Building the Ideal Logistics Tech Stack: How to Layer Strategy, Software, and Systems
Modern supply chain demands and evolving customer expectations require businesses to level up their logistics processes. Smart software and fast automation are no longer enough. You need a cohesive tech stack that combines strategy, an innovative Warehouse Management System (WMS), and the right hardware.
A layered approach to warehouse logistics provides total supply chain visibility—from material sourcing and goods receipt to product delivery. It also creates an agile environment that can adapt to sudden changes and systematic growth plans. By integrating a data-driven strategy, the right logistics software, and physical automation, you build a solid foundation for current and long-term success.
The Importance of Leading With Strategy
Your company may offer an amazing product and a first-rate customer buying experience. However, without a reliable logistics strategy, you risk compromising everything with subpar fulfillment.
Start developing your strategy by pinpointing your company’s operational goals. Consider your short and long-term throughput requirements, how much flexibility you require to address shifts in demand, and labor requirements. Defining these goals brings your tech stack requirements into focus.
Is your company taking a greenfield or brownfield approach? This is another key strategic factor in your logistics process.
Greenfield environments offer a clean slate, allowing you to create a fully optimized fulfillment operation with the exact logistics software and automated systems you need. Brownfield environments require you to integrate software with an existing infrastructure and retrofit automation with legacy systems. There’s no right or wrong approach—it all comes down to your company’s financial and operational goals.
Measuring the scope of your logistics strategy requires stringent financial planning. Weighing the ROI of logistics software and automation against the necessary financial investment helps you determine the most realistic components of your tech stack. Your company’s cash flow also informs your operational strategy, particularly when scheduling integrations. Collaborating with your finance team paints a clearer picture of what’s possible and what’s not.
Your tech stack must kill two birds with one stone—meeting your customers’ needs and supporting your fulfillment model. For example, if you’re an ecommerce business promising fast order fulfillment, placing more emphasis on automated goods-to-person picking stations and outbound logistics systems will speed throughput. A robust automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) can optimize warehouse space and make supply chain management easier if you supply brick-and-mortar retail locations with a diverse product line.
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Logistics Software: The Brain of the Stack
Fulfillment centers rely on powerful logistics software to orchestrate material flow, facilitate system control, and provide valuable analytics. It’s the command center that communicates with your automated systems to optimize every process in your warehouse.
Warehouse Management System Functionality
A WMS is an intricate tool that integrates several software systems under one roof. Its core is the nerve center of your tech stack. It starts working the second goods arrive at your facility and oversees every subsequent system and process.
The primary functions and benefits of a WMS include:
- Entering goods into the warehouse’s inventory as they enter the facility
- Choosing the best storage space for each item based on demand and size
- Managing inventory by tracking stock levels in real-time
- Optimizing the material flow by directing picking workflows
- Communicating with warehouse robots to speed throughput
- Finding the best carrier rates and generating tracking labels
- Providing data-driven performance insights
Once integrated into your tech stack, logistics software delivers many benefits, including enhanced order accuracy, lower operating costs, and the ability to scale quickly when demand fluctuates. A WMS also integrates with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software to better align the fulfillment operation with other departments.
WERX is TGW Logistics’ smart and flexible WMS. It combines a suite of tools designed to simplify fulfillment operations and gather data that enhances decision-making.
Testing Your Environment
Imagine seeing your tech stack in action before implementation. Emulation and simulation technology make this possible.
Simulation technology provides a virtual model of your warehouse and shows how it will handle peak demand. This helps you determine the best layout for automated systems. Emulation technology replicates how warehouse control software will work with these systems, allowing you to troubleshoot issues beforehand.
Technology innovations such as digital twins, artificial intelligence, and predictive analysis provide companies with more comprehensive models and targeted data. This new technology provides advanced simulations and insights that help fulfillment centers reach performance levels never seen before.
Hardware: The Muscle of Your Operation
The third layer of your tech stack includes the automated systems that make up your warehouse layout. These physical components facilitate fast and efficient throughput and work alongside warehouse employees to create an uninterrupted workflow.
TGW Logistics provides a full range of automated warehouse systems to help companies reach and exceed their goals.
FlashPick is our goods-to-person tool, incorporating a Stingray shuttle storage system, conveyor networks, and ergonomic 1:1 picking workstations. When a customer places an order, Stingray warehouse robots retrieve the item from the storage system and transport it to the correct workstation via automated conveyors.
FullPick provides automated mixed-case palletizing to save time and reduce worker strain. Designed specifically for grocery logistics, though suitable to industrial and consumer goods industries as well, this system supports omni channel distribution and is suitable for ambient, chilled, and frozen environments.
Other hardware solutions include autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and automated guided vehicles (AGVs). These mobile robotic solutions use sensor technology and in-line navigation to transport items across a warehouse, reducing the amount of walking employees must do.
![[Translate to North America:] logistics software](/fileadmin/_processed_/f/0/csm_Logistics_Tech_Stack_2_7bdd062422.png)
Why Integration Is the True Competitive Edge
The way your tech stack comes together has a huge impact on its performance. Effective integration is essential for operational continuity, transparency, and scalability.
Your logistics software and automated hardware pass information back and forth. Expert integration ensures that your WMS and automated systems are aligned and able to provide you with comprehensive benefits.
- Operational Excellence — A well-integrated tech stack automates end-to-end workflow by speeding throughput, reducing errors, and maximizing warehouse space.
- Cost Savings — Your tech stack cuts operational costs through waste reduction, energy efficiency, and inventory management.
- Flexibility — Agile software and modular automation allow you to adapt quickly to seasonal spikes, business growth, and industry changes.
- Data Insights—Analyzing performance metrics makes it easy to spot bottlenecks and underutilized systems, allowing you to make informed changes to your fulfillment center.
TGW Logistics makes long-term success possible with Lifetime Services, our logistics support offering. Our experts will oversee the implementation of your logistics tech stack and provide ongoing support to ensure your system operates at maximum capacity. Whether you need retrofit services as you evolve or training to equip your teams with the knowledge they need to succeed, TGW Logistics has your back.
The Ideal Tech Stack Is a Living System
Creating a successful fulfillment ecosystem requires the right balance of vision, logistics software, and automated systems. Once implemented, your tech stack will put you on a fast track to operational efficiency and pave the way for long-term growth.
Every fulfillment center is different. It’s best to work with logistics and automation experts who can tailor solutions that meet your company's unique needs.
Looking to build a tech stack that grows with your business?
Let TGW Logistics help design and implement a warehouse management system tailored to your needs—today and tomorrow. Talk to an Expert.