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The future of Supply chains: Predictive, connected, and self-optimizing.
From reactive to predictive: This is fulfillment reimagined.
Fulfillment is no longer just an operational task. It has become a strategic battleground. In an economy driven by speed, flexibility, and precision, warehouses are evolving into intelligent ecosystems that think, adapt, and optimize in real time.
Envision a fulfillment center that doesn’t just react but predicts. One that doesn’t simply move goods but orchestrates the entire workflow with precision and agility. That’s the promise of modern warehouses which are highly automated and connected to the world outside of their four walls. Realizing this vision requires a solution built for today’s demands and tomorrow’s complexity, like SAP Extended Warehouse Management (SAP EWM).
And the best part? It’s already happening.
This shift from reactive to predictive is well underway. In our latest podcast episode of How Robotics and AI Enable the Warehouse of the Future, hosted by Richard Howells of SAP, we dive into how SAP EWM and intelligent automation are reshaping fulfillment strategies across industries. Richard brings his unique perspective as the show’s host, connecting the trends in supply chain innovation with real-world business impact.
Market Momentum: Why leading companies are investing in automation now.
Warehouses that implement automation have been shown to achieve up to a 200% increase in picking productivity, a 50% reduction in cycle times, and near zero-defect accuracy in operations. These aren’t just efficiency metrics. They represent strategic transformation.
Additional research confirms:
- Warehouse automation is growing at over 10% annually. Robot shipments are forecasted to rise by as much as 50% per year through 2030.
- SAP EWM customers who implement automation report a 55% increase in operational efficiency and experience 40-45% fewer process disruptions.
- Automated picking systems integrated with SAP can deliver up to 99.99% inventory accuracy, significantly lowering order errors and returns.
For retail and CPG businesses, where demand spikes are driven by promotions, seasonality, or digital campaigns, these results translate to faster fulfillment and stronger customer satisfaction, ultimately loyalty in a highly competitive landscape.
Case Study: Turning a Retail Warehouse into an Intelligent Fulfillment Hub
One of Westernacher’s global retail customers faced growing fulfillment complexity. Their warehouse operations were reliant on a legacy 3PL setup with siloed order channels. Visibility was limited. Fulfillment workflows were rigid. Adapting to demand fluctuations was difficult and slow.
The challenge.
When the pandemic and global disruptions hit, these weaknesses became critical. Inventory was stuck in the wrong locations, order fulfillment lagged, and customer satisfaction dropped. The company needed a solution that could scale, adapt, and provide full visibility across operations.
The solution.
Westernacher implemented SAP EWM integrated with a robust automation and robotics layer. This included:
- Mobile Storage Units (MSUs) operated by autonomous robots to dynamically move stock
- Automated sortation systems to streamline outbound fulfillment
- SAP-driven stock reorganization during idle hours to prioritize fast movers
The entire deployment followed Westernacher’s agile, sprint-based methodology. This allowed for rapid feedback, collaborative integration testing, and a smooth, non-disruptive go live.
The results.
- Real-time visibility across warehouse functions and order channels
- Elastic scalability: robots could be added or removed based on demand, without infrastructure changes
- Fulfillment staff reallocated to value-adding roles like exception handling and quality control
From pilot to scalable automation: What’s possible now.
With SAP EWM and Westernacher’s implementation expertise, automation timelines have become far more achievable and business friendly.
- Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) pilot projects can go live in just 6 to 8 weeks if the software infrastructure is already in place.
- Preconfigured robotics templates and cloud-based subscription models lower the cost barrier and speed up delivery.
For businesses starting with a specific pain point, or those aiming to reimagine their fulfillment end-to-end, today’s automation landscape offers flexibility, speed, and return on investment.
Why SAP and why Westernacher?
SAP EWM doesn’t just manage a warehouse. It enables intelligent, connected, and adaptable fulfillment operations, leveraging SAP’s leading Supply Chain Execution platform capabilities. It becomes the core of real-time orchestration across people, processes, and machines.
At Westernacher, we bring this technology to life with:
- Global and proven delivery capabilities refined through decades of SAP implementations from small hub to highly automated distribution centers
- Deep domain expertise in warehouse processes, logistics, and system integration
- Agile execution frameworks that reduce risk and accelerate value realization
- A customer-first mindset that ensures solutions align with your long-term strategic goals
Together, SAP and Westernacher help businesses shift from reaction to anticipation, turning warehouses into future-ready fulfillment hubs.
“The future of supply chain is resilient, sustainable, and self-optimizing. It can anticipate demand, predict disruptions, and respond in real time.”
– Marco Trottmann, Senior Partner & Global Innovations Lead, Westernacher Consulting
Final takeaway: Automate to stay ahead.
The next generation of supply chain leaders won’t just move faster. They will move smarter. They’ll empower fulfillment centers to flex, scale, and respond with confidence.
Supply chain orchestration and automation are not trends. They are the new foundation for fulfillment that drives efficiency, resilience, and customer satisfaction.
Ready to turn your warehouse into a strategic asset?
Follow Westernacher on LinkedIn for the latest insights.
To dive deeper into how robotics and AI are shaping the future of fulfillment, listen to our podcast episode: How Robotics and AI Enable the Warehouse of the Future.
