From Planning to Go-Live: Installation Insights from Zone 4’s Adi Hadziahmetovic

As automation becomes essential to warehouse operations, the focus is shifting to how systems are installed. We spoke with Adi Hadziahmetovic, VP of Operational Excellence at Zone 4, one of our trusted integration partners, about what’s changing — and what companies need to get right. From tighter timelines and modular deployments to the growing role of AI and cross-functional planning, Adi shares insights to help teams install smarter, avoid pitfalls, and build for the future.

1. To start, can you give us a quick overview of today’s warehouse automation installation landscape — and what’s driving the biggest changes?

Today’s automation landscape is defined by speed of execution. Demand is being driven by labor shortages, rising customer expectations, and the need for resilient, high-throughput fulfillment. What’s changing fastest is how we install: we’re seeing shorter go-live timelines, more modular deployments, and higher precision and quality requirements. It’s no longer a question of if to automate — it’s how fast and how smart.

2. When planning a warehouse automation project, what are a few things companies should prioritize to ensure a smooth installation?

Start with clarity. Align on scope, outcomes, and change management from day one and establish clear and efficient communication lines. Emphases and focus on pre-install readiness. Prioritize planning to minimize surprises. Speed is good, but only when built on alignment.

3. What role does cross-team communication play during warehouse automation implementation, and how do you ensure it’s successful?

It’s absolutely critical. As the speed of execution increases the ability to effectively and efficiently communicate grows. We implement structured cross-functional governance from the start: weekly alignment calls, single points of contact, and visual dashboards to keep everyone rowing in the same direction. These projects impact numerous stakeholders and insuring clarity across all the parties equals fewer surprises and ultimately leads to success.

4. From your experience, what separates a good automation installation from a great one?

A good install delivers the hardware. Great installs feel like a partnership, not a handoff. The difference is communication and alignment while delivering at the highest level of quality.

5. What advice would you give to companies upgrading a live, operational warehouse without disrupting business?

The theme of planning and communication continues with a higher level of detail needed. Breaking down tasks to the day and hour becomes critical along with extreme alignment with all stakeholders. Staged deployments and parallel operations are key. Communicate daily with ops teams and empower on-site leads to escalate and adapt in real-time. Success depends on agility, not rigidity.

6. What are some of the most common challenges you see companies face during automation installations — and how do you help them overcome these hurdles?

Three stand out:

• Supply Chain Challenges: We combat this with strong communication, planning and creating executions plans that are flexible with ability to quickly adjust to change
• Space: We spend extensive effort in the planning phase and working with our Supply Chain Partners to optimize delivery strategies to allow efficient installation while minimizing risk
• Scope creep: Controlled by robust change management and decision protocols along side of strong communication and planning.

7. What trends are you seeing around the integration of robotics with traditional warehouse systems?

We’re seeing higher precision and quality requirements on Robotic Systems in parallel to quicker turn-times. We continue too see phased approaches to solutions meaning teams have to be cross disciplined and have the ability to handle both the high precision robotics systems while retrofitting or supporting some levels of Traditional System installation.

8. How are AI and predictive analytics impacting the way warehouse systems are installed and optimized?

AI and Predictive Analytics are transformational. It is allowing us to improve our planning and see around corners. We are still in infancy stages of utilizing these tools in our industry but we have already seen improvements in workflow automation and ability to utilize the data we have to understand potential trends.

9. Looking ahead 5–10 years, what will be the biggest changes in how automation systems are deployed?

Deployments will become faster, smarter, and more modular. Think 80% standard, 20% tailored. Field teams will leverage AR and remote support. And AI-driven orchestration will be the norm — not a bonus. Essentially, automation installs will become products, not just projects.

10. What advice would you give to companies investing in automation today to future-proof their systems?

Design for change. That means:

• Modular systems
• Flexible Software
• Scalable infrastructure (power, bandwidth, floor space)
• And above all, invest in people — reskilling your workforce to thrive alongside automation.