ERP in 2026: More AI, more best-of-breed add-ons
ERP (enterprise resource planning) systems are getting a serious AI upgrade in 2026—and they may look a lot less “all-in-one” than they used to.
In a recent article for CIO.com, senior writer Grant Gross explains how ERP platforms are evolving from transactional back-office systems into intelligent, data-driven engines. Leaders like Steve Bronson of Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits say AI and predictive analytics are becoming deeply embedded in core processes, transforming ERP into a real-time decision platform.
AI is the headline change. Experts predict ERP systems will increasingly automate invoicing, onboarding, reconciliations, and other routine finance tasks. Kirk Teal of Information Services Group says AI will go beyond analytics—detecting anomalies, forecasting outcomes, and even recommending or executing decisions within set guardrails. Lasse Kalkar of LiveFlow adds that finance teams are ready to offload repetitive work to AI agents, while keeping humans in the loop for final review.
At the same time, companies are rethinking the traditional monolithic ERP model. Some are embracing modular, best-of-breed apps layered onto a core system. Andy Sen of AppDirect sees AI making it easier to build custom ERP-related tools instead of relying only on bundled vendor modules.
Still, all-in-one platforms aren’t going away. Many organizations prefer their simplicity, and hybrid ecosystems—core ERP plus specialized add-ons—are emerging as the middle ground.
The takeaway? In 2026, ERP won’t just record what happened. It will help decide what happens next.
