518: From Automation to Intelligence: How AI Is Transforming the Modern Warehouse, with GreyOrange
Release Date: 01/27/2026
518: From Automation to Intelligence: How AI Is Transforming the Modern Warehouse, with GreyOrange
Let's Talk Supply Chain
Saurabh Gupta of GreyOrange talks about how AI is transforming the modern warehouse, the role of partners, & why automation without orchestration underdelivers. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [04.33] Saurabh’s career journey and what he learned from being involved in software development for iPods and the very first iPhone at Apple. “The most powerful technology is one that works so seamlessly that it’s invisible to the user.” [09.39] Why Saurabh pivoted from a career in consumer robotics to supply chain and warehouse robotics. “In consumer robotics, we start...
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517: ‘Useful AI’: Your Key to Visibility Project Success, with Shippeo
Let's Talk Supply Chain
Lucien Besse of Shippeo talks about navigating supply chain chaos; data quality & continuous improvement; AI; and the keys to visibility project success. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [03.38] An introduction to Lucien and the journey that led him to co-found Shippeo. [07.07] The biggest sources of chaos for supply chain teams, and why they need flexibility and visibility. “Supply chain managers need to make hundreds of decisions every day, every hour, every minute – they need to navigate uncertainty every single day, and that hasn’t changed… What has really changed is...
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516: Innovation, Transformation, and Modern Supply Chains, with Blue Yonder
Let's Talk Supply Chain
Andrea Morgan-Vandome of Blue Yonder explores what true end-to-end supply chain transformation looks like amidst unprecedented complexity and disruption. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [03.47] An introduction to Andrea and her role, and how Blue Yonder helps their customers. “We bring the physical and digital worlds together, and that’s key in supply chain.” [06.05] Why end-to-end planning will be crucial in navigating supply chain complexity and disruption in 2026. “When people look to drive transformation, they can sometimes get mired down in the complexity. So how do...
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515: Experience Precision Supply Chain Operations, with Brecham Group
Let's Talk Supply Chain
Chris Hamley & Andy Smith of Brecham Group talk about what they do; what makes them different, Precision Supply Chain Operations; & helping you suck less. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [03.58] Chris’s background and the journey that led him to co-found Brecham Group. “I started out loading trucks!... And it got to a point where I got frustrated trying to broker conversations. People didn’t pay attention to details, I found myself translating – and that was the catalyst.” [06.04] Andy’s 30+ year industry career, and his role at Brecham Group. [08.26] An...
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514: Turn Strategic Planning Into Retail Profitability, with Anaplan
Let's Talk Supply Chain
Scott Jennings of Anaplan talks about retail inventory optimization, planning challenges, AI & how Anaplan enables retailers to sell more and carry less. [03.37] An introduction to Scott, his background, and experience in the industry. “Siloes are present functionally across different pieces of the business, whether it’s merchandise, supply chain or finance. But they’re also persistent inside the systems that support those different groups – and that’s where it gets tricky.” [05.53] An overview of Anaplan and what they do. [06.53] How retail planning has historically...
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513: Women In Supply Chain™, Megan Rudolph
Let's Talk Supply Chain
Megan Rudolph talks about her career journey; developing a team through hypergrowth; the challenges & opportunities for parcel in 2026; & finding inspiration. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [02.15] An introduction to Megan and Saddle Creek Logistics Services. [03.00] Megan’s early career dream of sports journalism, how graduating during the recession led her to take a sales job at UPS, and what she found so fascinating about logistics. “There was a great structure. I worked under multiple female leaders – some of the people that probably don’t even know how...
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511: Women In Supply Chain™, Jennie Malafarina
Let's Talk Supply Chain
Jennie Malafarina talks about her career journey; collaboration & community; building businesses; & turning marketing from a cost center into a revenue driver. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [02.30] An introduction to Jennie and her businesses Virago Marketing and FR8MVMT. [05.03] Why Jennie pursued a degree in communications, and how having three kids under five during her final year at university led her to a marketing career. “Communication, psychology and marketing all tied together… it’s a passion for understanding why people do what they do.” [07.55] Why...
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510: Women In Supply Chain™, Kendra Tanner
Let's Talk Supply Chain
Kendra Tanner talks about her career journey; what she's learned about leadership, making an impact on boards and conference stages; & inspiring women. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [02.35] An introduction to Kendra and her company, Allstates WorldCargo. [03.40] Kendra’s education and how her marriage to her high school sweetheart impacted her career path. “I wanted to get my business finance degree, but I was adamant that I was not taking one more accounting class – so I switched to marketing!” [05.47] How a family connection led Kendra to Consolidated...
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509: Women In Supply Chain™, Nermine Saad
Let's Talk Supply Chain
Nermine Saad talks about her career journey; fostering a culture of learning; moving from Egypt to Canada; mentorship; & the future of digital transformation. [03.48] What sparked Nermine’s interest in logistics, and how it led her to seek out a career that connected strategy, people, and operations. “I realized there’s an entire industry behind the movement of goods, and it involves shipping lines, airlines, ports, and so much more. The more I read, the more I was fascinated.” [05.46] The early years of Nermine’s career in Egypt and the big lessons she learned,...
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508: Reliable and Responsive – DCLI’s RapidLink Repairs Is Keeping Drivers Moving
Let's Talk Supply Chain
Rob Finch talks about Rapid Link Repairs, boosting customer satisfaction with response times; a fresh approach to cost; safety; & reducing downtime for drivers. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [02.11] An introduction to Rob, his background, and his role at DCLI and RapidLink Repairs. “Most of my career has been figuring out how to bring commercial and operations together.” [03.09] An overview of RapidLink Repairs – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers. “It’s about three things: we want to improve productivity, be cost-effective, and...
info_outlineSaurabh Gupta of GreyOrange talks about how AI is transforming the modern warehouse, the role of partners, & why automation without orchestration underdelivers.
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:
[04.33] Saurabh’s career journey and what he learned from being involved in software development for iPods and the very first iPhone at Apple.
“The most powerful technology is one that works so seamlessly that it’s invisible to the user.”
[09.39] Why Saurabh pivoted from a career in consumer robotics to supply chain and warehouse robotics.
“In consumer robotics, we start with the technology first, then figure out what to do with it… And, beyond cleaning the house, not many robots are really changing your life in the home. In supply chain, the value is clear.”
[11.10] Why GreyOrange shifted from robotics company to an orchestration platform, and the importance of focusing on decision-making systems, not product.
“Warehouses need a symphony – robots are the instruments, and orchestration is the conductor.”
[16.40] Why automation without orchestration underdelivers.
[18.47] What AI orchestration actually means for complex, omnichannel warehouses, and the three-question framework to determine if software and systems are actually AI.
“AI is not perfect, it’s never going to be perfect. But it is going to make our lives better. It’s about getting that balance right.”
[23.47] What hyperintelligence means in real operational terms.
[27.23] What the warehouse of the future is going to look like when it comes to robotics, and how AI orchestration is going to help enable it.
“It won’t be a room full of robots. It will be a living ecosystem.”
[31.11] The role of system integrators, robot partners, and technology providers in scaling outcomes, and why orchestration platforms need strong partners to deliver real-world results.
“We want to give system integrators the intelligence to more confidently predict performance. They should be able to do that before a single piece of hardware is put on the floor.”
[34.25] How GreyOrange thinks about collaboration and shared accountability and outcomes with their partners.
[38.02] What warehouses will expect from AI orchestration platforms in the next few years that they don’t expect today, and why they’re going to get their ‘ChatGPT moment.’
RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:
Head over to GreyOrange’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with GreyOrange and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn or YouTube, or you can connect with Saurabh on LinkedIn.
If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from GreyOrange, check out 495: Discover Hyper-Intelligent Orchestration, with GreyOrange.
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