Definition of terms
You might think that “intelligent enterprise” is a new term. It’s not. It was coined in 1992 by James Brian Quinn, a professor at Dartmouth’s Tuck Business School, whose research focused on strategic planning, entrepreneurial innovation, and the management of technological change.
You might also think that “artificial intelligence (AI)” is a new term. It’s not. It was first used in 1955 to refer to a branch of computer science dealing with the simulation of intelligent behavior in computers.
You might even think that “machine learning (ML)” is a new term. It’s not. It was also first used in the 1950s to refer to the capability of a machine to improve its own performance.
Although contemporaneous, the two technologies are notably different. Whereas AI generally refers to the capability of a machine to carry out tasks as a human would, ML specifically denotes a computer application used to process and learn from data.
The term “intelligent enterprise” originally referred to a management approach that applies technology and new service paradigms to the challenge of improving business performance. The concept posited that intellect is the core resource in producing goods and delivering services. Quin’s book, Intelligent Enterprise (published in 1992), described the management approach and computing infrastructure needed to harness that intellect effectively.
That was then, and this is now
When we speak about the “intelligent enterprise” today, we’re referring to the concept that the way we work should be as seamless, if not more seamless, than the way we live. We should be able to get access to our systems from any device at any time. And our business systems should be able to:
- Prioritize our work for us
- Make recommendations on how to tackle business problems
- Handle simple and repetitive tasks in an automated fashion
- Uncover patterns and insights that drive optimal decisions at the right time
AI and ML play a dominant role in how businesses today define the “intelligent enterprise.” ML technologies, for example, are critical because by embedding algorithms directly into multiple, preferably integrated solutions, we can continuously learn and adapt to new data as it comes in, without the involvement of a user.
The benefits of an “intelligent enterprise.”
The key benefits of an “intelligent enterprise” can be grouped into 3 categories:
Operational: In an operative view, intelligent enterprises set the platform which automates processes and allows global access to data that may previously have been dispersed.
Tactical: Tactically, it enables better decision-making since information is easily accessed. It can also reduce the length in which decisions are made.
Strategic: The reduction of operating times promotes the reduction of operating costs and thus leads to better customer services. In addition, advanced business decision-making improves better short- and long-term strategic planning.
Strategic Systems Group’s role in YOUR “intelligent enterprise.”
Strategic Systems Group (SSG), as a provider of advanced business management ERP solutions for manufacturers, will work with you to transform your company into an “intelligent enterprise.” We can guide you to the manufacturing ERP software solution with the highest levels of embedded AI and ML. We should also note that systems integration, which is one of our main specialties, is a cornerstone of the “intelligent enterprise.”
For more information about how SSG can help you transform your manufacturing business, please contact SSG at (310) 539-4645 or via our contact form today!