Dwight Klappich
TECH & AI
Dwight Klappich is a Research Vice President and Gartner Fellow in Gartner ’ s Logistics and Customer Fulfilment team . His research focuses on the strategic role logistics plays in leading-edge supply chain management organisations . He is a recognised authority on logistics technologies .
Upon the publication of the report , Klappich said that workplace challenges are fuelling the adoption of automation within supply chains , “ and it ’ s likely there will be thousands more mobile robots working in supply chains over the next three years ”. He added : “ Labour shortages and challenges retaining talent – coupled with technology advances such as machine learning and AI – will continue to drive adoption of smart robots . By 2027 , more
Dwight Klappich
TITLE : RESEARCH VP & FELLOW , LOGISTICS & CUSTOMER FULFILMENT
COMPANY : GARTNER INDUSTRY : SUPPLY CHAIN
Klappich ’ s research focuses on the strategic role logistics plays in leading-edge supply chain management organisations . He is a recognised authority on logistics technologies .
“ As many as 96 % of businesses say they either are – or are planning to – look at robotics ”
DWIGHT KLAPPICH RESEARCH VP & FELLOW , LOGISTICS AND
CUSTOMER FULFILMENT GARTNER
than 75 % of companies will have adopted some form of cyber-physical automation in their warehouse operations .”
Of drones , Gartner ’ s report says that , while increasingly in use , they are being deployed in more targeted ways , including location inspections or to ensure the delivery of critical goods , like medicines to remote areas .
For example , Walmart has the largest drone-delivery system in the US , as it seeks a competitive advantage in last-mile delivery .
The retail giant has expanded drone deliveries to six US states , and up to 4 million households currently have food , groceries and supplies from Walmart delivered by remote-controlled drones .
But the report notes that robots are nearing what Gartner calls the “ peak of inflated expectations ,” whereby “ early publicity produces success stories ”.
Speaking at Gartner ’ s annual Supply Chain Symposium & Expo this year , Klappich said that as many as 96 % of businesses they spoke to say they either are – or are planning to – look at robotics . supplychaindigital . com 125