The event showcased a comprehensive exploration of supply chain operations, from traditional equipment to cutting-edge technologies like automation and robotics. Its sheer scale, spanning the majority of America’s fourth-largest convention center, underscored the industry’s rapid advancements in automation.
Exhibitors demonstrated a plethora of solutions aimed at streamlining processes and enhancing efficiency, including autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), and robotic container de-stuffers and trailer loaders. Live demonstrations offered attendees a firsthand look at these innovations.
The first theater presentation we attended was by Zebra – a well-known manufacturer of printers and RF scanners, among other things. They’d done a survey to capture industry sentiment around topics like automation, technology, and challenges facing the industry.
The survey findings shed light on crucial industry sentiments, highlighting the growing emphasis on increasing deployment speed in 2024. This aligns with our own experiences, as we’ve seen a surge in prospects lined up for the year ahead. Additionally, the importance of technology in attracting and retaining workers was underscored, emphasizing the need for user-friendly solutions like our mobile Android app.
Yard Management Solutions offered promising strategies for optimizing yard management processes. These strategies address challenges such as reducing search times, the time it takes to find items in the yard and improving communication with drivers. They claim their software can reduce the time it takes to find items in the yard by 40 minutes per trailer.
One standout company was Six-15 Technologies, which showcased an innovative heads-up display and glove combination with the potential to revolutionize picking processes. With a focus on efficiency and ease of use, this technology presents an exciting opportunity for integration with DATASCOPE WMS.
