Voice automation has come a long way, to the point where it's playing a crucial role in helping distribution centers meet demands for shorter order-to-delivery cycles, says Bob Bova, president and CEO of AccuSpeech Mobile.

In a time of increasing customer demand, robotics technology is helping e-commerce sellers to manage forward inventory and next-day delivery, says Jim Serstad, vice president of product development with Tompkins Robotics.

Control towers are taking on an increasingly vital role in modern-day warehouses, powered by advances in artificial intelligence, says Kevin Reader, director of business development and marketing with Knapp.

"The delivery economy" describes the transformation of retail, driven by customer demands for the highest possible level of service. But can companies provide it in an economic fashion? Christian Piller, vice president of value engineering with Project 44, offers a perspective.

Micro-fulfillment is undoubtedly the hottest topic in 2020 for many retailers.

Robots present advantages that, combined with human brain and brawn, make for optimum operations that improve the lives of workers, too.

The coronavirus pandemic has made it clear that humans make supply chains vulnerable to failure. Greater reliance on automated solutions will be a given from here on out.

Today's distribution centers face huge challenges in ensuring compliance with complex packaging and labeling requirements, especially in the age of big data and SKU proliferation, says John Dwinell, CEO and founder of Siena Analytics.

Automation is impacting warehouse operations in multiple ways, promising dramatic efficiencies in labor, hardware, software and order fulfillment, says Chris Arnold, president and chief operating officer of Trew.