DATASCOPE attended PROMAT 2025 in Chicago, IL, to gain insight into the latest technologies, trends, and innovations shaping the future of supply chain management. Held from March 17-20 at McCormick Place on Lake Michigan, PROMAT is one of the industry’s most influential events, bringing together manufacturers, distributors, and solution providers from across the globe.
Joe Bowden, who represented DATASCOPE at the show, shared his experience: “PROMAT offered a valuable look into where the industry is heading. Seeing such a strong focus on automation, integration, and efficiency was encouraging. These are all areas that align closely with our product vision.”
PROMAT 2025 featured robotics and AI as key automation, integration, and efficiency drivers. Major players like Vanderlande, Westfalia, and Locus Robotics demonstrated Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS) and moving systems that assist human operators working on the floor. For example, the Locus Robotics live demonstration featured an autonomous cart that met human pickers and collected picked items. It proceeded to the following picking location once the operator had confirmed the picks. Other vendors discussed the potential of artificial intelligence (AI), such as creating virtual agents to optimize picking paths and writing code to build add-on applications.
One highlight of the show was the Wednesday keynote address by Deion Sanders. Sanders is the head coach of the University of Colorado football team, which he famously turned around from a 1-11 record to make it nationally competitive. Prior to Colorado, Sanders starred for the Atlanta Falcons and the Atlanta Braves of the National Football League (NFL) and Major League Baseball (MLB), respectively. During his onstage interview, he engaged the audience with a preacher’s passion and intensity, and he extolled the virtues of faith, discipline, and positive leadership.
“Our experience at PROMAT emphasized the need to stay up to date with emerging trends in warehousing,” said Bowden. “Meeting the vendors and seeing the new technology on display provided lots of ideas and inspiration for the future.”
Labor management and talent retention were repeating themes in the show seminars. Speakers and panelists emphasized creating a good working environment, with technology that matched employees’ expectations. When workers use tools that align with their everyday experiences, they adapt more quickly, feel more comfortable, and experience less frustration, leading to higher job satisfaction. This sense of ease and efficiency fosters a positive work environment, making employees feel valued and understood, encouraging them to stay with the organization longer. This reduces training and turnover costs.