LogiMAT Summit 2026 Why automation alone is no longer enough

Expectations of modern logistics systems are constantly increasing. Speed, transparency and flexibility are no longer differentiating features, but basic requirements.

Johann Zrenner put it in a nutshell:

"The best way for users to counter this is with automation. This requires not only hardware, but above all data. This must be well structured and interpreted in order to be useful," said Zrenner during the discussion.

This view was shared by other participants at the summit. Because the reality in many companies shows exactly that:
Investments in technology alone do not automatically lead to efficiency gains. It is the interplay between process design, data quality and system integration that determines the actual benefit.

In addition to efficiency, another aspect is coming into focus: predictability in uncertain times.

The discussion made it clear that companies are investing much more selectively today.
Solutions are needed that:

• grow with the business
• can be flexibly adapted
• and offer long-term investment security

The tenor from an industry perspective:

Systems must not only be powerful, but also robust in the face of change - both technologically and economically.

Scalability was no longer discussed as an optional feature at the summit, but as a fundamental requirement. Companies are faced with the challenge of preparing for scenarios that are not yet fully foreseeable.

The importance of automated logistics processes becomes particularly clear against the backdrop of an uncertain economic situation:

"The only thing that can be said with certainty at the moment is that the world is changing rapidly. Intralogistics managers would do well to prepare for this with scalable and automated solutions," says Nadine Despineux (Jungheinrich AG).

Markus Schlotter (Exotec Deutschland GmbH) also emphasized the customers' perspective:

"Companies need decision-making and investment security, no matter where the business is heading. Technology must always be scalable and quickly adaptable to changing needs."

This results in a clear consequence:
Rigid systems are becoming less relevant. Modular, adaptable architectures are in demand.

The use of artificial intelligence was also discussed intensively. The assessment: great potential is offset by a clear prerequisite.

AI can only unfold its benefits if it is embedded in functioning processes.

Prof. Dr. Johannes Fottner (TU Munich) warned:

"Artificial intelligence and co. are tools that we can use better and better, but they are not infallible. The focus should therefore always be on the process and the question of how it can be improved."

Or to put it another way:
Without stable processes, AI merely optimizes existing inefficiencies.

This shifts the focus:
The focus is not on the technology, but on the question of which specific problem is to be solved.

Looking to the future, the participants agreed that experimentation and pilot projects remain important. However, it is crucial to consistently scale up successful approaches and transfer them to regular operations. This is the only way to achieve sustainable benefits and strengthen the resilience of logistics in the long term.

The ability to transfer solutions to regular operations and operate them stably under real conditions is crucial.

From IGZ's point of view, the intralogistics of the future will be decided by one central question:

How well can processes, data and systems be integrated end-to-end?

This is often the biggest challenge in practice:

• heterogeneous system landscapes
• inconsistent data
• evolved processes

IGZ therefore pursues a clear approach:
Automation is not thought of in isolation, but is consistently developed from the process and the SAP system landscape.

In concrete terms, this means

• an end-to-end approach instead of isolated solutions
• clean data structures as a foundation
• Scalable SAP-based architectures
• focus on long-term operability, not just project implementation

The LogiMAT Summit 2026 made it clear:
Intralogistics is moving away from technology-driven individual initiatives towards integrated, data-driven overall systems.

The key success factors are

• well thought-out processes
• reliable data
• scalable system architectures

Automation and AI remain important building blocks - but their value only arises in the right overall context.

Are you planning to automate your logistics or are you facing the challenge of scaling existing systems?

IGZ supports you in integrating processes, data and SAP solutions in such a way that sustainable benefits are created - not only in the project, but also in ongoing operations.

Talk to us about your requirements.

To the detailed report on the LogiMAT Summit 2026 at LOGISTIK HEUTE.