Twenty years ago, 3PL success meant having space. Today? It's about making informed technology choices in a sea of options.

In our latest TZE episode, Jim Shaw sits down with Chuck Frank to discuss how 3PLs have evolved and what it takes to future-proof operations in today's market.

They discuss everything from changing customer expectations to the paralysis of too many automation choices. Chuck shares candid insights about why some 3PLs struggle to scale despite having all the tools available.

You can have the best plan, the right data, and cutting-edge technology, and still struggle if the people side isn’t dialed in.

In the latest episode of The Zion Experience, Jim Shaw and Jordan Frank sit down with Lee Kirk of NXTPoint Logistics to explore what really makes automation stick in a 3PL environment.

They discuss how to set the stage for success before systems go live, how to involve customers in a more productive manner, and why support must last well beyond go-live.

It’s an honest, practical look at what really drives successful projects and the kind of mindset every team should bring to the table.

What stood out most during our Texas Roadshow? It wasn’t the size of the systems. It was the precision of the thinking.

In this episode of The Zion Experience, Jim Shaw, Jordan Frank, and Jen Thomas reflect on what 3PLs are actually doing to improve operations, especially when budgets are tight and speed still matters.

If you’re in a 3PL environment, this episode serves as a powerful reminder that operational excellence doesn’t always begin with a capital expenditure project. Sometimes it starts by watching where the work is really happening.

You can walk ProMat and fall in love with a dozen automation tools. But the real question is: will it work in your facility tonight, with your team, at your volume?

Jim Shaw and Drew Eubank are joined by Jeff Ramella of Port Jersey Logistics, where they unpack how Zion’s approach to solution engineering helps 3PLs avoid costly, misaligned investments.

What we cover:

➡️Why good tech can still fail without operator buy-in

➡️The danger of selling to the C-suite over solving for the warehouse

➡️Zion’s role as a true solutions partner, not a product pusher

What’s the real value of speed in warehouse design? It’s not just about timelines, it’s about enabling faster, more informed decisions.

In this episode, @Jim Shaw, @Jordan Frank, and @Chip Steffey unpack how Zion brings agility to the design process, helping customers move quickly without sacrificing clarity or control.

Here’s what we cover:

🔹 Capital vs. labor trade-offs in automation planning

🔹 How we rapidly price multiple tech options for smarter decisions

🔹 The hidden costs of designing for peak without year-round ROI

🔹 Why OpEx matters just as much as CapEx in long-term planning

What does success look like when you're automating inside a 3PL? In our latest TZE episode, Jim Shaw and Jordan Frank sit down with Ryan Martin, SVP of Distribution Services at ITS Logistics, to get real about what it takes to design systems in high-variability, contract-driven environments.

Here’s what we cover:

🔹 Why automation must fit the business not just the customer

🔹 How to evaluate ROI when client contracts have limited terms

🔹 Avoiding the “make it work” trap and costly redesigns

🔹 How to plan for flexibility, reuse, and future uncertainty

This one’s a must-listen for operators, integrators, and decision-makers navigating multi-tenant fulfillment.

Scalability can’t come at the cost of disruption.

In our latest episode of the TZE Podcast, Jim Shaw, Jordan Frank, and Jen Thomas unpack the operational strategy behind Zion’s discovery process, covering everything from shared-use automation and modular sortation systems to flexible picking and packaging infrastructure.

They discuss how designing with future clients, having variable order profiles, and having system reuse in mind ensures your investment remains agile as demand evolves.

When it comes to goods-to-person systems, one size doesn’t fit all. In this episode, we sat down with Joe McGinnis from OPEX to break down when Perfect Pick® makes the most sense and where something else might be a better fit.

Here’s what we'll discuss:

🔹 High-throughput environments with lower SKU variability

🔹Systems that handle dynamic SKUs across multiple aisles

🔹 The role of data analytics in determining true system fit

🔹 Why throughput and SKU profiles should drive tech decisions

If you’re evaluating GTP systems or designing around complex order profiles, this episode offers the nuance most vendor decks don’t.