EY, SAP and the role of sustainability consulting

There's little doubt that AI is starting to eliminate jobs. Recent headlines confirm it. The trend presents a special risk to the manufacturing sector just as baby boomers retire in droves and more companies seek to build up their workforces and reverse the decades-long preference for cheap overseas labor. But there are positive aspects to AI's impact on manufacturing jobs. Many workers are learning to use it to do their jobs more effectively and prepare themselves for an AI-centric future. Companies are training AI to do work that might not get done at all amid the labor shortages. In this episode, we explore how using AI to capture and encode the skills of factory workers who are leaving the workforce could keep manufacturers in business, counteract the baby boomer brain drain and make industrial jobs more attractive to young workers. Featuring: Alex Sandoval, CEO and Co-founder, Allie Systems In today's episode, we'll also cover: How Allie's AI, analytics and data platform helps manufacturers monitor and optimize production processes. Why the software's AI copilot can also serve as a knowledge-transfer and training tool. Where AI fits in companies' existing learning management and training systems. References: How manufacturers are reskilling factory workers for AI adoption 5 challenges of using AI in manufacturing An overview of Allie's manufacturing software To learn more about enterprise applications, check out Search ERP. To watch the video version our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @EyeOnTech.

3 Nov 33min

ERP sustainability software mostly focuses on data collection and reporting requirements of environmental, safety and governance (ESG) policies and typically isn't intended to control the business processes that impact the physical environment. But other digital technology has been used for years to monitor and optimize resource use. Now IoT sensors are increasingly paired with digital twins and AI, and linked with ERP and other enterprise applications, to form a complete digital ecosystem for environmental sustainability.            In this episode, we explore digital sustainability technologies, their benefits and challenges, and whether more use of the technology will be a net benefit for addressing climate change. Featuring: Peter Weckesser, Chief Digital Officer, Schneider Electric In today's episode, we'll also cover: New capabilities enabled by generative and agentic AI. The sustainability technologies that have the quickest ROI. Schneider Electric's work to optimize resource use in AI data centers. References: ESG strategy and management: A guide for businesses Tech a double-edged sword in race to sustainability Next-gen energy: Reimaging the grid of tomorrow (Peter Weckesser) To learn more about enterprise applications, check out Search ERP. To watch the video version our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @EyeOnTech.

20 Okt 33min

The internet transformed corporate learning from a paper-based, in-person process to one that is largely delivered in digital form, on demand from nearly any device or location. More recently, generative AI has provided learning and development (L&D) teams with a tireless assistant that can crank out educational content in minutes. Now AI-powered search is sparking another transformation as employees increasingly use it to find quick answers while they work, learning gradually in ways that suit their personal styles. In this episode, we examine the evidence for the trend, what L&D professionals should do differently, and how the search technology could affect legacy software, especially learning management systems. Featuring: Josh Bersin, Founder and CEO, The Josh Bersin Company In today's episode, we'll also cover: How AI-powered search changes the way learning content is designed and delivered. Whether using AI search for training could alleviate worker's fears of being replaced by AI. What Bersin has learned about the emerging search trend from his company's Galileo AI assistant for HR professionals. What new developments in AI-assisted search from vendors like Google and Anthropic mean for the corporate learning trend. References: Workplace learning: A complete guide for businesses What is GenAI? Generative AI explained Galileo Learn, Bersin's AI-driven HR training tool To learn more about enterprise applications, check out Search ERP. To watch the video version our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @EyeOnTech.

6 Okt 26min

Generative and agentic AI are rapidly infiltrating enterprise software. But both are prone to data management issues that can hobble their effectiveness and lead to AI hallucinations and faulty decision-making that carry significant risks for businesses. In this episode, we examine an innovative approach that aims to solve these data problems by basing AI models on standard, industry-specific business processes and compliance guardrails while using agentic AI to automate data orchestration across enterprise applications.   Featuring: Geraldine McBride, CEO, MyWave In today's episode, we'll also cover: Why MyWave's agentic AI doesn't require perfect data. Developing process models for 27 industries. How SAP Joule copilot and MyWave agents work together. How the agents can help migrate on-premises SAP ERP to S/4HANA Cloud. References: MyWave video case studies What is agentic AI? Complete guide Agentic AI governance strategies SAP sits Joule at the helm of apps, data "flywheel" To learn more about enterprise applications, check out Search ERP. To watch the video version our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @EyeOnTech.

22 Sep 29min

Procurement has become a strategic priority with significant impact on the bottom line. It's a data-intensive process that requires communicating with large numbers of suppliers, products and services – the kind of complex, transaction-heavy workflow that is uniquely suited to being automated with generative and agentic AI. In this episode, we examine how AI can make procurement more effective and efficient, where it fits in the procurement technology landscape and how it assists – but doesn't replace – humans in the loop. Featuring: Keith McFarlane, CTO, Globality In today's episode, we'll also cover: How the Globality cloud platform works. The capabilities of Glo, the platform's AI agent. Where the biggest cost savings are. The importance of getting procurement workers to trust AI. References: McFarlane explains why agentic AI may herald a golden age for procurement 10 real-world agentic AI examples and use cases Globality CEO on agentic AI and the future of procurement What is GenAI? Generative AI explained To learn more about enterprise applications, check out Search ERP. To watch the video version our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @EyeOnTech.

8 Sep 33min

AI's growing ability to take over human tasks has many people worried about losing their jobs. Some companies are addressing these concerns by educating employees on how to instead use AI as a helper that frees them for more creative work and adds value. In this episode, we explore ways to encourage AI use without mandating it, the kinds of training that work best and how to develop a curriculum that covers different experience levels and jobs. Featuring: Joe Depa, global chief innovation officer, EY In today's episode, we'll also cover: EY's massive program for training its 400,000 employees in AI. Which parts of the business are partly automated with AI. Ways to gauge the effectiveness of AI training. References: What is GenAI? Generative AI explained The AI skills gap and how to address it Workplace learning: A complete guide for businesses How to implement generative AI for 400,000 employees To learn more about enterprise applications, check out Search ERP. To watch the video version our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @EyeOnTech.

25 Aug 26min

Digital twins – virtual representations of real-world things – are a hot topic, and they're becoming more capable with the addition of AI and geospatial awareness. In this episode, we explain how AI-enhanced spatial digital twins work, how they're being used today, what it takes to deploy them, and their potential uses. Featuring: Eric Liu, founder and CEO of TwinMatrix Technologies In today’s episode, we'll also cover: How spatial twins differ from other digital twins Challenges to broader deployment How low-code/no-code tools could "democratize" spatial twin development References: What is a digital twin? Advantages and disadvantages of digital twin technology How digital twins can help support sustainability Debunking the myth: Digital twins are more than just 3D models To learn more about enterprise applications, check out Search ERP. To watch the video version our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @EyeOnTech.

11 Aug 33min

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.   Episode 1 drops on August 11, 2025 at 5am ET. Rate and review the podcast to tell us how you like this new content. Find us on YouTube at Eye on Tech or explore our written work on Search ERP.

6 Aug 1min