SME Podcast: The Future of AI-Powered ERP and Finance Transformation
- Qubittron
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Artificial Intelligence has quickly moved from experimentation to expectation in enterprise technology conversations. Yet for many finance and operations leaders, AI still feels easier to talk about than to actually deploy.
In a recent episode of the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, Shubhendu Tripathi, Co- founder of Qubittron, joined the conversation to unpack what is really happening behind the scenes of AI powered ERP adoption and why many enterprise initiatives struggle to move beyond pilots.
This discussion goes beyond hype to explore how AI can become practical, trusted, and truly usable inside ERP systems, especially for finance teams handling sensitive data.
The AI Adoption Gap in Enterprise ERP
AI often looks impressive in demonstrations. Dashboards are polished, predictions appear instant, and automation promises are bold. But once enterprises attempt to integrate AI into real ERP environments, especially those handling financial data, challenges emerge quickly.
Common barriers include
Compliance and governance requirements that generic AI tools cannot meet
Long and complex implementation cycles
Limited integration with existing ERP systems
Restrictions tied to specific clouds, regions, or data centers
These challenges are not theoretical. They are the day to day realities finance and IT leaders face when trying to operationalize AI at scale.
Why AI Should Be a Copilot, Not an Autopilot
One of the most important themes from the podcast is the misconception that AI should function as an autopilot.
In reality, AI delivers the most value when it acts as a copilot.
Rather than replacing people, AI excels at:
Reading and processing massive volumes of ERP data
Identifying patterns and insights humans might miss
Reducing time spent on repetitive, manual tasks
Supporting faster and more confident decision making
This approach is especially critical in finance operations, where accuracy, oversight, and trust are non negotiable.
When positioned as a partner rather than a replacement, AI helps teams increase throughput, reduce fatigue driven errors, and focus on higher value work.
A Real World Example of AI in Finance Operations
During our podcast, we shared a real world example from a Fortune 500 organization.
Before AI automation
Three full time employees manually processed vendor invoices
Teams spent hours validating vendors, checking purchase orders, and entering data into ERP systems
Approximately 16 hours per week were consumed by repetitive finance tasks
After implementing Qubittron’s AI powered ERP automation
Invoice validation and PO matching were handled automatically
Finance teams reviewed summarized reports instead of raw data
Weekly effort dropped from 16 hours to roughly 1 hour per person
Error rates decreased and productivity increased
This example highlights how AI, when implemented correctly, can deliver measurable ROI while improving employee experience.
Why Governance and Trust Matter More Than Ever
For enterprise AI adoption to succeed, governance and trust must be built into the foundation.
Finance leaders are increasingly cautious about solutions that
Lock them into a single cloud provider
Introduce hidden technical debt
Create long term compliance risks
Through direct engagement with CFOs and enterprise leaders, Qubittron has focused on delivering a multi cloud, governance first AI platform that can be deployed across AWS, GCP, and SAP BTP.
This flexibility allows organizations to
Meet regional and regulatory data requirements
Retain control over their technology roadmap
Scale AI without sacrificing compliance or security
Trust is no longer a nice to have. It is a prerequisite for enterprise AI adoption.
Unlocking the Value Hidden Inside ERP Data
Most enterprises are sitting on decades of ERP data across finance, HR, supply chain, and operations. Yet much of this data remains underutilized.
AI has the ability to
Process vast historical datasets
Surface insights that were previously invisible
Enable faster, more informed business decisions
When AI is embedded directly into ERP systems, decision making becomes proactive instead of reactive.
Practical Advice for Enterprises and SMEs
For organizations looking to begin or refine their AI journey, the advice shared on the podcast is refreshingly practical. The starting point is not large scale transformation, but focus. Begin with a simple process that is repeated hundreds of times each week. Write it down step by step and identify where delays, manual effort, or errors tend to occur.
Processes that are rule based, high volume, and time consuming are often the strongest candidates for AI automation. Improving these workflows first allows teams to see tangible value quickly while building confidence in AI driven change.
Successful AI adoption is not about chasing the latest model or trend. It is about systematically improving how work gets done across the organization.
Watch the Full Podcast Episode
This blog only scratches the surface of the insights shared in the full CanadianSME Small Business Podcast episode featuring Qubittron. The complete conversation explores the future of AI powered ERP, how finance teams can automate with confidence, and why usability, governance, and trust ultimately determine long term success.
If you are evaluating AI for ERP, finance automation, or enterprise operations, this episode offers a grounded and experience driven perspective.
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