What’s the real value of speed in warehouse design? It’s not just about timelines, it’s about enabling faster, more informed decisions.

In this episode, @Jim Shaw, @Jordan Frank, and @Chip Steffey unpack how Zion brings agility to the design process, helping customers move quickly without sacrificing clarity or control.

Here’s what we cover:

🔹 Capital vs. labor trade-offs in automation planning

🔹 How we rapidly price multiple tech options for smarter decisions

🔹 The hidden costs of designing for peak without year-round ROI

🔹 Why OpEx matters just as much as CapEx in long-term planning

What does success look like when you're automating inside a 3PL? In our latest TZE episode, Jim Shaw and Jordan Frank sit down with Ryan Martin, SVP of Distribution Services at ITS Logistics, to get real about what it takes to design systems in high-variability, contract-driven environments.

Here’s what we cover:

🔹 Why automation must fit the business not just the customer

🔹 How to evaluate ROI when client contracts have limited terms

🔹 Avoiding the “make it work” trap and costly redesigns

🔹 How to plan for flexibility, reuse, and future uncertainty

This one’s a must-listen for operators, integrators, and decision-makers navigating multi-tenant fulfillment.

Scalability can’t come at the cost of disruption.

In our latest episode of the TZE Podcast, Jim Shaw, Jordan Frank, and Jen Thomas unpack the operational strategy behind Zion’s discovery process, covering everything from shared-use automation and modular sortation systems to flexible picking and packaging infrastructure.

They discuss how designing with future clients, having variable order profiles, and having system reuse in mind ensures your investment remains agile as demand evolves.