Today, we're announcing a partnership with Terminal, a provider of an AI-native yard operating system. This partnership extends Prism's integration capabilities beyond the warehouse walls, connecting gate operations and yard movements to the broader supply chain ecosystem.
Why Yard Management Matters Now
Distribution centers face increasing pressure on dock door utilization. Trailers arrive unannounced. Drivers wait hours for dock assignments. Warehouse teams don't know which trailers contain priority shipments. These inefficiencies compound as facilities scale and prevent organizations from getting the most value out of their existing WMS systems.
Terminal addresses these gaps with computer vision technology that tracks trailers from gate entry through yard movements to dock assignment. The system identifies trailers, verifies locations, and coordinates moves without manual intervention. Installation happens in days, not months, with very low IT lift. ROI shows up in the first quarter, not years down the road.
Three Integration Points That Create Value
Gate-to-WMS Visibility
When a trailer enters the yard, Terminal's system identifies it and checks it against expected arrivals. Prism connects this data to the warehouse management system, triggering dock assignments and labor scheduling based on actual arrivals, not estimated times.
Dock Door Optimization
Terminal tracks which trailers are ready for unloading and where they're parked. The WMS knows which products are needed on the floor. Prism coordinates between these systems to prioritize trailer moves based on warehouse demand, not just arrival sequence.
Automation Coordination
For facilities with warehouse automation, trailer arrival data flows through Prism to material handling controls. The automation system can pre-stage capacity and adjust throughput based on inbound volume and priority.
Modular Deployment for Specific Needs
Terminal's technology is modular so operators don't need to deploy bloated, overly-complicated tech that they won't use. Operators can start with gate automation to eliminate manual check-in processes. Add trailer tracking to know exactly where every trailer is parked. Layer in dock scheduling to optimize door assignments.
Prism handles the integration work, connecting Terminal to existing systems without custom development. This approach works for brownfield facilities upgrading legacy operations and greenfield sites building integrated technology from day one.
What Comes Next
Yard operations represent one of the last manual processes in modern distribution centers. This partnership addresses that gap with technology that installs quickly, integrates cleanly, and delivers measurable results.
Terminal brings proven technology and strong relationships in the 3PL sector. Prism adds integration capabilities decades of supply chain expertise. Together, we're extending supply chain visibility from the gate through the warehouse floor.
Want to discuss how yard management integration fits your operation? Contact our team.
