— Newsletter Archive: Newsletter Vol. 21, 4/17/2025 —
Warehouse Floor DX Solution
「HAKO-FLO®」
– Evolving RFID Technology at
PROMAT 2025 –
From March 17-20, PROMAT 2025—North America’s largest trade show for manufacturing, logistics, and supply chain professionals—was held at Chicago’s McCormick Place. This year’s event expanded even further, with exhibits not only in the traditional South and North Halls, but also in the newly added Lakeside Hall, featuring a broader range of startups and technology providers.
As warehouse space in urban areas becomes increasingly limited and e-commerce continues to grow, the demand for high-density, vertically scalable storage systems such as Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS) is accelerating. Many solutions showcased at PROMAT aimed to optimize inventory control while maintaining high throughput within constrained environments.
One standout trend was the emergence of layered automation solutions designed for easy integration into existing (“brownfield”) facilities. These modular systems enable phased automation without the need for new construction, offering a cost-effective, flexible pathway to operational efficiency. It’s clear that the redefinition of physical warehouse space is already underway.
RFID Technology: Evolving from Tracking to Real-Time Intelligence
RFID technologies are evolving beyond their traditional roles in asset tracking and inventory management. This year’s show featured numerous solutions that integrate RFID with cloud computing and AI, enabling real-time data processing and predictive capabilities.
For example, some systems analyze RFID tag movements using AI to detect anomalies and trigger alerts, while others provide centralized, cloud-based visibility across multiple warehouse locations. These capabilities depend on high-quality, real-time data infrastructure—an area receiving growing attention.
Another key development is the decreasing cost of RFID tags, which is making the technology more accessible to small and mid-sized businesses. Subscription-based RFID readers introduced at the show further reduce the barrier to entry, adding flexibility in implementation. RFID is increasingly being seen not just as an identification tool, but as an essential part of an integrated warehouse intelligence system.
A Glimpse into the Future: “Light-Up” RFID Tags from Avery Dennison
Among the many eye-catching innovations at PROMAT 2025 was a prototype from Avery Dennison: “AD Lighthouse” — RFID tags equipped with LEDs that light up when activated by a signal from an RFID reader.
These passive tags offer a unique, visual interface for identifying specific items on the warehouse floor. In large facilities, operators can instantly locate goods by triggering a light on the corresponding tag—enhancing picking efficiency and reducing shipping errors.
While still in development, this intuitive enhancement could play a key role in the future of smart warehouse operations.
AI in the Supply Chain: Insights from the 2025 MHI Annual Industry Report
A highlight of the event was the release of the 2025 MHI Annual Industry Report, co-published by MHI and Deloitte. Now in its 12th edition, the report explores how emerging technologies are transforming supply chains and improving workforce productivity.
AI adoption, in particular, is accelerating. While only 28% of companies currently use AI in supply chain operations, that number is expected to reach 82% within the next five years. Use cases include inventory management, demand forecasting, and logistics optimization.
Of special interest is the rise of Agentic AI—autonomous systems that operate without human oversight. These systems enable real-time inventory visibility, predictive maintenance, and demand forecasting, and are heavily dependent on robust, real-time data infrastructure.
PAT.P
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