Introducing drones into your yard operations is a leap forward — but it’s not just about buying the right hardware or setting flight paths. The real success lies in how well your staff understands, uses, and trusts the drone-driven inventory process.
For distributors managing outdoor yards full of pipe, lumber, and large-format building materials, drones can dramatically improve cycle counting, stock verification, and zone monitoring. But without training, even the smartest tech can fall flat — or worse, create confusion, duplication, or resistance.
Here’s how to get your teams up to speed and fully aligned with drone-based inventory workflows.
Why Training Matters (Even with Automated Tools)
Drones might do the scanning — but humans still need to:
Interpret the data
Act on stock discrepancies
Confirm location changes
Stage or relocate materials based on drone insights
Maintain safe flight areas and prevent interference
By training your warehouse staff, operations leads, and IT team together, you ensure drones become part of the daily routine — not just a special project.
Step 1: Explain the “Why” Before the “How”
People adopt tools faster when they understand the value behind them. Kick off drone training with:
A walkthrough of current inventory challenges (missed counts, lost stock, delays)
A clear explanation of how drones solve those issues
Real-world examples of reduced cycle time, fewer count errors, and improved visibility
Show how drone data feeds into your ERP — and how that improves everyone’s workflow, from picking to purchasing.
Step 2: Identify the Right Staff for Drone Operations
Not everyone needs to fly drones — but everyone should understand how they work.
Assign a drone operations lead at each yard or site
Identify data users: usually warehouse managers, cycle count teams, or inventory control specialists
Designate ERP reviewers who will reconcile drone-collected data with system records
Keep the team small and specialized at first — you can scale after proven success.
Step 3: Provide Hands-On Drone System Training
This includes:
Safe launch/land procedures
Pre-programmed flight paths and how to initiate scans
How to identify and resolve drone system alerts
What to do if obstacles, weather, or interference stop a scan
Many drone vendors offer onboarding services — take advantage of them and tailor the sessions to your yard layout.
Step 4: Connect Drone Data to ERP Workflows
Make sure staff understand:
Where drone data shows up in the ERP (inventory dashboards, exception reports, location maps)
How to compare scanned vs. expected quantities
What steps to take when a variance is flagged
How drone scans affect cycle count logs and inventory adjustments
Training should include live examples, not just documentation. Use previous cycle count errors as a “before and after” scenario.
Step 5: Run Pilot Programs in Select Zones
Don’t start with your busiest yard. Instead:
Choose a section with a known inventory problem
Scan it manually and with drones for comparison
Let teams review both methods
Use the results to validate the process and fine-tune training
This builds confidence, reduces risk, and gives you internal success stories to share company-wide.
Step 6: Document and Reinforce the Process
Create quick-reference guides, job aids, and “what to do when…” cheat sheets. Store them digitally and link them inside your ERP or internal wiki.
Ongoing support matters — don’t treat training as a one-time event. Make it part of:
New hire onboarding
Safety refreshers
Quarterly warehouse reviews
Final Thoughts
Drones can do amazing things — but only if your team knows how to use the insights they provide. By investing in training, you ensure that drone technology doesn’t just collect data — it transforms operations.
With the right mix of tech and training, outdoor yards become easier to count, safer to manage, and more connected to your system than ever before.
