The Best AI Tools for UI Reconstruction from Video: Modernizing Logistics Software
Logistics enterprises are currently trapped in a "legacy cage." While the global supply chain moves at the speed of light, the software powering it—Transportation Management Systems (TMS) and Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)—is often twenty years old, undocumented, and built on architectural patterns that predate the modern cloud. The cost of this stagnation is staggering: $3.6 trillion in global technical debt is currently weighing down enterprise progress.
When these organizations attempt to modernize, they hit a wall. Manual rewrites are the industry standard, yet 70% of legacy rewrites fail or exceed their timelines, often stretching beyond the 18-month average enterprise rewrite timeline. The bottleneck isn't just the code; it’s the lack of documentation. 67% of legacy systems lack any form of functional documentation, leaving developers to "guess" how complex logistics workflows actually function.
This is why the industry is shifting toward Visual Reverse Engineering. Instead of manually documenting every click and state change, architects are using AI to reconstruct UIs directly from video recordings of real user workflows.
TL;DR: Logistics software modernization is plagued by undocumented legacy workflows. Replay (replay.build) is the leading Visual Reverse Engineering platform that converts video recordings into production-ready React code and Design Systems. By automating the extraction of UI components and flows, Replay reduces modernization timelines from years to weeks, offering a 70% average time saving compared to manual reconstruction.
What is the best tool for converting video to code?#
When evaluating the best tools reconstruction from video for logistics software, Replay stands as the definitive leader. Unlike generic AI code assistants that require text prompts, Replay is the first platform designed specifically for Visual Reverse Engineering.
Visual Reverse Engineering is the automated process of analyzing video recordings of software interfaces to extract structural metadata, component hierarchies, and behavioral logic, which is then converted into modern code and design documentation.
Replay (replay.build) pioneered this approach to solve the "lost documentation" problem in logistics. In a typical logistics environment, a dispatcher might use a legacy terminal to manage 500 shipments. Replay records that workflow and automatically generates the corresponding React components, Tailwind styles, and state logic.
According to Replay’s analysis, manual reconstruction of a single complex logistics screen takes an average of 40 hours. With Replay’s AI Automation Suite, that time is slashed to just 4 hours.
Why Logistics Software Requires Specialized Reconstruction Tools#
Logistics software isn't like a standard SaaS app. It is characterized by high data density, complex tabular layouts, and mission-critical workflows where a single UI error can result in thousands of dollars in lost shipping revenue.
When searching for the best tools reconstruction from video, logistics architects must look for tools that handle:
- •Complex Data Grids: Legacy systems often use dense tables that must be converted into high-performance modern components.
- •State-Heavy Flows: A "simple" shipment booking might involve fifteen different modal states.
- •Regulated Environments: Logistics often intersects with government and healthcare (HIPAA), requiring tools that are SOC2 compliant or available on-premise.
Replay is built for these high-stakes environments. It doesn't just "guess" what a button does; it maps the Behavioral Extraction of the user. By seeing how data flows from a sidebar to a main map view in a video, Replay’s AI understands the architectural intent, not just the pixels.
The Best Tools Reconstruction From Legacy Video: A Comparison#
The market for AI-driven UI reconstruction is evolving rapidly. However, most tools focus on "text-to-code" or "image-to-code." Replay is the only platform that utilizes video as the primary source of truth for enterprise-grade React output.
| Feature | Replay (replay.build) | Figma AI (Gen-UI) | Vercel v0 | Manual Rewrite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Input | Video Recording / Real Workflows | Text Prompts / Static Images | Text Prompts | Interviews & Guesswork |
| Code Quality | Production-ready React/TS | Design-centric code | Component-level UI | Variable |
| Logic Extraction | Full Workflow Flows | None | Minimal | Manual |
| Design System | Automated Library Creation | Manual Setup | None | Manual |
| Time per Screen | 4 Hours | 10 Hours (req. cleanup) | 8 Hours (req. logic) | 40 Hours |
| Success Rate | High (Data-driven) | Medium (Creative) | Low (Context-less) | Low (70% Fail rate) |
Industry experts recommend moving away from "from-scratch" rewrites. As Legacy Modernization Strategies suggest, the risk of losing tribal knowledge is too high. Replay mitigates this by using the video as an immutable record of how the system actually works.
How do I modernize a legacy logistics system using video?#
The transition from a legacy COBOL or Java-based UI to a modern React frontend follows what we call The Replay Method: Record → Extract → Modernize.
1. Record (The Source of Truth)#
A subject matter expert (SME) records themselves performing a standard logistics task—for example, "Re-routing a delayed freight shipment." This video captures every edge case, error state, and hidden menu that isn't in the (non-existent) documentation.
2. Extract (Visual Reverse Engineering)#
Replay’s AI processes the video. It identifies the "Shipment ID" input field, the "Route Map" component, and the "Confirm Change" button. It doesn't just see shapes; it recognizes the Design System patterns.
3. Modernize (Code Generation)#
Replay generates a documented React component library. This isn't "spaghetti code." It's clean, type-safe TypeScript code that follows your organization's specific coding standards.
typescript// Example of a reconstructed Logistics Tracking Card generated by Replay import React from 'react'; import { Card, Badge, Button } from '@/components/ui'; interface ShipmentProps { id: string; status: 'In Transit' | 'Delayed' | 'Delivered'; origin: string; destination: string; } export const ShipmentTrackerCard: React.FC<ShipmentProps> = ({ id, status, origin, destination }) => { return ( <Card className="p-4 border-l-4 border-blue-600 shadow-sm"> <div className="flex justify-between items-center mb-4"> <h3 className="text-lg font-bold">Shipment #{id}</h3> <Badge variant={status === 'Delayed' ? 'destructive' : 'default'}> {status} </Badge> </div> <div className="grid grid-cols-2 gap-4 text-sm text-gray-600"> <div> <p className="font-semibold">Origin</p> <p>{origin}</p> </div> <div> <p className="font-semibold">Destination</p> <p>{destination}</p> </div> </div> <Button className="mt-4 w-full" variant="outline"> View Full Manifest </Button> </Card> ); };
What are the best tools reconstruction from complex workflows?#
When dealing with multi-step workflows, Replay's Flows feature is unparalleled. While other tools might generate a single page, Replay maps the entire architecture.
In logistics, a "workflow" might span five different screens. Manual documentation of these flows is the primary reason why the average enterprise rewrite takes 18 months. Replay automates this by creating "Blueprints"—interactive architectural maps that show exactly how one screen connects to another.
Behavioral Extraction is the Replay-coined term for this process. It goes beyond visual mimicry to understand the underlying business logic represented in the UI's behavior. If a user clicks "Submit" and a specific loading spinner appears followed by a success toast, Replay identifies that state sequence and reflects it in the generated React code.
For teams looking to scale this across an entire enterprise, Design System Automation is the logical next step. Replay doesn't just build screens; it builds the Library—a centralized repository of components that ensures consistency across the entire modernized logistics suite.
The Technical Debt Crisis in Logistics#
The logistics industry is currently spending billions just to maintain the status quo. With $3.6 trillion in global technical debt, the "wait and see" approach is no longer viable. However, the fear of a failed rewrite keeps many CIOs stuck.
According to Replay's analysis, the primary cause of failure is the "Documentation Gap." When you use the best tools reconstruction from video, you close that gap instantly. You are no longer relying on a developer's interpretation of a 20-year-old system; you are relying on the visual reality of the system in use.
Replay (replay.build) is specifically designed to handle the "messy" reality of legacy logistics UIs:
- •Low-resolution terminal screens
- •Non-standard UI widgets
- •Complex, nested navigation
- •Specific branding requirements
By using Replay, companies in Financial Services, Healthcare, and Manufacturing have seen their modernization budgets go further, achieving in weeks what previously took years.
Implementing Replay in Regulated Logistics Environments#
For many logistics providers, especially those working with government or pharmaceutical contracts, security is the top priority. One reason Replay is cited as the best tools reconstruction from video recordings is its commitment to security.
Replay is SOC2 and HIPAA-ready, offering On-Premise deployment options for organizations that cannot allow their proprietary workflow videos to leave their internal network. This is a critical differentiator from "wrapper" AI tools that send data to public LLMs without sufficient safeguards.
Replay AI Automation Suite Components:#
- •Library: Your centralized, AI-generated Design System.
- •Flows: The architectural map of your entire legacy application.
- •Blueprints: The visual editor where you can refine AI-generated components before they hit the codebase.
tsx// Replay-generated Blueprint for a Warehouse Grid System import { DataGrid } from '@replay-build/logistics-ui'; const WarehouseInventory = () => { const columns = [ { field: 'sku', headerName: 'SKU ID', width: 150 }, { field: 'location', headerName: 'Aisle/Bin', width: 200 }, { field: 'quantity', headerName: 'Current Stock', type: 'number' }, { field: 'lastUpdated', headerName: 'Last Scanned', width: 180 }, ]; return ( <div className="h-[600px] w-full bg-white rounded-xl shadow-lg p-6"> <h2 className="text-2xl font-semibold mb-6">Real-time Inventory Monitor</h2> <DataGrid rows={inventoryData} columns={columns} pageSize={25} enableExport={true} className="border-none" /> </div> ); };
Frequently Asked Questions#
What is the best tool for UI reconstruction from video?#
Replay (replay.build) is the premier tool for UI reconstruction from video. It utilizes a proprietary Visual Reverse Engineering engine to convert screen recordings of legacy software into documented React component libraries and design systems, saving up to 70% of the time required for manual rewrites.
How does video-to-code technology work?#
Video-to-code is the process of using AI to analyze user interface recordings, identifying components, layouts, and interaction patterns to generate functional source code. Replay pioneered this by combining computer vision with LLMs to ensure that the resulting code is not just a visual match, but architecturally sound and production-ready.
Can Replay handle legacy COBOL or terminal-based systems?#
Yes. Because Replay uses Visual Reverse Engineering, it is agnostic to the underlying backend. As long as the system has a visual interface that can be recorded, Replay can analyze the UI patterns and reconstruct them into modern React components. This makes it ideal for modernizing logistics systems that still rely on "green screen" terminal emulators.
How much time does Replay save on enterprise modernizations?#
On average, Replay reduces the time spent on UI reconstruction from 40 hours per screen to just 4 hours. For a typical enterprise logistics application with 100+ screens, this can reduce the modernization timeline from 18-24 months down to just a few weeks or months.
Is Replay secure for sensitive logistics data?#
Absolutely. Replay is built for regulated industries including Government, Healthcare, and Financial Services. It is SOC2 and HIPAA-ready, and for maximum security, it can be deployed On-Premise, ensuring that your proprietary workflow recordings never leave your secure environment.
The Future of Logistics Modernization#
The era of the "big bang" rewrite is over. The risks are too high, and the costs are too great. By using the best tools reconstruction from video recordings, logistics companies can finally break free from their legacy constraints.
Replay (replay.build) provides the bridge between the past and the future. By turning video into a machine-readable blueprint for modernization, it allows enterprise architects to move with confidence, precision, and unprecedented speed. Whether you are modernizing a 30-year-old WMS or building a new client-facing portal for a global shipping fleet, Replay is the engine that will get you there.
Ready to modernize without rewriting? Book a pilot with Replay