The Game Plan: Revolutionising business efficiency with AI-powered enterprise software

AI-embedded business software is rapidly reshaping enterprise operations by automating routine tasks, enhancing decision-making, and personalizing customer experiences. By integrating AI across functions such as sales, marketing, HR, finance, and operations, organizations achieve greater efficiency, agility, and innovation.

The rise of AI in enterprise software

The global adoption of AI in enterprise software is accelerating. According to McKinsey over 78% of companies using AI and a projected market growth rate of nearly 38% CAGR through 2030. This widespread integration supports scalability, operational resilience, and the creation of new business models, such as hyperautomation and AI agents.

Enhancing operational efficiency

AI's potential to enhance operational efficiency is one of its most significant contributions. Bhaskar Roy, chief of AI Products and Solutions at Workato, notes that AI-powered automation enables organisations to streamline processes, reduce errors, and allow human workers to focus on higher-value tasks.

He explains Workato’s approach:

"Agents, if you look at AI agents, the core part of it is not just AI, but also being able to take action and orchestrate workflows across systems, which completely falls into our domain... AI agents are going to be the next wave of automation, where you are not having to do rule-based automation. It’s not having to do things in a very prescriptive manner."

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is a prominent example of how AI can automate repetitive tasks, such as data entry and invoicing. Deloitte has reported that RPA can yield cost savings of 20-50% while improving processing times by 40-80%. As AI technology becomes more sophisticated, it has the potential to automate increasingly complex workflows, driving even greater efficiencies.

Revolutionising customer experience

AI is also revolutionising customer experience by enabling personalised interactions and anticipating customer needs. According to Bhaskar, AI algorithms allow businesses to analyse customer data, such as browsing history and purchase behaviour, to deliver tailored recommendations and content. This capability not only enhances customer satisfaction but also drives engagement and loyalty.

A study by Accenture found that 91% of consumers are more likely to shop with brands that provide relevant offers and recommendations. This shift towards personalisation is crucial for businesses seeking to differentiate themselves in a competitive market.

The role of AI agents

AI agents represent the next wave of automation. Unlike traditional automation that relies on predefined rules, AI agents can take action and orchestrate workflows across various systems. Bhaskar highlights their contextual adaptability:

"We have the ability to bring in full enterprise context, wherever the data resides, doesn’t really matter to us... It’s completely multi-step, multi-system, multi-cloud, or on-prem."

Workato’s platform features an On-prem Agent enabling this flexibility: "This on-prem agent actually you put it behind the firewall... It can access all the data which is there on your on-prem... So the on-prem or the legacy systems which are there, are accessible to Workato."

Addressing challenges in AI adoption

Despite the advantages, businesses face adoption hurdles. Bhaskar identifies implementation complexity and user behaviour as critical:

"They don’t know where to start... and they don’t know what is real versus what is noise... The challenge often that we face... is user behaviour challenge. Why would I go to an agent and ask a question when I’m used to always going to my CRM app?"

To mitigate risks, Workato emphasises human oversight, called out Roy who noted that 95% plus [of implementations] are human in the loop... because it’s still early stages. "I don’t think we have reached that point where it can be completely autonomous," he continued.

Security remains paramount, where established vendors hold an edge: "The trust of data, security governance... All of those things are so core. So the existing vendors that the customer is working with... they tend to trust them more... A breach can become pretty tragic."

The future of AI in business

Looking ahead, the future of AI in business is bright yet complex. The integration of AI is expected to continue reshaping the corporate landscape, enabling companies to operate with unprecedented levels of efficiency. However, as Bhaskar emphasises, organisations must navigate the challenges of integrating AI responsibly.

Collaboration will play a crucial role in this evolution. Companies must partner with AI technology providers and research institutions to drive innovation and establish industry standards. The future of AI in business hinges on responsible governance, transparency, and engagement with stakeholders.

"Explore both [startups and established vendors] but do take into consideration the core parts of AI – the data, the security, the governance... With AI, you just have to have a deeper level of security and governance than just the standard that you are used to." Bhaskar Roy

AI-powered enterprise software is set to revolutionise business efficiency by automating processes, enhancing decision-making, and personalising customer interactions. With over 78% of companies currently using AI and a projected growth rate of 38% CAGR, the integration of AI across various functions is not just a trend but a necessity for organisations aiming to thrive in the digital age.

As companies embrace AI, they must remain vigilant about the ethical implications and ensure robust governance frameworks are in place. By fostering collaboration and building trust in AI technologies, businesses can leverage the full potential of AI to transform their operations and achieve sustainable growth.