Episode 352: Hopstack

The New Warehouse welcomes Vivek Singh, Co-Founder of Hopstack, a software platform that automates and optimizes warehouse operations. Vivek founded Hopsack to bridge the gap between legacy systems and new software for modern e-commerce businesses by creating an open digital operating system that is agile enough to accommodate omnichannel strategies. Hopstack ensures its software meets the complexity introduced via automation in fulfillment operations, such as pre-built integration capabilities for robotic hardware devices like pick-to-light devices or picking robots. Be sure to tune in to learn about software in the fulfillment space, how it’s been changing over the recent years, and how some gaps between legacy systems and new software are being closed.

Key Takeaways

• Vivek refers to Hopstack’s software as a warehouse operating system. He explains that larger companies may employ five to six different types of software, such as a warehouse management system (WMS), Warehouse Execution System (WES), Inventory Management System (IMS), order fulfillment software, etc. This isn’t practical for small and medium-sized businesses (SMB), making a system like Hopstack that can perform all those functions in one package is ideal for SMBs.
• Vivek shares that companies transitioning from legacy systems into modern cloud-based solutions like Hopstack have seen 30-40% benefits in terms of efficiency, order lead times, and the number of orders fulfilled daily. Hopstack’s system allows for native connectivity with picking robots and requires less implementation time than traditional systems, taking as little as 8-10 weeks on average.
• Many companies are reluctant to abandon their legacy systems because they cannot afford to have their operations negatively impacted by a lengthy implementation process. Vivek believes that having a software system to run fulfillment is no longer a “nice-to-have” but a necessity to operate in today’s environment.

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