The Roadmap to Warehouse Automation Isn’t What You Think
Guest blog by Alex Reneman, CEO of MHI member Mountain Leverage
The word automation carries a heavy weight in the warehousing world today.
It conjures images of robotic arms, advanced AI, and fully autonomous systems humming quietly in the dark, all promising peak efficiency, labor reduction, and next-generation logistics. But for many of the supply chain leaders I speak with (ranging from small to mid-sized operations with a few dozen employees, to larger enterprises with a few hundreds or even thousands of employees), automation doesn’t feel like a promise. It feels like a huge challenge, maybe even way out of reach.
Why? For most distributors, robots may seem way too expensive, too disruptive, and too complex to implement and support.
And then the industry-wide buzz produces this lurking pressure that, if you want to keep up as the times are changing, you should somehow leap straight into robotics or ASRS, or risk being left behind.
I’m not suggesting we discount robotics and any of the latest automation…they are, for sure, giving competitive advantages to some organizations.
I do, however, suggest we change how we approach the on-ramp.
Automation Isn’t a Leap…It’s a Path
Most distribution operations are under similar pressures: inflation, tariffs, huge fluctuations in supply and demand, a shrinking and less engaged labor market…the list goes on. Most operations leaders, too, know that sticking to the status quo (outdated technologies, arduous processes, lack of standardization, etc.) isn’t the best option, either.
So, the question isn’t whether to automate, but how, where to start, and for what outcome(s).
Many of the companies that have successfully advanced along the automation path didn’t begin with robotics or massive infrastructure overhauls. They started smaller, and more deliberately, with technologies that boosted process efficiency, integrated easily within their existing systems and their workforce, and produced early operational savings.
One technology that does this really well is voice.
Why Voice is a Key Step that Makes the Others Possible
Voice is having a renaissance as more operations leaders realize it’s a transformational step on the path to automation.
Voice-guided workflows are often overlooked in automation conversations, perhaps because they seem simplistic in comparison to bulkier solutions, but that simplicity is one of the characteristics of voice that make it such a powerful on-ramp.
Voice automation doesn’t require ripping out existing systems, and it doesn’t need a new building or massive retraining. It can be deployed with agility, get team members picking within minutes, and deliver ROI in weeks…all while setting the foundation for future automation advances through process optimization and generating savings that can fund investment down the road.
With voice, warehouse operations gain immediate improvements in accuracy, safety, and throughput. They also gain operational visibility as they capture data more effectively. And perhaps most poignantly, they learn how to work with automation in a way that respects and supports their team and enhances their culture.
Future-Proofing Means Building on What’s Working
Truly, though, this first step on the path to automation doesn’t have to be voice. It could be scanning to automatically capture batch codes, or real-time WMS data transfer when there’s a short, or mobile print stations to speed up labeling, or a fast-paced training program…
What’s important now is taking the most effective next step as an organization.
When done right, that key step, whether it’s voice or another scalable solution, naturally creates the space, the appetite, and the savings for deeper transformation. It gives leaders the ability to gather insights, iterate thoughtfully, and decide whether the next step includes wearable vision devices, robotic picking, pick-to-light systems, AI-guided route selection, or something else entirely.
Don’t Get Lost in the Hype… The Path Is Yours to Choose
Every year, another wave of “next big things” arrives, promising to disrupt the way you work. More than ever, leaders in this industry need to focus less on what could be important for someone else and more on what’s really important to my business, my goals, and my roadmap. Fewer buzzwords, more progress.
So, don’t buy into the pressure…there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to automation. But, if you start the conversation internally, you’ll likely unanimously agree that there is a smarter path forward along the road to automation. Getting started now means you can be fully in control of the pace, the outcomes, and the strategy your business needs for both immediate benefits and long-term automation goals.
If you’re a warehouse leader feeling the pressure to do something big, I encourage you to reframe the conversation: start with what brings real value today, and pave the path from there.
Because successful automation really isn’t about the destination. It’s about the direction.
