Every year, ProMat sets the tone for where supply chain management trends are heading. It’s where bold ideas meet warehouse floors, and tech providers come to show off what’s possible. As the product manager for Tecsys’ Elite™ WMS, I went to ProMat 2025 to stay ahead of what’s next — to scout out emerging tech, build connections, and see which innovations have real potential for our customers.
This year, one theme stood out right away. The focus is shifting from futuristic robotics to practical automation. The days of purely flashy robotics demos are giving way to something more grounded: a focus on practical, implementable automation. That’s good news for warehouse leaders who care about results.
From flash to function
In past years, it felt like you couldn’t walk ten feet without bumping into a robotics demonstrations showing futuristic possibilities. The show floor was filled with drones, robotic arms and sci-fi-level tech. It was fun to watch, but a tough sell for most budgets.
This year, the conversation changed. There was less spectacle and more strategy. Demos focused on how automation fits into real workflows. Integration took center stage. I heard more questions like “Will it work with my WMS?” and “How fast can I get ROI?” — questions we love to hear.
That shift is a clear signal in current supply chain management trends. Warehouse leaders aren’t just shopping for innovation. They’re evaluating solutions that can drive real results. This resonates with me and the work we’re doing. We’re building a platform that connects with WMS automation tools easily, helping our customers create smarter, more efficient operations without having to overhaul their entire system.
The cool stuff (and what’s still out of reach)
Let’s be clear — there were still some incredible demos. AI-driven optimization, drones flying through inventory checks, and robots that look like they stepped off a movie set. It was all there. But so was the reality check.
A lot of these technologies still face steep barriers. Human-like robots, while impressive, are expensive and hard to deploy. Drones are evolving, but most can’t do more than verify pallets are in the right locations. They’re not ready for precise inventory management or complex fulfillment tasks.
What’s more encouraging is the progress in focused applications. Dexory, for example, is using advanced sensors to accurately count cases in high-density storage areas — a clear improvement over what drones can currently offer. Lully.ai is another emerging player that caught my attention. Their platform helps warehouse leaders optimize labor by using AI to predict demand and align resources. It’s early days, but there’s a path to value here.
The takeaway? Innovation is still moving fast, but adoption is moving smart. Costs are coming down. AI models are getting sharper. And companies that take an integrated approach to WMS automation will be positioned to benefit first.
What warehouse leaders should consider
If you’re evaluating new automation or AI tools, here’s a quick checklist I recommend:
- Integration — Does it plug into your existing WMS?
- Scalability — Can it grow with your business and adapt to changes in volume or complexity?
- ROI timeline — How soon will it deliver measurable value, and is that timeline realistic for your operation?
We’ve seen many customers succeed by layering automation into live operations without tearing anything down. One warehouse extended its racking and introduced vertical lift modules (VLMs) to optimize storage in tight spaces. Another added conveyor lines and inline scan to speed up picking and improve accuracy, with real-time visibility flowing directly into Elite™ WMS. In both cases, WMS automation was staged in increments, guided by clear process mapping and operational goals. Yet another embedded some autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) into their existing floorplan to walk along side and amplify picker productivity.
These weren’t pilot projects in shiny new facilities. They were real improvements in active environments, with labor constraints, legacy systems and all. And they worked — boosting throughput, reducing travel time and improving inventory control in measurable ways.
That’s the playbook: start with what’s possible, and scale from there.
Final thoughts from ProMat 2025
Here’s what I walked away with:
- Warehouse automation is getting practical. The emphasis is shifting toward tech that delivers clear operational value.
- New platforms are showing what’s next, with a path to broader adoption.
- Cutting-edge robotics are still exciting, but they’re not yet within reach for most facilities.
These are the supply chain management trends that matter right now — progress with purpose. As warehouse operations become more complex, and as customer expectations continue to rise, the pressure to adopt the right kind of automation is only increasing.
Success in this space depends on collaboration between hardware vendors, WMS providers and warehouse operators. Everyone needs to be aligned on what’s useful, what’s scalable and what delivers results.
At Tecsys, we’re designing Elite™ WMS to support this shift. With low-code integration and flexible workflows, we’re helping customers connect to the tools that matter — not just the ones that turn heads. The future of WMS automation is already here, and it’s showing up in smart, manageable ways. Our job is to help you make the most of it — and stay a step ahead as supply chain management trends continue to evolve.