Interview with Choi Yong-Deok, CBO at Near Solution
The era when software rules logistics has arrived. The previous era of automation—symbolized by conveyors, sorters, and unmanned forklifts—was dominated by hardware. Now, we are entering a new era in which everything is controlled by software, redefining logistics itself.
Beyond the digitalization of logistics, we are now in the age of “software-defined logistics.” One company leading the way in Korea by applying the new SDW (Software-Defined Warehouse) concept and offering next-generation WES (Warehouse Execution System) is Near Solution. We met with Choi Yong-Deok, CBO at Near Solution, to discuss how logistics is being redefined, how it differs from the past, and the path the company is forging.
▲ Choi Yong-Deok, CBO at Near Solution / Source - HelloT
WES as the ‘Execution-Oriented Brain,’ Not Just a Connector
Q. You’ve been emphasizing the concept of the “Software-Defined Warehouse (SDW).” How is it different from conventional logistics automation?
Traditional logistics automation was hardware-centric. Warehouses were designed around equipment such as conveyors, sorters, and unmanned forklifts, with fixed processes to match. This structure can be efficient for a specific customer or product category, but it struggles to adapt flexibly when customers change or cargo volumes fluctuate. In particular, once a contract ends, the utilization rate of equipment often drops sharply, resulting in direct losses.
SDW, in contrast, shifts the structure so that a software system actively controls the warehouse. WES manages and controls all aspects of operations in real time—equipment, labor, and order flows—integrating every element of the site into a single intelligent software function. For example, picking equipment can be reassigned to a returns line, or optimal work routes can be designed automatically based on order combinations, without human intervention. Just as Tesla has transformed manufacturing plants into flexible, software-driven factories, warehouses too must gain flexibility and agility. SDW overcomes the limitations of hardware-centric models, enabling real-time operational changes.
Q. How does WES differ from WMS or WCS?
A WMS (Warehouse Management System) manages inventory and order data within a warehouse. It is essentially the warehouse’s “electronic ledger,” recording where products are located and what orders have been received. However, it cannot instantly assess on-site conditions such as equipment stoppages or workflow bottlenecks.
A WCS (Warehouse Control System) acts like a “communication device” between the WMS and equipment. It can send commands to machines such as conveyors or sorters and synchronize their operation, but it cannot serve as the brain that understands the entire logistics flow and allocates resources and equipment optimally.
A WES (Warehouse Execution System), on the other hand, is the “brain” of the warehouse, assessing resources and workflows in real time and automatically adjusting execution. It is not just a command relay but an execution entity that organically links equipment and labor. Based on real-time data, it recognizes equipment status, detects bottlenecks, and reallocates tasks. For example, if a sorter is overloaded, it can automatically redistribute loads to other equipment or change picking priorities to match shipping deadlines. It’s not merely an “intermediary system,” but an “execution control system” that optimizes the entire warehouse. This is why Gartner’s Supply Chain Execution Technology Hype Cycle highlights WES as an “essential element of automated logistics.”
▲ Recently, the concept of WES—a high-level form of automation—has taken root in the logistics industry. Near Solution stands at the forefront of the domestic WES market. / Source – Getty Images Bank
Q. When did the term WES begin to be used in the Korean market?
Overseas, WES began to be mentioned in the mid-to-late 2010s, and in Korea, some research institutions introduced it as a technology trend between 2019 and 2021. However, there were almost no actual business cases of WES being implemented and commercialized.
Near Solution was the first in Korea to establish WES as a core technology and develop it into a commercial solution called Near Solomon, offering it to customers. Recently, customers have increasingly recognized that WCS alone is insufficient for operations, leading to greater demand for and understanding of WES. We believe this is the turning point where WES is beginning to spread more broadly in industrial operations.
Q. Many companies have made bold investments in logistics automation, only to fail. Why do you think this happens?
The main reasons are the lack of a total optimization perspective and insufficient adaptability to changing operational environments. Often, customers adopt a conveyor or sorter setup simply because it works well at another warehouse. But if factors such as cargo volume structure, worker skill level, and space constraints differ, the same equipment can produce completely different results. Without clearly defined requirements at the planning stage, hardware suppliers will naturally make proposals that favor their own equipment.
When adoption is equipment-centric, suppliers can claim that as long as the equipment meets specs, “it’s not an equipment problem.” But if operational performance doesn’t follow, the customer suffers. Without WES, implementing only individual equipment pieces means that actual cargo flows are not optimized, leading to disappointing results. Ultimately, the key to automation is not “what you installed” but “how it is operated.” A software-centered approach that considers total optimization from the design stage is essential.
From Hardware-Centric to Flexible Software-Centric Warehouses
Q. How is SDW implemented in practice?
SDW views the warehouse as a single flexible system. In the past, equipment was fixed for specific customers, and operations were adapted to fit the equipment. SDW defines and integrates people, equipment, orders, and space entirely through software.
For example, equipment previously used only for outbound shipments can be repurposed for returns, or robots can be reassigned from picking to transport. All of this can be achieved simply by changing settings in WES—without modifying the physical hardware—allowing for rapid optimization of workflows. The core lies in WES’s operational design capabilities, not the physical equipment.
For 3PL companies handling multiple customers and SKU combinations simultaneously, SDW’s flexibility is a survival strategy. Hardware will inevitably change, but the true strength lies in integrating and optimizing it through software.
Q. Can small and medium-sized warehouses realistically adopt such systems?
Absolutely. Near Solution has developed an intelligent picking cart called NearGo to bring the SDW philosophy to small- and medium-sized warehouses. NearGo is more than just a picking device—it’s a field tool that implements WES’s optimization functions in physical form. It supports order grouping, route guidance, and real-time task reallocation, enabling small warehouses to experience WES’s core functions.
For example, one center that previously required 20 people to process 600 orders a day was able to process 200 orders with just 2 people after adopting NearGo. This enables WES-based operations without expensive automation equipment. NearGo is ideal for warehouses where automation is not yet fully established, and it is designed with scalability in mind, allowing future integration with robots or WMS.
▲ Near Solution’s NearGo has established itself as an attractive solution for small and mid-sized clients. / Source – Near Solution
Q. How are customers responding to WES and SDW?
Initially, many found the concept unfamiliar and saw WES as merely a “smarter WCS.” But once they saw operational data and efficiency gains, most became very interested and quickly understood the concept.
The aspect that resonates most with customers is “flexibility.” In the past, once equipment was installed, it was hard to make changes. With WES-based operations, settings alone can change the workflow, and testing can be done without risk. Small and medium-sized logistics firms are increasingly convinced, “We can automate too.”
Near Solution’s Big Picture: A SaaS Platform for Warehouse Optimizing
Q. What message do you want to deliver at SCM FAIR 2025?
We want to emphasize that SDW and WES are not just systems, but concepts that fundamentally change “operational strategy.” In particular, for small logistics companies who think, “We can’t afford automation,” we want to present realistic entry points like NearGo.
We will also share collaboration cases with global robotics companies to show how “software-centered automation” can take many forms. Through this exhibition, we hope to encourage logistics professionals to move beyond “hardware-centric thinking” toward software-based operational strategies.
▲ Near Solution, which we met at last year’s SCM FAIR 2024, is set to welcome visitors with a next-level booth at this year’s SCM FAIR 2025. / Source – HelloT
Q. Finally, what direction will Near Solution take in expanding its technology and business?
Near Solution aims to evolve from a simple system developer into an AI-based strategic operations platform provider. To make WES even smarter, we are developing a platform that integrates generative AI and LLMs. This platform will predict operational scenarios based on on-site data, automatically propose execution strategies, and extend WES’s role from control to decision support.
Its core function will be to automatically generate operational scenarios from warehouse data and suggest optimal responses to managers.
We are also expanding collaborations with various robotics companies. For example, Clobot, Twinny, and ThorDrive have strong intra-logistics robotics capabilities, and integrating their solutions will enable safer, more flexible logistics operations. Our ultimate goal is to become an “AI-powered logistics optimization execution solution provider” that not only integrates equipment but also strategically determines and recommends the optimal combination for each customer.
Source:
HelloT Kim Jae-hwang,
https://www.hellot.net/mobile/article.html?no=104194
Interview with Choi Yong-Deok, CBO at Near Solution
The era when software rules logistics has arrived. The previous era of automation—symbolized by conveyors, sorters, and unmanned forklifts—was dominated by hardware. Now, we are entering a new era in which everything is controlled by software, redefining logistics itself.
Beyond the digitalization of logistics, we are now in the age of “software-defined logistics.” One company leading the way in Korea by applying the new SDW (Software-Defined Warehouse) concept and offering next-generation WES (Warehouse Execution System) is Near Solution. We met with Choi Yong-Deok, CBO at Near Solution, to discuss how logistics is being redefined, how it differs from the past, and the path the company is forging.
▲ Choi Yong-Deok, CBO at Near Solution / Source - HelloT
WES as the ‘Execution-Oriented Brain,’ Not Just a Connector
Q. You’ve been emphasizing the concept of the “Software-Defined Warehouse (SDW).” How is it different from conventional logistics automation?
Traditional logistics automation was hardware-centric. Warehouses were designed around equipment such as conveyors, sorters, and unmanned forklifts, with fixed processes to match. This structure can be efficient for a specific customer or product category, but it struggles to adapt flexibly when customers change or cargo volumes fluctuate. In particular, once a contract ends, the utilization rate of equipment often drops sharply, resulting in direct losses.
SDW, in contrast, shifts the structure so that a software system actively controls the warehouse. WES manages and controls all aspects of operations in real time—equipment, labor, and order flows—integrating every element of the site into a single intelligent software function. For example, picking equipment can be reassigned to a returns line, or optimal work routes can be designed automatically based on order combinations, without human intervention. Just as Tesla has transformed manufacturing plants into flexible, software-driven factories, warehouses too must gain flexibility and agility. SDW overcomes the limitations of hardware-centric models, enabling real-time operational changes.
Q. How does WES differ from WMS or WCS?
A WMS (Warehouse Management System) manages inventory and order data within a warehouse. It is essentially the warehouse’s “electronic ledger,” recording where products are located and what orders have been received. However, it cannot instantly assess on-site conditions such as equipment stoppages or workflow bottlenecks.
A WCS (Warehouse Control System) acts like a “communication device” between the WMS and equipment. It can send commands to machines such as conveyors or sorters and synchronize their operation, but it cannot serve as the brain that understands the entire logistics flow and allocates resources and equipment optimally.
A WES (Warehouse Execution System), on the other hand, is the “brain” of the warehouse, assessing resources and workflows in real time and automatically adjusting execution. It is not just a command relay but an execution entity that organically links equipment and labor. Based on real-time data, it recognizes equipment status, detects bottlenecks, and reallocates tasks. For example, if a sorter is overloaded, it can automatically redistribute loads to other equipment or change picking priorities to match shipping deadlines. It’s not merely an “intermediary system,” but an “execution control system” that optimizes the entire warehouse. This is why Gartner’s Supply Chain Execution Technology Hype Cycle highlights WES as an “essential element of automated logistics.”
▲ Recently, the concept of WES—a high-level form of automation—has taken root in the logistics industry. Near Solution stands at the forefront of the domestic WES market. / Source – Getty Images Bank
Q. When did the term WES begin to be used in the Korean market?
Overseas, WES began to be mentioned in the mid-to-late 2010s, and in Korea, some research institutions introduced it as a technology trend between 2019 and 2021. However, there were almost no actual business cases of WES being implemented and commercialized.
Near Solution was the first in Korea to establish WES as a core technology and develop it into a commercial solution called Near Solomon, offering it to customers. Recently, customers have increasingly recognized that WCS alone is insufficient for operations, leading to greater demand for and understanding of WES. We believe this is the turning point where WES is beginning to spread more broadly in industrial operations.
Q. Many companies have made bold investments in logistics automation, only to fail. Why do you think this happens?
The main reasons are the lack of a total optimization perspective and insufficient adaptability to changing operational environments. Often, customers adopt a conveyor or sorter setup simply because it works well at another warehouse. But if factors such as cargo volume structure, worker skill level, and space constraints differ, the same equipment can produce completely different results. Without clearly defined requirements at the planning stage, hardware suppliers will naturally make proposals that favor their own equipment.
When adoption is equipment-centric, suppliers can claim that as long as the equipment meets specs, “it’s not an equipment problem.” But if operational performance doesn’t follow, the customer suffers. Without WES, implementing only individual equipment pieces means that actual cargo flows are not optimized, leading to disappointing results. Ultimately, the key to automation is not “what you installed” but “how it is operated.” A software-centered approach that considers total optimization from the design stage is essential.
From Hardware-Centric to Flexible Software-Centric Warehouses
Q. How is SDW implemented in practice?
SDW views the warehouse as a single flexible system. In the past, equipment was fixed for specific customers, and operations were adapted to fit the equipment. SDW defines and integrates people, equipment, orders, and space entirely through software.
For example, equipment previously used only for outbound shipments can be repurposed for returns, or robots can be reassigned from picking to transport. All of this can be achieved simply by changing settings in WES—without modifying the physical hardware—allowing for rapid optimization of workflows. The core lies in WES’s operational design capabilities, not the physical equipment.
For 3PL companies handling multiple customers and SKU combinations simultaneously, SDW’s flexibility is a survival strategy. Hardware will inevitably change, but the true strength lies in integrating and optimizing it through software.
Q. Can small and medium-sized warehouses realistically adopt such systems?
Absolutely. Near Solution has developed an intelligent picking cart called NearGo to bring the SDW philosophy to small- and medium-sized warehouses. NearGo is more than just a picking device—it’s a field tool that implements WES’s optimization functions in physical form. It supports order grouping, route guidance, and real-time task reallocation, enabling small warehouses to experience WES’s core functions.
For example, one center that previously required 20 people to process 600 orders a day was able to process 200 orders with just 2 people after adopting NearGo. This enables WES-based operations without expensive automation equipment. NearGo is ideal for warehouses where automation is not yet fully established, and it is designed with scalability in mind, allowing future integration with robots or WMS.
▲ Near Solution’s NearGo has established itself as an attractive solution for small and mid-sized clients. / Source – Near Solution
Q. How are customers responding to WES and SDW?
Initially, many found the concept unfamiliar and saw WES as merely a “smarter WCS.” But once they saw operational data and efficiency gains, most became very interested and quickly understood the concept.
The aspect that resonates most with customers is “flexibility.” In the past, once equipment was installed, it was hard to make changes. With WES-based operations, settings alone can change the workflow, and testing can be done without risk. Small and medium-sized logistics firms are increasingly convinced, “We can automate too.”
Near Solution’s Big Picture: A SaaS Platform for Warehouse Optimizing
Q. What message do you want to deliver at SCM FAIR 2025?
We want to emphasize that SDW and WES are not just systems, but concepts that fundamentally change “operational strategy.” In particular, for small logistics companies who think, “We can’t afford automation,” we want to present realistic entry points like NearGo.
We will also share collaboration cases with global robotics companies to show how “software-centered automation” can take many forms. Through this exhibition, we hope to encourage logistics professionals to move beyond “hardware-centric thinking” toward software-based operational strategies.
▲ Near Solution, which we met at last year’s SCM FAIR 2024, is set to welcome visitors with a next-level booth at this year’s SCM FAIR 2025. / Source – HelloT
Q. Finally, what direction will Near Solution take in expanding its technology and business?
Near Solution aims to evolve from a simple system developer into an AI-based strategic operations platform provider. To make WES even smarter, we are developing a platform that integrates generative AI and LLMs. This platform will predict operational scenarios based on on-site data, automatically propose execution strategies, and extend WES’s role from control to decision support.
Its core function will be to automatically generate operational scenarios from warehouse data and suggest optimal responses to managers.
We are also expanding collaborations with various robotics companies. For example, Clobot, Twinny, and ThorDrive have strong intra-logistics robotics capabilities, and integrating their solutions will enable safer, more flexible logistics operations. Our ultimate goal is to become an “AI-powered logistics optimization execution solution provider” that not only integrates equipment but also strategically determines and recommends the optimal combination for each customer.
Source:
HelloT Kim Jae-hwang,
https://www.hellot.net/mobile/article.html?no=104194