How Seta Corp. reduced its labor fulfillment costs by 45 percent.

By Reported Donna Loyle

Takeaway Tip: “Automation makes sense only if the equipment/capital investment can be amortized within a relatively short period of time, say, one to three years,” says Holody. “The exception would be if you have a [DC] capacity problem.”

Carefully Examined Staff Scheduling

“If we kept two people on a job that we know should take just one person, the work for the two of them inevitably would stretch to fill the entire day. In other words, work expands to the time allotted,” reasons Holody.