As warehouses evolve to meet the demands of Logistics 4.0, connectivity has become a critical component of automation, robotics, and data intelligence. In a recent Levata-hosted webinar with Ericsson, industry experts explored how private cellular networks are reshaping modern warehousing—and why wireless infrastructure is now a strategic enabler of productivity, safety, and scalability.

The session featured insights from:
• Jose Perez, Director of IT Infrastructure Services, Levata
• Jan Kiekmann, Global Vertical Manufacturing Lead, Ericsson

Together, they examined how private cellular is helping warehouses overcome mounting operational pressures and prepare for the next generation of digital logistics.

Watch the full webinar recording >>

The Growing Pressure on Warehouse and Logistics Operations

The webinar opened with a candid look at the forces reshaping logistics and warehousing today—challenges that extend to 3PLs, 4PLs, factory environments, and production lines.
Among the most pressing issues discussed:

• Shorter lead times that force warehouses to move faster with less margin for error
• Limited space and the need to optimize storage systems and vertical layouts
• Demand volatility and returns, increasing the importance of inventory accuracy
• Labor constraints, as younger workers expect modern, digital operating environments

As the speakers emphasized, these challenges are no longer isolated—they impact the entire supply chain, from inbound logistics to final fulfillment.

Strategic Priorities: Flexibility, Accuracy, and Efficiency

A central framework from the session focused on three enterprise priorities now driving technology investment in logistics: increased flexibility, increased accuracy, and increased efficiency.

Increased flexibility is defined by advanced forecasting methods, low-inventory strategies that still support high product variety, and the ability to adapt quickly to changing demand patterns and multichannel distribution models.

Increased accuracy centers on greater speed and precision in picking, packing, and shipping, stronger human-technology interaction on the warehouse floor, and more energy-efficient operations that reduce waste.

Increased efficiency builds on end-to-end supply chain visibility, decision automation, and the growing use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to continuously optimize performance across the operation.

Across all three priorities, one requirement was constant:
Connectivity must be secure, stable, and reliable—because everything depends on it. Devices, data, systems, robotics, and workers are now inseparable from the network.

Why Traditional Networks May Not Be Enough

The session provided a practical comparison of today’s wireless options:

• Wired systems are expensive to deploy, slow to change, and poorly suited for agile warehouse layouts.
• Public 4G offers reach, but lacks predictability, control, and indoor reliability.
• Wi-Fi remains essential, but struggles with coverage, mobility, and performance in large, metal-dense environments and robotic workflows.

Private 5G was positioned not as a replacement for Wi-Fi—but as a powerful complement that fills the gaps where Wi-Fi and wired systems fall short. As noted in the webinar, private 5G can operate as:

• A dedicated in-facility network
• An outdoor and yard connectivity layer
• A bridge between OT operations and enterprise IT systems

In many environments, the optimal model is a hybrid architecture, where Wi-Fi and private 5G work together to deliver full coverage, mobility, and resilience.

The Four Trends Driving Private 5G Adoption

Building on this foundation, the speakers highlighted four trends where private cellular is delivering immediate business value.

1. Eliminating Coverage Blind Spots
   Private 5G provides scalable connectivity across:
   • Large warehouses
   • High-rack and narrow-aisle environments
   • Docks, yards, and outdoor storage areas

This enables seamless growth without constant re-cabling or access point sprawl.

2. Real-Time Asset Tracking and Secure Mobile Workflows
   Private 5G enables granular, real-time visibility into:
   • Inventory and equipment status
   • Handheld scanners, tablets, and mobile terminals
   • Secure worker communications and emergency services

This visibility directly improves planning, throughput, and operational equipment effectiveness.

3. Advanced Automation and Robotics
   As AGVs, AMRs, AS/RS, and cobots expand, private 5G provides:
   • Deterministic performance for motion control
   • Reliable mobility for fast-moving devices
   • A unified network instead of fragmented vendor-specific systems

This simplifies lifecycle management while boosting safety and accuracy.

4. Predictive Maintenance and Edge-Powered Computer Vision
   With connected sensors and AI-enabled video, warehouses can:
   • Monitor asset health continuously
   • Detect defects earlier
   • Reduce downtime and improve quality

Together, these trends show how one private 5G network can support a wide variety of mission-critical applications across the warehouse.

Turning Private 5G Strategy into Reality

Throughout the session, a recurring theme was design and execution – two areas where success is closely tied to aligning with the right technology partner.

While private cellular networks are a powerful technology, success depends on:

• Proper RF design
• Thoughtful integration with existing Wi-Fi and wired systems
• Careful alignment with robotics, automation, and applications

Levata specializes in designing, engineering, and deploying the infrastructure that makes innovation work—uniting with providers like Ericsson to bring private 5G into real-world warehouse environments at scale.

From Strategy to Execution: How Levata Supports Wireless Transformation

Whether your roadmap includes advanced Wi-Fi, private 4G, private 5G, or a hybrid architecture, Levata delivers end-to-end wireless networking services, including:

• Wireless site surveys and RF planning
• Network architecture and design
• Structured cabling and fiber deployment
• Installation and commissioning of radios, access points, and cores
• Performance testing and optimization
• Ongoing monitoring, managed services, and support

From initial assessment to day-two operations, Levata helps ensure your wireless foundation is ready for automation, robotics, and data-driven logistics.

Watch the Webinar and Talk to a Levata Expert

To explore these trends, use cases, and real-world deployments in more detail:

Watch the full webinar recording >>

Contact a Levata wireless networking specialist if you’re planning a warehouse modernization, evaluating private cellular, or expanding automation—our experts are ready to help!