RECENT STORIES:

Addressing digital sovereignty in a data-driven world
600 MW Monsoon Wind achieves commercial operation, delivering clean en...
Humanoid robots gain momentum, but hardware costs hold back mass adopt...
MetaOptics Ltd Registers Offer Document on its Listing on SGX Catalist
LiuGong Finance Indonesia Officially Launched and Customer Day Success...
Telin and ITCO Niaga Announce Visionary Collaboration to Strengthen In...
LOGIN REGISTER
DigiconAsia
  • Features
    • Featured

      From generative AI to agentic AI

      From generative AI to agentic AI

      Friday, August 29, 2025, 10:10 AM Asia/Singapore | Features
    • Featured

      Resilience the true benchmark for smart infrastructure

      Resilience the true benchmark for smart infrastructure

      Wednesday, August 27, 2025, 8:26 PM Asia/Singapore | Features, Smart Cities
    • Featured

      Studies show AI and automation the way forward for finance

      Studies show AI and automation the way forward for finance

      Wednesday, August 20, 2025, 10:07 AM Asia/Singapore | Features, News
  • News
    • Featured

      How are people in 15 countries leveraging AI for travel planning?

      How are people in 15 countries leveraging AI for travel planning?

      Monday, September 1, 2025, 2:49 PM Asia/Singapore | Future of Travel, News, Newsletter
    • Featured

      AI models of the human brain work, but scientists are confounded

      AI models of the human brain work, but scientists are confounded

      Monday, September 1, 2025, 2:20 PM Asia/Singapore | News, Newsletter
    • Featured

      One nation’s push against DEI disrupts steady global progress and harmony

      One nation’s push against DEI disrupts steady global progress and harmony

      Monday, September 1, 2025, 12:03 PM Asia/Singapore | News, Newsletter
  • Perspectives
  • Tips & Strategies
  • Whitepapers
  • Awards 2023
  • Directory
  • E-Learning

Select Page

Tips & Strategies

Debunking three myths that delay proper warehouse automation

By Jens Bohnwagner, CEO, XSQUARE Technologies | Tuesday, September 17, 2024, 1:36 PM Asia/Singapore

Debunking three myths that delay proper warehouse automation

Businesses may be lagging behind in their warehouse automation strategies if leaders and their teams are clouded by misconceptions and anachronisms

In the past few years automation has become increasingly discussed among warehouse owners. However, the understanding of warehouse automation differ from business to another, some owners may still be apprehensive about its adoption. 

Automating a warehouse is inherently gradual, with concomitant opportunities and challenges to consider. However, three myths could be clouding warehouse owners’ minds, and preventing them from making informed decisions.

Find out what these myths are, and how leaders can fine-tune their automation strategies for better productivity and returns on investments (ROI).

Myth #1: Automation is not a priority right now
Hesitancy to automate (or automate to a greater extent or with the best approach) often stems from concerns about upfront costs and short-term contracts. However, this creates a missed opportunity.

Focusing solely on initial capital expenditure paints an incomplete picture. A comprehensive analysis, including future labor costs and operational inefficiencies, reveals a potentially higher long-term cost of not automating. While initial setup requires planning, the benefits quickly multiply. Scalable automation offers a significant ROI within two to three years. However, before diving into specific solutions, a strategic approach is key. Understand that adopting automation is different from simple purchases of equipment: there is a need to put the pieces together and ensure alignment with your operations and people. 

The first step is to establish internal alignment within your team. Rather than immediately delving into available solutions and seeking quotes, take a strategic pause to understand the driving forces behind automation, and establish clear business goals. Evaluate various investment alternatives and consider successful case studies, impacts on operations, market timelines, and anticipated ROI. This comprehensive assessment is crucial because different solutions may vary in their level of disruption.

Employee buy-in is crucial. Resistance to change and lack of familiarity can hinder adoption. Open communication, training, and addressing concerns will ensure a smooth transition. By prioritizing automation and taking a strategic approach, leaders can future-proof their logistics operation and gain a competitive edge.

Myth #2: Automation is expensive
While the upfront investment in automation may appear substantial, the reality is that the opportunity cost of not automating is likely to exceed the financial outlay. Indirect costs associated with manual operations, such as damages to goods and equipment, failed contract obligations, compensations or injuries, or hidden labor costs (e.g., shortage of skilled workers, high turnover rates and measures to mitigate staffing gaps), can significantly increase operational costs. 

The best way to get started is to align processes and labor pain-points with scalable use cases. Remember that the goal is not to automate a worker’s job fully, but to automate their repetitive processes, freeing up time for more valuable responsibilities and increasing employee safety. Considering the inefficiencies of manual warehousing, the return on investment will justify the initial outlay over time. 

Simply put, adopting automation solutions is not just for the short term. They are built to last, and may even contribute to long-term transformation plans if backed by strong after-sales support. 

Myth #3: The warehouse automation market needs to mature before I deploy 
Drawing parallels with historical trends, this cautionary mindset of waiting mirrors the adoption trends of any other new technologies. 

That being said, according to a Gartner report, intelligent warehouse solutions are now at a stage where they are increasingly overcoming skepticism and addressing challenges, and transitioning to a “Slope of Enlightenment” where the benefits of technology will crystallize in the eyes of the masses. This is where more businesses will grasp the benefits of warehouse automation and are inclined to invest in pilot projects.

So, leaders do not have to wait for the market to fully mature. Seize the advantage now by implementing automation gradually. Warehouse automation is a journey, not a one-time purchase. It involves continuous monitoring, adjustments, and incremental improvements. By gradually transitioning, leaders can capture the benefits of automation today and gain a head start on competitors.

The caveat is to selecting the right automation partners that offer not just solutions, but also technological expertise and robust after-sales support. They can guide businesses through the entire automation process, from assessing warehouse readiness to identifying pain points to defining the initial steps and navigating full implementation.

With these common myths debunked, warehouse leaders will have a clearer understanding of the advantages of automation and related digital transformations, and be able to fine-tune current automation strategies for better business outcomes.

Share:

PreviousAI and the customer experience
NextSports and Music Event Tourism unlocks new opportunities to capture spend

Related Posts

ChatGPT gave you a taste of AI power: try these other automation tools too

ChatGPT gave you a taste of AI power: try these other automation tools too

July 26, 2023

Taking the pulse of front-liners and remote-workers: What Microsoft found

Taking the pulse of front-liners and remote-workers: What Microsoft found

October 2, 2020

Switzerland ranked top for cyber risk literacy and education

Switzerland ranked top for cyber risk literacy and education

November 12, 2020

Singapore SME leverages streamlined ESG reporting service to obtain sustainability linked loan

Singapore SME leverages streamlined ESG reporting service to obtain sustainability linked loan

November 10, 2023

Leave a reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Awards Nomination Banner

gamification list

PARTICIPATE NOW

top placement

Whitepapers

  • Achieve Modernization Without the Complexity

    Achieve Modernization Without the Complexity

    Transforming IT infrastructure is crucial …Download Whitepaper
  • 5 Steps to Boost IT Infrastructure Reliability

    5 Steps to Boost IT Infrastructure Reliability

    In today's fast-evolving tech landscape, …Download Whitepaper
  • Simplify Payroll Setup for Your Small Business

    Simplify Payroll Setup for Your Small Business

    In our free guide, "How …Download Whitepaper
  • Overcoming the Challenges of Cost & Complexity in the Cloud-first Era.

    Overcoming the Challenges of Cost & Complexity in the Cloud-first Era.

    Download Whitepaper

Middle Placement

Case Studies

  • Gill Capital redefines retail product discovery with Google-quality search

    Gill Capital redefines retail product discovery with Google-quality search

    Harnessing generative AI, agentic AI …Read More
  • Indonesia’s largest private hospital network modernizes operations with cloud migration  

    Indonesia’s largest private hospital network modernizes operations with cloud migration  

    PT Siloam International Hospitals improves …Read More
  • Maybank accelerates digital transformation with AI-driven innovation

    Maybank accelerates digital transformation with AI-driven innovation

    Maybank has entered into a strategic …Read More
  • India robotics firm transforms automation with virtual twins and low-code platform adoption

    India robotics firm transforms automation with virtual twins and low-code platform adoption

    Adopting a unified digital platform …Read More

Bottom Sidebar

Other News

  • 600 MW Monsoon Wind achieves commercial operation, delivering clean energy across borders

    September 1, 2025
    600 MW, utility-scale, onshore wind …Read More »
  • Humanoid robots gain momentum, but hardware costs hold back mass adoption, says DIGITIMES

    September 1, 2025
    TAIPEI, Sept. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ …Read More »
  • MetaOptics Ltd Registers Offer Document on its Listing on SGX Catalist

    September 1, 2025
    SINGAPORE, Sept. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ …Read More »
  • LiuGong Finance Indonesia Officially Launched and Customer Day Successfully Held

    September 1, 2025
    LIUZHOU, China, Sept. 1, 2025 …Read More »
  • Telin and ITCO Niaga Announce Visionary Collaboration to Strengthen Indonesia Cable Express II (ICE II)

    September 1, 2025
    BALI, Indonesia, Sept. 1, 2025 …Read More »
  • Our Brands
  • CybersecAsia
  • MartechAsia
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertising & Reprint Policy
  • Media Kit
  • Subscribe
  • Manage Subscriptions
  • Newsletter

Copyright © 2025 DigiconAsia All Rights Reserved.