Technology is evolving every day, and automation is no exception. With the integration of cutting-edge technologies, automation is rapidly becoming an essential solution for logistics and manufacturing businesses. Let’s take a look at the latest developments for 2025 and stay ahead in this automation revolution!
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Technology trends in logistics and manufacturing applications worldwide in 2025
Cloud management
According to Mordor Intelligence, the global cloud logistics market, valued at USD 23.14 billion in 2024, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 14.47%, reaching USD 45.48 billion by 2029. Current trends in cloud-based logistics solutions include enhanced inventory management, real-time shipment tracking, and optimized logistics planning. These solutions also support critical functions. For example, customs compliance, customer service, invoicing, and fleet route optimization, all of which are key drivers of increasing demand. (Mordor Intelligence).
These services offer flexibility, scalability, and ease of management, attracting SMEs facing resource constraints and large enterprises seeking cost-effective solutions (Market and Markets). Tailored digital logistics deployments further enhance customer satisfaction, making cloud integration a strategic advantage for logistics and manufacturing companies in the following digital age.
Blockchain
The blockchain technology market in transportation and logistics is projected to grow by USD 2.23 billion at a CAGR of 39.78% between 2022 and 2027, underscoring its critical role in global supply chain management (Inbound Logistics). Blockchain enhances supply chain transparency and efficiency by enabling real-time tracking, improving food safety, and reducing customs clearance and delivery times. Smart contracts further streamline financial transactions, minimizing disputes and fostering trust among stakeholders.
Walmart’s Food Traceability Initiative, developed with IBM, leverages blockchain to trace grocery products. By recording each transaction on the blockchain, processes that previously took days are now completed in seconds, allowing retailers to verify product origins rapidly. This case illustrates blockchain’s transformative impact on logistics and manufacturing operations, with its success paving the way for even greater opportunities in the future.
AI and machine learning
According to McKinsey, businesses leveraging AI-driven supply chain management have achieved remarkable results: a 15% cost reduction, a 35% decrease in inventory levels, and a 65% boost in service levels.
For example, DHL employs AI-powered route planning software to optimize shipping, prioritizing deliveries based on urgency, such as critical medical supplies or time-sensitive packages. Similarly, Amazon utilizes advanced AI technologies like deep learning, image recognition, and natural language processing to enhance demand forecasting accuracy, ensuring efficient supply chain operations. These applications illustrate AI’s transformative potential in modern logistics and supply chain management for many other businesses.
Drone delivery automation
The rising demand for real-time, ultra-fast deliveries poses significant challenges for logistics and manufacturing companies. To address this, drone delivery automation has emerged as a potential solution.
Amazon, for instance, has been selected to test consumer drone deliveries in the UK as part of regulatory evaluations. These tests involve drones flying beyond the operator’s line of sight, gathering crucial safety data on collision avoidance with other aircraft. This initiative marks a significant step toward the mainstream adoption of drone technology, aiming to revolutionize last-mile delivery operations.
Intelligent automation
As technology advances and automation demand rises, RPA has evolved into Intelligent Automation by integrating cutting-edge technologies. According to Grand View Research, the global intelligent process automation market, valued at USD 14.55 billion in 2024, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 22.6% from 2025 to 2030.
Businesses increasingly adopt intelligent automation to reduce costs, enhance efficiency, and minimize human error. By incorporating RPA with innovations like AI, machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and OCR, companies achieve higher performance while reducing risks and waste (Grand View Research). Deloitte research shows that automation delivers across key metrics: improved compliance (92%), quality and accuracy (90%), and productivity (86%). This evolution positions intelligent automation as a game-changer in optimizing business operations.
Key considerations for digital transformation leaders when applying automation
With all the new updates, it is crucial for digital transformation (DT) leaders to take proactive steps for their businesses. Here are some key actions to consider:
Prioritize employee training
McKinsey states that companies investing in workforce training are 1.5 times more likely to successfully adopt new technologies. This highlights the critical role of employee development in digital transformation. As new technologies and tools are integrated into the workplace, DT leaders need to ensure that employees are adequately trained. This boosts the chances of successful adoption, enhances overall productivity, reduces resistance to change, and helps maintain a smooth transition.
Sustainability consideration
Sustainability has become an essential focus for companies aiming for long-term success. Automation plays a key role in achieving sustainability goals by optimizing processes and reducing waste, which in turn helps lower greenhouse gas emissions. Automated systems streamline operations, leading to more efficient energy use and fewer emissions. According to a report from the Carbon Trust, automation can reduce carbon emissions by up to 15% in manufacturing industries.
However, these positive outcomes can only be realized if companies choose the right solutions, genuinely effective ones. Using the wrong automation tools can complicate processes, increase energy use, and harm the environment. DT leaders must choose sustainable solutions that align with operational and environmental goals.
Focused on addressing pain points
Logistics and manufacturing automation thrives on personalization, with each system being specifically developed to suit a company’s unique business model. Trinetix recommends designing automation solutions to fit each business’s unique needs, whether for retail logistics or third-party providers. These solutions account for fleet size, warehouse capacity, routes, and geographic coverage, ensuring platforms align with the company’s objectives and deliver optimal benefits.
In short, it’s essential to focus on how it addresses critical pain points within the industry. Solutions like akaBot (FPT) exemplify this approach. Tailored to business needs, akaBot combines RPA with AI, Process Mining, OCR, IDP, Machine Learning, and Conversational AI. Serving clients across 21+ countries and 8 industries, including banking, retail, IT services, manufacturing, and logistics, akaBot provides a comprehensive automation solution. Businesses should consider this solution to optimize operations and achieve their goals.
Ready to be the lead in the new development of automation? Contact us now!
akaBot (FPT) is the operation optimization solution for enterprises based on the RPA (Robotic Process Automation) platform combined with Artificial Intelligence, Process Mining, OCR, Intelligent Document Processing, Machine Learning, Conversational AI, etc. Serving clients in 21+ countries, across 08 domains such as Banking & Finances, Retail, IT Services, Manufacturing, and Logistics…, akaBot is featured in “Voice of the Customer” for Robotics Process Automation” by Gartner Peer Insights, G2, and ranked as Top 6 Global RPA Platform by Software Reviews. akaBot also won the prestigious Stevie Award, The Asian Banker Award 2021, Everest Group’s RPA Products PEAK Matrix® 2023, etc.
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