At the ‘Exchange’ event in Antwerp, CEO Eric Clark reveals Manhattan’s strategic expansion into transportation, planning, and sustainability, leveraging AI and cloud native platforms to strengthen its market position.
At Manhattan Associates’ recent ‘Exchange’ event in Antwerp, new CEO Eric Clark unveiled an ambitious growth strategy that expands the company’s focus well beyond its traditionally stronghold warehouse management systems (WMS). While ...
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Manhattan’s established strength in warehouse management is underscored by its leadership position, having been named a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Warehouse Management Systems for an impressive 17 consecutive years. Their cloud-native WMS platform, built on microservices architecture, is designed to cater to diverse warehouse operations ranging from medium complexity facilities to the largest distribution centres globally. This platform integrates automation, real-time visibility, and labour optimisation techniques such as gamification to enhance the efficiency and experience of warehouse associates.
Despite this well-earned leadership in WMS, Manhattan’s market share in adjacent areas like transportation and order management remains modest, still in the single digits, according to Clark. This represents a significant opportunity for expansion, particularly as enterprises increasingly seek integrated supply chain solutions that connect warehousing, transportation, and planning for improved return on investment.
Henri Seroux, Senior Vice President for EMEA, highlighted a prevailing trend of existing on-premises customers migrating toward Manhattan’s cloud solutions, reflecting a broader industry shift to cloud infrastructure. He also pointed out the growing customer demand for integrated warehouse and transportation management capabilities, which collectively unlock greater operational efficiencies and sustainability benefits.
The focus on sustainability runs deeply throughout Manhattan’s product evolution. Clark and other senior executives emphasised the role of intelligent planning and artificial intelligence in improving transportation efficiency , optimising truck loading, routing, and reducing empty miles , thus contributing to lower carbon footprints for customers. Sanjeev Siotia, the company’s Executive Vice President and CTO, further noted that every optimisation delivered by their software, from loading to routing, inherently supports more sustainable operations.
Seroux added a wider ethical context to these sustainability efforts, expressing concern over the competitive pressures European retailers face from fast-fashion and low-cost entrants like Shein and Temu. These competitors often circumvent sustainability standards, resulting in questionable labour practices and environmental impacts. Seroux called for greater unity across Europe on sustainability regulations, highlighting this as a critical challenge for the retail supply chain.
Supply chain planning was identified by Brian Kinsella, Senior Vice President of Product Management, as a notably underserved segment ripe for innovative solutions. As many companies transition their ERP systems to cloud platforms such as SAP S/4HANA, there is increasing demand for advanced forecasting and planning tools. Manhattan is positioning itself as a specialist provider in this arena, offering capabilities that complement transactional back-office systems with predictive analytics and AI-driven planning enhancements.
On the topic of artificial intelligence, Manhattan’s leadership takes a pragmatic and constructive stance. Siotia characterised AI as a productivity enhancer rather than a threat to human expertise. Clark described practical applications such as embedding customers’ standard operating procedures into AI-driven assistant tools that provide workers with on-the-spot guidance in warehouse operations. This approach leverages human knowledge and experience, making it more accessible and actionable rather than replacing it. Seroux similarly sees AI as a tool for enabling continuous learning and skill development among workers.
Industry data indicates that the WMS market is highly competitive and evolving. Although Manhattan holds a strong position with around 8.1% mindshare as of late 2025, this reflects a dip from previous years and remains behind major players like SAP and Oracle. Globally, the market continues to expand, driven by sectors such as e-commerce, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and food and beverages, with North America leading in market share. Manhattan’s cloud-native platform, with its focus on integration, automation, and sustainability, positions it well to capitalise on these growth trends.
Moreover, Manhattan’s recognition as a leader not only in warehouse management but also in transportation management systems for six consecutive years underscores its commitment to delivering a unified, real-time supply chain platform. This integration empowers companies to eliminate inefficiencies, make data-driven decisions, and adapt to the fast-paced demands of modern commerce.
In summary, Manhattan Associates is leveraging its strong heritage in warehouse management as a foundation to broaden its impact across the supply chain ecosystem. By enhancing its cloud-based offerings, prioritising sustainability, embracing AI as an aid rather than a replacement, and addressing emerging market needs in planning and transportation, Manhattan is aiming to extend its leadership and relevance in an increasingly complex and technology-driven logistics landscape.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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