Scott Hebert, the Americas Chief Revenue Officer for SYSPRO, a provider of industry-built enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, discusses the transformative impact of generative AI in the enterprise technology space. With nearly three decades of experience, Hebert identifies generative AI as the most significant wave of innovation in his career, surpassing previous advancements like client-server technology and the public cloud. Nvidia, a major player in the GPU market, experienced a significant increase in net income following the release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, highlighting the growing importance of AI in the business world.
The integration of generative AI into ERP platforms presents new opportunities for businesses to enhance their operations. While predictive AI has been used for forecasting and maintenance in ERPs, the addition of generative AI allows for more advanced capabilities. This includes the ability for end-users to communicate with the platform using ordinary language, making it easier to obtain insights and reports from the system. By leveraging generative AI, decision-makers can request recommendations from the ERP on key actions to take in various scenarios, improving decision-making processes.
Generative AI in ERP systems can lead to significant productivity gains by automating tasks such as report generation and data analysis. The technology has the potential to organize and summarize large volumes of unstructured data quickly and efficiently, saving time and resources for businesses. While implementing generative AI in ERP may require some training on specific data sets, the benefits in terms of efficiency and accuracy far outweigh the initial investment.
As businesses navigate the hype surrounding generative AI, Hebert advises caution and careful evaluation of ERP solutions claiming to incorporate AI capabilities. He recommends working with ERP vendors that specialize in specific industries to ensure that the platform is tailored to the organization’s needs. Additionally, seeking customer references from companies similar to yours who have successfully implemented generative AI in ERP can provide valuable insights. Consulting with experts in generative AI, ERP, and your industry can help in selecting the right platform that adds real value to your business.
In conclusion, Hebert emphasizes the importance of looking for AI capabilities in ERP that address specific business challenges rather than being swayed by marketing hype. As the role of AI in ERP continues to evolve, businesses can benefit from leveraging generative AI to improve decision-making, automate tasks, and optimize operations. By taking a cautious and strategic approach to adopting generative AI in ERP, organizations can unlock new opportunities for growth and performance.
