The four-part video series is sponsored by Omron and Siemens and shows how Digi-Key fulfills over 5.3 million orders annually with an efficient and effective supply chain. "Automation and control components are not only something Digi-Key offers in its extensive product portfolio, but also something we use every day to ensure orders are filled quickly, safely and effectively," said Eric Wendt, director of automation at Digi-Key. "Automation and control is a fast-growing market that is essential to keeping global supply chains running smoothly through ups and downs, so we're excited to learn more about Digi-Key's use of this technology in this video series."

The first video in the series, "Totally Integrated Automation," features conversations with executives at Siemens about the building blocks of the Totally Integrated Automation Portal, or TIA Portal, now available to Digi-Key customers.

The "Robotics and Machines" episode shows how Digi-Key uses robotic technologies from Omron and other manufacturers to automate tasks in its own warehouse. The video will be released in early April.

The third episode at the end of April, entitled "Inventory Management and Sorting", focuses on inventory management and sorting. Here, viewers will learn how Siemens products help manage the new facility at Digi-Key, an automation solutions center that manages one of the largest electronics catalogs in the industry.

The fourth and final video in the series is titled "Efficiency and Worker Safety" and will be released in May. It highlights the many ways in which Omron's automation solutions streamline routine tasks and ensure worker safety.

"Automation has a long and storied history of paving the way for improved productivity, increased flexibility and reduced liability on the factory floor," said Mark Binder, Director of Channel at Omron. "As innovation drives manufacturers to automate more and more processes, having the right partner to provide integrated, intelligent and interactive solutions is critical. As a leader in automation technology with solutions for the entire production process, Omron continuously strives to enable system integrators and machine builders to respond to changing demands while ensuring operational excellence."

"The future of industry has already begun," says Kurt Covine, Head of Partner Sales at Siemens Digital Industries. "Automation is being followed by the digitalization of production. Digitization promises important competitive advantages for companies, such as greater flexibility, less downtime and higher quality. Our resources are finite and we all need to do more with less. By partnering with Digi-Key, our customers gain access to the latest automation solutions from Siemens to meet this challenge and deliver on the promise of digitalization."