How AI Agents Are Transforming ERP for Smarter, Data-Driven Decisions

By 2027, Gartner predicts that one-third of agentic AI implementations will combine agents with different skills to manage complex tasks within application and data environments.

We are already seeing the rapid development of AI agents in ERP systems, which remain the backbone of modern business operations, automating the core functions. An AI agent is your very own digital assistant, designed to use artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse data, and use this data to carry out actions that streamline business processes and enhance decision-making. The capabilities of these AI agents in ERP systems are constantly evolving  – but how can they really help improve your business operations?

This blog will outline the key benefits of using AI agents within ERP systems, demonstrate best practices for implementing them in your business, and explain how this can help your organisations prepare for the future.

The Key Benefits of AI agents in ERP systems

Improve decision making with real-time and predictive insights!

Previously, financial reports would require significant time and manual effort, sometimes delaying information being delivered in the time frame requested. AI agents can generate reports in minutes by instantly analysing the live, up to date business data. This allows business leaders to respond decisively to changes as they happen. Additionally, powered  by large language models (LLMs), organisations can now take a proactive approach by using historical and real-time data to identify trends and predict future performance. 

Enhancing user experience through conversational interfaces

With the help of Natural Language Processing (NLP), which enables digital devices to understand, interpret, and generate human-like language, AI agents eliminate the need to navigate complex menus or run manual queries. Users can now simply ask questions like, “Show me an overall dashboard of company financial performance comparing this calendar year to last calendar year”, and receive an answer often within seconds of asking. This enables employees to work more efficiently, making ERP systems feel like a smart assistant that drives productivity.  

Reducing errors and manual work

Manual data entry in ERP systems is time-consuming and repetitive, often leading to human error that can impact financial accuracy. AI agents automate tasks such as purchase approvals, financial forecasting, and invoice processing – freeing up your team to focus on value-adding tasks, improving overall productivity and removing repetitive work.

Detect anomalies and prevent fraud

Using historical data analysis, AI agents proactively detect anomalies by identifying inconsistent patterns and flag potential fraud activity before it escalates. By comparing real-time transactions against historical data in your ERP system, AI agents can quickly identify issues such as duplicate payments or suspicious supplier changes. This allows your business to remain compliant, avoiding any costly mistakes.

Best Practices for Implementing AI Agents Into Your Business

Start small

Rather than implementing AI across every ERP function at the same time, start gradually by introducing simple, lower-risk AI-driven tasks such as automated reporting and predictive analytics. This approach will help you build a team of internal experts, identify what works well and what needs improvement, and refine processes accordingly. Taking these small steps to ensure a smoother transition to AI adoption and minimises disruption within the business.

Train your employees

User confidence and understanding are key when implementing into your business. Training your team ensures they know how to interact with AI features, such as which prompts to use to get the information they require. This not only improves performance once the AI has been adopted but also maximises return on investment by ensuring employees can use the AI tools effectively in their role.

Ensure data quality and governance

AI agents rely on accurate data within the ERP system to be able to deliver real-time insights and automate processes effectively. If the data you have is inconsistent or poor quality, the AI agent will not be able to provide accurate predictions, which could lead to costly decisions. Therefore, creating a reliable governance foundation with regular audits and clear ownership, will reduce risk and improve compliance.  

AI agents within ERP systems are becoming increasingly advanced. While they won’t replace your ERP, AI agents will continue to evolve and transform how we use and interact with these systems - enhancing traditional tools within leading platforms such as NetSuite and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. They are becoming increasingly advanced and invaluable to the way we work, driving significant improvements in productivity and efficiency and they will only continue to improve.

If you would like to learn more about the AI features within NetSuite or Business Central, get in touch with our expert team today!

In the meantime, watch our NetSuite vs Business Central series, where we provide an unbiased perspective on the AI features of both systems here!