Guidance First: From Data Foundations to the Roof of the Automated Warehouse

Updated on 1. July 2026

Digitalization has long made its way into the warehouses of manufacturing companies. Many are taking major steps toward automating their processes and are now even leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI). Along the digital transformation journey, inconsistencies and roadblocks emerge—especially where isolated IT systems hit their limits. The root cause often lies in a fragile data foundation that cannot support automated processes. To drive automation all the way to the top of the warehouse, manufacturing companies must start with high-quality data at the core.

Summary:

Many manufacturing companies invest in automation and AI and are disappointed when the expected efficiency gains fail to materialize. The reason: they jumped to step two before completing step one.
The core problem is a fragile data foundation: manual data capture, handheld scanners, and Excel sheets without system connectivity. These isolated solutions cannot support automated processes.
“Everything starts with clean, high-quality data. And that’s exactly what so many companies are afraid of because good data doesn’t just appear out of thin air.” (Martin Welp, Managing Director, identpro)
Before any investment, guidance is essential: a structured assessment of what the company actually needs whether that is process optimization, ERP, MES, WMS, a digital twin, or AMR.
identpro addresses the data foundation directly: laser localization on existing forklift trucks captures all warehouse movements automatically and generates a digital twin in real time without any manual input.
Every item in the warehouse is tracked and linked to its location along with key attributes such as weight, origin, and quality characteristics: always visible, always controllable.
On this data basis, transports can be planned, idle and search runs eliminated, and warehouse processes executed with both manned forklift trucks and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).
Interoperability is key: via API interfaces, relevant data streams can be established across the entire supply chain with suppliers, end customers, and sales teams.
Successful digitalization requires more than software: the courage to change, external guidance, and a solid data foundation following the principle of “start simple, start now”.
The impulse must come from within, from the operational departments. IT simply implements it. Those who wait, fall behind.

Finding the Right Fit in the Vendor Jungle

Industry events like LogiMAT clearly show: companies recognize the need to automate their processes. Budgets are generally available. But the core topic in logistics today is guidance—navigating the flood of digitalization options to find the right solution tailored to a company’s specific workflow needs. At LogiMAT alone, over 1,600 exhibitors gather annually, including 250 offering warehouse management systems (WMS).

Before choosing a vendor, however, one key question must be answered: is a WMS even the right solution—or is something else required? Talking to attendees at these events, one finds a common thread: the need for skilled consultants who understand the company’s challenges and can guide them through the vendor maze. But also present are fear and hesitation: fear of choosing the wrong WMS, fear of missing the AI boat, or concerns that the economic outlook won’t justify the investment.

Start with Step One, Not Step Two

Martin Welp, Managing Director at identpro, explains: “The need is absolutely there. But faced with overwhelming choices and uncertainty, many companies choose to do nothing—and wait. That’s always the wrong move.” He recommends involving external consultants and placing a strong focus on guidance. This allows the company’s current state to be assessed, requirements to be clearly defined, and a roadmap for next steps to be created. The result might reveal that, before a WMS or AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot) is implemented, the company first needs to optimize processes and harmonize data—or roll out an ERP, MES, EWM, or even a Digital Twin.

Everything Starts with the Right Data Strategy

At the base of every successful digital initiative lies data. Many companies install new software and are disappointed when efficiency gains don’t materialize. The reason? They jumped to step two before completing step one. Either the data wasn’t there or it was poor in quality. “Everything starts with clean, high-quality data,” says Welp. “And that’s exactly what so many companies are afraid of, because good data doesn’t just appear out of thin air.” In many warehouses, data is still captured manually—often with handheld scanners. But manual processes are prone to error, time-consuming, and hinder continuous data flow beyond departmental silos, especially when that data ends up in homemade Excel sheets that aren’t connected to a centralized IT system with real-time synchronization.

Successful digitalization requires a smart data strategy. Data is the foundation of all business activity—like the basement of a house: without a solid base, there can be no solid structure above. “Data collection should no longer be done by humans. We should let machines handle it—and process it too. In fact, many warehouses today already use scanner gates for that purpose,” says Welp. Anyone looking to adopt real-time locating systems (RTLS), automated data capture, and AI-supported processes in the future must start by building a solid foundation with high-quality data.

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Automated Data Capture via Laser Localization

The key to efficient warehouse management is to digitally record every movement. This eliminates inventory discrepancies and inefficiencies. That’s exactly where identpro comes in: the system enables fully automated, error-free data capture through laser localization and the creation of a Digital Twin. Every item in the warehouse is tracked, and its location is always visible in the digital twin—along with key information such as weight, origin, or quality attributes. Everything that enters or is moved within the warehouse is captured. This enables the system to target and direct items to specific locations—eliminating idle runs and search trips. Based on this data, transport can be planned and executed not only with human-operated vehicles, but also with autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). These insights enable precise warehouse control, smart transport planning, and optimized S&OP (Sales and Operations Planning). With this level of integration, companies move beyond siloed data systems, avoid bottlenecks, optimize inventory levels, and gain more control over their supply chains. A crucial factor here is interoperability: it must be possible to establish relevant data streams via APIs—not just within the warehouse, but across the entire supply chain—to facilitate coordination with suppliers, customers, and sales teams.

Initiatives Driven by Business Units—IT Simply Executes

Studies show: successful companies remain successful because they invest in future-forward topics. They follow the motto: “start simple, start now.” What matters is getting started—instead of giving in to fear and standing still. Along the way, companies gain experience, learn, and acquire or build the skills they need. Digitalization is about more than software investments. It’s about guidance, orientation in a complex vendor landscape, a willingness to change, and—above all—a strong data foundation. That’s the base upon which automation can be built—right up to the warehouse roof. Companies that follow these three principles not only work more efficiently, but are also better prepared for the future. Martin Welp emphasizes that the old days are over—where a rep would come in and tell a company what it needs. “Today, the impulse must come from within—directly from the operational departments. IT simply implements it.”

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Warehouse Digitalization and Automation

Because companies jump to step two before completing step one. New software can only deliver its potential when the underlying data is complete, current, and accurate. In many warehouses, data is still captured manually with handheld scanners or in Excel sheets without system connectivity. Inaccurate or incomplete data means that automated processes cannot function and the expected efficiency gains never materialize.

Guidance first means: before a company invests in new technology, it conducts a structured analysis of what it actually needs. This involves a thorough assessment of the current situation, a clear definition of requirements, and a logical sequence of next steps whether that means first improving data quality, rolling out an ERP or WMS, or moving directly into laser localization and a digital twin

ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) manages company-wide processes; MES (Manufacturing Execution System) controls production; WMS (Warehouse Management System) manages inventory and orders. A WES (Warehouse Execution System) like identpro’s goes a step further: it controls the real-time execution of all warehouse processes based on automatically captured position data. Which system is needed first depends on the company’s current data maturity. External guidance helps determine the right sequence.

LiDAR sensors on existing forklift trucks continuously capture all warehouse movements: accurate to the centimeter and second, with no manual input required. The software links every storage location to the relevant information about the stored goods: weight, origin, quality attributes, and certification status. This digital twin is updated in real time and forms the foundation for all further automated processes – from transport planning through to AMR deployment.

Now, following the principle of “start simple, start now.” Companies that wait for the perfect solution, or are paralyzed by the range of options available, lose valuable time. A practical first step is improving data quality through automated capture: this creates the foundation on which all further automation steps – digital twin, AI-driven control, AMR – can be reliably built.

Via standardized API interfaces, the WES connects to ERP, WMS, and MES systems – regardless of manufacturer. All inventory and movement data is automatically synchronized, creating a continuous data flow across departmental boundaries. This delivers the interoperability that is essential for effective supply chain management.