Transforming the way the world moves materials
Launch by NTT DATA partnered with Hyster-Yale to create a human-centric software solution that addresses the labor shortage in manufacturing and makes materials handling safer and more efficient.
Primary goals
Reimagine warehouse automation
Transform modern materials handling with automated lift trucks that meet rising demand without added operational strain.
Tackle manufacturing labor shortage
Reduce reliance on scarce operators and programmers with intuitive, easy to deploy automation.
Improve safety and efficiency
Harness technology to improve safety and efficiency for workers on the factory floor.
A 100-year-old manufacturing company with a new kind of ambition
For more than a century, Hyster-Yale has built the machines that keep the global economy moving. But now, the people operating those trucks are getting harder to find and keep.
73% of facilities face active staffing shortages. Warehouse staffing turnover rates are in the 40% range, reflecting high churn.
The labor crisis in warehouses speaks to something bigger. It's a story about people doing difficult, dangerous work in aging environments, with tools that weren't built for the demands they now face. It’s also a story about a new generation of workers who have different expectations of their work.
As fulfillment expectations continue to rise, the need for automation has never been greater. To move forward, Hyster-Yale had to rethink its future, shifting from machines to a digital, software-driven approach.
Empowering warehouses and factory floors
NTT DATA and Hyster-Yale began with a simple question: how can warehouse automation be practical, accessible, and human-centered in real-world conditions? Too often, automation added friction for operators while workers still faced daily risk.
The solution was to start with people
That meant understanding the needs of operators, technicians, and leaders and then building technology around them. By focusing on those closest to the work, the teams set out to remove the barriers that had long limited adoption.
From months of set-up to a single day
The Automated Lift Truck Portal was designed around the people who deploy, operate, and manage automated fleets. Instead of relying on specialized engineers and complex code, it gives operators a simple drag-and-drop interface they can learn in hours.
Intuitive automation, enterprise-grade infrastructure
Routes are created by driving the truck and dropping waypoints; reducing implementation from months to as little as a day.
Behind that simplicity is enterprise-grade infrastructure. The platform runs on Microsoft Azure with containerized Kubernetes orchestration, with real-time coordination, monitoring and analytics. The platform integrates with existing systems, enabling automation without costly disruption.
A new business model for a new era
The Automated Lift Truck Portal is more than a platform—it's a business model transformation.
Traditionally, warehouse automation required significant capital commitment. The expense effectively locked out mid-sized operators who couldn’t justify the upfront cost. Now, facilities can access automated lift trucks for a monthly rental fee, eliminating the capital barrier that kept automation out of reach for so many.
Hyster-Yale moved from selling materials handling hardware to delivering outcomes: uptime, productivity and efficiency. This shift transforms the customer relationship from a one-time purchase to an ongoing relationship, defined by continuous data, improvement and service.
Through this partnership, warehouse automation is now more accessible and more responsive. It’s also safer and easier for the workers at the center: the lift truck drivers and warehouse personal who keep the world moving.
