The Evolution of AI: What Does That Actually Mean for Businesses?

March 05th, 2026

August 25, 2026 by

Alanna Chen

We’ve been talking a lot about AI. But what does it actually mean for ERP, consultants and the businesses using it?

AI is changing quickly, and there’s certainly no shortage of predictions about what it means for businesses.

Will AI replace ERP consultants? Will ERP systems become irrelevant? How can SMEs actually use AI to get more value from their business systems?

We sat down with Kevin to unpack some of these questions, and he shared his insights and opinions on AI's impact on ERP implementations, and how businesses can better utilise the information they already posess in their systems.

The AI Switch

The New Role of Odoo Partners

🎥 How AI Is Changing the Future of Odoo Consulting

AI is quickly becoming just-another-essential tool in every ERP consultant’s toolkit, and it’s already changing what can be delivered during an implementation.

Things like development, testing and documentation will continue to get faster, meaning consultants have the opportunity to take on more and deliver greater value to clients.

However, the real value isn’t simply in using AI. It’s in knowing where it makes sense to use it, and how to apply it within a wider Odoo implementation.

Faster Isn’t Always Better

Where Humans Matter

🎥 Will AI Replace ERP Consultants? Where Human Expertise Still Matters

Just because AI makes it easier to build, it doesn’t mean it's easier to build them well.

ERPs are much, much more than a collection of modules and customisations; it's like a puzzle! The way pieces fit together affects everything - from security and maintainability, to how well the system can support a business as it grows.

This is where h7uman experience still matters. AI can create the solution, but someone who understands Odoo? A solution that considers the bigger picture of your business and helps make sure the solution is actually fit for purpose.

What Matters O'Clock

Because Time is Precious

🎥 How AI Will Change ERP Consulting & Implementation

If AI can reduce the time needed for development and testing, the biggest opportunity may not be to simply make implementations cheaper.

It could mean getting more out of them.

More time can be spent understanding how a business actually works, while lower development barriers can make it possible to bring more functionality into the scope of an implementation.

For clients, that could mean a better understanding of their business, a broader solution and ultimately more value from their ERP.

From Data to Answers

Evolution of ERP with AI

🎥 How AI Is Changing the Way Businesses Use Their ERP

Things start getting really interesting for those who use ERPs everyday. Businesses already have a huge amount of information sitting inside their systems, and the challenge is often knowing how to find it, understand it and use it.

AI has the potential to make that much more intuitive; allowing people to interact with their business information in a way that feels more natural, rather than needing to know exactly where to look or what terminology to use.

Thanks to AI this can happen within the ERP. Businesses can start unlocking that value while still working within the access and security controls they already have in place.

Building the Foundations

Bricks for an AI-Ready Businesses

🎥 Why ERP Is the Foundation for AI-Ready Businesses

What does all of this mean for SMEs? Businesses that get the most from AI won’t necessarily be the ones jumping on every new tool - it'll be the ones with good information, structured processes and the right systems underneath them.

That’s where ERP becomes important.

If your business information is scattered across different systems, inconsistent or difficult to access, there’s only so much AI can do with it. A well-structured ERP gives AI something useful to work with, and gives businesses a stronger foundation to build on as the technology continues to evolve.

So, Where Does That Leave Us?

AI isn’t making ERP irrelevant - if anything, it’s making good ERP more important.

Technology will continue to change, and the way businesses interact with their systems will change with it; but the fundamentals like understanding your business, having quality information, and building the right foundations aren’t going anywhere.

For SMEs, the opportunity isn’t to use AI for the sake of using AI.

It’s to make sure you’re in a position to get real value from it when the right opportunities come along.

And that starts with having the right foundations in place. 🌱

Interested? Let's chat.

-Alanna Chen