Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems have long been the backbone of organizational operations. Today, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing these systems, ushering in a new era of intelligent automation and data-driven decision-making. AI enhances ERP capabilities by introducing machine learning algorithms (ML), natural language processing (NLP), and predictive analytics. As these technologies automate routine tasks and provide actionable insights, they increase efficiency and reduce operational costs.
Let’s review some of the key AI benefits leveraged in Infor Cloudsuite.
Key AI Technologies Used in Infor ERP
Machine Learning (ML)
Machine Learning (ML) enables ERPs to learn from historical data, allowing manufacturers to make proactive decisions and improve productivity, efficiency, and adaptability.
ERPs are equipped with centralized data management features, to streamline operations from production to supply chain. Some also offer industry-specific templates and rapid deployment options—significantly reducing setup time and complexity.
Infor AI provides a unified data platform with pre-configured micro-vertical templates designed for equipment manufacturers, reducing some implementations to under 90 days. These platforms promote seamless integration and long-term support, making them valuable tools for all digital transformations.
Machine Learning also powers intelligent automation, allowing manufacturers to:
Machine Learning helps manufacturers become agile by quickly adapting to evolving customer needs and technology shifts. Whether it’s improving collaboration or making proactive business decisions, ML is a critical driver in the ERP landscape today.
Natural Language Processing (NLP)
Natural Language Processing (NLP) is a branch of AI that enables Infor ERPs to understand and respond to human language, interacting with software intuitively. They say ‘The best User Interface is no interface at all.’ By combining NLP with Machine Learning, ERP platforms automate routine decisions, suggest optimal next steps, and proactively identify and address potential operational issues. Improving user efficiency, reducing the need for manual intervention, and makes all systems more responsive to real-time business needs.
Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
Robotic Process Automation (RPA) automates repetitive, time-consuming tasks such as data entry, invoice processing, order management, and supplier onboarding. Through RPA, manufacturers will improve data accuracy, accelerate workflows, and free up skilled employees to focus on higher-value activities like innovation and process improvement. RPA also supports regulatory compliance by auto-applying standards across all vendors and partners. While digitizing critical documents and ensuring secure, centralized access to operational data. By blending RPA with ERPs, manufacturers boost productivity, reduce errors, enhance customer satisfaction, while creating an agile and scalable operation that is adapting to evolving business demands.
Generative AI
Generative AI (Gen AI) is becoming a life changer to ERPs. Gen AI is designed to increase productivity by automating content creation, summarization, translation, and intelligent data analysis. Gen AI can summarize, complex project data into executive-level reports, analyzing budget variances, and optimizing workforce scheduling. Gen AI also automates repetitive tasks like data entry, approvals, and document handling, freeing skilled labor to focus on higher-value work. ERPs leveraging generative AI tools contribute to faster decision-making, improved user experiences, and a more agile, future-ready workforce.
Real-World AI Applications with Infor ERP Customers
Combilift: World Class Forklift Manufacturer
Within only 60 days, the utilization of Gen AI in Parts Estimating within Infor Cloudsuite significantly improved operational efficiency. Combilift’s team spent most of their time, creating and embedding intelligent part numbering schemes. Now recommendations are automatically inputted into the workflow enabled faster, more accurate quoting.
The results have been very measurable:
- 30% increase in first-time fix rates
- 30% faster completion of service tasks
- 30% growth in revenue per transaction
- 40% reduction in overall service job costs
- 75% reduction in time required to identify related parts (from 20 minutes to 5)
- Higher customer satisfaction and referral rates due to reduced equipment downtime
- Greater onboarding efficiency with reduced training time for new staff
GMM Pfaudler: Corrosion Resistant Technologies
GMM Pfaudler’s planned operational optimization required improved data accuracy. With over 800,000 items needing manual review and updates to standardize and sometimes translates descriptions across multiple languages.
By leveraging Infor’s Gen AI, the organization accelerated its master data improvement efforts. Gen AI efficiently grouped related items and produced multilingual descriptions with consistency and increasing accuracy. These enhancements support better inventory control, improved pricing strategies, and faster quote generation.
Key outcomes included:
- Significant time savings: Infor AI Project implementation went live in under 6 months, compared to an estimated 7.6 years if they had not implemented Infor AI
- Increased productivity: By automating the data analysis process efficiency experienced a 95% boost
- Cost reduction: 5% decrease in over all inventory costs, resulting in saving millions
Infor’s Gen AI played a pivotal role in transforming GMM Pfaudler’s data accuracy challenge into a strategic and competitive advantage.
Endries International: OEM Fastener
As operations grew over the past three years, Endries faced the challenge of keeping workforce growth in line even though they had increasing customer demands. Endires prioritized AI to automate repetitive tasks, allowing skilled employees to be more strategic and leveraged their skills to accommodate more challenging tasks. This led to the rollout of several Robotic Process Automation (RPA) initiatives each improving efficiency while improving the employee experience.
Endries previously lacked a standardized tracking process. As a result, nearly 20% of customer commitments were unresolved, contributing to significant inventory holding costs and inevitably customer dissatisfaction. This RPA use case targeted the management of Inventory Commitment Forms (ICF). By centralizing ICF documents and utilizing searchable metadata, Endries was able to:
- Fully close outstanding commitments, saving millions in inventory carrying costs
- Save 1,200 hours annually in document management
- Achieved all results in under one month
Another AI automation effort focused on digitizing Proof of Delivery (PoD) documents. Previously, both their customers and employees experienced delays due to paper-based filing and especially with the complexity of documents containing multiple orders. With RPA, PoDs are now electronically stored and indexed for instant retrieval using order, customer, or part number references.
With over 5,000 PoD documents handled each year, the company gained immediate improvements:
- 50% increase in document filing efficiency
- 96% faster response time to customer inquiries
- Annual time savings of approximately 260 hours, previously spent on inefficient and error prone manual document handling
These RPA use cases reduced operational burdens, improved customer service and more meaningful employee engagement across the organization.
Grossfillex: High-End Furniture Manufacturer
A manufacturer of high-end outdoor furniture recognized the importance of emerging technologies to remain competitive in a mature and quality-driven market. By automating artificial intelligence (AI) into its core operations, Grossfillex improved accuracy and speed of several manual processes. The result was more personalized product offerings and enhanced service delivery to both dealers and end customers.
In under 90 days, automating AI tools contributed to outstanding business results:
- 10% revenueincrease through expanded product offerings guided by AI-driven customer profitability analysis
- 5% growth in gross margin by using AI insights to fine-tune pricing strategies
- 83% boost in sales productivity, achieved by applying AI to grade thousands of customer accounts and predict future demand
- Enhanced customer satisfaction and higher revenue, thanks to AI-powered product recommendations that suggested immediate alternatives for out-of-stock items
- 86% faster customer activation and improved delivery performance through automated and self guided workflow
This strategic use of AI automation enabled Grosfillex to exceed evolving customer expectations and positioned Grosfillex for sustainable and profitable growth. You can do it too!
Conclusion
Artificial Intelligence is no longer a future add-on—it’s a transformative force that is reshaping the way ERP systems operate today. From machine learning and natural language processing to robotic process automation and generative AI, these technologies are driving efficiency, enhancing decision-making, and enabling smarter, faster business operations. As seen through real-world applications from manufacturers like Combilift, GMM Pfaudler, Endries, and Grosfillex, AI is helping organizations reduce costs, boost productivity, and deliver better customer experiences. Whether you're optimizing data quality, automating back-office processes, or accelerating sales workflows, integrating AI into your ERP ecosystem isn’t just an upgrade—it’s a strategic move toward innovation, agility, and sustained growth. Now is the time to unlock the full potential of AI in your ERP journey.
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