Automation promises simplicity. The reality is often more complex.

As operations scale across Australia and New Zealand, the real pressure shifts from hardware to software, integration and decision-making. Systems that don’t talk, logic that doesn’t scale and assumptions that don’t hold under volume.

This session delves into the view from one of Melbourne’s largest and fastest-scaling fulfilment operations - SKUTOPIA. From early system decisions to leveraging AI to manage growth, this is a grounded discussion on what worked, what didn’t and what had to change.

We’ll explore how AI is being used in practice. Not as a concept, but as a tool to support faster decisions, improve flow and meet rising customer expectations.

Along the way, we’ll touch on how lessons are shared across businesses and refined through experience, helping operators move faster and avoid common pitfalls.

A practical look at where automation gets hard, and how software and AI can either simplify operations or add another layer of complexity.