Datalogic and the next era in logistics automation

Datalogic is a trusted technology partner for global leaders in courier, express, postal, and logistics services, supporting real-time data capture, management, and communication across logistics and intralogistics. As new solutions and technologies emerge, it is worth taking a closer look at what comes next. Fabio Chiocchetti, Global Logistics Automation Sales Executive Vice President, shares his insights.

Most readers will already be familiar with Datalogic, but could you briefly introduce the company?
Datalogic is an Italian publicly listed company with more than 2,700 employees across 30 countries. Founded over 50 years ago, we have evolved into a global leader in data capture and industrial automation solutions, including barcode readers, scanners, and mobile computers. Our portfolio also features advanced handheld scanners designed for fast and reliable manual operations across retail, warehousing, and logistics environments. With around 1,200 patents, we are recognized as a technology leader and a key player in our industry.

…with a focus on logistics and intralogistics, is that correct?
Yes, logistics and intralogistics are key markets for Datalogic. We work with a wide range of operators, including logistics providers, courier, express and postal companies, as well as airport and distribution hub operators. At the core of our offering is barcode reading. In this area, we offer a highly comprehensive portfolio, supported by AI-based algorithms that help ensure high performance and reliability in complex environments.

Building on this core capability, we complement our offering with intralogistics solutions, including sensors, safety systems, machine vision technologies, and mobile computing solutions. This allows us to support customers with end-to-end solutions across their operations, from automated systems to manual processes. In manual handling scenarios, our handheld scanners help operators accelerate picking, parcel verification, and assisted identification activities in fast-moving logistics environments.

Given your strong market position, what would you say sets Datalogic apart?
Customers choose Datalogic for the quality of our technologies, designed to deliver consistent results, robust operation, and long lifecycles. In addition, we deliver complete, end-to-end solutions that can be deployed as a “black box” within conveyor systems, for example to scan, weigh and dimensioning parcels for revenue recovery. These compact systems integrate multiple functions into a single solution, addressing a wide range of customer needs.

At the same time, we invest heavily in R&D, continuously enhancing our products, systems, and turnkey solutions with innovative features that deliver tangible value to our customers.

How do you ensure seamless integration between your software and the customer’s IT infrastructure?
We have proprietary Datalogic software that manages multiple components and integrates devices from third-party manufacturers. It is designed to ensure smooth connectivity with the customer’s host system, typically managed by an integrator or a material handling provider. To support this, we leverage our own dedicated controller and customize the software to enable data exchange and communication in line with each customer’s specific requirements.

How do you handle installation and service?
We manage installations on a global scale, across warehouses, logistics centers, airports, and hubs, through a combination of our teams and trusted partners. This includes feasibility studies, project management, and full project execution. For these activities, we rely on a global team of experienced field service engineers, ensuring consistent support wherever our customers operate.

That must be a challenge, especially with customers operating across different countries and facing strong international competition. Why do customers choose Datalogic?
Our long history, deep experience, global presence and solution systems approach allow us to compete globally. In logistics and intralogistics, customers choose Datalogic for the performance and reliability of our solutions, particularly in barcode reading, where accuracy and throughput are critical.

We offer one of the widest portfolios on the market, supported by a strong technical team, flexible and powerful software, and a continuous focus on innovation. This is complemented by fast, responsive customer service and a global footprint that enables us to assist large international customers wherever they operate, from Switzerland to the United States and Malaysia.

Can you tell us more about one of the new products you have recently introduced?
One example is the Matrix™ 830/930, a 2D reader featuring a 28 MP sensor that allows coverage of wide conveyor belts with a single device. This simplifies installation and improves overall system efficiency and throughput, as all information is captured from a single source. In addition, the reader goes beyond simple identification, providing information on the item’s dimensions and optical characteristics. This results in richer data, with AI supporting the identification process. These capabilities will be progressively extended to other products in our portfolio.

Looking ahead, how do you see Datalogic evolving?
Across logistics and intralogistics, the demand for data is increasing rapidly. Customers are looking for higher performance and more detailed information to improve their processes and make faster, more accurate decisions. This is driving a shift from standalone products to more complete solutions, where data capture plays a central role. In particular, track and trace capabilities are becoming increasingly important, as every item needs to be identified and monitored throughout its journey. In this context, digital twins are an enabling concept, supported by the continuous flow of data between physical objects and digital systems. This is the direction behind our latest developments, as we focus on delivering solutions that combine performance, data, and integration.

Looking at the hardware side of physical transport, which trends do you see?
AGVs and mobile robots will become progressively common, driving the need for more flexible and distributed data capture solutions. As operations move beyond traditional conveyor-based systems, identification technologies need to adapt to new environments and workflows. As this evolution unfolds, a wide range of technologies, including sensors and identification systems, plays a crucial role. We are well positioned to support this evolution and are already working with leading AGV and AMR manufacturers in this area.

When it comes to parcel identification, how will this change as AGVs become more common in logistics operations?
As logistics processes evolve, parcel identification needs to adapt to new, more dynamic configurations. With AGVs, items are no longer always moving along fixed conveyor lines, so identification must be possible from multiple perspectives and across different setups.

In addition to traditional conveyor-based systems, we are developing solutions that allow parcels to be identified and measured even when they are transported by AGVs. For example, reading tunnels can be used not only on conveyors, but also in scenarios where AGVs pass through dedicated reading stations. The objective remains the same: to reliably capture identification data and enrich it with more information, such as dimensions and other parameters, ensuring continuity of data across different types of transport systems.

Is this the future of parcel identification and intralogistics transport?
In some applications, this is already a reality. We have installations where these solutions are working successfully, including systems capable of reading multiple sides of a parcel or pallet and capturing data in real time. This information can then be combined with shipment and operational data to build a richer digital representation of the parcel or product and support more efficient processes. This is the direction the market is taking, and we are already providing the technologies to support it.

www.datalogic.com