Zebra Technologies, producer of market-leading warehouse technology, has recently released their 2025 study into the state of tech evolution in the warehousing industry. The study, commissioned by Zebra and conducted by Azure Knowledge Corporation, surveyed over 1,700 key players—front-line associates and high-level decision-makers—across the manufacturing, retail, transportation, and logistics sectors worldwide; and it’s chock-full of exciting insights and strategies to help you keep your operations ahead of the curve.
A recording of Zebra’s webinar unveiling the study is available here.
Technological Innovation: The Formula for High-Performance
One of the clearest takeaways from the study was the importance of investing in and improving technology to keep up with ever-shifting demands. 87% of decision-makers agreed that without investing in technology to improve warehouse operations, their organisations would fail to meet their objectives, and 84% said new technology is essential to remain competitive.
Warehousing, logistics, and factory operations face routine but significant challenges—human error, staff safety, labour shortages—that can be significantly mitigated or even eliminated through the use of the right tech.
74% of associates report spending too much time on tasks that could be automated
71% of decision-makers cite mitigating errors as the top driver for warehouse automation
80% of associates say out-of-stocks and inventory inaccuracy are significant challenges impacting productivity
83% of associates agree their facility requires better inventory management tools to ensure accuracy and availability
Front-Line Workers’ Growing Affinity for Tech
Historically, front-line staff have often seen technology as the enemy—but no longer. A recurring theme throughout the study was ground-level enthusiasm for innovation: 85% of associates said that the increased use of technology and automation helps boost frontline productivity.
89% of associates report feeling more valued when provided with technology tools and automation
93% of associates agree that new technologies are essential for attracting and retaining talent
78% of associates prefer employers who provide modern devices over those with outdated or no devices
Most decision-makers surveyed acknowledged the importance of staff input and buy-in: 91% reported they involve associates in decisions related to automating workflows to ensure acceptance.
Unlocking Warehouse Precision
Often when we think of warehouse automation, we picture automated picking systems or self-driving forklifts—but, for most, it’s actually all about the data. 84% of decision makers agree if operational visibility is improved, more decisions can be automated for better staff and asset utilisation.
50-70% of decision-makers are planning to invest in some form of AI (machine learning, predictive analytics, or generative AI) in the next 5 years: potential applications include hazard detection, quality control, and inventory needs forecasting. But AI needs data to work with, so gathering it is key. One of the most popular technologies gaining traction is Radio Frequency Identification (RFID): 59% of decision-makers said they plan to implement RFID technology within the next five years.
The Road Ahead
When looking at the myriad options for business process improvement, it’s not always clear how to proceed. 62% of decision makers admitted they don’t know where to start when it comes to automation—but 73% agreed that the costs of investment outweighed the risks. So where should you start?
If you’re one of the 59% of decision-makers considering RFID as your next step, we at TEC-RFID are here to help. Our expert technical specialists would be happy to offer a free consultation to see how the introduction of RFID asset management or inventory tracking can benefit your business.