2024 Virtual Summit: Digest a magnificent buffet

Every year, after we get back from ProMat or Modex, our editorial team gets together and asks: What did we learn? While the answers vary, we inevitably end up with a theme for our Annual Virtual Summit—going live this year on Thursday, July 25.

So, what did we learn? It’s obvious that warehouse and DC operations managers are now awash in a tsunami of new automation innovations geared to improve efficiency, speed order cycle and fulfillment times, alleviate strains on the workforce, and enhance customer satisfaction.

We saw so much AI-enhanced software, advanced automation systems, robotics and mobility that we feel it’s time for managers to step back and see what these solutions could mean for their operations. We believe we’ve moved from the “great acceleration” period to a time we’re calling “the great digestion.”

With that in mind, we’re devoting this year’s Virtual Summit to helping warehouse/DC managers absorb this new technology and take the next step—or even the first step. We want operations mangers to re-imagine their processes before they embrace the changes and integration necessary to transform.

Keynoter Bryan Jensen, chairperson and executive vice president of St. Onge Co. and chair of the MHI Board of Governors, kicks things off in a presentation called: “Putting the right automation pieces in place.”

Jensen, who spends much of his working life on the floor of client operations, was quick to confirm our somewhat comical observation about this new era. In fact, he says it’s akin to approaching a magnificent buffet when you’re ravenous. One certainly can’t eat everything, but should you eat just one item?

“The key now is to decide how much of which choices you need to get the most satisfaction, and more importantly, avoid terminal indigestion,” adds Jensen. “The right mix and measure is personal, just as the right mix and measure of automation will be unique to your operation.”

Next, Jensen’s colleague Howard Turner, director of supply chain execution systems at St. Onge Co., brings us up to date on the state of WMS and shares how advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning are now adding to the modern WMS capability mix.

Norm Saenz, partner, managing director at St. Onge, will explore what automation is working best at different levels—low, medium and high—in certain situations, and share examples of automation and processes that may be overlooked.

Dwight Klappich, vice president and fellow at Gartner, and our own Roberto Michel will put context around the top findings of Modern’s 2024 Intralogistics Robotics Survey and explore the rise of heterogeneous fleets. Adding to our robotics offerings this year, Irene Zhang, senior analyst at Interact Analysis, updates us with the latest trends in smart, robotic picking.

Finally, David Krebs, executive vice president of enterprise mobility at VDC Research, will offer his annual update on the state of mobility and AIDC and discuss which mobile technologies are ready to help bring efficiencies today, and which emerging technologies we should keep a close eye on to maintain accurate data at the front line.

Watch your e-mail for your personal invitation to this exciting event soon.