Warehouse Operators Crave AI but Remain Stuck in Spreadsheets

The "State of Inventory Management 2026" report, which surveyed 400 professionals across 33 industries, reveals a disconnect between aspiration and reality. Despite the widespread desire for automated demand forecasting and replenishment, most operators continue to rely on manual systems. This dependency persists even at the enterprise level, where 53% of companies with more than 500 employees still lean on spreadsheets as their core inventory tool.

This reliance creates a notable satisfaction paradox. While 92% of respondents claim they are satisfied with their current approach, the data tells a different story: 44% of companies experience stockouts at least once a month, and nearly half identify inventory accuracy as a critical area for improvement. Jared Plumb, lead content creator at inFlow, suggests that operators are not seeking general intelligence, but rather specific tools to navigate complex reordering cycles. For many, the barrier to upgrading remains financial, with 62% of respondents citing cost as their primary concern regarding new technology adoption. As businesses grapple with a three-way squeeze between rising product, freight, and labor costs, the shift away from manual tracking remains stalled until a growth-driven breaking point forces a transition to dedicated software.