Supply Chain World Volume 11, Issue 4 August 2024 | Page 20

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
It ’ s no secret that supply chains are changing , and this is in no small part due to the constant evolution of ERP , which continues to push boundaries for supply chain operations . The integration of AI into ERP systems has delivered what Epicor refers to as ‘ Cognitive ERP .’ This new standard makes AI enhancements seamless for users , empowering them to interact with ERP and companion products using plain language . By freeing employees from mundane , repetitive tasks , Cognitive ERP enables them to focus on more strategic and creative work- -driving greater efficiency and productivity across the entire supply chain .
The evolution of Cognitive ERP
By incorporating AI , Cognitive ERP systems provide a comprehensive platform that streamlines back-office tasks , boosts productivity , and offers real-time operational visibility . By serving as a single source of truth , these systems facilitate seamless information flow and decision making across departments .
A notable advantage of Cognitive ERP is its user-centric design . Workers no longer need to navigate complex interfaces or learn specialized coding ; they can communicate their needs in natural language . By reducing the complexity of interactions with ERP systems , Cognitive ERP enables a more agile and adaptive workforce , capable of responding swiftly to changing market demands and operational challenges as they arise .
Contextual intelligence
Thanks to Cognitive ERP , the future of these systems is not just about managing transactional business processes as a system of record , but about delivering contextual intelligence through industry-focused platforms , cloud technologies , and peoplecentric AI capabilities , as a system of action .
Cognitive ERP offers significant advancements for supply chain management . These systems provide optimized instructions and real-time updates , using AI-driven insights to allocate resources efficiently , reduce downtime , and enhance reliability by predicting hazards and suggesting preventative measures .
They enable forecasting of potential logistics disruptions by analyzing sensor data and historical records , enabling proactive management to manage challenges and minimize costs .
A system of action
To fully appreciate the potential of Cognitive ERP , we need to examine real-world applications across industries :
Logistics These systems are revolutionizing logistics operations by providing real-time visibility into the movement of goods . By integrating data from IoT
20