Solutions Community Blog
The MHI Solutions Community brings together thought leaders in automation, software, hardware, equipment, and services supporting a fully integrated supply chain. Members include suppliers, integrators, consultants, media, academia, and users collaborating in a non-commercial environment. Explore articles on supply chain trends, technology integration, and material handling solutions.
Understanding Product Certifications in an Evolving Technology Landscape
Product certifications are a starting point, not the finish line. MHI’s Solutions Community explains NRTL, system-level risk, and the role of the AHJ.
SOLUTIONS COMMUNITY
How Digital Hygiene Strengthens Warehouse Cybersecurity
Digital hygiene is now part of warehouse cybersecurity. See the everyday device and network habits that cut risk and keep company data protected.
SOLUTIONS COMMUNITY
What to Expect When You Go Live
Go live day for warehouse automation rarely goes perfectly. Learn how a slow ramp up and provider support get you through the early speed bumps.
SOLUTIONS COMMUNITY
Don’t Bring Me Down: Mitigating Downtime in Brownfield System Integration Projects
Mitigating downtime in brownfield system integration starts before installation. See how assessment, communication, and testing keep operations running.
SOLUTIONS COMMUNITY
Developing an ROI with Automation
ROI with automation starts with a thorough engineering design phase where a qualified integrator analyzes your picking, slotting, and labor costs to build a data-driven roadmap.
SOLUTIONS COMMUNITY
Making the Case for Upstream Condition Monitoring to Increase Reliability
Upstream condition monitoring does more than prevent breakdowns. See how it boosts reliability, cuts downtime, and optimizes throughput.
SOLUTIONS COMMUNITY
CapEx vs OpEx—Which is Right for You?
CapEx vs OpEx: which makes sense for your automation budget? MHI's Solutions Community breaks down the pros, cons, and when to choose each.
SOLUTIONS COMMUNITY
Please Allow Me to Introduce Myself – Systems Integration Group
Discover what systems integration really means for warehouses, from mechanical and controls to software and electrical, and how to find the right partner.
SOLUTIONS COMMUNITY
Where Are You in Your Warehouse Automation Journey?
Not sure where you are in your warehouse automation journey? Learn how to assess your systems and close the performance gaps.
SOLUTIONS COMMUNITY
Preparing Your Warehouse for Material Handling Automation
Before you automate, get your data, goals, financial model, facility, & team ready. See what preparation drives ROI & avoids costly failures.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Building a Reliability Centered Maintenance Culture
Move from firefighting to a reliability culture with clear team structure, CMMS data, & preventive maintenance.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Signs You're Ready for an Automated Warehouse
Learn the signs you're ready for an automated warehouse, why clean processes come first, & how a phased approach cuts risk.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Electrical Safety in the Workplace: Finger Safe Devices
Finger safe devices reduce shock risk but won't stop arc flash. Learn electrical safety in the workplace, NFPA 70E, and electrical panel safety basics.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Conveyor Jam Detection and Prevention: How It Works
Learn how conveyor jam detection and prevention systems, singulation flow monitoring, sensors, and condition monitoring keep warehouse conveyor systems running.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Improving Warehouse Labor Productivity with Real-Time Insights
You can improve warehouse labor productivity with real-time insights, warehouse intelligence platforms, and modern workforce tools.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Brownfield Integration Challenges in Warehouse Automation
Learn the key challenges and best practices for brownfield integration, from live warehouse operations to training and go-live planning.
Warehouse Automation Blog
AI in the Modern Warehouse
Learn how AI in the modern warehouse improves uptime, robotics, & warehouse management through predictive maintenance & smarter automation.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Warehouse KPI Examples: What KPIs Really Matter?
Key performance indicators (KPIs) are the foundation of accurate benchmarking, yet many companies struggle to define the right Warehouse KPI.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Is It Time to Upgrade Your WMS Systems?
Find out when to upgrade your WMS systems and how they improve efficiency, support fleet software, and deliver real-time visibility.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Peak Season Warehouse Training for Seasonal Employees
AR and AI improve peak season warehouse training, helping seasonal employees onboard faster while supporting safety training daily operations.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Knowing When to Replace Warehouse Automation Equipment
Learn when to replace warehouse automation equipment using MTBF and MTTR to reduce downtime, control costs, and improve system reliability.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Converging IT with OT Strategies
For maximized automation results, adding AI as a bridge between IT and operations is becoming essential in iot ot strategies discussions.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Go-Live Best Practices for Warehouse Automation
Go-live is a milestone and part of a broader transition into daily operations. For a smooth launch, teams need a clear set of best practices.
Warehouse Automation Blog
From If-Then to Intelligent Agents in Intralogistics Condition Monitoring
Warehouse discussions have moved to intelligent agents and what they actually change inside intralogistics operations.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Cabinet-Free Warehouse Automation: Modular, Scalable Systems
With cabinet-free warehouse automation, you shrink the footprint & increase flexibility across conveyors, storage & retrieval systems & more.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Warehouse Worker Retention: How Automation Reduces Turnover
When warehouse worker retention improves, efficiency follows. Automation allows work to be completed with fewer people & teams are stronger.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Post-Installation Training for Warehouse Automation
Warehouse post-installation training makes sure your staff can use, maintain, and troubleshoot equipment in the long term.
Warehouse Automation Blog
What Are the Benefits of Supply Chain Towers?
A supply chain control tower pulls data from many sources, then turns that information into something you can use.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Types of Automation Integrators
Discover the four main types of automation integrators and how each supports warehouse automation projects.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Should You Consider Warehouse Automation?
Whether exploring simple or full-scale integrated solutions, understanding when & where to implement automation is critical to your success.
Warehouse Automation Blog
How WES Supports Warehouse Automation Goals
Central to the deployment of brownfield automation are the capabilities of the current WMS and its ability to deliver along two dimensions.
Warehouse Automation Blog
What is CMMS? Usage-Based Maintenance for Modern Warehouses
CMMS is a software tool used by maintenance teams, technicians, & warehouse managers to enhance equipment reliability & extend its lifespan.
Warehouse Automation Blog
All You Need to Know About Yard Management Systems (YMS)
Warehousing management doesn’t stop at the four walls—it extends out into the yard, & that’s where a yard management system (YMS) comes in.
Warehouse Automation Blog
How to Implement Automation in Brownfield Facilities Without Disrupting Operations
In part 3 of our series on brownfield facilities, we’re addressing how to prepare your physical space for the automation implementation.
Warehouse Automation Blog
MHI Solutions Community Annual Meeting Panel
When talking about the challenges of warehousing, there is a fine line between efficiency and practicality, and everything in between.
Warehouse Automation Blog
The Many Advantages to SaaS
Adding software to your operations can be a game changer, & there are many types to help with productivity, efficiency, & floor management.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Integrating New Automation
Implementing new automated equipment will yield significant benefits, but the process can be disruptive if not well coordinated.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Don’t Overlook the Condition of Handhelds
Handhelds are sophisticated and efficient forms of technology, however, are often overlooked when it comes to condition monitoring programs.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Integrating New Automation- Part 1
Just getting started with automation? One of the first things to consider is where your pain points are, & what potential solutions can help.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Implementing a Warehouse Control System (WCS)
Warehouse control systems (WCS) are a game changer for businesses aiming to increase productivity and stay competitive.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Is it the Right Time to Automate Your DC?
There are always opportunities for companies in distribution to automate, but such investments like warehouse labor are especially appealing.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Condition Monitoring is Expanding
To combat that downtime in recent years, equipment manufacturers have added condition monitoring to their equipment.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Warehouse Execution Software Implementation
There are several types of software that can come into play in warehouse management, one being warehouse execution software (WES).
Warehouse Automation Blog
The Future of Cold Chain
Monitoring temperatures—whether hot or cold—inside tractor trailers, is a critical part of the cold chain equation.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Mitigating Damage from Many Directions
Mitigating damage from natural disasters, to global conflicts and more, keeping the supply chain humming without interruption is a challenge.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Automation in the Cold Chain
Automation is becoming an essential part of the warehousing industry and despite its complexities, it can play a key role in the cold chain.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Automation for the Cold Chain
With demands for cold storage, if you’re struggling to reduce cost per pick/pallet, there’s never been a better time to add automation.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Rolling out a WMS
One of the best moves you can make to improve the efficiency & productivity of your warehouse is to add a warehouse management system (WMS).
Warehouse Automation Blog
Are You Data Rich, Intelligence Poor?
The key is to learn how to access the data, which data matters, and then put it to use for your equipment and operations.
Warehouse Automation Blog
For a Successful Software Implementation, Focus on the People
Few warehouses operate without software these days, but as fast as technology changes, new systems are also a perpetual part of the package.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Sustainability in the Warehouse — Part 1
It's not only good business—stakeholders increasingly want to know how the companies they support are approaching sustainability.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Greasing the Motor
The impact of both over and under-greasing can lead to failures of all types for your motors, so finding the right cadence is essential.
Warehouse Automation Blog
How to Use Software to Attract and Retain Talent
Intelligent & user-friendly software serves as a powerful recruitment & retention tool for qualified labor to fill vacancies in the industry.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Digitization of Intralogistics: Software
There are multiple types of software solutions designed to optimize your warehouse, it is the path to operational efficiency.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Forward Pick Area — Design and Operations
Researchers and warehouse managers have focused on efforts to reduce the amount of time pickers must travel.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Maintenance Check: From Reactive to Predictive
Before, there were few options other than reacting to equipment failures, now there are ways to keep your equipment operational & productive.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Creating End to End Solutions
Today, condition monitoring & software applications are optimizing equipment life cycles by predicting when & how the tools might break down.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Cloud Vs. On-Prem WCS
From robotics to automated storage, conveyors, print/apply systems and everything in between, automation is essential to efficient operations.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Digitization of Intralogistics — Replenishment
To achieve digitization of replenishment, you can start by creating digital map—or a digital twin—of your physical set up.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Digitization of Intralogistics: Labor
To digitize, companies need several components of automation and technology, including barcode scanning at picking stations, for instance.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Cloud Vs On-Prem WES
A warehouse execution system (WES) is one of a suite of warehouse automation software that you can choose to direct your daily operations.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Digital Twin for Intralogistics
Today’s logistics are smart logistics—not just the transfer of products, but the transfer of information, as well.
Warehouse Automation Blog
The Digitization of Intralogistics: Returns
Returns are a big deal in logistics, and since the pandemic-driven surge in ecommerce, they are also more common than ever before.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Past vs. Future: The Difference Between On-Premise and Cloud-Based WMS
While warehouse management systems (WMS) still have a place in some operations, today’s industry is largely migrating to a cloud-based model.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Sophisticated Condition Monitoring
Prevent equipment failures. The biggest nightmare is the breakdown of a major piece of equipment, one that brings everything to a halt.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Reduce Your Energy Consumption
The goals of reducing energy with your equipment is to conserve resources, reduce environmental impact, and achieve economic benefits.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Navigating Shipping Challenges: Strategies for Maximizing Efficiency When Rates Can't Be Reduced Further
By carefully analyzing the supply chain, businesses can identify areas of improvement & implement measures to streamline shipping.
Warehouse Automation Blog
What is WCS?
Warehouse Control System (WCS) software bridges the gap in areas where WMS and ERP systems might fall short.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Warehouse Execution Systems (WES) Software Explained
One of the key tools that can help warehouse and distribution centers perform better is warehouse execution systems software (WES).
Warehouse Automation Blog
What to Expect from a WMS
A comprehensive WMS that includes WES and WCS can provide a scalable solution for businesses and is more sophisticated and capable than ever
Warehouse Automation Blog
Cloud vs On-Premises WMS: Which One Fits Your Business Needs?
When it comes to hosting your Warehouse Management System (WMS), you have two main options: cloud hosting and on-premises hosting
Warehouse Automation Blog
Taking an Executive Overview of WMS
There are many layers between the C-suite & the warehouse, but that doesn’t mean executives shouldn’t understand what WMS can do.
Warehouse Automation Blog
An Alarm is Sounding — Now What?
Ignore equipment and technology alarms at the peril of your bottom line. From childhood on, you are programmed to act when an alarm sounds
Warehouse Automation Blog
The Digitization of Intralogistics: Sortation
Digitizing sortation operations begins with converting analog information into digital information that computers can manage quickly & efficiently.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Podcast: Increasing Supply Chain Agility with WMS: A Guide for the C-Suite
By automating and streamlining warehouse processes, WMS solutions can increase efficiency, accuracy, and visibility across the supply chain.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Creating a Flexible Order Fulfillment Operation
If warehouse managers have a goal, it’s to create and manage a flexible, agile order fulfillment operation.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Podcast: Collaboration in Material Handling: Insights from Industry Experts
MHI Solutions Community experts share their valuable insights on collaboration between solutions providers, suppliers, and practitioners
Warehouse Automation Blog
Ensuring Sustainability Through Automation
Ensuring Sustainability Through Automation: Taking the right steps with your equipment to keep the planet in mind.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Podcast: Condition Monitoring & Reliability: Insights from the Experts in Materials Handling
This podcast will share insights and experiences on Condition Monitoring and Reliability, a critical aspect of ensuring optimal performance.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Leveraging Existing Data Sets When Starting Your Digital Journey
Rather than creating a problem in your digital journey that doesn’t exist, leverage the data that you already have.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Where do conveyors go from here?
The ecommerce world was already in growth mode when the pandemic hit, then it exploded, so today’s light-duty conveyors may need an evolution
Warehouse Automation Blog
Benefits of Condition Monitoring Sensors in the Material Handling World
Getting condition monitoring sensors onto critical assets can make or break your P&L. Unexpected downtime can be the kiss of death!
Warehouse Automation Blog
The Digitization of Intralogistics: Storage
With the equipment involved in storage, digitization permits both materials tracking and equipment monitoring.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Warehouse in a Warehouse
Fulfilling ecommerce orders can be a challenge. Building a warehouse within a warehouse with an e-commerce WMS can help.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Podcast: Solutions Community - Why Passive and Reactive Strategies Don’t Work
Ed Romaine of Conveyco and John Ashodian of SICK discuss “Why Passive and Reactive Strategies Don’t Work.”-From the MHI Solutions Community
Warehouse Automation Blog
Supply Chain Lessons Learned During the Pandemic
No one was operating at their best when the pandemic hit. Read on for lessons learned and how to move forward better.
Warehouse Automation Blog
3 Ways Digital Tools Improve Warehouse Labor Productivity
New, intuitive software and hardware are stepping in to aid employees, freeing up supervisors for other tasks. These digital tools
Warehouse Automation Blog
Logistics and the Importance of Digital Inventory
There are different areas of the supply chain that can be considered within the digitization of logistics, such as digital inventory.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Podcast: Solutions Community - Cloud Mythbusters
In the Cloud Mythbusters episode, guests discuss the misconceptions and preconceptions of applying cloud solutions and SaaS subscriptions.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Intralogistics: Warehouse Digitalization of Receiving
The biggest advantages of a high-tech, warehouse digitalization is that you increase the speed and accuracy of tasks
Warehouse Automation Blog
Simulation and Emulation in Risk Management
Simulation and emulation: By creating a “digital twin” of your project, you can ensure your new systems will run smoothly and efficiently.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Mitigating Risk with Simulation and Emulation
Simulation and emulation: By creating a “digital twin” of your project, you can ensure your new systems will run smoothly and efficiently.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Digitization of Intralogistics
With the addition of futuristic tools, the supply chain is becoming more connected and predictable than ever through digitization.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Taking A Holistic Approach To Warehouse Resource Optimization Through Software
As more conventional facilities implement automation, it can be a challenge to optimize all resources and functions without the right software.
Warehouse Automation Blog
How Automated Micro-Fulfillment At The Retail Store Enhances Customer Service
Automation is helping omni-channel retailers create a superior customer service experience however shoppers choose to buy.
Warehouse Automation Blog
New Publication Explores Types, Benefits, And Uses Of Automated Storage And Retrieval Systems
Learn more about automated storage and retrieval systems and how they help a range of industries handle, store, and pick a variety of products.
Warehouse Automation Blog
6 Ways To Build A More Resilient Supply Chain
Apply these six strategies, recommended by the members of MHI’s Solutions Community, to increase resilience against supply chain disruptions.
Warehouse Automation Blog
“Why We Implemented An ASRS.” End Users Discuss The Benefits Of Automated Storage And Retrieval
Hear directly from warehouse operators why they installed an ASRS as a space saving solution to boost accuracy, throughput, and efficiency.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Retailers Adapt Traditional Footprint To Accommodate Curbside Pickup
Learn how automated solutions are helping brick-and-mortar stores shift their footprint to meet customer expectations for curbside convenience.
Warehouse Automation Blog
Why 3PLs Are Increasingly Investing In Automated Storage And Retrieval Systems
3PLs are leveraging flexible, scalable automated storage and retrieval systems to support their clients’ needs with less labor and higher accuracy.
Warehouse Automation Blog
