Enterprise Apps Unpacked

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Aug 2026

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What separates successful enterprise technology implementations from costly failures? Here on Enterprise Apps Unpacked, we’ll do a deep dive into strategies that actually deliver results. Every other Monday, veteran IT journalist David Essex interviews corporate leaders, industry experts and vendors—the people who are truly in the know—about important developments in ERP, HR and supply chain systems and the other applications that run the business. For business and IT leaders, these conversations cut through the chatter to help them make smart decisions about how they buy, deploy and use enterprise software.

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58 recent

August 10, 2026Episode 5724 min

Why EY built an entire AI platform for enterprise-scale agentic AI

Having completed the herculean task of training 400,000 employees to use generative AI, EY, the Big Four accounting and IT consultancy, found itself with another major challenge: how to respond to the opportunities and challenges of the agentic AI wave. EY's ambitious solution was to partner with Microsoft and Nvidia to develop a multi-layered AI platform, or "operating system," that unifies the intelligence, orchestration, data, workflows, governance and domain experience of the company's generative and agentic AI technology. In this episode, we explore what an agentic AI platform strategy involves and how companies of all sizes can benefit from it. Featuring: Julie Teigland , Global Vice Chair of Alliances & Ecosystems, EY In today's episode, we'll also cover: Problems such as AI fragmentation the new platform was designed to solve. The basic architecture of the platform. Benefits to EY employees, clients and partners. References: How EY is training employees to use AI in their jobs Agentic AI explained: Key concepts and enterprise use cases EY article on building an agentic AI operating system To learn more about enterprise applications, check out Search ERP .

July 27, 2026Episode 5628 min

Find one strategic AI use case to ease pilot chaos, add business value

Many organizations struggle to develop an AI plan that marshals numerous pilots and employee applications in a unified strategy. Often, they have more pilots than they can manage and are unsure how to get business value from them. What if the answer is to narrow the focus and try to identify a single, high-impact AI use case that can not only deliver results but provide lessons to apply to future projects? In this episode, we explore the characteristics of the ideal use case, how to identify and implement one successfully and the advantages of this practical approach to AI-driven digital transformation. Featuring: Jim Dwyer , Chief Transformation and Innovation Officer, Sutherland In today's episode, we'll also cover: How Sutherland uses this approach internally and with its consulting clients. Where companies tend to go wrong in using AI for digital transformation. Keys to success. References: How agentic AI can transform ERP for your business Enterprise AI adoption: What drives AI at scale Sutherland blog post on AI-driven transformation in banking To learn more about enterprise applications, check out Search ERP .

July 13, 2026Episode 5533 min

How one manufacturer blazed a smooth path to ERP cloud migration

Moving an on-premises ERP system to the cloud can be extremely challenging. That's especially true when the target is multi-tenant software-as-a-service ERP, which typically requires organizations to adopt generic business processes and give up customizations they built on the old ERP. SaaS ERP has undeniable advantages in accessibility, ease of use, low maintenance and advanced technologies like AI. That makes it a worthy goal, but the journey usually involves numerous obstacles, and many companies adopt halfway measures instead of making a full commitment to running everything in the cloud. In this episode, we explore one manufacturer's experience with moving from the on-premises version of Epicor Kinetic ERP software to the multi-tenant SaaS version and reveal the strategies it used for a successful migration. Featuring: David Paquet , Director of Technological Innovation and Procurement, Tilton Group In today's episode, we'll also cover: How temporarily using the "classic" user interface eased employees' transition to the new, web-based UI. Why the company didn't move its manufacturing execution system (MES) to the cloud. How application programming interfaces (APIs) enable the SaaS ERP and on-premises MES to communicate. Why Tilton Group adopted Epicor's AI-driven inventory planning and optimization tool. References: How to migrate to a new ERP system Podcast: Deloitte experts on why internal controls are key in cloud ERP migration Epicor website's Tilton Group case study To learn more about enterprise applications, check out Search ERP .

June 29, 2026Episode 5432 min

Innovative reverse logistics app saves money while doing good

The huge popularity of e-commerce added new complications to the already complicated process of reverse logistics, whereby products are sent back up the supply chain and returned to retailers, distributors and manufacturers. Besides adding shipping costs and environmental impacts, e-commerce returns are more susceptible to fraud and abuse. As a result, companies are looking for ways to reduce their costs by minimizing returns and redirecting returned goods in more profitable directions. In this episode, we explore an innovative platform that enables returned goods to be donated to nonprofit organizations that have identified specific needs. Donors spend less on shipping, get a tax deduction or write-off and improve their environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings. Featuring: Aisya Aziz , CTO, LiquiDonate In today's episode, we'll also cover: How the LiquiDonate platform works. Where it fits in the e-commerce and logistics ecosystem. How it integrates with other reverse-logistics and e-commerce platforms. Why it supports circular economy goals for product reuse and recycling. References: What to know about the circular economy and sustainability Understanding reverse logistics LiquiDonate case studies To learn more about enterprise applications, check out Search ERP .

June 15, 2026Episode 5337 min

Agentic industrial AI and the indispensable connected worker

Until recently, industrial AI has mostly been focused on predictive tools and analytics that run on workstations and mobile devices. Now agentic AI is shifting the focus to execution by giving industrial robots more autonomy and making some decisions without human intervention. Yet people could be more essential than ever in making this new age of industrial AI a reality in asset-intensive industries like oil & gas, mining and manufacturing. Frontline workers -- machine operators, maintenance technicians, safety inspectors and warehouse workers -- can respond faster and more effectively to equipment failures thanks to AI-assisted workflows integrated with back-office ERP systems. These connected workers also play a critical role in gathering the data and providing the business context and guardrails that AI requires. In this episode, we explore how industrial AI technology helps coordinate the activities of frontline workers and why humans and AI agents working closely together to convert insights into action is a powerful combination for industrial automation. Featuring: Sundeep Ravande , CEO and Co-Founder, Innovapptive In today's episode, we'll also cover: How the Innovapptive platform works. The biggest industrial AI challenges. The role of multi-agent orchestration. How industrial AI could evolve in the next five to 10 years. References: The AI factory model: What CIOs need to know AI use cases in manufacturing Innovapptive's guide to the connected worker Innovapptive case studies To learn more about enterprise applications, check out Search ERP .

June 1, 2026Episode 5231 min

"Supermanagers" use AI to amplify human-centered leadership

Human-centered leadership aims to put people first by prioritizing empathy, inclusiveness and employee development. While the approach has roots in the early 20th century, it is still just gaining a foothold in a world where top-down management remains dominant. But now artificial intelligence is emerging as an effective tool for amplifying human-centered leadership. At the same time, human-centered approaches are proving to be the most effective way to encourage AI adoption that meets the goals of individual employees and the business as a whole. In this episode, we explore how an emerging type of "supermanager" blends savvy use of AI with human-centered leadership, and why developing supermanagers is essential in helping employees adapt to the massive changes brought about by AI. Featuring: Julia Bersin , Director of Research, The Josh Bersin Company In today's episode, we'll also cover: Why redesigning work around AI requires input from employees who are comfortable experimenting with the technology. Tips on training employees to become "superworkers" by using AI more effectively. AI tools supermanagers use in their own supervisory tasks. References: Career cure for AI phobia: Be a beekeeper, not a worker bee When building an AI strategy, don't forget the humans Bersin video: The rise of the supermanager To learn more about enterprise applications, check out Search ERP .

May 18, 2026Episode 5133 min

Using a citizen developer program to boost AI deployments

Can non-technical workers really use supposedly user-friendly low-code/no-code development tools to write and customize software, especially AI applications, for serious business use? Indeed they can -- if they're operating under the auspices of a well-planned citizen developer program that sets realistic expectations, establishes clear guardrails, and provides the right programming tools and training. It's also important to have an effective process for deciding which staff-written AI agents and apps should be productized or added to the organization's internal IT architecture. In this episode, we explore how citizen developers can jumpstart an organization's AI deployment efforts, the essential elements of a program, who needs to be involved and the challenges to expect. Featuring: Fabien Cros , Chief Data and AI Officer, Ducker Carlisle In today's episode, we'll also cover: How Ducker Carlisle cut operating costs by 3%. Whether citizen developer programs change the relationship between the business and IT sides. How to decide when a citizen-developed app merits professional development. References: What is citizen development? Citizen developers are redefining enterprise AI development StackAI low-code tool used by Ducker Carlisle To learn more about enterprise applications, check out Search ERP .

May 4, 2026Episode 5034 min

Understanding the science behind AI-based hiring assessments

Assessments are valuable hiring tools, but they can be challenging to design and implement. Recruiters and hiring managers use them to evaluate whether a candidate has the skills for a specific job, but also to identify cognitive capabilities and behavioral characteristics that are often better predictors of success. Hiring assessments are mostly digitized and conducted over computers, but they tend to be reserved for high-volume recruiting for roles that can be encoded in a few reusable assessments. Now artificial intelligence is making assessments feasible for specialized job openings, including executive positions. In this episode, we explore the role hiring assessments have traditionally played in recruiting, how AI makes assessments easier to develop and deploy, and why the soft science of industrial-organizational psychology (IO) provides a firmer foundation than resumes and interviews. Featuring: Mike Hudy , Chief Science Officer, Hirevue In today's episode, we'll also cover: How Hirevue's Assessment Builder software works. The steps taken to mitigate AI bias in the tool. Other ways digital technology is changing IO. References: What is Hirevue? Learn about skills-based job descriptions, candidate testing Hirevue Assessment Builder To learn more about enterprise applications, check out Search ERP .

April 20, 2026Episode 4937 min

Career cure for AI phobia: Be a beekeeper, not a worker bee

AI seems likely to transform more jobs than it eliminates, despite well-founded fears of job loss as companies increasingly adopt AI automation, lay off workers and move others into AI-centric roles. That probably means the best response for workers is learning to use AI to their individual advantage, but in ways that align sufficiently with the goals of their organization, rather than resist AI entirely. In this episode, we explore ways to use AI to automate mundane tasks and boost productivity while developing the innate human skills that are likely to endure through AI's future advancements. Featuring: Sharon Gai , AI speaker and futurist, author of How to Do More with Less: Future-Proofing Yourself in an AI-driven Economy. In today's episode, we'll also cover: How to identify the right tasks to turn over to AI. Why being an AI "beekeeper" is better than being a worker bee. Who is responsible for upskilling employees. Whether agentic AI standards and technology are mature enough. References: AI job losses: Transformation expected, not mass layoffs AI upskilling strategies that center workers, not tech Sharon Gai website To learn more about enterprise applications, check out Search ERP .

April 6, 2026Episode 4831 min

Inside SAP R&D on the convergence of agentic and physical AI

"Physical" AI – artificial intelligence embodied in devices like robots, drones and self-driving cars – could be nearing a tipping point, thanks to recent advancements in large language models and agentic AI. The convergence of physical and agentic AI is giving machines the ability to sense their environment, make decisions and take action. Practical business applications are already emerging. They're a major focus of research and development at SAP as the ERP market leader investigates how smart robots and other physical AI devices can work with enterprise applications to make businesses more intelligent and automated. In this episode, we examine trends in physical and agentic AI, how they're transforming industrial automation, and the risks and challenges of implementation. Featuring: Yaad Oren , Global Head of Research and Innovation at SAP and Managing Director of SAP Labs U.S. In today's episode, we'll also cover: The role of software in physical AI's emergence as a serious business tool. Why 2026 represents a tipping point in physical AI's capabilities. Examples from SAP Labs. References: Smarter robots: Agentic and physical AI converge in business Physical AI explained: Everything you need to know SAP article about physical AI partnerships To learn more about enterprise applications, check out Search ERP .