For Chief Operating Officers, CFOs, and heads of warehousing, logistics, and retail across Asia, 2026 will be defined by one overarching theme: strategic resilience through intelligent automation. The region's blistering e-commerce growth, coupled with persistent geopolitical and supply chain volatilities (as highlighted by analysts like BCG regarding the fragmentation of global trade), is forcing a fundamental rethink of operational models.By 2026, we will see the full maturation of trends nascent in 2024. AI and machine learning will transition from pilot projects to the core operational nervous system of high-performance warehouses. Their primary role will be predictive: forecasting demand spikes with greater accuracy, pre-empting maintenance on automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and robotics to prevent downtime, and dynamically optimising inventory placement to slash picking times and maximise cube utilisation.In this PodChats for FutureIoT, we are joined by Ms Vivien Tay, APAC Vertical Lead for Warehousing, Transport & Logistics, Zebra Technologies.1. At the operational level, briefly describe the business environment today from the perspective of the supply chain. 2. Given the fragmentation of global trade routes, how are organisations in Asia leveraging AI and data analytics to build more regionalised and resilient supply chains to mitigate geopolitical risks?3. How are enterprises integrating predictive analytics into daily operations to move from reactive problem-solving to pre-empting issues in inventory management, maintenance, and order fulfilment?4. Given that most organisations have existing warehouse management systems (WMS), name one proven approach for integrating new AI-powered software with existing legacy systems without causing disruptive downtime.5. Beyond labour displacement, can you share a proven approaches/framework for measuring the full ROI of automation investments, including improved accuracy, enhanced safety, reduced shrinkage, and increased employee retention?6. Many technologies fail as they move from pilot to scale, how can organisations ensure that the automation technologies they implement today are scalable and flexible enough to adapt to unpredictable demand cycles and future business growth?7. With increasing focus on ESG, how are organisations using automation to measure and reduce their carbon footprint through optimised energy use, waste reduction, and smarter inventory planning?8. As operations become more reliant on connected IoT devices and AI, what enhanced cybersecurity measures can be implemented to protect against operational shutdowns and data breaches?9. How is investment in real-time visibility technology directly translating into a superior and more transparent customer experience for e-commerce and retail partners?10. Our topic is strategic resilience through intelligent automation what is your advise for warehousing and supply chain leaders in 2026?

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