The Automation Journey | A Podcast from Rocrich AGV Solutions

<p>Most automation projects start in the wrong place. The technology gets chosen before the process gets redesigned. The pilot gets scoped too small to succeed. And by the time the robots arrive, the foundation wasn't ready for them.</p> <p><br /></p> <p>In this excerpt from Episode 3 of The Automation Journey, Troy Donnelly covers the fundamentals that determine whether automation delivers - from mobile automation complexity in mixed environments, to the hidden cost of an underpowered pilot, to the technology trends worth watching and the ones that are still mostly demo.</p> <p><br /></p> <p>Listen to the full episode now to hear Troy's vendor selection framework, his goods-to-person process redesign example, and everything in between.</p> <p><br /></p> <p>And please follow and subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next on The Automation Journey.</p> <p><br /></p> <p>Disclaimer</p> <p>By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that Rocrich AGV Solutions LLC ("Rocrich") makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, Rocrich does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. Moreover, Rocrich makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties.</p> <p> </p> <p>ROCRICH EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.</p> <p> </p> <p>Notice</p> <p>By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that the entire contents and design of this Podcast, are the property of Rocrich, or used by Rocrich with permission, and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except as otherwise provided herein, users of this Podcast may save and use information contained in the Podcast only for personal or other non-commercial, educational purposes. No other use, including, without limitation, reproduction, retransmission or editing, of this Podcast may be made without the prior written permission of the Rocrich, which may be requested by contacting [email protected]</p>

<p>Most automation failures don't start with bad technology. They start with automating the wrong process.</p> <p>Troy Donnelly has spent nearly three decades designing, implementing and operating automated systems - from an automated 3PL to leading Toyota's global autonomous vehicle strategy. In this episode, he shares how to identify which processes are actually worth automating, why redesigning operations before the robots arrive is non-negotiable, and how to avoid the "magic box" mentality that kills so many automation projects.</p> <p>Listen to the full episode now to hear Troy's framework for choosing what to automate, his vendor selection red flags, and the phrase that sums up the most expensive mistake in the warehouse - "don't pave the cow path."</p> <p>Subscribe and follow so you don't miss what's coming next on The Automation Journey.</p> <p><br /></p> <p>Disclaimer</p> <p>By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that Rocrich AGV Solutions LLC ("Rocrich") makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, Rocrich does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. Moreover, Rocrich makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties.</p> <p> </p> <p>ROCRICH EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.</p> <p> </p> <p>Notice</p> <p>By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that the entire contents and design of this Podcast, are the property of Rocrich, or used by Rocrich with permission, and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except as otherwise provided herein, users of this Podcast may save and use information contained in the Podcast only for personal or other non-commercial, educational purposes. No other use, including, without limitation, reproduction, retransmission or editing, of this Podcast may be made without the prior written permission of the Rocrich, which may be requested by contacting [email protected]</p> <p><br /></p> <p><br /></p>

<p>Integrated automation looks seamless on paper. Making it work is a different challenge entirely.</p> <p>In this excerpt from Episode 2 of The Automation Journey, Lina Alvarado, Director of Supply Planning and Execution, walks through the implementation realities that catch even experienced teams off guard - from the knowledge gap left when vendors move on, to the SOP documentation no one thinks to prepare for. To hear what Lina would negotiate differently if she were starting over, listen to the full episode on YouTube, Apple, or Spotify.</p> <p>Listen to the full episode now to hear Lina's four-phase playbook, her SLA negotiation lessons, and the documentation approach that could save your team when something breaks. </p> <p>And subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next on The Automation Journey.</p> <p>--</p> <p>Disclaimer</p> <p>By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that Rocrich AGV Solutions LLC ("Rocrich") makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, Rocrich does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. Moreover, Rocrich makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties.</p> <p>ROCRICH EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.</p> <p>Notice</p> <p>By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that the entire contents and design of this Podcast, are the property of Rocrich, or used by Rocrich with permission, and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except as otherwise provided herein, users of this Podcast may save and use information contained in the Podcast only for personal or other non-commercial, educational purposes. No other use, including, without limitation, reproduction, retransmission or editing, of this Podcast may be made without the prior written permission of the Rocrich, which may be requested by contacting [email protected]</p>

<p>Vendor selection isn't about the slickest pitch. It's about who stays when the system breaks.</p> <p>You're planning a major warehouse automation project. Multiple vendors, integrated systems, tight timelines. But how do you protect your ROI when the real world doesn't match the business case?</p> <p>Lina Alvarado is a Director of Supply Planning and Execution with over 20 years in supply chain and distribution operations. She led the transformation of a major distribution center from 250,000 to 800,000 square feet of highly integrated automation - from business case through go-live. The project succeeded, but not without hard lessons along the way.</p> <p>This is a podcast for operations and engineering leaders who want clear answers and a practical path forward. Hosted by Rocrich AGV Solutions, the show cuts through brownfield complexity, 24-month payback mandates, safety sign-offs, and siloed teams to give you real-world playbooks, credible ROI framing, and the practical first steps that turn automation ambition into results.</p> <p><b>What's next?</b></p> <p>Subscribe, review, and share with others who are evaluating or implementing complex automated systems and want to know what it really takes to make them work.</p> <p>Visit <a href="https://rocrich.com/" target="_blank">Rocrich</a> to discover how their team helps operations and engineering leaders implement mobile automation in even the toughest manufacturing and logistics environments.</p> <p>Connect with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinbhutchings/" target="_blank">Colin Hutchings</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lina-alvarado/" target="_blank">Lina Alvarado</a> on LinkedIn.</p> <p>You can also listen to The Automation Journey on Apple and Spotify.</p> <p>Disclaimer</p> <p>By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that Rocrich AGV Solutions LLC ("Rocrich") makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, Rocrich does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. Moreover, Rocrich makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties.</p> <p>ROCRICH EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.</p> <p>Notice</p> <p>By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that the entire contents and design of this Podcast, are the property of Rocrich, or used by Rocrich with permission, and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except as otherwise provided herein, users of this Podcast may save and use information contained in the Podcast only for personal or other non-commercial, educational purposes. No other use, including, without limitation, reproduction, retransmission or editing, of this Podcast may be made without the prior written permission of the Rocrich, which may be requested by contacting [email protected]</p>

<p>Getting everyone aligned on an automation initiative is one of the hardest parts of the process. In this short-form episode, host Colin Hutchings and Derrick Shannonhouse, VP of Transformation at Equipment Depot, cut straight to the practical steps — from securing a C-suite mandate to structuring a program management office that keeps projects moving without creating bottlenecks.</p> <p>Listen to the full episode now to hear Derrick's take on the visual and financial signals that reveal a facility is at a breaking point, how to build a business case that survives CFO scrutiny, and the single most common mistake that derails automation programs before they ever get off the ground. </p> <p>And subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next on The Automation Journey.</p> <p>---</p> <p>Disclaimer</p> <p>By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that Rocrich AGV Solutions LLC ("Rocrich") makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, Rocrich does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. Moreover, Rocrich makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties.</p> <p>ROCRICH EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.</p> <p>Notice</p> <p>By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that the entire contents and design of this Podcast, are the property of Rocrich, or used by Rocrich with permission, and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except as otherwise provided herein, users of this Podcast may save and use information contained in the Podcast only for personal or other non-commercial, educational purposes. No other use, including, without limitation, reproduction, retransmission or editing, of this Podcast may be made without the prior written permission of the Rocrich, which may be requested by contacting [email protected]</p>