How Autonomous ERP Can Help Your Business Thrive

In olden times, “laundry day” really did take up a whole day. You had to scrub each article of clothing, one by one, in a wash basin, rinse them, and then hang them out to dry. Even then, you couldn’t really relax — you had to keep your eye on the sky in case the weather started to turn. Thankfully, automatic washers and dryers came along, moving most of the process to the background and allowing people to spend more time on other things.  

ERP systems are making a similar leap forward. Repetitive tasks that used to take hours out of someone’s week can now be performed by AI tools in a tiny fraction of the time with far fewer errors, freeing humans to focus on higher-value tasks. Autonomous ERP will soon be as ubiquitous as the automatic washer/dryer, and the SMBs that start adopting it now will gain a major edge over the competition. 

What is Autonomous ERP? 

Autonomous ERP is an advanced ERP system that can operate with minimal human intervention. However, unlike traditional automation, these systems aren’t following rigid rules and workflows; they’re learning, improving, and even making decisions.  

For example, Microsoft Dynamics 365 can now use Microsoft Copilot and automated Virtual Agents to optimize operations without manual data entry or really needing much more than being pointed in the right direction. And thanks to machine learning, over time, they don’t even need that.  

Unlike traditional ERPs, which are essentially reactive — a way to process and document transactions that have already happened or been agreed to — automated ERPs are predictive, synthesizing historical data to anticipate challenges and opportunities and offer recommendations for how to act accordingly.  

In the past, even the best ERP systems could sometimes feel like puzzles that end-users needed to solve on their own. Now, most of those puzzles can solve themselves, and when there’s a high-value task that needs a human to perform it, the software can serve as a consultant. Natural language processing allows for conversational AI in ERP, such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 with Cortana Intelligence, which means that users can ask the software questions about what to do next and get actionable answers.  

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Business Benefits of Autonomous ERP 

By adopting autonomous ERP technology to intelligently automate repetitive and complex business processes, you can: 

• Tangibly improve efficiency and productivity while making your human workers happier. Companies that implement AI in their operations see 2.4 times more productivity than those that don’t, according to research from Accenture. And that leads to 2.5 times more revenue growth. 

• Reduce manual entry and the errors that come with it. Repetition makes people tired and more prone to errors. Automated ERP solutions have no such issue. 

• Reduce costs. You won’t need to hire and manage teams that mostly do data entry anymore, and your other teams can get leaner, too. In other words, you’ll be able to do more with less.  

• Get real-time updates and visibility on inventory and the supply chain. For example, the advanced capabilities of Microsoft Dynamics 365 helped Visual Comfort & Co., a high-end lighting designer and manufacturer, improve their order accuracy and delivery forecasting.  

• Be more resilient. The proactive nature of autonomous ERPs allows companies to better anticipate disruption in a world that is increasingly disruptive.   

• Make better decisions. AI-powered ERPs can automatically generate customer reports to help your sales team suggest more relevant products and strengthen relationships. In fact, the advanced analytical abilities of autonomous ERP can help you improve decision-making in every area of your business. 

Why SMBs Should Embrace Autonomous ERP 

As lofty as it sounds, autonomous ERP is a good solution for businesses of every size. Thanks to innovative companies like Microsoft making AI more accessible to everyone, small- and medium-sized businesses can stand to benefit greatly from implementing autonomous ERP solutions. SMBs can leverage this tech to be more competitive, optimize operations, and drive growth in an increasingly digital business environment.  

Of course, it helps to have a technology partner guide the way. At Enavate, we’ve helped hundreds of SMBs embrace innovation over the years, and autonomous ERP is no different. Reach out to our expert team today to learn how we could help your company take advantage of autonomous ERP. 

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