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.

When it comes to goods-to-person systems, one size doesn’t fit all. In this episode, we sat down with Joe McGinnis from OPEX to break down when Perfect Pick® makes the most sense and where something else might be a better fit.

Here’s what we'll discuss:

🔹 High-throughput environments with lower SKU variability

🔹Systems that handle dynamic SKUs across multiple aisles

🔹 The role of data analytics in determining true system fit

🔹 Why throughput and SKU profiles should drive tech decisions

If you’re evaluating GTP systems or designing around complex order profiles, this episode offers the nuance most vendor decks don’t.

In the latest episode of The Zion Experience podcast, Jim Shaw, Jordan Frank, and Jacob McMillan share the behind-the-scenes story of a recent project and how designing for the final mile often means adjusting on the fly.

From unexpected product mix changes to tricky packaging constraints, the team talks through the real-time problem-solving that went into making the system work smarter, not just as designed but as needed.

Sometimes, it’s about clever hardware add-ons, and sometimes, it’s about live remapping. But at the end of the day, it’s always about keeping the customer moving.

In the latest episode of the TZE Podcast, Jim Shaw, Jordan Frank, and Chuck Frank discussed ProMat 2025, which sent a clear message: the industry isn’t standing still.

We saw a big difference between launching something new and evolving something proven—from improved picking strategies to faster, smarter robots. From our team's perspective, the event felt less like an introduction and more like a graduation for many automation OEMs.

If you missed the show or want to dive deeper into the trends, we’ve got you covered.

In our latest episode of the TZE Podcast, Jim Shaw and Jordan Frank sit down with Pras Velagapudi from Agility Robotics to explore how humanoid robotics is making warehouse operations more adaptable, cost-effective, and future-ready.

Digit is tackling inefficiencies by seamlessly unloading AMRs, bridging conveyors, and integrating into workflows—without major infrastructure changes.

In the latest episode of TZE Podcast, Jim Shaw and Jordan Frank sit down with Matt Kelly from Hai Robotics to explore the HaiPick Climb—a groundbreaking automation solution designed for simplicity, flexibility, and efficiency.

By climbing warehouse racks, this innovative system maximizes throughput without the complexity of multiple robots or rigid automation structures. The result? Less infrastructure, greater flexibility, and a stronger ROI.

Hear how Hai Robotics is redefining scalable, cost-effective, and future-ready automation.