Inside Dematic’s Vision for Smarter Warehouse Operations

Why It Matters

The move signals a broader industry pivot where automation suppliers must deliver software-driven, outcome-oriented services to help warehouses scale and extract value from data—creating new competitive stakes for vendors and clearer ROI for customers. Improved visibility and AI-driven analytics could materially boost throughput, flexibility and decision-making in distribution networks.

Summary

At Modex 2026 Dematic outlined a strategic shift from a traditional automation OEM to a customer-results driven systems and solutions integrator, combining its hardware portfolio with cloud analytics, data and AI capabilities. Brett Webster, Dematic’s software product management lead, said the company is prioritizing intelligence layers and centralized visibility to turn automation hardware into measurable business outcomes. He highlighted two megatrends: the rapid adoption of mobile robotics to enable scalable, flexible operations and the urgent need to consolidate fragmented data into actionable insights. Dematic plans to partner across the ecosystem to deliver integrated solutions that meet specific customer objectives rather than selling standalone equipment.

Original Description

In this special MODEX 2026 episode, we continue our conversations with the innovators and technology leaders transforming warehouse automation, AI, and the future of supply chain operations.

In this episode, Scott Luton sits down with Brett Webster to discuss the next evolution of warehouse automation and the growing role of AI-driven operational intelligence. Brett shares how Dematic is shifting from traditional automation solutions toward customer-results-driven systems integration and why flexibility, visibility, and data connectivity are becoming critical for modern supply chains. The conversation also explores Dematic’s newly launched Command Center platform, the future of digital twins in warehousing, the rapid acceleration of generative AI, and why companies that fail to adapt to emerging technology risk falling behind.

*Key Learnings & Takeaways*

- Why mobile robotics and flexible automation are reshaping warehouse operations

- The growing importance of unified data visibility across supply chain systems

- How digital twins can improve warehouse intelligence and decision-making

- Why AI-powered operational insights are becoming essential for automation success

- The shift from traditional automation projects to customer-results-driven solutions

- How generative AI is rapidly changing software and warehouse technology development

If you're evaluating warehouse automation, AI-driven analytics, or digital transformation strategies, this episode delivers practical insights into where the industry is heading next. Brett shares how organizations can move beyond fragmented visibility, improve operational performance, and leverage emerging technology to build more adaptable, intelligent, and resilient supply chain operations.