Rufus Labs allowing for further drill down and additional visibility to look at all locations that might be in your network. Additionally, as COVID has driven many changes, a proximity program is in the works that will notify operators when they are within six feet of someone else wearing a Rufus Labs wearable. Warehouse workers are front line workers and Gabe discusses how they are facing tough peak seasons due to the increased demand for eCommerce. We talk about how the pandemic has created peak like levels before the peak had even hit this year. As you will hear, Gabe discusses how it is important to empower the worker and give them tools that will allow them to work more efficiently and with less stress to help them keep up with the high demand. When we get into peak like times, there is a demand for more workers which can come with the issue of getting these new workers trained and up to speed. Gabe discusses how the setup of Rufus Lab’s devices allows for easier onboarding, in some cases within a half-day workers are ready to go. This is a huge improvement to the onboarding and training period especially as it becomes difficult to attract and retain staff. With the additional insights through Work Hero, you will also be able to get insights into their productivity and understand whether they are a fit for a job much more quickly. Listen to the episode below and let us know what you think about the business model in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 137: Rufus Labs Update
Episode 136 – 2021 Thoughts with Garry Bartecki
In this episode, I talk to Garry Bartecki of GB Financial Services for the January 2021 cover story of Material Handling Wholesaler. This is the latest in our partnership with Material Handling Wholesaler and our second podcast with Garry. You can find our first discussion on financing and leasing material handling equipment in Episode 102. The January 2021 cover story is titled “2021 Based on 2020. The Way I See It.” written by Garry. As you can imagine, our discussion revolves around 2021 but we also have an interesting discussion about Garry’s background and refurbished material handling equipment. Key Takeaways It is no secret that 2020 has been quite a tough year and while there is hope that 2021 will be better, Garry doesn’t sugar coat anything and discusses the reality that businesses will have to look at things differently in order to get through the year. He discusses how businesses will have to look at their programs completely differently and be open to trying new ways to accommodate their customers in order to survive. Garry discusses how a refurbishment program is something that can help both dealers and customers during 2021 and beyond. Refurbished equipment can help dealers by giving them an additional offering to their customers and as Garry explains many times the margins work out better for dealers on refurbished units. From a customer perspective, a refurbished unit is a way to get new equipment but sometimes at 60% the cost of a new unit. Additionally, Garry calms any concerns that people might have of them not performing as well as he mentions that he cannot tell any difference between them in his experience and that they are pretty much starting out with all new components. Towards the end of our discussion, Garry and I talk about how important it is to embrace the younger generation entering the industry. Garry has some great points of how individuals coming right out of school tend to have aggressiveness and eagerness when it comes to learning about the job and industry in which they are in. They also have a higher understanding of technology and should be embraced and utilized to help companies improve their processes and also adapt to the new technology and systems they can use to help improve their business. Listen to the episode below and let us know your tip for 2021 in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 136: 2021 Thoughts with Garry Bartecki
Episode 135 – RightHand Robotics
In this episode, I was joined by Vince Martinelli of RightHand Robotics. Vince is the Head of Product & Marketing at RightHand Robotics and a previous guest of the show. The last time we spoke was at MODEX 2019 (in person!) earlier this year on Episode 70 where we discussed the origins of RightHand Robotics and some recent partnerships they are involved in. For this episode, Vince and I discussed what has happened since then with RightHand Robotics, Vince’s brief stint as a coffee shop owner, and his predictions for automation going into 2021. Key Takeaways As I have been talking to different people within the industry it is fascinating to hear about how they ended up where they are. Vince has a very interesting story that took a detour away from technology into owning his own coffee shop. He gives some great insights on how he learned many things that have helped him in his career post-coffee shop life. Additionally, he also gives some great insight for those looking to work for a start-up and how you can learn a lot from working for different size companies. Vince discusses how things have developed during the pandemic for RightHand Robotics and how some things that were already in the works got accelerated to accommodate customer’s needs. He explains how they were in the process of developing systems that would allow them to do remote installs and setups at the time of MODEX (prior to major shutdowns). With the need for social distancing and restrictions on allowing external parties on-site at many companies, the need for remote setup and support became a huge demand this year and RHR was ready to meet the task. He also explains how there has been an increased demand for their solution in the grocery space as home delivery has increased in popularity. We also discussed what the future holds in 2021 with automation. As we have discussed on the podcast through this year, consumer behavior has shifted and driven e-commerce demand to new highs. Due to this Vince believes that this consumer behavior will stick and as he talks to peers around the industry they are seeing lots of interest and investment in automation for now and the future. To keep up with the level and demand and also keep workers safe, automation and robotics will soon become essential to meet these goals. He also discusses how to get started on an automation project if you have not introduced any into your operation yet. Listen to the episode below and let us know in the comments if you are investing in automation in the coming year. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 135: RightHand Robotics
Episode 134 – Kinetic Eye
In this episode, I was joined by Josh Butler of Kinetic Eye. He is the Founder and CEO at Kinetic Eye, a safety platform that automates your safety monitoring and increases the prevention of safety incidents. Josh and I discuss how Kinetic Eye works, where the idea came from, and how it can help to increase safety measures in your facility. Key Takeaways Kinetic Eye is next level when it comes to safety. Their platform automates your safety monitoring by utilizing your existing security camera infrastructure and adds computer vision to monitor the actions that are being taken within the camera’s eye. By doing this, the platform is able to determine when a safety incident occurs or when one is about to potentially occur. When it detects this it alerts you through the platform and directly to your inbox so you can take action immediately. With the increase in facility sizes, it is impossible to have eyes all over the place and Kinetic Eye allows you to increase your vision from a safety perspective. So where did this idea come from? Josh is a former student of computer vision and also worked for Nio, an electric car company, implementing computer vision to help their cars from getting in accidents. As Josh and his co-workers started to realize from insurance companies that the utilization of computer vision will at some point eliminate accidents, they started to think about how this technology could be applied in different industries. That is where the idea for Kinetic Eye came from and it is a great application because there are so many potential safety issues in our industry. I personally love the concept of Kinetic Eye and think it has great potential to really make an impact on safety in distribution centers. It provides you with so much more insight into what is actually happening in your facility. From my experience, there are so many things that happen that go unreported which reduces your chances to root cause and put prevention measures in place. With Kinetic Eye’s platform, you are provided with not only additional eyes but also other tools to utilize like heat maps, statistics, and further insights to help you make your safety culture robust and effective. Listen to the episode below and let us know your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 134: Kinetic Eye
Episode 133 – Facility Design with Peter Christian
In this episode, I was joined by Peter Christian who is an author, consultant, and teacher in the supply chain arena. Peter is currently “retired” but is still very busy and involved in the field. His background is in industrial engineering, operations, and strategic planning so our discussion revolved around facility design and how it has changed over the years. Key Takeaways As mentioned above, Peter has an extensive background and continues to build on that experience as well. While he is semi-retired he still authors his own books including “What About the Vermin Problem?” and recently released “Influences and Influencers” as well as works as an adjunct professor at Alvernia University. His background is very interesting and probably the most intriguing part of it for me was his time at Crayola which is an incredibly fun place to visit if you ever have the chance. Throughout his career, he has worked in engineering, quality control, operations, and strategic planning. I wanted to talk about facility design and planning with Peter because of his extensive background. It is very interesting to hear how facilities have changed over time. One thing is for sure, the size of distribution facilities have become massive with some topping 2 million square feet. Not only have they increased their footprint but they have also increased the height that they go. Increasing the height allows for more cubic space overall but can help to reduce cost by shrinking the amount of land needed. Peter starts the discussion on facility planning with the most important aspect of an operation, safety. He discusses how any type of planning within a facility whether new or old should always take safety into account. He emphasizes the importance of this now more than ever due to the increase in equipment being utilized and different moving parts. This is incredibly important as a redesign or new design may seem incredibly efficient but if it is not safe, it is not worth it. As we look at changes in design not only does safety need to be thought of in the process flow but also from a budget perspective. Safety measures should be taken and preventive measures should be invested in prior to an issue happening. One other point that was very important to bring up is to look at whether a new facility is actually needed or if you are just not optimizing your current space. Peter discusses how assessing your actual needs instead of getting caught up in the idea of a new facility is an important first step. While having a bigger footprint may make an impact when you say it, the reality may be that it is unnecessary for your operation. A proper assessment will take into account your current space and analyze whether space can be redesigned to help your current and future needs. Once that is done then you can really make the best decision for the future of your business and operation. Listen to the episode below and let us know your thoughts on facility planning in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 133: Facility Design with Peter Christian
Episode 132 – TMS 101 with John Conte
In this episode, I was joined by John Conte who is the Founder and CEO at Conte Logistics Consulting. He is also a TMS or transportation management system expert having gone through multiple projects involving the implementation of TMS systems in different companies. John also recently wrote a book called “The ABC’s of Supply Chain and Logistics” which focuses on introducing children to different supply chain words and concepts through the use of the alphabet. Key Takeaways John has an extensive background in the industry starting out at 18 years old when he decided to take a break from college and got a job working in a warehouse. When he was working this job he fell in love with logistics and kept a curious mind into how to make the things that he was doing better. Over his career, he was able to grow and take on various roles with the opportunity to lead many projects. He now has his own logistics consulting business and also heads up Ikea’s new Digital & Commerce Fulfillment group as the Director of Product Management. “The ABC’s of Supply Chain and Logistics” is a book that John wrote focusing on introducing supply chain and logistics terms and concepts to younger individuals. The idea came out of his multiple endeavors in helping individuals to advance their careers within the field. He also gives some great career advice on how to continue growing within your industry. For me, the most important bit of advice he gives is to be able to do and understand what those who work for you do. As he says, your employees will have more respect for you if they know that you can do or have done what they are doing now. In his consulting role, John takes the time to focus on your logistics needs. One of the biggest things that he focuses on is TMS implementations. As he discusses, a TMS is a transportation management system that can look into your logistics to help provide you with the best shipping methods to help with consolidation, cost savings, and overall efficiency gains. One important thing he notes is that he will assess your actual need for a TMS. He talks about how some TMS providers may be trying to sell you more than what you actually need so from his experience he is able to really evaluate your needs and if you ever actually need a TMS in your operation. Listen to the episode below and let us know your thoughts on TMS in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 132: TMS 101 with John Conte
Episode 131 – Noviland
On this episode, I was joined by the Director of Business Development at Noviland, Francois Jaffres. Noviland is a cloud-based sourcing platform that helps companies connect with a large manufacturing network. We discuss how Noviland works, how the idea came about, and what trends are being seen during the pandemic. The New Warehouse has also been given a special promo code for you to use, just use TNW20 on Noviland’s site for a $20 credit. Key Takeaways Noviland provides a cloud-based interface for your company to be able to source products to distribute. Francois explains the many different ways that their platform can be utilized. With eCommerce on the rise, we have seen how products have been diversified and come into demand from varying websites. As already established businesses and even new upstart eCommerce sites grow they look to source new products to be able to supply consumer demand. Sourcing these items can be a lot of leg work from establishing relationships with factories, finding factories, or even just knowing who to contact first but Noviland they have an already established relationship with factories and can navigate the whole process for you. Prior to my conversation with Francois, I got the chance to see a live demo. It is very easy to use the platform and really helps to streamline the sourcing process. From my perspective, it is a great tool for those who have a small business looking to source new products or for a company just starting to source their initial product offering. In addition to the easy to use the platform, you have the resources of Noviland working for you which help to coordinate every aspect of the source component of the supply chain. Additionally, it helps to keep your funds secured through Noviland and keeps your money based in America which gives added protection as well. Due to the pandemic, we have certainly seen shifts in consumer behavior which we have talked about multiple times on the podcast but Francois gives us some perspective into what certain products have been sourced more than pre-COVID. He discusses how PPE demand skyrocketed but another interesting increase in sourcing demand was home office items and puzzles. Additionally, he discusses how these demands drove new factories or temporary factories to be opened which resulted in new regulations to ensure that proper safety measures were being taken for certain products. A real example of how flexible and adaptive a supply chain needs to be. Listen to the episode below and use promo code TNW20 for a $20 credit at Noviland! The New Warehouse Podcast EP 131: Noviland
Episode 130 – Peak Ryzex’s COVID Coverage
In this episode, I was joined by Jen Ward of Peak-Ryzex where she is the offering manager. We discuss how Peak-Ryzex has been helping companies during COVID-19 with their mobility solutions. I previously spoke with Peak-Ryzex prior to COVID way back on Episode 19 so it is very interesting to see how their offerings have adapted to the current environment. Key Takeaways Peak-Ryzex is a provider of end-to-end digital supply chain solutions. They help with a multitude of projects within your distribution setup and overall supply chain. They are partnered with many high-level vendors that we have also had on the show like Zebra and Honeywell. Peak-Ryzex works to help make your supply chain more efficient and productive. With COVID changing the way that we would normally do many things, Jen explains how they have seen a shift in businesses for companies and how some have pivoted to adapt to the current environment. In doing so, these companies have to remain vigilant from a safety standpoint which has created some new trends within the industry. One of them is going from a “one to many” model to a “one to one” model which means that they are now purchasing more equipment so that each individual has one and it reduces the chance of contamination by sharing devices. This is most commonly seen with wearable devices. Additionally, with handhelds and wearables, the technology has evolved to allow location tracking to understand when people are breaking the recommended six-foot distancing so that it can be addressed. 2020 has certainly increased our awareness of cleanliness and where germs can be present. There are many solutions coming into the industry to help with sanitizing and to make it an easier regular routine. One technology that I have been following and that is very interesting to me is UV light technology. Jen discusses how UV light is now being used to help to sanitize in a less evasive way than some solutions that are being sprayed or applied to areas in other ways. The UV light is UV-C which is a light that can be harnessed in many different ways like a wand, a light bar, or even incorporated into charging stations. The biggest benefit, in my opinion, is that there is no solution that is creating moisture or dampness on your technology devices which helps to prolong the life of your equipment while also keeping your employees safe. Listen to the episode below and let us know how you are keeping things clean in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 130: Peak-Ryzex COVID Coverage
Episode 129 – IBM and Cognitive Process Reengineering
In this episode, I was joined by Jonathan Wright of IBM. Jonathan is the Global Head of Cognitive Process Reengineering at IBM Global Business Services. I last spoke to IBM on Episode 72 with Jeanette Barlow where we discussed the impacts of COVID-19 and opportunities that have arisen from them. Jonathan and I discuss how companies will be moving forward after COVID, what cognitive process reengineering is, and how AI can help companies come out of the negative impacts of COVID. Key Takeaways Cognitive process reengineering is the core consulting arm of IBM and looks at re-imagining how businesses do work. They do this by using the latest technologies like AI and blockchain. While they work with all different aspects of the business, they have been focusing more on the supply chain as that has proven to be one of the hottest areas of a business during the pandemic. IBM recently released a report that found that 70% of surveyed supply chain executives say they will be utilizing AI or intelligent automation to help support demand planning and forecast within the next three years. Jonathan explains what is driving this adoption of AI and how it will help companies to get a better hold of their demand planning and forecasting. He brings up an interesting point of how (pre-COVID) everything was fairly stable so there was not necessarily a high need to worry about volatility. In contrast, the pandemic caused high volatility that many were not prepared for. Adopting AI or intelligent automation can help to manage and prepare for these disruptions to your supply chain. Jonathan discusses the need for being able to increase your focus on value-added tasks instead of mundane tasks. As we look at the increased demand and how to handle it we need to look at how to automate and make mundane tasks easier. While we often talk about these mundane tasks on the work floor, Jonathan mentions being able to look at analytic work in a better way as well. He discusses IBM’s technology and how you can ask for information from an office virtual assistant similar to voice assistants now found in many homes. This helps to give you data at your fingertips in an immediate way instead of going through multiple reports or having to generate spreadsheets to get the information you need to make a decision. This can greatly increase the speed at which decisions are made. Listen to the episode below and let us know if you will be looking to AI for help in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 129: IBM and Cognitive Process Reengineering
Episode 128 – ProGlove
In this episode, I got a chance to speak with Tracy Hansen of ProGlove. Tracy is the president, North America & Global CMO at ProGlove. We discuss ProGlove’s solution, disruptive innovation, and industry 4.0. Key Takeaways ProGlove is a German-based engineering company that is taking a human-centric approach to innovation and shaping the future of smart wearables for industry 4.0. Their newest glove system is a lightweight hand wrap that carries not only the scanner for scanning items for picks and other tasks but also has a display built-in. This is different in comparison to other wearables where you see the display on your wrist and the scanner is typically a ring scanner on your finger. This puts everything in one place for better comfort and visibility as well. One of the major benefits of ProGlove’s scanning devices is the freedom that it gives to the worker. Tracy has a great example where she asks the question can you do a cartwheel with your current solution. In most cases, you probably cannot but the freedom that ProGlove gives your hands allows you to do so much more. Due to this freedom, your productivity will increase because you will pick up valuable seconds on every pick that is typically spent picking up, checking, or manipulating a handheld device in some way. From a safety perspective, ProGlove also gives users better peace of mind by allowing them to have their hands free to lift properly and also hold on to things as necessary. Additionally, Tracy explains a new feature that they have rolled out that helps to keep social distancing in place in the workplace. The unit can sense where other units are so that it will give the user a notification when they get too close to someone else. The device emits a buzz that allows the user and those around to know that they are violating social distancing protocols. The weight of the device also helps to reduce the stress on the worker from doing repetitive motions which helps to reduce potential strain injuries. Tracy and I discuss how the transformation of the industry has been so rapid over the last few years with automation and digitizing many processes, however, humans are still very much a necessity. We discuss how even though so many things are advancing in robotics and industry 4.0 there is still a need for the human workforce. Tracy makes some really great points about how automation and robotics need to be human-centric to allow humans to be more capable and more effective at their jobs. Listen to the episode below and let us know your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 128: ProGlove
Episode 127 – Factory vs. Independent
In this episode, I was joined by Dave Baiocchi for the December 2020 Material Handling Wholesaler cover story entitled “Factory Stores Coming to the U.S.?” We discuss factory stores vs. independent dealers, how the business model is changing, why it is changing, and what it means for customers. Key Takeaways As we have been exploring some different topics with our Material Handling Wholesaler partnership I have been learning more about the world of material handling equipment dealers. With this episode, we learn about the differences between factory stores and independent dealers. Factory stores are owned by the manufacturer of the equipment whereas independent dealers are not owned by the manufacturers. Historically the majority of the business has been independent dealers but that has shifted in recent years and Dave explains why that has been happening. Dave discusses some of the challenges that the OEM’s go through when they try to open factory stores. He explains how the manufacturers are more geared towards manufacturing only and providing parts so to shift and have to be more customer-facing becomes difficult. It presents the challenge of trying to properly service their customers and understand the relationships that need to be built there. He puts it perfectly when he says that they need to become more nimble than they have in the past. So what does this mean for the customer buying from a factory store or an independent dealer? As we take a look at some challenges OEM’s have when it comes to opening these factory stores, the service is what is difficult for them to handle. With the reality of service potentially being worse with a factory store, it might be in the interest of the customer to stick with an independent dealer. Especially in times where budgets are tighter, you want to be able to rely on your dealer to provide a high level of service so that your equipment will continue to last longer. Preventive maintenance is key and you need to weigh your options to ensure you will have quality service to prevent downtime. Listen to the episode below and let us know your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 127: Factory vs. Independent
Episode 126 – COVID-19 Safety with Zebra Technologies
In this episode, I was joined by former guest Mark Wheeler of Zebra Technologies. Mark is the Director of Supply Chain Solutions at Zebra Technologies and he has also been a previous guest all the way back in Episode 21. In this episode, we discuss how Zebra is helping companies through COVID-19, proper sanitization of devices, and their recent Food Safety Supply Chain Vision Study. Key Takeaways When I last spoke with Mark we were both at MODEX in person back in March of this year and little did we know how much things would change in the months since. With Zebra Technologies being so involved in different aspects of the supply chain, I wanted to get a sense of how they are seeing the supply chain change from the pandemic. Mark points out that e-commerce has seen four-six years of growth push forward to this year which has really created a spike in demand and operations have had to keep up. Many of Zebra’s product offerings are handheld and often are shared between employees or shifts. This passing from shift to shift was not something we have necessarily been so conscious of in the past but with COVID the idea of sanitizing these devices has become very important. Mark discusses the sealing that their devices have always had which allows them to be safely sanitized without fear of damaging the unit. Additionally, many of the wearable devices like ring scanners or headsets for voice picking have accessories that can be easily personalized that attach to the hardware itself. When there is increased demand we see an increase in workers, as well as warehouse operations, need to ramp up their capacity and throughput. One of the pain points of utilizing these temporary workers is getting them trained quickly so they can be up and running. Mark discusses how their devices and the switch to the Android operating system has helped to create better user experiences. With a better user experience, it can decrease the amount of time needed to get someone started in their job and also help to reduce their frustrations as they use the system. Typically we look at reducing touchpoints to help throughput and cycle time but with the pandemic, we have looked at reducing touchpoints to reduce the risk of contamination. We discuss how technologies or rethinking process flows can help to reduce touchpoints or accommodate social distancing. Mark has an interesting point when it comes to picking by suggesting that zone picking is a great way to ensure that employees are not crossing paths or have a need to come within six feet of each other. Additionally, goods to person robots are also helping to keep individuals separated from each other by being the means of the handoff and transfer of product. Listen below and check out the Food Safety Supply Chain Vision Study here. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 126: COVID Safety with Zebra Technologies
Episode 125 – Wyebot
In this episode, I was joined by the CEO of Wyebot, Roger Sands. Wyebot is the leader in AI-driven WiFi automation and helps to ensure your network is optimized. We discuss the importance of network setups in the warehouse, how networks are evolving, and how Wyebot’s AI helps to improve network optimization. Key Takeaways Wyebot was formed out of recognizing the dynamic that warehouses have. Looking at how inventory is changing, layouts are changing and how automation is increasing, they recognized that the network needed to be automated as well. Their solution allows the WiFi connection to constantly be monitored and helps to identify points of weakness and quickly repair them remotely. With network connectivity being such a huge factor in allowing your operation to run, reducing potential downtime is critical. Roger gives us insight into what an optimized network really is. As we discuss the topic, we learn that optimization is key to a wireless connection where a wired connection is more predictable. Due to the dynamic environment in the warehouse, the network optimization can also be constantly changing due to signals being blocked or potentially interfered with. Roger points out that these networks should be constantly monitored because of all the changes and to ensure that the network continues to be optimized. The foundation of your network needs to be set up properly in order to have great connectivity throughout your facility. Roger walks us through the steps to take to ensure that you are starting with a strong network instead of trying to fix it later. He emphasizes the importance of doing a site survey first to map out the network and make sure that it will perform correctly by doing a benchmark. Once the operation starts to go in place, the network needs to be constantly benchmarked so any issues can be identified and corrected prior to a large disruption. Additionally, which I think is very important, connection issues for operators within the facilities also need to be reported and tracked to understand what other issues may exist within the network. Listen to the episode below and network with us in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 125: Wyebot
Episode 124 – Enersys Motive Power
In this episode, I was joined by Tim Wittig who is the General Manager of Motive Power Specialty at Enersys. We have talked to Enersys multiple times on the show, most recently on our Modex episode with Harold where we discussed wireless forklift charging. Tim and I discuss the motive power branch of Enersys, contact-less battery solutions, and the impact of the pandemic on the battery industry. Key Takeaways Enersys covers many different industries when it comes to providing battery solutions for whatever your power needs might be. Tim is focused on the motive power side of the business which would be most commonly found in the forklifts that The New Warehouse’s audience would be utilizing in their operations. Tim and I discuss the business impact of the pandemic and how Enersys has been handling it. As many in our industry are familiar with, MODEX was somewhat of the mark for the beginning of all of the change that happened over the last few months. Tim shares that throughout the pandemic the business has remained strong due to the increased demand for distribution operations to keep up with the spike in eCommerce shopping. When it comes to dealing with the pandemic every company has had to come up with some way to accommodate guidelines for proper safety measures. Enersys is no different and has a few different solutions that allow for contact-free battery usage. Tim talks about the Nexsys battery that is a pure lead solution that does not need to be watered for maintenance which takes out that touchpoint. Ultimately with a battery, the major touchpoint comes into play with maintenance so, with Enersys’ existing technology, maintenance had already been reduced prior to the pandemic. Other solutions include the E-connect app which allows for on-site maintenance workers to get further insight before touching anything and the future holds wireless charging which we have talked about previously on the podcast. Listen to the episode below and let us know your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 124: Enersys Motive Power
Episode 123 – Regal Conveying
In this episode, I was joined by Brad Gossard who is the General Manager of Regal Conveying. You may remember Regal from our ProMat series where we discussed their ModSort system. While Regal is a large company with many brands under its umbrella, Brad works with its conveying arm which is under the brand System Plast. We discuss how conveying has changed over the last 10 years, maintaining social distance in fast pace environments and ergonomics. Key Takeaways Regal has many different brands within their company that covers multiple different industries and business sectors. On the material handling side, they focus on conveyors which is the division that Brad heads up. They have some interesting conveyor solutions especially ModSort which has a unique way of handling diverts. I was very impressed when I saw it at ProMat last year and it is still a very nice solution. Brad discusses how prior to COVID-19 the major changes within the industry in the last few years have been how packaging has changed and how workflow has become more fast-paced. As demand has increased through e-commerce, it has created a higher demand to move smaller packages in a more efficient and automated way. When the parcel industry shifted towards a volume-based pricing strategy, companies started to use different types of packaging which became harder to convey. Due to this, the ModSort was brought into play as it can handle all different shapes and sizes of packages. Now that COVID-19 has happened, Regal Conveying has seen increased demand in utilizing conveying as a way to create social distancing within a facility. Brad explains that one of the initial reactions in material handling was to hire more people to handle the spike in demand but now companies are looking to put more automation in place to get away from manual sortation. As you can imagine, manual sortation can make it difficult for social distancing in some cases. To create social distancing, conveyors can be put in place to do the sortation and also create distance between employees. Listen to the episode below and convey your thoughts to us in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 123: Regal Conveying
Episode 122 – SCI
In this episode, I was joined by the CEO of SCI, Chris Galindo. SCI is one of the largest 3PL’s in Canada providing supply chain solutions for your company’s needs. We discuss how SCI became one of the largest 3PL’s in Canada, the business environment in Canada during the pandemic, and what companies can learn coming out of the pandemic. Key Takeaways SCI provides 3PL services that include two main components which are distribution and transportation. They are able to service your entire supply chain so that you can provide high service levels to your customers. They have been around for 30 years and, as Chris explains, they were able to build their reputation up early on by being able to provide services to large companies like Amazon and Lowes. As we have heard before on the podcast, working with these larger companies really helps to push you towards having higher standards and becoming a better company yourself. I really liked that SCI’s tagline is “we make you better” and as Chris explains they really develop a culture where the employees strive to make their services better for the customer. Chris explains how they do this by creating a good work environment and also continue to develop and nurture a continuous improvement mindset throughout the company. He emphasizes how they incentivize continuous improvement and continue to recognize it as their way of leadership with a dedicated continuous improvement team. SCI also does an amazing recognition of the best continuous improvement process at the end of the year where an employee is highlighted for their project. Since SCI is Canada based, I wanted to hear how the pandemic has had an impact on business there since we have primarily talked to American based individuals on the podcast in the last few months. Chris gives us some insight into how the pandemic has really shifted and changed the business. As you can expect, there have been many of the same things happening there as in America. One interesting thing is that there has been some localization of inventory as companies are trying to ensure they have inventory in the right place for customers to be able to purchase. This was also an impact from the border being closed and not being able to bring certain things into the country. One of the other interesting things coming out of the pandemic is how companies that previously had no B2C presence started to figure out how they can get into this space to help keep their business afloat. This is really where a 3PL like SCI can shine and help to keep your business going. In the discussion with Chris, you will hear how they have been able to help multiple companies pivot into B2C during the pandemic so that they could generate additional revenue through an added channel. Listen to the episode below and let us know your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 122: SCI
Episode 121 – Gather AI
In this episode, I was joined by Dr. Sankalp Arora of Gather AI who is their Chief Robotics Engineer. Gather AI is a software-only autonomous inventory management platform that works with drones for gathering inventory data in the warehouse. Sankalp and I discuss how the idea of Gather AI came about, differences from competitors, and also some of the versatility that their platform offers. Key Takeaways Sankalp discusses how his work towards getting his Ph.D. was very much geared towards how to collect data autonomously. As he and his team explored this concept they started to utilize drones due to their agility and the realization that they could capture a large amount of data. In this time he also helped to develop the first autonomous helicopter. Once they figured out how to capture data in the best way they came up with the idea for Gather AI to apply this technology to capturing inventory data for warehousing. What is most interesting is how Sankalp mentions they needed to make the drone curious so that it would know what to do in its environment. Gather AI is very clear that they are not a drone company. They are an inventory management software company that happens to utilize off the shelf drones to capture the data needed for their platform. The drone is constantly capturing images as it moves through the facility which captures needed data and also helps the drone to navigate through space. As far as the facility set up there are just some marker tags that needed to be strategically placed throughout the facility making it quite easy to implement. Prior to our discussion, I received a demo of their platform and I could see in real-time on an iPad as the drone was capturing data into the software. The drone can capture a count of visible boxes, identify different SKUs and it can also identify temperature for applications where temperature recording is needed. It does this through machine learning and interpreting what is written on the box. From an inventory control perspective, the great thing about this solution is not only the increased efficiency in cycle counting but also has pictures of the locations on hand to reference when researching inventory discrepancies. Listen to the episode below and let us know if you plan on automating your cycle counting. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 121: Gather AI
Episode 120 – PINC
In this episode, I was joined by the president and CEO of PINC, Matt Yearling. You may remember PINC from our What to Expect at MODEX series where I spoke with Rafael Granato about their drone business which has since been discontinued. My discussion with Matt focuses more on what their core business has been from the start which is a yard management solution. Key Takeaways PINC started out with a robust, low-cost IoT platform that could localize assets in space which was not necessarily meant for yard management but when the founder was looking for the best application they came across the idea of utilizing it for yard management in different types of facilities. Matt points out that for every truck that is on the road there are four more trailers parked at a facility somewhere which gives you a great idea of how much is actually out there to be managed in yards. What intrigued me so much is that the start of PINC was in 2004 when the IoT was not really that widespread of a concept as it is now. Matt talks about how technology has evolved to include AI and machine learning as well. This has grown into them targeting automation for all steps of the processes which means communicating with the WMS, TMS, and all other systems involved. He gives some great examples of how technology can help you manage the complexities of optimizing your operational flow but in a simplistic way. With this type of technology in place, it allows you to worry about managing the exceptions instead of having to worry about a lot of complexities in the typical flow of your operation. The ultimate benefit of implementing a YMS, specifically PINC’s, is an increase in efficiency by 30% and on average return on investment in about a year according to Matt. Many companies hesitate to invest in different systems outside of their core WMS so it is difficult sometimes to see the value of spending money on these things but I think that Matt explains how the value can be found very well. There are many case examples that Matt shares how companies can find value by implementing YMS and gains on efficiency. Matt takes us through the process end to end of how the YMS works from the point of the truck coming to your facility and then eventually leaving your facility. The YMS can guide all parties involved through the entire process so that the flow of assets through the yard is fully optimized. Your yard truck driver will be given instructions for every move to make and when to make them so that trailers are put at the appropriate doors at the times that they need to be. Additionally, Matt mentions that they will be moving to automated yard trucks in the future as well. Listen to the episode below and let us know your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 120: PINC
Episode 119 – Mobile Industrial Robots at MODEX
In this episode, I speak with Josh Cloer who is a Sales Director at Mobile Industrial Robot. This episode was recorded at MODEX 2020 right before the pandemic really hit the US. It is interesting to note at the beginning my comment on Josh’s sticker “My Smile is My Handshake.” We stumbled across this file and realized it had not been put out yet so this is the last in the MODEX series for this year but it is fitting as we start to prep for ProMat 2021 in Chicago. We will be there and have a booth for live podcasts. We hope that we will be able to see you in some way in person at that time! Key Takeaways Mobile Industrial Robots is a manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots. Their goal, as Josh mentions, is to create an autonomous, collaborative and open platform so that other parties can build different additions to their robots. They provide the foundation and all types of different solutions can be built on top of their multiple robot offerings. Third-party solutions can actually be found on their website so that you can easily find what can be done with their robots. These solutions can help expand the capabilities of their robot and help you to accomplish what you need to do in your operation. With this type of open-source platform, it allows for endless possibilities for what Mobile Industrial Robots might be able to do. One thing that was very interesting about MODEX 2020 was the feedback from exhibitors that the attendee was much more educated about these types of solutions. Josh discusses how there were a lot of questions regarding safety around robots and also IT security. When it comes to safety, Josh discusses how customers are really pushing the innovation in this area forward. Mobile Industrial Robots is listening to the customer and adapting to what they are wanting for safety. Josh also discusses how the safety standards are still being developed by international organizations so it is somewhat still in development with technology changing so rapidly. Listen to the episode below and also watch the interview back when we could still do that in person! EP 119: Mobile Industrial Robots at MODEX For more information on Mobile Industrial Robots find their website here. To connect with Josh find him on LinkedIn here.