eCom Logistics Podcast Fulfillment IQ, Ninaad Acharya, Dan Coll

In this episode of eCom Logistics Podcast, Ninaad Acharya and Dan Coll broadcast live from Modex 2024 in Atlanta's Georgia World Congress Center, with special guest Jon Schechter from AutoStore. We delve into the essential role of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) for optimal Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS), sharing insights on when and how businesses should consider automation. We discuss the integration of various automation solutions, the significance of maintaining efficiency with a strong WMS, and specific use cases for 3PLs. The conversation includes advice for businesses at different stages of automation and explores the future trends in the industry.

Guy Courtin is a seasoned supply chain expert with decades of experience in the technology and supply chain space. Currently serving as Tecsys' Vice President of Industry and Global Alliances, he has held leadership roles at 6 River Systems (a Shopify company), Infor Retail, and i2 Technologies (now Blue Yonder). He has likewise served as an industry analyst at Constellation Research, SCM World (Now Gartner), and Forrester Research. Guy holds an MBA in Management from the Olin Graduate School of Business, a Master's in International Relations from Loyola University Chicago, and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the College of the Holy Cross.

SHOW SUMMARY

In this episode of eCom Logistics Podcast, live from MODEX 2024 in Atlanta, Dan and Ninaad engage in an insightful conversation with Guy Courtin, the VP of Industry and Global Alliances at Tecsys. They explore the complexities of change management in supply chain and warehousing, the evolution of e-commerce fulfillment, and the emerging trends in healthcare logistics. They share personal anecdotes and industry stories, highlighting challenges and innovations in inventory management, store operations, and fulfillment strategies. The discussion also delves into how healthcare providers are adapting to new fulfillment demands and the potential of drone deliveries in medical logistics.

HIGHLIGHTS

[00:00:48] Guy's Journey in Supply Chain
[00:02:58] Challenges in E-commerce Fulfillment
[00:04:55] Inventory Management Strategies
[00:11:26] Change Management in Warehousing
[00:14:50] Healthcare Ground Game
[00:18:45] Future of Healthcare Fulfillment

QUOTES

[00:09:58] "Everyone thinks they have a secret sauce. There is no secret sauce. It's just ketchup." - Ninaad Acharya

[00:13:45] "Change management is, I think, one of the hardest things we've seen in warehousing, in supply chain." - Guy Courtin

[00:16:01] "The ground game, which is not as sexy, is still, I think, as important as this other digital strategy." - Guy Courtin

[00:18:52] "The challenge, the reason why some companies do that is they just don't have the right systems to do virtual segregation." - Ninaad Acharya

Find out more about Guy Courtin in the links below.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/guycourtin/

This episode is sponsored by G&P Construction. If you're in need of top notch, all-inclusive Material handling solutions for logistics and commercial real estate, look no further than G&P Construction. Be sure to visit www.gandpconstruction.com to discover your one-stop shop for turnkey MHE integrations.

TAGS

Ninaad Acharya, Dan Coll, eCom Logistics Podcast, Fulfillment IQ, Guy Courtin, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Warehousing, E-commerce Fulfillment, Healthcare Logistics, Inventory Management, Amazon Logistics, Change Management, MODEX 2024, Tecsys Supply Chain Solutions, Tecsys

Steve Pickfield is a dynamic leader with a proven track record of building high-performance sales teams and driving business success. Currently the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at PSI Engineering in Toronto, Steve has led commercial strategy and operations since 2018, achieving significant growth. As Executive Vice-President of National Sales at T. Litzen/Skyline Sports since 2017, he fosters a collaborative atmosphere for a national sales team. During his 27-year tenure at Vickers-Warnick Ltd, he held roles from Outside Sales Representative to President, managing major acquisitions and business transformations. Known for his exceptional interpersonal skills, Steve excels in navigating businesses through rapid change, strategic planning, high-level negotiations, and financial management, building strong relationships with key stakeholders.

SHOW SUMMARY

In this episode of eCom Logistics Podcast, Ninaad Acharya and Dan Coll interview Steve Pickfield, Chief Commercial Officer at PSI Engineering, live from Modex 2024 in Atlanta. This insightful discussion dives into the complexities and innovations in automating the last 100 feet of warehouse operations. Learn about the crucial role of SLAM (Scan, Label, Apply, and Manifest) in optimizing e-commerce fulfillment, reducing errors, and maximizing efficiency. Steve shares his expertise on assessing bottlenecks, the importance of error reduction, and the future of warehouse automation organizations.

HIGHLIGHTS

[00:01:34] Steve's Background and Journey: Steve shares his journey in automation and his role at PSI Engineering.
[00:03:53] Understanding SLAM: Explaining the term SLAM (Scan, Label, Apply, and Manifest) and its importance in e-commerce.
[00:05:40] Evolution and Importance of SLAM: Discussion on the development of the SLAM industry group within MHI and its significance.
[00:08:06] ROI and Volume Considerations: When and why companies should consider automating their SLAM area.
[00:12:06] Solving Bottlenecks: How automation helps in addressing bottlenecks created by upstream processes.
[00:13:18] Image Capture Technology: The role of image capture in verifying shipments and reducing errors.
[00:19:51] Starting the Journey: Advice for companies looking to optimize their SLAM area.

QUOTES

[00:00:25] "A lot of people have invested into that automatic storage and retrieval, AMRs, and all that. The kind of fancy stuff, the auto stores, it is created that bottleneck."
[00:03:53] "It stands for Scan, Label, Apply, and Manifest. It doesn't encompass everything that happens in that last hundred feet, but it certainly does."
[00:12:06] "If you look at an e-commerce direct-to-consumer fulfillment facility, most likely 80% of your labor cost is going to be in that pick and pack, and 20% will be in the last hundred feet."
[00:13:18] "We worked with them and created some technology around that. So, that we would be taking a picture of that box with the cell phone in and it really solved that problem."
[00:19:51] "It does start with an assessment, and assessing, what areas, where is your true bottlenecks, where is most of your costs going, where are your error."

Find out more about Steve Pickfield in the links below.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenpickfield/

This episode is sponsored by G&P Construction. If you're in need of top notch, all-inclusive Material handling solutions for logistics and commercial real estate, look no further than G&P Construction. Be sure to visit www.gandpconstruction.com to discover your one-stop shop for turnkey MHE integrations.

Ann Marie Jonkman, Vice President Industry Strategies at Blue Yonder, advises Logistics Service Providers (LSPs) on leveraging technology and best practices to enhance their business strategies. With over 20 years of experience in continuous improvement and consulting, particularly in distribution, e-commerce, and transportation, she brings a unique blend of operational insight and software expertise. Collaborating closely with product development teams, Ann Marie ensures alignment with customer needs and drives innovation to deliver tangible results. Prior to Blue Yonder, she held positions at leading organizations like XPO Logistics and Radial. Ann Marie holds degrees in Political Science and History, with ongoing education in Business Technology Design and strategic communication from esteemed institutions like Lewis University, Tuck School of Business, and Dartmouth. Based in Chicago, she devotes her personal time to supporting animal rescue initiatives and enjoys golfing and football.

SHOW SUMMARY

In this episode of eCom Logistics Podcast, during MODEX 2024 in Atlanta, Ann Marie Jonkman from Blue Yonder shares her insights on the logistics industry, focusing on technological advancements and the need for strategic adaptation. The discussion covers topics like AI, machine learning, and the importance of software in enhancing supply chain operations. Marie emphasizes the relationship between technology and operational improvement, highlighting the role of data, automation, and robotics in driving industry change. She also stresses the significance of a consultative approach to client relations, advocating for solutions that not only meet immediate needs but also align with long-term business goals. The conversation reflects on the challenges faced in 2023, the potential of AI and machine learning, and the importance of a user-friendly approach that prioritizes safety and efficiency for workers.

HIGHLIGHTS

[00:01:31] Introducing Ann Marie from Blue Yonder
[00:03:29] Exploring the Post-2023 Logistics Landscape
[00:07:06] The Evolution of Software in Logistics
[00:13:16] The Future of Warehouse Operations and Technology
[00:17:59] Exploring the Impact of AI in Logistics
[00:20:02] The Power of Generative AI and Machine Learning
[00:23:16] Empowering the Mid-Market with AI Technology
[00:27:03] Human-Centric Approach to Technological Adoption
[00:29:14] The Future of Work: Automation, AI, and User Experience

QUOTES

[00:01:17] "Technology should deploy that. It should enable it for people and it should be easy."

[00:05:51] "People are very mindful where they put their money, but it's open. I feel the change."

[00:12:49] "It's really being a partner because if we all haven't noticed, this tech is changing fast."

[00:17:50] "That billing piece is just, from a 3PL perspective, you're right. It's a small army of people."

[00:20:13] "It's more so enabling that to your point to where we truly capture what's happening."

Find out more about Ann Marie Jonkman and his company in the link below:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajsupplychainleader/

This episode is sponsored by G&P Construction. If you're in need of top notch, all-inclusive Material handling solutions for logistics and commercial real estate, look no further than G&P Construction. Be sure to visit www.gandpconstruction.com to discover your one-stop shop for turnkey MHE integrations.

In this episode of eCom Logistics Podcast, recorded live from MODEX 2024 in Atlanta, hosts Ninaad Acharya and Dan Coll interview Keith Moore, CEO of AutoScheduler. Keith shares his journey from a supply chain background to launching AutoScheduler, a company specializing in warehouse distribution orchestration and optimization. The conversation covers the evolution of supply chain technology, from early machine learning applications to the current push for robotics and automation. Keith discusses the challenges of integrating AutoScheduler with existing WMS and WES systems, the importance of data quality, and the future of human-robotic symbiotic relationships in distribution organizations.

ABOUT KEITH
Keith Moore is the Chief Executive Officer for AutoScheduler.AI. As a supply chain “Pro to Know”, Keith works with Consumer Goods, Beverage, and Distribution companies to drive efficiency in distribution centers. As the CEO, Moore’s focus is in creating the future with the prescriptive warehouse. Moore was voted by Hart Energy Magazine as an Energy Innovator of the Year in 2020, was selected as a Pi Kappa Phi 30 under 30 member, and holds multiple patents in the fields of neural architecture search and supply chain planning. Moore attended the University of Tennessee, where he received a bachelor of science in Mechanical Engineering.

HIGHLIGHTS
[00:02:00] Keith Moore's Journey in Supply Chain and Tech
[00:04:23] The Birth and Growth of AutoScheduler
[00:04:49] How To Optimize Warehouse Operations
[00:09:00] Challenges and Solutions in Warehouse Management
[00:23:56] The Future of Robotics in Distribution

QUOTES

[00:00:27] Keith Moore on Warehouse Nodes: "It's all about supporting universal inventory flow through a facility... everything in and everything out the rest of the supply chain decides."
[00:10:31] Keith Moore on Technology Integration: "Generally what we do in our sales process now... is you'd be super upfront with exactly what needs to happen."
[00:14:41] Keith Moore on Real-Time Decision Making: "What optimization should decide is exactly what processes do you need to do in the inside of that circle to make sure that you're supporting that overall flow."
[00:19:36] Keith Moore on Continuous Adaptation: "Every plan you create is broken the second you create it because nobody follows a plan perfectly... you need to be able to adapt that plan."

Find out more about Keith Moore in the links below.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithdmoore13/

This episode is sponsored by G&P Construction. If you're in need of top notch, all-inclusive Material handling solutions for logistics and commercial real estate, look no further than G&P Construction. Be sure to visit https://www.gandpconstruction.com to discover your one-stop shop for turnkey MHE integrations.

Oana Jinga is the Chief Commercial Officer and co-founder of Dexory. Under her leadership, Dexory raised an impressive $19 million in a Series A funding round led by European VC Atomico, establishing key partnerships with logistics giants like Maersk and DB Schenker. Oana’s recent achievements include winning the ‘Tech Innovator’ Award at the Everywoman in Transport and Logistics event. She’s recently spoken at the State of Gender Diversity in European Venture initiative by Female Foundry and featured in a panel alongside influential women in tech, such as Business Insider’s Tech Editor Shona Ghosh. Dexory’s growth, from 30 to over 100 team members in 2023, highlights the company’s thriving trajectory under Oana’s leadership.

SHOW SUMMARY

In this episode of eCom Logistics Podcast, broadcasting live from Modex 2024 in Atlanta, the hosts sit down with Oana Jinga, co-founder of Dexory, to explore innovative solutions in the logistics industry. The conversation dives deep into Dexory's journey from a retail robotics company to a logistics-focused enterprise, the challenges and advantages of AMR versus drone-based data capture, and the transformative power of digital twin platforms. Dexory's technology enables real-time inventory management, enhanced accuracy, and predictive analytics, aiming to revolutionize the logistics landscape.

HIGHLIGHTS

[00:03:57] The Shift to Logistics and Inventory Management
[00:05:31] Understanding Digital Twin Technology
[00:12:51] Challenges and Innovations in Warehouse Management
[00:19:32] Safety and Efficiency of AMR vs. Drones
[00:23:37] Future of Inventory Management and RFID Integration

QUOTES

[00:06:58] The value proposition lies in real-time access to accurate inventory data, enabling operators to make informed decisions and optimize warehouse operations.

[00:08:45] Real-time data feeds from AMRs bridge the gap between physical and digital representations, offering unparalleled visibility and insight.

[00:11:09] Future advancements aim to leverage AI tools for predictive analytics and simulation within the digital twin platform, revolutionizing inventory optimization.

Find out more about Oana Jinga in the links below.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/oanajinga/
http://dexory.com/