For decades, warehouse innovation has focused on what happens inside the four walls. Robotics move inventory. Automated systems pick, sort and increasingly unload freight.

But a warehouse operation doesn't really begin at the dock door. It begins the moment a truck enters the property.

In this episode of Moving the World, Darin Brannan, CEO of Terminal Industries, and Mike Plasencia, VP of Product at Prologis, explore the next frontier of warehouse automation: the yard. They discuss how computer vision, AI, automation and security are connecting what's happening outside the building with increasingly sophisticated operations inside it. From identifying arriving trucks and orchestrating yard traffic to automated unloading and real-time risk detection, the conversation looks at what happens when the gate, yard, dock and warehouse begin operating as one connected system.

Chapters

00:45 – Meet Darin Brannan

02:32 – Why the modern warehouse starts at the gate

05:33 – Inside the yard: Clipboards, radios and sticky notes

08:34 – The ripple effect of a yard delay

12:20 – Why yard technology lagged—and how AI changes that

17:34 – From minutes to seconds: The payoff of automation

20:00 – The TSA pre-check of the warehouse yard

22:16 – Rethinking cargo security and yard safety

27:18 – Connecting security, operations and shared data

31:35 – What it takes to digitize a yard

Today’s Experts

Darin Brannan, CEO, Terminal Industries Darin is a technology entrepreneur and executive with more than 25 years of experience building and scaling companies across transportation, healthcare, construction and retail. Over his career, he has founded three companies that grew from startup to significant scale, led two IPOs, raised more than $1.25 billion in venture and debt financing, and held roles spanning founder, CEO, venture investor and board member. His work has focused on transforming industries reliant on outdated technologies and workflows through software, data and automation. Today, as CEO of Terminal Industries, Darin is applying that experience to logistics, using AI and intelligent technology to modernize yard operations and connect the physical and digital sides of the supply chain.

Mike Plasencia, VP of Product, Prologis EssentialsMike is a supply chain and technology leader with deep experience spanning logistics operations, product strategy, data analytics and venture investing. Before joining Prologis, Mike spent more than 15 years at Ryder, where he helped develop and bring new products to market and led operations for RyderVentures, the company’s corporate venture capital fund focused on technologies transforming transportation and supply chains. His career has also included operational leadership, advanced analytics and industrial engineering, giving him a unique perspective on how emerging technologies translate from promising ideas into real-world logistics operations. At Prologis, Mike leads product for Prologis Essentials, helping shape solutions that make warehouse operations more connected, automated and efficient.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Prologis.