Technology
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Technology is core to logistics and supply chain management, and it is a major recurring theme in our Supply Chain Reviews, Outsourcing and 3PL Support projects where we aim to help companies unlock more value from both legacy technology and new investments.
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Our basic philosophy is simple: Operational strength drives performance; technology enhances it. WMS, TMS, OMS, and similar systems only succeed when built on well-defined processes and objectives.
Dealing with legacy system challenges
Our System Sucks! We hear this a lot from brands and 3PLs when we discuss their logistics and supply chain challenges. And yes, some systems truly are flawed. Many warehouses still operate on 20 to 25-year-old platforms that were never designed for today’s speed or complexity. On top of that, during large ERP rollouts, the warehouse and logistics teams were often last in line, ending up with underdeveloped, under-maintained, “red-headed stepchild” WMS and TMS modules that never quite delivered what operations needed.
Buying new systems
In today’s logistics environment, companies rush to adopt new technologies like Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Transportation Management Systems (TMS), Order Management Systems (OMS), and more recently, Artificial Intelligence (AI).
These solutions can absolutely transform operations but without rethinking your objectives, workflows and strengthening operational basics, even the most advanced systems will fall short. For example, we have seen companies invest heavily in a modern WMS only to recreate their same legacy processes inside it, leading to the same old problems.
Bringing in Fix Logistix
Replacing core operating systems is a huge, complicated and disruptive task. Many companies underestimate it. Unless a core system can fundamentally not or no longer support the business model, we often advise clients not to rip them out and jump immediately into costly, organization-wide system replacements.
We propose a better path forward and it often looks like this:
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Identify and prioritize the gaps causing pain today.
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Align process and system capabilities to better utilize the systems you already have.
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Expand system capabilities with plug-ins or composable, bolt-on sidecar apps
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Align process with system capabilities
It is important to realize that setup, integration, data accuracy, and operational discipline often matter just as much as the tool’s built-in capabilities. This applies both to legacy and new systems.
We find that most WMS and TMS platforms support reasonably efficient processes, even the older legacy ones. What holds back performance is not the software but unclear workflows, poor data, weak governance, and the absence of disciplined operational management. Addressing these basics combined with training and change management often go along way in improving basic operations.
add missing capabilities
Expanding functionality using plug-ins or composable, bolt-on sidecar apps is gaining a lot of traction in the world of logistics and supply chain management. These are small, purpose-built tools that run alongside your WMS/TMS/ERP and fill operational gaps fast and without huge efforts or costs.
These sidecar tools can add powerful capabilities in many different areas. The list is growing. Explore some examples by category below.
Improve execution, throughput, and accuracy without replacing the WMS. - Warehouse Operations Extensions (WMS Bolt-Ons) - Improve execution, throughput, and accuracy without replacing the WMS. - Dock & Yard Management (scheduling, trailer visibility) - Mobile Work Apps (picking, putaway, receiving) - Slotting & Cartonization Optimization - Wave / Batch / Cluster Picking Tools - Labor Management & Productivity Tracking - WES-Lite & Automation Orchestration Layers
WMS Bolt-Ons
Enhance routing, promise accuracy, and marketplace flows. - Order Routing / Multi-Node Logic - Backorder & Preorder Management - Marketplace Integration (Amazon, Walmart, Shopify, etc.) - Customer Self-Service Order Portals - D2C + B2B Hybrid Fulfillment Modules - Returns Management & RMA Workflows
OMS Bolt-Ons
Transportation & Delivery Extensions (TMS Bolt-Ons) Optimize cost, transit times, and real-time visibility. - Rate Shopping & Mode Optimization - Load Building & Consolidation Tools - Carrier Appointment Scheduling - Dispatch & Driver Assignment Apps - GPS & Telematics Integrations - Real-Time Visibility & ETA Prediction Engines
TMS Bolt-Ons
3PL Specific Bolt-Ons
3PL-Specific Enhancements Improve client experience, billing, and scalability. - Multi-Client Billing Engines - Contract & Rate Card Management - Client Visibility Portals (inventory, orders, SLAs) - Onboarding Automation Modules - Claims & Exception Management Apps
Connector Bolt-Ons
Cross-Functional Connectors & Orchestration Make legacy systems work like modern platforms. - Integration & API-Connector Hubs - Workflow Orchestration Engines - Master Data Management Layers - Exception & Incident Management Dashboards EDI / File Transformation Tools .
So…what about AI?
We get this question a lot. And, yes, AI shows real promise in logistics in general and an increasing number of the composable, bolt-on sidecar apps listed above incorporate it. Still, AI is not a miracle cure.
A growing body of literature on success and failure in AI projects clearly shows that it only works when the foundations are solid. Clean data, clear processes, and disciplined operations matter just as much as the algorithms behind them.
The truth is simple: AI and composable, bolt-on sidecar apps succeed for the same reasons any system succeeds. Strong workflows, good data, clear goals, and consistent execution drive far more impact than the technology label. Get the basics right first, and AI becomes a powerful accelerator. There are no short cuts, not even with AI.
Let's talk more about this ...
Discussing the pros and cons of automating logistics and supply chain processes and how best to go about that is one of our favorite topics. We look forward to discussing this with you and your team.