Latest news with #Infor
Forbes
22-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The Supply Chain Evolution: How To Deploy AI Successfully
Anise Madh is GM of Global Infor Practice at Wipro, a global leader in e-commerce and mobile solutions for Infor CloudSuite ERP M3 and LN. AI is revolutionizing employee resource planning (ERP) systems and supply chain operations by making them more intelligent, predictive and autonomous. Because of its growing role in day-to-day business, AI is much more than an add-on; for many companies, it's becoming the backbone of supply chain management. While challenges and roadblocks still exist, the rollout and nuances of AI applications are prompting a shift in how companies think and operate. To stay ahead, companies must adopt innovative approaches that streamline processes and improve operations throughout the supply chain. Knowing this, the question isn't if you should adopt AI but how you can lead the charge. Being a trailblazer means being willing to explore this tool's full potential, experiment boldly and rethink what's possible. Addressing AI-Related Deployment Challenges When rolling out AI, it's important for companies to consider the hurdles they might face, including these three potential challenges. For some AI and generative AI tools, a lack of clarity exists around the inputs the software requires to perform its capabilities. AI's opacity, often referred to as the "black box" problem, stems from the complexity of its neural networks. Data fed into these systems passes through layers of hidden nodes, performing thousands of computations that are largely inscrutable. This uncertainty is precisely why AI must operate under human oversight, with clear guardrails to define its appropriate use. As Boston Consulting Group noted, human supervision is essential to managing the risks associated with generative AI, but it isn't enough on its own. It must be paired with thoughtful design and well-defined processes that help people detect and de-escalate issues when they arise. While continued economic uncertainty, policy changes and market fluctuations impact far more than just AI implementation, they do play a large part in how successful this tech rollout may be. Take a look at the ups and downs of the market from recent trade wars. Plus, other potential challenges like natural disasters and supplier issues remain. AI's predictive models can struggle to account for uncommon or rapidly evolving events, which could lead to gaps in forecasting accuracy and delayed response strategies. Organizations can incorporate flexible contingency strategies to help with this. For example, a flexible contingency strategy might include a diversified supply chain with backup vendors in various regions. Coupled with AI-based scenario planning, this tactic can help companies respond to natural disasters, policy changes or supplier challenges. Pre-vetted alternatives and adaptive workflows help businesses pivot quickly during unforeseen circumstances. By combining AI capabilities with proactive risk management, organizations can better navigate market fluctuations and maintain operational reliability in an increasingly complex global landscape. Another potential roadblock is having the right team in place for implementation, both internally and externally, and identifying who will run point on ongoing fine-tuning and maintenance of the AI models after deployment. Bain & Company found 44% of executives surveyed lack in-house AI expertise, which is slowing its adoption. Overlooking who runs AI leads to challenges with ownership and managing time-sensitive updates or fixes. Addressing this means bringing in or developing people who truly understand AI, can question its outputs and spot issues like hallucinations or bias before they become problems. Without this level of talent, businesses risk losing control over their AI systems, which can compromise reliability and performance as well as trust from stakeholders. Best practices and guardrails are also crucial for maintaining strong AI governance. Strategies like requiring chain-of-thought explanations from AI tools help enhance transparency and accountability. What's more, establishing well-thought-out verification processes ensures AI insights effectively support decision making. Ultimately, overcoming challenges and ensuring sustained success with AI requires skilled human oversight and strong governance measures that extend well beyond an organization's initial implementation. Bridging Today's Capabilities With Tomorrow's Innovations I believe AI's role in the supply chain is poised for a significant transformation, evolving from a decision-support tool to a more autonomous platform capable of proactively recommending actions across areas such as forecasting, planning and delivery. As AI continues to evolve, I expect organizations to lean on it more to simplify day-to-day operations, cut down on repetitive manual tasks and boost accuracy in forecasting and planning. This shift toward AI-driven decision making will reshape conventional supply chain management approaches. It could also pave the way for smarter and more adaptable logistics strategies. Businesses can start by trialing one or two high-impact AI integrations, like demand forecasting or logistics optimization, and gradually expand their scope. Doing so can allow them to modify their AI implementations while addressing the challenge of building a talent pipeline. The key is to prioritize strategic AI adoption. Companies may also consider using cloud-based advancements to integrate current capabilities with future innovations. Final Thoughts There's no doubt that AI's integration into supply chain management and logistics operations is reshaping business. Whether it's helping to redesign processes or improve how industry leaders forecast and make decisions, AI is helping boost efficiency, accuracy and agility. These tools can help companies anticipate disruptions by streamlining operations and providing elevated insights to inform decision making in an increasingly complex world. The journey isn't without its hurdles, but they are also signs that it's time to evolve. Roadblocks are opportunities for improvement, and companies integrating AI into their ERP and supply chain operations wisely can position themselves for lasting competitive success. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Techday NZ
10-07-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Infor expands AWS alliance to boost generative AI for industry
Infor has expanded its collaboration agreement with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to support the accelerated adoption of generative artificial intelligence (AI) among their joint customers. The new agreement builds on Infor's decade-long involvement as a member of the AWS Partner Network, and aims to strengthen the firm's integration with AWS's technology solutions and increase accessibility, including through AWS Marketplace. Industry focus The collaboration brings together Infor's experience in cloud-based business software across industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and food and beverage with AWS's cloud and generative AI capabilities. Infor currently delivers tailored functionality across more than 2,000 industry micro verticals, and the agreement will support co-innovation and co-selling initiatives targeting precisely configured solutions for specific industry segments. As Infor continues to adopt AWS's generative AI innovations, such as Amazon Bedrock, the company aims to enhance its ability to provide AI-driven solutions and insights that address unique operational challenges at the industry micro vertical level. These initiatives are intended to help organisations streamline operations and deliver customer experiences leveraging AWS's AI offerings. Infor also plans to use AWS Marketplace to expand its reach and allow more customers to simplify their software procurement processes. Through AWS Marketplace, Infor will integrate its cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions with AWS's cloud and AI services. This approach is designed to bolster scalability, security, and performance for customers, enabling quicker deployment of Infor solutions and supporting digital transformation. Recent achievements The collaboration has led to measurable business outcomes, with Infor reporting significant growth in its AWS Marketplace revenue - an increase of more than 900% from 2023 to 2024. There has also been a year-on-year increase of over 400% in joint co-sell launched deals during the same period. Infor has attained six AWS Competencies, which the company says demonstrates its expertise in delivering solutions powered by AWS and supporting organisations in their operational transformation efforts. Statements from stakeholders "Infor's collaboration with AWS reinforces our dedication to helping businesses harness the power of generative AI," said Jeanne Newberry, Senior Vice President, Ecosystems and Business Development, Infor. "Our focus is to provide industry-specific cloud solutions across thousands of micro verticals globally that facilitate seamless digital transformation. This collaboration enhances our capacity to deliver superior, industry-specific technological advancements, such as agentic AI, to maximise our customers' competitive differentiation." Customers are expected to benefit from the alliance as well. Elisabetta Venezia, Group Director, ERP System & Data Management at GMM Pfaudler, said, "The enhanced collaboration between Infor and AWS will be instrumental in driving innovation within our business. By leveraging Infor's deep industry expertise and AWS's advanced cloud and AI capabilities, we can access cutting-edge solutions that help us stay competitive in a fast-changing market. This collaboration empowers us to streamline operations, enhance decision-making, maintain good quality of data, and deliver better outcomes for our customers, ensuring we not only thrive today but are well-positioned for future growth." From AWS, Chris Grusz, Managing Director of Technology Partnerships, commented, "Over ten years of collaboration with Infor has proven that when AWS cloud capabilities meet specialised industry expertise, customers achieve remarkable outcomes. The 900% revenue growth in AWS Marketplace demonstrates the strong demand for Infor's offerings on AWS. This Strategic Collaboration Agreement enhances our approach by integrating AWS's generative AI technologies like Amazon Bedrock, enabling businesses across manufacturing, healthcare, and other industries to accelerate their digital transformation through AWS's secure, scalable infrastructure." Broader outlook Infor's expanded agreement with AWS is intended to support continued advancement in generative AI solutions across industries by leveraging both companies' combined strengths in cloud technology and sector-specific expertise. Growth in co-sell activity and AWS Marketplace revenue demonstrates increasing demand for such services as businesses undertake digital transformation efforts with an emphasis on cloud and AI-driven tools.
Techday NZ
10-07-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
AI needs us: Why human oversight is crucial for realising AI's potential
In the numerous debates currently raging around the future of AI, one element is often missing: the role of humans. Contrary to some beliefs, AI is not fully autonomous. It thrives under human oversight, which is essential for optimising its performance and realising the benefits that business leaders hope for. From pinpointing the most effective use cases for AI to managing AI models in production environments, human involvement is indispensable for success. Here's how. Human oversight: Exploring and validating AI AI adoption in Asia Pacific trails behind the global average, with only 15% of organisations in the region fully prepared to deploy and harness AI. Infor's latest study, How Possible Happens, also reveals that only just over one-tenth of APAC organisations use digital technology to automate repetitive, low-value tasks. One barrier is the identification of AI use cases, with many decision makers struggling to distinguish between valuable and incidental applications. To overcome this challenge, businesses need to tap into human knowledge and experience of AI. Viewing AI adoption as a dynamic, human-driven process tailored to specific business needs is key. After all, human judgement is critical for evaluating AI's value and identifying and prioritising applications based on organisational requirements. The language surrounding AI integration should emphasise this human-centric approach. Specifically, AI should be portrayed as a tool that empowers employees. It should be seen as a means to augment human capabilities, requiring human guidance and input, rather than as a replacement for the workforce. AI providers should proactively engage with customers to explore potential applications, initiating discussions, identifying client pain points, and demonstrating how AI solutions can effectively address these challenges. Human direction: Driving efficiency and service innovation The classic IT adage, 'garbage in, garbage out,' is particularly pertinent for AI. If the data used to train or operate a model is poor, the outcomes will be similarly lacking. Data scientists and engineers are crucial in ensuring data acquisition, cleansing and lifecycle management for AI applications. Their responsibilities include evaluating data quality, identifying appropriate datasets, and reviewing data governance practices. Should the data be substandard, AI experts may suggest improvements in data cleaning, structuring, or governance before proceeding. Even in production environments, human oversight is crucial for directing and controlling AI applications. For example, in process optimisation, AI and machine learning can reveal insights that humans can leverage to enhance efficiency. This scenario is a reversal from the training phase: AI now provides the data, while humans process this information by interpreting and acting on it to refine processes, innovate services, and enhance decision-making. We are fast approaching a world where humans and AI agents collaborate seamlessly to boost efficiency, but with humans still very much in the driving seat. Human responsibility: Maintaining and monitoring AI Many AI projects struggle to advance beyond the proof-of-concept stage, often due to insufficient maintenance resources. This underlines the need for continuous human involvement, not only to prevent model decay but also to guarantee the long-term success, adoption and scalability of AI initiatives. Change management is also a crucial part of its success. For instance, human oversight is indispensable to ensuring that AI models maintain their accuracy and relevance over time. This is especially vital in complex, evolving environments where data inputs and conditions can change. Similarly, human experts play a crucial role in monitoring the performance of AI models by identifying and addressing emerging issues that could hinder functionality or accuracy. Human context: European innovation and challenges Although the majority of AI technologies used today are developed in the US, European researchers make a substantial contribution to their development. With the EU AI Act, the bloc is also a regulatory leader and playing a crucial role in ensuring the responsible deployment of AI technologies. However, regulatory and administrative challenges can hinder innovation. In this context, human employees are crucial, with regulatory experts playing a vital role in helping businesses meet their compliance obligations while fostering an environment that supports AI development. Additionally, human oversight is essential to ensure the ethical development and deployment of AI, safeguarding both innovation and integrity. Human-centric AI AI holds great promise, but its models require care. Only with human oversight can this technology fulfil its potential to deliver the efficiencies promised. Furthermore, when humans maintain control, AI becomes a powerful tool that not only enhances their capabilities but also optimises workflows and fosters greater innovation.
Entrepreneur
17-06-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
BCIT Founder Elaborates on ERP's Expanding Role in Business Strategy and What That Means for Companies
You're reading Entrepreneur United Kingdom, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) has long been considered the backbone of business operations, integrating critical functions such as inventory management, procurement, production planning, and finance into a single system. Despite being an established technology, the ERP market continues to evolve, driven by emerging technologies, cloud adoption, and the need for more agile business operations. With a market size that will reach $147.7 billion in 2025 and an annual growth rate of 8% since 2022, ERP remains one of the most vital tools for modern enterprises navigating complex global supply chains. However, while ERP solutions evolve, so too do the challenges businesses face in implementing and maintaining these systems. Historically, businesses viewed ERP as a long-term investment—something implemented once and maintained for years, if not decades. However, that mindset is changing. "Many companies have held onto outdated ERP systems for too long, believing that upgrading would be costly or disruptive," says Branislav Chrastina, founder of BCIT, an ERP consulting firm specializing in Infor solutions. "But what we're seeing now is a shift with companies recognizing that staying competitive requires continuous adaptation." Branislav Chrastina Founder of BCIT One of the biggest drivers of this shift is the rise of cloud-based ERP. Traditionally, ERP implementations were highly customized and installed on-site, making upgrades complex and expensive. Today, multi-tenant cloud ERP solutions offer full functionality with lower upfront costs, faster updates, and built-in AI capabilities. This has significantly altered the competitive landscape, as businesses now weigh the benefits of flexibility against the perceived risks of moving critical operations to the cloud. "Infor has taken a strong position in the cloud ERP space," Branislav notes. "Unlike some providers that offer limited cloud functionality, Infor delivers a full-suite solution comparable to on-premise systems. That's a game changer for companies that need reliability without sacrificing innovation." Despite its benefits, ERP adoption is not without challenges. One of the biggest hurdles for companies implementing ERP is change management. Large organizations, especially those with fragmented systems and siloed departments, often struggle to unify their operations under a single ERP framework. Branislav shares an example of a company that they cater to, a global superalloy manufacturing firm. "They had multiple small, disconnected software packages running different parts of the business. The challenge wasn't just implementing ERP—it was changing the company's mindset to embrace a unified system. That's often the bigger hurdle," he says. Beyond cloud adoption, AI is reshaping how businesses interact with ERP software. From automating data entry to predicting supply chain disruptions, AI-enhanced ERP systems are enabling businesses to operate with greater efficiency and intelligence. According to Branislav, AI integration in ERP is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Companies that fail to leverage AI for demand forecasting, real-time analytics, and automated workflows risk inefficiencies that could cost them market share. Resistance to change, lack of internal expertise, and concerns over cost remain significant barriers. However, industry experts argue that businesses can no longer afford to delay ERP modernization. With increasing market competition and growing demands for real-time data insights, companies that lag behind in ERP adoption may find themselves unable to compete. BCIT has, therefore, prioritized ERP education among its team members. "We dedicate two hours each week to learning sessions focused on various ongoing subjects and their applications in ERP," Branislav explains. "We upskill ourselves to further help businesses make better decisions and operate more effectively." This emphasis on continuous learning is becoming a necessity across the industry. Consultants who specialize in ERP implementation often work on long-term projects, but the risk is that by the time one project is completed, the technology may have already advanced beyond their knowledge. "It's a real challenge," says Branislav. "If you spend two or three years on a single implementation without staying updated on new developments, you risk falling behind the market." The future of ERP, according to Branislav Charstina, will likely see even greater automation, deeper integration with machine learning algorithms, and a push toward real-time data analytics that can predict business trends before they happen. For businesses, the key takeaway is clear: ERP is not a static investment—it is a dynamic system that requires continuous evolution. Organizations that recognize this and proactively adapt to the changing landscape will not only survive but thrive in the digital era.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Algorhythm Holdings Appoints Ajesh Kapoor to its Board of Directors
Mr. Kapoor Brings more than 30 Years of Supply-Chain,Logistics Technology and Go-To-Market Leadership to the Board Fort Lauderdale, FL, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Algorhythm Holdings, Inc. ('Algorhythm') (NASDAQ: RIME) – an AI technology and consumer electronics holding company, today announced the appointment of Ajesh Kapoor to its board of directors effective May 19, 2025. Mr. Kapoor brings more than 30 years of logistics and supply chain technology innovation and leadership to the Company's Board. During his career, Ajesh has designed and implemented industry-leading supply chain and logistics solutions for several leading international companies. Mr. Kapoor is the Founder and CEO of SemiCab, an AI logistics and distribution business that was named a Gartner Cool Vendor in Supply Chain. Prior to that, Mr. Kapoor served as the Vice President of Product Management at GT Nexus, a division of Infor, the world's largest cloud-based B2B multi-enterprise network and execution platform for global trade and supply chain management. At GT Nexus, he transformed the TMS product line into a cloud-based multi-modal foundation that allows a single platform to orchestrate end-to-end, multi-continent transportation capabilities. GT Nexus was acquired by Infor in 2015 for $675M. Earlier in his career, Mr. Kapoor served as Global Head of Supply Chain Advisory Services at Wipro Technologies. There, he designed and implemented the supply chain services strategy for the company's Retail, CPG and Transportation Industry segments. He was also the Founder and Chief Technology Officer at GEOCOMtms, a division of Blue Yonder, where he developed and brought to market fleet management solutions that grew to be recognized as the industry leader. GEOCOMtms was acquired by RedPrairie Corporation (which later became Blue Yonder) in 2007. 'Ajesh has been a visionary in the logistics space for over three decades. He has a tremendous passion for building networks and technology platforms with a proven track record of building successful companies and teams from the ground up,' commented Gary Atkinson, CEO of Algorhythm Holdings. 'He has demonstrated his substantial expertise in this space since our acquisition of the US component of SemiCab's business in July 2024. We look forward to leveraging his expertise on a broader level to accelerate the transformation of our business.' About Algorhythm Holdings Algorhythm Holdings, Inc. is an AI technology and consumer electronics holding company with two primary business units – SemiCab and Singing Machine. SemiCab is an emerging leader in the global logistics and distribution industry. Since 2020, SemiCab has enabled major retailers, brands and transportation providers to address these common supply-chain problems globally. Its AI-enabled, cloud-based Collaborative Transportation Platform achieves the scalability required to predict and optimize millions of loads and hundreds of thousands of trucks. SemiCab uses real-time data from API-based load tendering and pre-built integrations with TMS and ELD partners to orchestrate collaboration across manufacturers, retailers, distributors, and their carriers. SemiCab uses AI/ML predictions and advanced predictive optimization models to enable fully-loaded round trips. With SemiCab's AI platform, shippers pay less and carriers make more without having to change a thing. For additional information, please go to: Singing Machine is the worldwide leader in consumer karaoke products. Based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and founded over forty years ago, it designs and distributes the industry's widest assortment of at-home and in-car karaoke entertainment products. Its product portfolio is marketed under both proprietary brands and popular licenses, including Carpool Karaoke and Sesame Street. Singing Machine products incorporate the latest technology and provide access to over 100,000 songs for streaming through its mobile app and select WiFi-capable products and is also developing the world's first globally available, fully integrated in-car karaoke system. Its products are sold in over 25,000 locations worldwide, including Amazon, Costco, Sam's Club, Target, and Walmart. For additional information, please go to Investor Relations Contact:investors@ Forward Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Any statement that is not historical in nature is a forward-looking statement and may be identified by the use of words and phrases such as "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "will," "will likely result," "will continue," "plans to," "potential," "promising," and similar expressions. These statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, including the risk factors described from time to time in Algorhythm's reports to the SEC, including, without limitation Algorhythm's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement, each of which applies only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release to conform our statements to actual results or changed expectations, or as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 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