Business Automation and Software Blog

Many years ago, when AI first made headlines, manufacturers wondered if it was a passing fad. The rapid advancements made in AI models and natural language processing have answered that question and raised new ones. Now, we’re not talking about whether or not we need AI in manufacturing and AI for ERP, but which platform is better and what the AI model can do for the business. It’s become more of a conversation about exploring the possibilities and how AI can give manufacturers a competitive advantage.

A modern ERP manufacturing system is likely to include an artificial intelligence (AI) component. You’ve probably read about how AI within an ERP manufacturing system enables it to perform tasks, send reminders, route invoices, and run reports automatically.

However, what you aren’t reading about is that the current “AI sprawl,” or proliferation of AI within platforms, can lead to

A good warehouse management system improves order fulfillment in many ways.

As a manufacturer or distributor, you know that both accuracy and efficiency are important for order fulfillment. Competitors aren’t just others in your industry; customers who are used to the “Amazon” effect expect products to always be in stock and shipped lightning-quick.

I saw a statistic this week that made me stop in my tracks. The article I read said that if manufacturers reduced inventory mistakes by just 4%, they could gain over $400,000 annually in each warehouse location.

I mean, think about it. How much are you losing to inventory mistakes?

Syspro puts a value to each inventory mistake of $50 to $500 per mistake. If you assume that one employee makes just 10 mistakes a day, that’s $500 to $5,000 per day.

One question I hear frequently from our manufacturing clients is, “Do you think ERP software is worth it?”

Yes, investing in a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) software system can be expensive. For manufacturers currently using spreadsheets or small business software to handle their accounting needs, it can feel like a lot. Add to that the amount of time and resources devoted to moving to an ERP, and, well, it can leave you questioning whether it’s worth it or not.

Are you getting the most out of your Syspro system—or are you allowing teams to set up shadow systems?

Shadow systems are real. It’s when someone on the shop floor decides that the ERP is too hard to learn, so they set up a spreadsheet to track their numbers. Then someone else decides they need a special report, so they begin pulling data files from the ERP and running them through spreadsheets to create a graph. Pretty soon, managers notice how many special spreadsheets there are and ask, “What’s the problem?”

ERP trends for 2026 include AI-driven Business Process Management (BPM) to make ERPs smarter and better than ever. Many manufacturers rely on their ERP as the backbone of operations and production. Thanks to AI-driven Business Process Management (BPM), the system you already depend on is evolving into something far more powerful and far more helpful.

Is it finally time to get a 'real' ERP system, an ERP manufacturing system that ties together your shop floor, your inventory, your financials, and your customer orders? However, questions arise in your mind. Should you go with one of the big generic platforms and customize it to fit your company’s needs, or should you buy something built specifically for manufacturers?

When Syspro ERP announced its rebrand on a digital board in Times Square, it wasn't just about a fresh logo. For a company that's historically kept a lower profile compared to giants like SAP and Oracle, going big in Times Square signals something more interesting: the ERP market is changing, and Syspro is betting on where it's going.

The rebrand highlights three major shifts in the ERP landscape: vertical specialization, cloud modernization, and closer alignment with how manufacturers actually work. Let's unpack what's really going on here.

Did you know that an ERP can help bring down workplace silos? You know the ones—the ones that are keeping your departments from communicating. The ones causing bottlenecks. If your departments are working in their own little bubbles, it’s making things way harder than they need to be.