The material handling and supply chain industry’s flagship event, ProMat, is just around the corner (March 17 – 20). At the show, leading technology vendors from across the warehousing and logistics industry are set to exhibit their latest supply chain innovations. From Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration to real-time visibility software, these technologies aim to build resilience for organizations’ logistics operations.
ABI Research has identified five current supply chain technology trends that ProMat attendees should look out for at the show, shaping the industry in 2025 and beyond.
1. The Rise of AI-Centric Solutions
AI is likely to be a staple message and selling point among all vendors, and this year's event looks to be playing host to several AI-based startups looking to solve very specific industry challenges. Companies of note include aiOla, Dori AI, CreateASoft, and LaborAI. LaborAI’s real-time labor planning tool and how it can address workforce management pain points could be a highlight. Meanwhile, as video-centric AI grows, Dori AI’s computer vision solutions and how it can present a wide range of use cases looks promising.
Attendees can expect Zebra Technologies to showcase how its wide range of solutions such as data capture devices, camera vision, and robotics can leverage more of AI as well. Leveraging Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) to streamline workforce management via mobile computers is a use case Zebra recently announced with Microsoft as its partner. Similarly, Infor is expected to showcase its AI capabilities along with Three-Dimensional (3D) visualization and embedded analytics to streamline supply chains and enhance supply chain planning, as well as execution.
Related Blog: How Generative AI Is Powering Supply Chains
2. System Integrators Playing a More Prominent Role
Material handling automation will, of course, take center stage, with the same big names, including Locus Robotics and AutoStore, expected to dominate the event and the varied use cases of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) and Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems (ASRS) on show.
For attendees looking to understand what all these autonomous capabilities mean for them, System Integrators (SIs), including Bastian Solutions, Dematic, and Vanderlande, will be playing an increasingly crucial role in guiding companies through what is still a very challenging automation adoption process.
3. Warehouse Management System Providers Tackle Different Challenges
Another big trend shaping the future of the supply chain revolves around Warehouse Management System (WMS) software. All major WMS providers will be showcasing their unique capabilities at ProMat, but the focus will differ by provider.
Companies like Blue Yonder and Manhattan Associates will likely be focusing their efforts on their cloud-based network planning capabilities, while more dedicated WMS providers, including SnapFulfil and Softeon will likely focus on worker/task execution, ease of integration, and solution scalability. Balancing wider integration with day-to-day task execution capabilities will be key for leading solutions.
4. WMS Enhancement Solutions Emerge
Issues with legacy WMSs, unscalable architecture, and data silos have led to the emergence of solutions designed to harmonize a warehouse’s multiple data feeds, while providing additional analysis and optimization tools. AutoScheduler, LogistiVIEW, Onomatic, Synkrato, and WareBee all provide a similar type of “Warehouse Optimization System (WOS),” a term coined by Synkrato, and while the industry doesn’t need any more acronyms, it does appear to need these additional platform layers to make up for the shortcomings of existing systems.
5. Yard Management, a Key Piece of the Puzzle
Not a core part of the event, but nevertheless a very important one, with dedicated Yard Management System (YMS) providers, including Kaleris and Yard Management Solutions showcasing their solutions. Given its recent expansion into the transport management space through the acquisition of CAMS Software, Kaleris will be a unique vendor at the event with solutions spanning yard, transport, port, and ocean freight operations.
EAIGLE looks to set to have a bigger presence at this year’s event, which is unsurprising given its rapidly expanding industry presence. AI-powered machine vision solutions are becoming the go-to for gate automation and more accurate yard management, with a lot of interest and market activity expected beyond ProMat through 2025.
Key Recommendations for End Users
For end users this year, leveraging technologies to reduce their Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), taking a proactive stance on risk management, and efficient workforce management will be the goal. It will be important for solution providers to concisely demonstrate the use cases that directly address the market’s most prominent challenges, while also clearly laying out how they can support users through every point of integration.
In previous years of both ProMat and MODEX, we saw maturing automation systems with expanding use cases, software providers expanding their reach, devices reaching new form factors, and increasingly advanced processing capabilities opening new ways to manage inventory and improve workforce productivity. Momentum in the industry over the last year has been strong and this year's edition of ProMat looks set to showcase big developments on all fronts.
To stay ahead of all of the trends, changes, and technology shifts in material handling and the supply chain, reach out to us today and learn how we can support you.
