AI Is Not Just an Add-On, Infor CTO Soma Somasundaram on the Future of ERP

ERP is no longer just a system of record—it’s becoming the brain of the enterprise. With AI-driven automation, industry-specific intelligence, and cloud scalability, ERP is evolving from a transactional tool to a decision-making powerhouse.

In an exclusive discussion with Soma Somasundaram, President and CTO of Infor, we explore how AI is transforming ERP, why cloud adoption in India is accelerating, and what CIOs need to know to future-proof their enterprise systems.

For CIOs, the message is clear: the future of ERP isn’t just about keeping up—it’s about staying ahead with AI-powered insights, predictive analytics, and seamless cloud integration.

A Cloud-Powered Transformation

Infor launched its cloud offering in 2018, and today, six years later, it boasts over 4,000 multi-tenant cloud customers across key regions such as the U.S., Germany, Japan, Australia, Singapore, and the UK. The company is set to expand further with the launch of an India-based data center in the first half of this year.

"Our SaaS business has grown into a $1.5 billion enterprise, with double-digit growth over the years," noted Somasundaram. "With this shift, we now have an extensive repository of data, allowing us to build advanced AI/ML and Generative AI (Gen AI) capabilities directly into our software."

India plays a crucial role in Infor’s expansion strategy, both as a market and as a technology development hub. The upcoming India-based data center underscores Infor’s commitment to delivering localized cloud solutions with enhanced data residency and compliance measures.

"India is not just a market for us; it is a center of innovation," Somasundaram stated. "We have a strong R&D presence in India, where some of our most advanced AI and cloud solutions are being developed. With the new data center, we aim to better serve Indian enterprises and global customers operating in the region."

AI-Powered ERP: The Future of Business Operations

Artificial intelligence has emerged as a game-changer in enterprise software, and Infor is embedding AI across its ERP solutions to drive automation, enhance decision-making, and improve efficiency. They are leveraging machine learning models trained on vast industry-specific datasets, and enabling businesses to optimize operations, predict maintenance needs, and streamline workflows.

"AI is not just a feature; it’s an enabler of business transformation” 

 "Our approach is to seamlessly integrate AI-driven insights into day-to-day business processes so users can make smarter decisions in real-time without needing a data science background."

Infor’s AI capabilities extend to predictive analytics, supply chain optimization, and industry-specific intelligence tailored for sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, and retail. The company’s Coleman AI platform automates repetitive tasks and provides contextual recommendations, empowering enterprises to operate with greater agility.

Infor has integrated AI/ML capabilities into its ERP solutions, leveraging AWS services such as SageMaker for machine learning and Bedrock for Gen AI. The company recently announced a Gen AI-powered assistant, offering a conversational user experience for enterprise users.

Three key AI-driven capabilities introduced over the past two years include:

1. AI & ML-Based Optimization: Inventory and price optimization, automated price recommendations, and predictive analytics built into the platform.

2. Process Mining: A system that evaluates business processes against best practices to identify inefficiencies and improvement opportunities.

3. RPA & Automation: Automated workflows, including invoice and proof-of-delivery automation, to streamline operations.

"Nobody wants to implement an ERP and still work the same way they did 20 years ago. Automation and optimization are the future," he emphasized.

Redefining User Experience in ERP

The traditional ERP user interface is undergoing a transformation with AI. ERP is fundamentally shifting from being user-driven to value-driven.

1. The Best User Experience is No User Experience

o The goal is to automate tasks so users interact with ERP systems less.

o For example, a shop floor supervisor shouldn’t need to sit at a desk to access production data—Gen AI can enable conversational queries through mobile devices.

o Imagine asking, “Is there a raw material shortage on Production Line 3?” and getting an instant response.

2. Proactive, AI-Driven Decision Making

o AI will move from reactive reporting to proactive problem-solving.

o If a machine is predicted to fail, the system should automatically:

• Identify the failing part
• Check inventory for replacements
• Find the fastest supplier
• Assign a field service engineer for repair

"This is why we built automation and optimization frameworks directly into ERP."- he adds. 

Infor envisions a scenario where factory supervisors and other enterprise users can access real-time information via mobile devices through conversational AI.

"The best user experience is no user experience." Soma Somasundaram

ERP Modernization in India: Challenges and Adoption Trends

While cloud adoption has accelerated in the U.S. and Europe, the Indian market has been slower to embrace cloud-based ERP solutions. Key factors influencing this lag include concerns over data sovereignty, cost-effectiveness, and overall cloud readiness.

"Indian businesses are beginning to realize that staying on-premise is like holding onto VHS tapes in the age of streaming. It’s inevitable that cloud adoption will become mainstream," Somasundaram remarked. Hybrid cloud deployments are gaining traction, allowing enterprises to retain some workloads on-premise while leveraging cloud capabilities for data analytics and AI-driven automation.

Democratizing AI for All Industries

Infor's approach to AI extends beyond a generic platform. The company is developing industry-specific AI solutions tailored to sectors like aerospace, defense, and distribution.

"AI as a platform has existed for years, but adoption was limited because most companies lacked data scientists. Our goal is to embed AI-driven use cases—such as bid optimization for aerospace or price optimization for distributors—directly into our ERP solutions," he explained.

Challenges in AI Adoption

Despite AI's potential, businesses face hurdles in fully leveraging its capabilities. A major challenge is data migration to the cloud. "The compute power and AI tools available in the cloud far exceed those of on-premise setups. However, many enterprises struggle to transition their ERP data to the cloud, which limits their ability to leverage AI effectively," Somasundaram observed.

Another challenge is trust. Experienced professionals, who have managed operations for decades, may hesitate to rely on machine-generated recommendations. Infor addresses this concern by enhancing explainability in AI models—showing users how AI arrived at its conclusions, thereby fostering trust and driving adoption.

The Future of ERP: Moving Towards a Value-Based Model

With AI and automation integrated deeply into ERP systems, the role of users is evolving. "The traditional ERP model, where users manually input and retrieve data, is shifting to a value-based model where AI handles the heavy lifting," Somasundaram noted. "Less human interaction with ERP will be needed, as more work gets done automatically."

Infor's vision for the future is clear—an intelligent, AI-powered ERP system that minimizes manual intervention, optimizes business processes, and drives enterprise efficiency in ways never seen before. As businesses continue their digital transformation journeys, Infor’s AI-driven approach positions it as a key player in shaping the next era of enterprise technology.