What is Blue Yonder's cognitive warehouse management solution?
We designed Cognitive WMS as our next-generation warehouse management solution (WMS). It leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to optimize warehouse operations, improve decision-making, and enhance overall efficiency. Unlike traditional systems that rely solely on static rules, our Cognitive WMS learns from your data to predict demand, optimize slotting, and orchestrate resources in real-time. It represents a shift from reactive execution to proactive, autonomous supply chain management.
Is cognitive WMS available for on-premise deployments?
Cognitive WMS is a SaaS-only solution. The advanced AI and machine learning capabilities require the computational power and scalability of the cloud to function effectively.
If you choose to remain on-premise, we will continue to support your operations with technical stack updates, security patches, and bug fixes. However, the AI-native features, such as advanced slotting agents and predictive resource orchestration, are exclusive to the SaaS environment. The only exception is the Warehouse Ops Agent (specifically for briefs and analysis), which is available for on-premise use.
What is included when we subscribe to cognitive WMS?
When you invest in Cognitive WMS, we deploy the full WMS stack. This includes:
- Heritage functionality: All the robust WMS features you have relied on for years.
- Embedded WES: Our Warehouse Execution System (WES), which includes the Tasking and Robotics Hub.
- Resource orchestration: Tools to manage human and machine resources efficiently.
- Work optimization: Logic to improve throughput and reduce travel time.
We also deploy optional functionalities, such as Warehouse Labor Management and AI-native features. You consume these optional services using monthly credits that are fungible across services. This allows you to apply value exactly where your specific warehouse needs it most.
How does this solution integrate with our existing automation and systems?
We built Cognitive WMS to drive interoperability. The platform integrates seamlessly with various automation providers, allowing us to orchestrate both human and machine resources toward single service level agreements (SLAs).
The embedded WES moves beyond simple integration to true orchestration. It improves throughput by leveraging automatic interleaving and consolidation opportunities. Furthermore, the platform connects easily with other Blue Yonder solutions—such as Yard Management and Transportation Management—to ensure end-to-end visibility and synchronized execution across your network.
Does the new AI functionality replace the rules we currently depend on?
No, the AI-native functionality in Cognitive WMS is additive. We have not removed any of the functionality or hard rules that your operations depend on today.
This approach puts you in control of your own pace of change. For example, you can choose to use the AI slotting agent in just one zone of a warehouse to test it, while maintaining standard rules elsewhere. Different warehouses in your network can move at different speeds based on their specific needs and complexity.
What version is required to access these cognitive features?
The majority of the agentic AI and cognitive features are available starting with the 2025.2 release of the SaaS WMS. If you are migrating from an older version, our upgrade scripts will guide your environment sequentially to this version to ensure data integrity and configuration retention.
