Companies have invested billions in warehouse robotics and sophisticated transportation systems, yet a critical gap remains: the yard and its scheduling operations. This overlooked intersection between high-tech systems drains businesses of millions annually while severely limiting the ROI of their existing technology investments.
The logistics yard isn’t just a parking lot – it’s where your entire supply chain synchronizes. But while 92% of facilities recognize the value of advanced yard management, only 21% currently use purpose-built systems to manage these operations.
The financial impact is staggering:
According to Aberdeen Research, enterprises allocate 80% of technology budgets to transportation and warehouse systems, but a mere 4% to yard operations – creating a bottleneck that undermines all other investments and limits throughput across the supply chain.
The answer isn’t just digitizing yards – it’s transforming them with AI. The global AI in supply chain market is projected to grow at an extraordinary 42.7% CAGR between 2024 and 2033, reaching $157.6 billion by 2033.
This growth reflects a fundamental shift in approach. Advanced AI can reduce detention costs by 40-80% through proactive management, slash check-in times from 10+ minutes to under 2 minutes, and improve workforce efficiency by 25-30%.
Recognizing this critical need, we’ve developed Alan, an AI-powered Digital Worker dedicated to scheduling automation. Alan handles the entire appointment lifecycle across all communication channels, including email conversations, portal interactions, and digital scheduling systems.
Unlike systems that require standardized processes, Alan adapts to existing workflows and continuously learns while bridging disconnected systems. By reducing scheduling team workload by 50%, Alan creates a single source of truth for all appointment information.
Complementing Alan, AutoGate AI uses computer vision technology to revolutionize gate operations. This system slashes check-in times to under 2 minutes and enables 24/7 secure operations without additional personnel, eliminating the $70,000-$150,000 in annual gate staffing costs per facility.
These aren’t theoretical benefits. Kimberly-Clark reduced their detention fees by 52% in the first 30 days with our yard management solution. As their operations continue to benefit from expanded AI capabilities, these savings compound across their network.
YardWorks AI represents a progression from visibility to orchestration. As part of our Intelligent Control Tower™ architecture, it connects real-time network data with physical facility operations, turning passive yards into active participants in supply chain optimization.
According to research published in the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, early adopters of AI-enabled supply chain management have reduced logistics costs by 15%, improved inventory levels by 35%, and enhanced service levels by 65%. These impressive returns explain why 70% of surveyed CEOs report that AI delivers a “strong ROI” in their supply chain operations.
The facilities that stand between your sophisticated transportation and warehouse systems deserve the same level of technology investment. Modern yard management solutions have demonstrated the ability to reduce detention costs by 40-80% through proactive management and real-time visibility. By applying AI and automation to these critical handoff points, you can transform yards from constraints into strategic assets that actively optimize the flow of goods.
Want to learn how AI can reduce your labor costs, improve operational efficiency, and eliminate excess detention fees? Register for our webinar on May 29.
