In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin sits down with Ryan Kirklewski, Director of Software Product Management at Dematic. Known globally for its material handling automation, Dematic is now making bold strides into software innovation. Ryan shares how Dematic’s software platform offers adaptable, intelligent solutions to help customers manage and scale their warehouse operations more efficiently. Furthermore, this conversation explores the software renaissance within warehouse automation, from combining traditional WMS, WES, and WCS functionalities to leveraging AI for decision-making.

The Shifting Landscape of Solution Providers

As the warehouse tech industry matures, we see traditional boundaries blur between hardware providers, software companies, and next-gen innovators. Dematic is positioned right in the middle of this convergence. Kirklewski shares, “I’ve often kind of seen the industry solution providers in three categories… but what you’ve seen over the last several years is these companies starting to figure out how they grow their share of the pie. And by doing so, they’ve all started encroaching on each other’s spaces.”

Hardware is increasingly commoditized, while software is becoming the key differentiator. However, what matters now isn’t who can build the best robot—it’s who can deliver the most innovative system. “The hardware becomes commoditized… everyone’s looking for how they really differentiate and drive value. And they do that through software,” adds Kirklewski.

Beyond the Labels of Warehouse Software Solutions

Dematic’s new platform isn’t just a WMS, WES, or WCS—it’s a unified system. Furthermore, the system supports the customer’s needs and operational evolution. Kirklewski explains, “We remove those names… and bring together combinations of capabilities that traditionally would be known as WCS, WES, and WMS.”

Instead of forcing customers into a fixed category, Dematic’s approach is composable and scalable. For instance, whether it’s a simple RF-based system or a highly automated facility, the software configures to meet the present and future needs of the warehouse. Kirklewski points out, “You don’t have to install a behemoth system that you only use a certain percentage of… adaptability and intelligence are where you drive value these days.”

The system integrates easily, learns over time, and supports autonomous decision-making. Whether responding to stockouts or reallocating labor on the fly, the software adapts to real-world challenges in real time. “We want to use the human capital we have in the warehouses to solve the decisions that humans need to solve and not get hung up on managing, having to micromanage the operation,” says Kirklewski.

Recognition, Credibility, and the Road Ahead for Dematic

Dematic’s inclusion in the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Warehouse Management Systems is a significant milestone. Kirklewski explains, “It was the first year we had gone through the process with Gartner… a validation of the solutions we’ve provided to our customers today.”

This recognition marks a shift in how Dematic is perceived—from an automation giant to a holistic provider of intelligent warehouse software solutions. “I think the Magic Quadrant is a validation of what Dematic has done to date—and a mandate for us to continue to be a leader in this space,” highlights Kirklewski.

The company aims to serve customers across the automation spectrum, not just those with mega-scale systems. With adaptability and intelligence at its core, Dematic’s software vision focuses on enabling operations that evolve fluidly over time.

Key Takeaways on Warehouse Software

• Industry Convergence – Traditional lines between hardware, software, and niche solutions disappear as providers expand their offerings.
• Software-Led Value – With hardware commoditization, value increasingly comes from software intelligence and adaptability.
• Warehouse Software Approach – Dematic’s new platform combines WMS, WES, and WCS capabilities into a flexible, modular solution.
• Operational Intelligence – The software learns and adapts over time, supporting proactive and autonomous decisions.
• Market Validation – Dematic’s inclusion in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant reinforces its position as a competitive software provider.