Simply chasing the latest thing is not the right approach. “Future-proo ng is about investing in systems that evolve with you and continue to deliver value as your business changes,” Lillevik says. “Technology that was considered advanced years ago may no longer be relevant in the future,” he adds. “What matters is not how many tools you have, but whether they help you make better decisions, faster—and that they can evolve with your business. Look for solutions that are grounded in process, integrate, and support your teams with the right data at the right moment.”
keep up with this rapid development, technology and architecture needs to accommodate plug-ins to orchestrate yet-to-be-developed automation. This is where well-architected warehouse execution systems come in.” While long-term future proo ng is nearly impossible as technology continues its rapid- re advance, companies can still enable their tech stacks to ex and adapt as new solutions emerge. “Designing for modularity is critical so you can constantly revisit what’s working and optimize your tech stack for your operation,” Moore says.
“When your tools are aligned, you gain speed, clarity, and the ability to scale without reinventing the wheel every time,” says Lillevik. “Make sure that the solutions do more than simply move the work from one system to another but rather add value along the way.” With warehouse automation evolving rapidly, another consideration for a tech-stack build is creating capacity for future evolutions. “Some automation equipment being deployed today did not exist even just a few years back,” says Suneel Krishnaswamy, CTO at enVista. “To
WAREHOUSE TECH TIPS: WHAT COMES FIRST?
6. Look at ROI potential. If your operation is labor-heavy, the ROI from an LMS can be immediate. If inef ciencies are tied more to order accuracy, visibility, or process control, a WMS is more likely to deliver a stronger return. 7. Weigh integration needs. Both systems eventually need to work together. Consider how integrations will play out. Implementing one system before the other may mean building connections twice if upgrades are planned later. 8. Factor in operational impact. An LMS rollout impacts people directly—it requires communication, collaboration, and buy-in from the workforce. A WMS changes daily work ows and processes, requiring retraining and strong operational change management. Both require careful planning, but in different ways. 9. Don’t fall for misconceptions. There’s no “universal right order.” Many assume WMS must always come rst, but if the right labor data exists, an LMS can be implemented quickly and start paying off before a WMS is ready. 10. Roadmap for the bigger picture. Whether you start with LMS or WMS, think ahead. Build a roadmap that accounts for sequencing, integration, and future growth. The best choice solves today’s pain points while preparing you for tomorrow’s success.
Many growing organizations ask the question: What do we implement rst, a labor management system (LMS) or a warehouse management system (WMS)? The answer isn’t always the same, says Brian Carlson, founder of Cornerstone Edge. The right choice depends on your business priorities, data readiness, and growth plans. Carlson shares 10 tips to help you decide which system to add rst to your tech stack. 1. Start with your business goals. Decide what’s most urgent: labor ef ciency or inventory control. If labor costs are your biggest pain point, an LMS may be the right place to start. If accuracy, visibility, and throughput are your top priorities, a WMS might come rst. 2. Understand the functional differences. A WMS manages product ow—directing inventory, tracking orders, and ensuring accuracy. An LMS manages people—measuring
productivity, setting performance standards, and optimizing labor. Together, they create a complete picture of your operation. 3. Assess your available data. An LMS requires transactional data (task times, activity tracking). If your operation doesn’t already have that data, a WMS may need to come rst to generate it. 4. Consider your company size and complexity. LMS implementations deliver the biggest impact in larger operations (100 to 150+ employees) with high variability and complex layouts. Smaller or less complex operations may see greater bene t from tackling WMS rst. 5. Evaluate implementation timelines. LMS projects often have shorter timelines and quicker ROI—if the right data exists. WMS projects can take longer but provide a foundational platform for broader operational improvements.
January 2026 • Inbound Logistics 111
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