A highlight from this year's North American Cat Dealer IT and Digital Conference (NADITA) in April 2026 was the insightful session led by Brent Whitlow, ERP Application Senior Specialist at Carter Machinery. Brent, a dealer veteran with over 18 years of dealership experience and nearly a decade focused on warehouse management systems (WMS), led a breakout session in which he detailed Carter Machinery's transformative journey into a unified digital ecosystem.
Using the theme "Building the Connected Warehouse," Brent walked attendees through the implementation of a sophisticated technology stack from FDC Solutions, designed to eliminate manual bottlenecks and provide end-to-end visibility.
The Tech Stack: A Three-Pronged Approach
The "Connected Warehouse" isn't built on a single tool but rather a synergy of three core modules that comprise the warehouse management and package tracking solution from FDC Solutions:
WMSv2 (Integrated Warehouse Management). This serves as the backbone for inventory receiving, put-away, order prioritization, and cycle counts.
- K*Track (Advanced Package Tracking). Beyond simple tracking, this module manages corporate routes, node management, and the "Will Call" customer experience.
- OMC (Automated Order Messaging). This provides automated order lifecycle alerts, ensuring seamless communication to meet Caterpillar's Global Dealer Standards for eCommerce.
Scale and Scope of the Implementation
The sheer scale of Carter Machinery’s logistics network is impressive. The implementation covered:
27 warehouses now live on WMSv2 with K*Track.
- 40,000 lines processed weekly.
- 40+ active routes and over 300 drop box locations.
A team of approximately 350 parts employees utilizing the system.
The actual timeline saw WMSv2 fully live by January 24, 2025, with all routes in K*Track operational by May 31, 2025.
Real-World Benefits
Brent highlighted several key advantages that have redefined their operations:
Efficiency. Scanning reduces manual typing and provides instant tracking.
- Accuracy. Quality scans have significantly improved exception rates compared to manual entry.
- Accountability. Every action is tracked via unique user logins.
- Visibility. The ability to track an order through its entire life cycle has drastically reduced customer and shop inquiries.
SESSION PRESENTER
Brent Whitlow
ERP Application Senior Specialist
Brent Whitlow brings over 18 years of dealership experience spanning Parts, Sales, Marketing, and Continuous Improvement. He specializes in warehouse operations and has successfully led the deployment of multiple Warehouse Management System (WMS) solutions at the dealership level.Brent holds an MBA and is a Six Sigma Black Belt, with a strong focus on optimizing processes and leveraging technology to improve operational efficiency and drive business performance.
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