{"id":9364,"date":"2025-04-09T08:32:14","date_gmt":"2025-04-09T07:32:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/identpro.de\/news\/guidance-first-from-data-foundations-to-the-roof-of-the-automated-warehouse-2\/"},"modified":"2025-09-23T11:53:37","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T10:53:37","slug":"guidance-first-from-data-foundations-to-the-roof-of-the-automated-warehouse-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/identpro.de\/en\/tech-blog-en\/guidance-first-from-data-foundations-to-the-roof-of-the-automated-warehouse-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Guidance First: From Data Foundations to the Roof of the Automated Warehouse"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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\u2014especially 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. <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n

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Finding the Right Fit in the Vendor Jungle<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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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<\/strong>\u2014navigating the flood of digitalization options to find the right solution tailored to a company\u2019s specific workflow needs. At LogiMAT alone, over 1,600 exhibitors gather annually, including 250 offering warehouse management systems (WMS).<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before choosing a vendor, however, one key question must be answered: is a WMS even the right solution\u2014or is something else required? Talking to attendees at these events, one finds a common thread: the need for skilled consultants who understand the company\u2019s challenges and can guide them through the vendor maze. But also present are fear and hesitation: fear of choosing the wrong WMS<\/strong>, fear of missing the AI<\/strong> boat, or concerns that the economic outlook won\u2019t justify the investment. <\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Start with Step One, Not Step Two<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
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Martin Welp, Managing Director at IdentPro, explains: \u201cThe need is absolutely there. But faced with overwhelming choices and uncertainty, many companies choose to do nothing\u2014and wait. That\u2019s always the wrong move.\u201d He recommends involving external consultants and placing a strong focus on guidance. This allows the company\u2019s 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)<\/strong> is implemented, the company first needs to optimize processes<\/strong> and harmonize data<\/strong>\u2014or roll out an ERP<\/strong>, MES<\/strong>, EWM<\/strong>, or even a Digital Twin<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Everything Starts with the Right Data Strategy<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n
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