Last week at ProMat 2025, the conversations weren’t just about the latest robotics or flashy demos. Our team was on site, meeting clients and partners alike, and loving the energy that continues to build around all things warehouse automation, supply chain optimization, and advanced robotics. The real takeaways came from how the industry is evolving in ways that directly impact how companies think about automation—from budget to integration to software strategy.
Here are a few quick standouts we observed this year beyond some of the more obvious:
Automation Without a Full Rebuild
For years, warehouse automation was often framed as an all-or-nothing decision. If you wanted to modernize, the assumption was you needed a greenfield facility or to tear out your existing systems.
That’s clearly changing.
At this year’s show, we saw real momentum around solutions designed specifically for brownfield environments—systems that work within your existing footprint, without ripping out your racking or rethinking your entire layout. Solutions from providers like Geek+, Quicktron, and Simpl are stepping into this space, offering automation that can be layered in, not started from scratch.
The message? You don’t need a blank slate to automate. Start where you are.
Scalable Systems Are In Demand
Another shift is around cost—and scale. Many companies want automation, but don’t yet have the volume or budget to invest in massive, multi-million-dollar systems. Instead, they’re asking for smaller, flexible versions that fit where they are now.
AutoStore’s Pio was one example at the show, offering a compact ASRS that can scale up later. And integrators are hearing this consistently: “Can you give us a version of that, but smaller?”
This is opening doors for mid-sized facilities that used to feel priced out of automation. More importantly, it’s forcing solution providers to build with growth in mind—from day one.
Warehouse Software Is Starting to Blur
We also noticed a shift in how people are talking about warehouse software. The traditional lines between WMS, WES, and WCS are getting fuzzy—and fast.
Instead of splitting systems into rigid categories, more vendors are moving toward a unified approach. A few are already calling it Warehouse Optimization Software (WOS)—a layer that sits across planning, execution, and control.
For integrators and operators, this means rethinking how software fits into the automation puzzle. It’s less about which system does what, and more about how they all work together.
As the tech continues to overlap, the focus will need to shift toward making these systems talk to each other—and making sure they actually support the operation, not just check a box.
Final Thought
What we saw at ProMat confirms what we’re already seeing in the field: customers want solutions that fit into today’s reality, not just an ideal future state.
Whether it’s automating without tearing down what already works, scaling smartly over time, or simplifying the software stack, the common thread is the same—make automation practical.
If you’re exploring what this could look like in your facility, we’re always up for a conversation.
How can we help improve your supply chain operations?
Schedule a consultation or contact Tompkins Solutions for more information.
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