What is LIFT?
Automating material movement is easier than ever thanks to new innovations in automated vehicles and robotics — or at least it should be. Unfortunately, despite their potential, these technologies often introduce new inefficiencies that stand in the way of true ROI.
These challenges typically stem from a lack of communication between automated vehicles and core systems. To overcome this, manufacturers need a solution that bridges that gap and enables smooth data exchange.
That’s exactly what LIFT makes possible. LIFT is a robust middleware designed to optimize material movement within manufacturing environments. By integrating automated vehicles with key systems (WMS, MES, ERP, and more), LIFT enables the real-time communication required to orchestrate complex intralogistics processes.
Keep reading to explore key features and capabilities of LIFT.
How LIFT Works
Moving materials throughout a plant is more complex than it might initially seem. Materials change shapes and sizes throughout the production process and must be transported in a variety of ways to a variety of different locations based on shifting priorities.
For automated vehicles to operate effectively within these dynamic workflows, they need access to critical information like material destinations and production priorities. To get this information, they must communicate with other core systems.
Many automated vehicles have APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) that define how external systems can communicate with them. However, APIs alone don’t connect systems. Achieving this integration requires a middleware — software that integrates systems, translates data formats, and ensures communication flows correctly.
As a middleware solution, LIFT provides an intuitive way to integrate automated vehicles with warehouse, automation, and enterprise systems. LIFT includes both an application layer and a data layer, creating a unified, cohesive solution for connecting complex environments. Building on this foundation, LIFT’s drag-and-drop workflows allow manufacturers to define tasks, set triggers, and configure logic without coding.
By leveraging middleware like LIFT, manufacturers can ensure efficient material movement, real-time communication, and greater overall productivity.
Key Features
From real-time visibility to powerful orchestration, LIFT is built to simplify intralogistics and eliminate the barriers that hold automation back. Explore five key features that deliver these results.
- Robust Integration
LIFT is system-agnostic and capable of connecting all systems and automated vehicles into one workflow. This creates a unified environment that enables smooth dispatching and movement. It also allows key systems to exchange data, giving automated vehicles the information they need to adapt to changing conditions.
- Multi-Agent Orchestration
Communication is only the first step in automating material movement; effective coordination is equally crucial. LIFT simplifies orchestration by allowing manufacturers to manage automated vehicles, forklifts, sensors, IoT devices, and more from a single platform. Tasks can be automatically assigned based on fleet availability, system capabilities, and real-time data. And by connecting FMS systems from multiple vendors, LIFT helps prevent traffic conflicts and deadlocks.
- Real-Time Alerts
With LIFT, manufacturers gain complete, real-time visibility into their operations. LIFT provides live tracking of missions, fleet performance, and system status. Plus, configurable alerts ensure that when disruptions occur, manufacturers receive instant notifications via email, SMS, or in-app messages — enabling teams to respond quickly and maintain smooth operations.
- User-Friendly Interface
LIFT’s drag-and-drop workflows empower non-technical users to build integrations, monitor systems, and make changes — all without writing code. This approach accelerates deployment, reduces reliance on technical resources, and allows teams to adapt operations quickly as business needs evolve. It also ensures smooth handoffs, enabling teams to identify and resolve issues without the original builder being involved.
- Flexibility
LIFT is designed to be scalable. It supports the addition of new vehicles, systems, and technologies — without requiring a full system overhaul. Whether an organization is increasing automation or adding operational complexity, LIFT adapts to maintain efficient performance. Additionally, with flexible deployment options, manufacturers can choose between an air-gapped on-premise environment or virtual cloud infrastructure.
Benefits
LIFT provides the tools manufacturers need to move materials faster, smarter, and more efficiently. See how this can help you improve your operations:
- Simplified Integration: LIFT’s intuitive interface streamlines integration — minimizing effort, risk, and costs.
- Faster Deployment: LIFT accelerates deployment time from months to days with standardized market integrations.
- Increased Flexibility: LIFT empowers teams to adapt and refine processes in response to changing operational needs. Whether scaling, optimizing, or troubleshooting, updates can be made quickly without disrupting workflows.
- Holistic Data: LIFT provides a single data stream that’s easy to access for ongoing optimization and analysis.
Transform the Way You Move Materials
LIFT is more than just middleware; it’s the key to optimizing material movement in the modern manufacturing world. Equipped with powerful capabilities, LIFT enables manufacturers to streamline operations, boost efficiency, and scale automation effortlessly.
In today’s manufacturing landscape, businesses that effectively integrate systems and automate intralogistics processes are best positioned to stay ahead and thrive.
Request a demo to see firsthand what LIFT can do.
