Going Beyond ERP - Artificial Intelligence based Business Applications

In my last blog, I discussed how digital complacency could put your business at risk and how technological change is fast outpacing businesses ability to adapt.

This trend continues its relentless pursuit to consume those whom choose to answer today’s questions with yesterday’s thinking. Furthermore, as we move into 2017 yet another transformational technology is redefining the industry and it has the potential to change everything.

Machine Learning is a type of artificial intelligence (AI) that provides computers with the ability to learn without being explicitly programmed. Machine learning focuses on the development of computer programs that can teach themselves to grow and change when exposed to new data. This combined with advancements in real time in-memory analysis of both structured and unstructured data inside and outside the enterprise, the possibilities fueled by machine learning are endless.

Computers have historically suffered from a key limitation – they must follow the rules inherent in their design.

But as with mother nature, evolution has created machines that can now see, read, listen, understand, interact and most importantly, adapt.

Machine learning is not a new concept, but with recent improvements in hardware, low cost of computing memory, combined with the explosion of big data, it has gained renewed momentum making concepts like deep learning algorithms (cognitive computing) as well as supervised and unsupervised learning highly viable and in-turn, making it easier for machines to learn.

The Benefits of Machine Learning & AI

Business Process Acceleration

With AI based business processes, typical bottlenecks and workflow inefficiencies associated with handling exceptions or erroneous transactions can be eliminated, optimising traditional product and service offerings – in-turn greatly reducing back-office costs and improving TCO.

New Insight

One of the most exciting uses for machine learning is to understand patterns in Big Data. As more data is collected and analysed, predictions will improve, giving organizations insights previously not achievable through human endeavors. The impact this real time 360-degree decision support will have on executive decision making will be game changing.

Better Business Outcomes

Human error, quality and relevance of information, combined with the high cost of rework and poor decision making has forever been a struggle for business.  Machine learning has proven to eliminate these challenges through highly automated processes with little or no reliance on human intervention.

The Future of Enterprise Resource Planning

As we look forward to the future, machine learning will have a defining impact on every business in every industry. To truly understand the value of an integrated AI and enterprise resource planning platform, organizations must revisit their technology strategies and road maps to ensure their business doesn’t fall behind on the evolutionary scale.

Learn more about machine learning at the upcoming SAP Art of the Possible 2017 roadshow across Australia and New Zealand.