Cloe Guidry-Reed

Warehousing historically hasn’t been a particularly exciting topic. But times have changed. Thanks to technological innovations, warehouse automation has made the receiving, housing, and distributing of goods truly fascinating stuff. At Supply Chain Now, we spotlight companies doing exciting things throughout the industry. In modern warehousing, the innovations garnering attention include systems integrations involving robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI); the use of optical character recognition (OCR) technology in yard management; an “elegant” automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS); and a solution called Chuck. Warehousing at a Crossroads: Innovation for Efficiency “The warehousing industry is experiencing a technological revolution, with advancements in automation, robotics, IoT, AI, and data analytics transforming operations and driving efficiency. These innovations are not just enhancing operational capabilities but are also paving the way for smarter, more connected, and efficient warehouse environments,” an October report by Taiwan-based logistics property developer ALP said. ALP said AS/RSs, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and robotics “are at the forefront of the smart warehousing revolution. These systems enhance efficiency, reduce labor costs, and improve accuracy.” AI and Robotics: A New Frontier for Modern Warehousing A Forbes Council post in November said that “one of the most visible impacts of AI and…

Special Guest Blog Post from e2open From demand sensing to dynamic allocation, here’s how leaders turn peak season logistics into profit   Call it Q4, The Golden Quarter, or Peak Season—it’s the 100-day sprint through fall and winter holidays where profits soar, plans tighten, and one slip leaves you scrambling through January. Across peak season logistics, most companies obsess over outbound speed. Yet the real winners are brands that master inbound logistics flow months earlier. Getting the right inventory to the right locations isn’t glamorous, but it’s where the margins live. Every peak season playbook demands strategic evolution. Rerun last year’s strategy this quarter and you’ll sink—unless you’ve built sophisticated inbound logistics capabilities, airtight supplier partnerships, and precise forecasting to anticipate market shifts. With the right strategy, you can stride into the Golden Quarter. That means: Smarter forecasting that detects demand shifts before they hit Sharper allocation that puts inventory exactly where it’s needed Replenishment planning that maintains flow under pressure On Time in Full (OTIF) execution that keeps products moving and shoppers happy In peak season, accuracy wins. Miss inbound positioning, and your bottom line misses too.   Inbound planning: The difference between stockouts and sales Golden Quarter demand…