This idea came to my mind just starting this new year. After reading a Gartner's research reporting, organisations struggle to generate ROI supporting sets of specialised and isolated AI projects (see this LinkedIn post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/francesco-mataloni_ai-dataops-modelops-activity-6752131020398616576-4Yrl) the concept flowered.
Doubtless, Artificial Intelligence will agitate the future of most of the software. We all know that its first application is to cut out the most repeatable operations. Alternatively, we also know that ERP hosts countless areas where the users repeat the data entry mechanically.
What is more appetible for an AI development than remediation to repeatable data insertion in an ERP?
A layer of Artificial Intelligence in between the user and ERP represents the maximisation of its real potential.
It looks like a huge step forward for the ERP world. A new generation change. Necessary though.
Picture this: an automatic priority selection substitutes the current reporting, sorting, and filtering procedures. It can be applicable for prospects, debt collection, and customer care.
Imagine the AI progresses for you the statuses of an order that becomes an invoice and then delivery of items. The action required from the user is only to confirm the proposed changes.
Today, a customer care employee searches for each incident the possible solution among the historical data and all the documentation. Tomorrow, AI proposes the answers during the fulfilling of incident data and even sorted by the probability of matching.
The user should not complete any more tedious activities. This automation can (at least) double the productivity and the joy in all the other aspects of the job. Imagine that all the departments would grow in the company because every mechanic operation is automated and people can concentrate on their principal tasks.
In summary, the scope should be implementing a broader vision and think for a collective solution—a shared benefit.
A magnificent vision of someone who believes in innovation. It seems hard to achieve, but really it's the opposite. Actually, it is an application of common sense over daily work.
What do you think of this perspective? Has this intrigued you too? Where do you think we will see the first utilisation?
Or maybe, have you already implemented Artificial Intelligence automation on your ERP? I'd love to hear about your experiences of what has worked and what hasn't!
Have you joined the ERP Community yet?
Membership is free!
Comments
Potential for new technologies like AI, ML, RPA and IIOT to integrate with ERP is tremendous. This article touches only the tip of the iceberg. AI can not only ease data entry, the full power of AI is in its predictive capability. Imagine when you enter a Sales Order against a customer the system throws you a message that 'The collection period from this customer is becoming adverse. You might want to charge a late payment penalty on this customer'. The performance efficiency will explode exponentially. Nice article. Thank you for writing this.