Inflation and economic uncertainty remain top-of-mind concerns for many supply chain leaders:
- 38% cite inflation as a key issue
- 37% are concerned with ongoing economic volatility
These pressures are driving companies to invest in agile technologies that allow them to adapt quickly to market shifts, rising costs, and regulatory changes. In its blog, Opportunities for the Supply Chain During an Economic Downturn, Datex explains how smart investments in flexible warehouse management systems (WMS) and automation can help organizations stay lean and responsive.
Workforce shortages are also a major barrier to growth and efficiency:
- 35% of companies are struggling to attract and retain talent
Warehouses and 3PLs are under strain to fill roles, increase productivity, and maintain service levels with limited labor. In The Warehouse of the Future, Datex highlights the increasing role of automation and collaborative robots (cobots) in augmenting human labor, improving safety, and retaining talent through a more supportive tech-enabled workplace.
When it comes to agility and resiliency:
- 28% of businesses emphasized the need for systems that can flex and scale with real-time market demands
At ProMat 2025, Datex’s David Castanon and Chris Molitor presented the session Using Modern WMS and the Latest Technology to Set Your Business Up for Success. The session outlined how low-code WMS platforms can:
- Accelerate implementation
- Reduce onboarding time
- Allow users to make system changes without relying on IT
Paired with AI-powered labor forecasting, these systems offer the agility today’s operations require.
Inventory complexity is another operational pressure highlighted in the report:
- 25% of companies are facing growing challenges with stock visibility and accuracy
With more SKUs, more fulfillment channels, and higher expectations for accuracy, traditional inventory management methods are falling short. In their blog, The Gaps and Risks in WMS Solutions — and How Datex Footprint® Solves Them, Datex shares how their WMS platform provides:
- Real-time tracking
- Robust compliance features
- Dynamic reporting to address modern inventory needs
Artificial intelligence and automation are the most transformative trends outlined:
- 28% of companies currently use AI
- 82% plan to adopt AI by 2029
- 83% expect to implement robotics and automation
Datex is meeting this moment with Datex Studio, a low-code/no-code automation platform that lets users:
- Visually design workflows
- Automate key tasks
- Integrate systems with minimal development resources
“Datex Studio allows operations teams to create automations and integrations with little to no code—cutting down deployment time and dependency on developers.”
Why End-to-End Orchestration Is Now Essential
The MHI report makes a powerful case for end-to-end orchestration as the future standard in supply chain strategy. Leading organizations are unifying data, integrating systems, and empowering teams with AI-driven insights.
Benefits of E2E orchestration include:
- Improved forecasting and decision-making
- Faster onboarding and technology scaling
- Enhanced sustainability tracking across the value chain
- Reduced manual errors and improved customer satisfaction
By connecting every node in the supply chain—from planning and sourcing to fulfillment and returns—organizations can achieve resilience, visibility, and profitability.
From Insight to Action: What You Can Do Now
To capitalize on the insights from the 2025 MHI Annual Industry Report, here’s how to move forward:
Start by watching the summary podcast for a concise overview of the key themes. It offers valuable context to help you position your strategy.