“Do you have recurring error patterns in your warehouse?”
The answer is almost always “yes.” And then what?
For us, a blanket “yes” is not yet a recommendation – it is only the starting point of a structured assessment with three levels that build on each other.
Only those who work through all three receive a recommendation in the end – not after the first answer.
Every topic area goes through the same three steps. Only when all three are passed do we talk about implementation.
Instead of a blanket question, we ask concrete, technically sound questions for each topic area – for example on error detection, prioritization, workforce planning, bottleneck management or quality assurance. For example: How many warehouse task errors actually occur per week, and how many of them still tie up power-user time manually today?
We assess each topic area across six dimensions – as a traffic light, not an abstract score, so the assessment stays easy to follow in conversation. Only pursue a topic further if at least four of the six dimensions are “yellow” or better.
This last condition is non-negotiable: A topic that the customer does not perceive as a problem gets no recommendation – regardless of the objective score. For example, when a manager says: 'This actually costs us money – but it is not on our agenda right now.' Then we wait, even if the objective score would speak in favor.
The six dimensions we use to assess each topic area. Do a rough self-check of where your situation currently stands – red, yellow or green.
Mostly yellow or green on at least four of the six dimensions? Then this topic area is worth a closer look.
You will find the technical background in our whitepaper "AI in SAP EWM".
The result of our method is not a technology decision on principle, but a transparent recommendation with a business-case perspective – or, just as often, the realization that a topic is not yet ready for implementation.
Marc Hofheinz
Managing Partner | Qinlox Consulting GmbH
The best way to find out is a short reality-check call – non-binding and with no sales pressure.