In today’s fast-paced warehouse and logistics industry, the abundance of data can be overwhelming. Companies are now collecting vast amounts of information — from every corner of their operations. Data is important to drive continuous innovation and positive change, yet without the right tools to interpret and act on the data, opportunities for improvement are lost. By turning raw numbers into actionable insights, teams can be empowered in and out of the warehouse to make smarter, more informed decisions. 

CONNECTED WAREHOUSE

The 2024 MHI Annual Industry Report highlighted, “Our connected world will allow material handling, logistics and supply chain players to rapidly address challenges and opportunities and learn from one another to achieve sector success.” This will require future technologies to blend with human intelligence to build supply chains that are more adaptable and agile. Integration of man and machine fosters a more connected, responsive warehouse environment, where people are empowered by technology rather than intimidated by it.

The Raymond® iWAREHOUSE GATEWAY™ (iW.GATEWAY) reporting and analytics portal embodies this philosophy by enabling data-driven decisions that align with human capabilities and needs. At the heart of the iW.GATEWAY portal is the ability to turn large amounts of raw data into trend-based analytics reports and present them in a user-friendly experience. This solution offers warehouse leaders visibility into a warehouse’s performance, equipment health and energy consumption so they can make informed decisions to help increase operational efficiency and productivity.

Data is not meant to be presented in an endless stream of raw data values and must be translated into meaningful information that employees can easily understand and act upon across a broad range of roles. You can’t enhance what you don’t measure or understand. That’s why data is more than just a tool for doing your job well — it’s the key to uncovering opportunities for improvement, such as cost savings and facility optimization, which ultimately drive success.

ENTERPRISE WIDE VISIBILITY

Organizations can often operate across several warehouses and distribution centers — spanning different regions — which requires seamless integration between locations. Data analytics compiled from all facilities can offer a holistic view of performance, inventory and equipment status across the entire enterprise. The iW.GATEWAY portal is accessible 24/7 from any internet-enabled device to provide visibility exactly when and where you need it. Instead of relying on users to sift through spreadsheets or complex software interfaces, the portal empowers users to monitor and manage operations from a centralized location, which can create endless opportunities.

The ability to make data understandable and actionable across all levels of an organization underscores the need for a role-specific tool that enables anyone to make sense of the data that matters to them. Raymond’s iW.GATEWAY portal does just that by significantly enhancing value for operations — offering more-comprehensive and customizable solutions in which each role in your business sees the same data through a different lens, transforming raw information into actionable insights.

• Senior management can view high-level performance metrics across multiple sites, while floor supervisors can access location-specific insights.
• Operations managers can see a high-level overview of operational efficiency, highlighting areas for improvement and ensuring resources are optimally allocated.
• Regional managers can view high-level facility comparisons of impacts, utilization, site efficiency and the number of results of pre-operational checklist inspections — with the ability to drill down into operator and lift truck model specifics. 
• Optimization or lean management roles can see data on location, end-of-life (EOL) reports, battery usage, downtime reports, and login timers.
• Maintenance managers and frontline workers can quickly assess equipment health and energy usage, minimizing downtime and preventing costly breakdowns. Personalized alerts inform them about any issues, such as when maintenance is needed, allowing for proactive action to prevent workflow disruption. 

As organizations employ a broad range of associates, data that is even more tailored and role-specific is necessary. Whether managing a team, maintaining equipment or overseeing multiple sites — data can be your most powerful tool for operational excellence.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Organizations can remain ahead of the curve by continually adapting new technologies to operational and user needs. This new level of integration between human intelligence and advanced technology positions the warehouse of the future to be more efficient, resilient and prepared for the challenges ahead.

To see a demonstration of The Raymond Corporation’s new features for the iW.GATEWAY portal, visit Raymond booths S1703 and S1903 at ProMat 2025 in Chicago, March 17-20.

iW.GATEWAY is a U.S. trademark of The Raymond Corporation.