How AI, ecosystems, and cloud sovereignty are opening a new era of ERP opportunity.
If you’ve been in the ERP space for a while, you know firsthand how quickly things change. We’re currently navigating one of the most exciting (and no doubt challenging) periods of transformation in ERP history. What began as a simple system of record is now rapidly becoming a system of intelligence. In fact, Gartner predicts that “by 2030, over 50% of routine ERP tasks will be autonomously executed by AI, reducing human involvement in finance, supply chain, and HR.”
In this article, we will break down five transformative trends reshaping the future of ERP, including AI-driven automation, the rise of sovereign cloud solutions, and the growing importance of vendor ecosystems. But we’ve only covered a glimpse of the full report “Gartner® Predicts 2026: The Future of ERP.” If you want the full analysis with key findings, market implications, and recommendations you can download the report here.
Five transformative trends reshaping the future of ERP
1. AI will automate 50% of ERP tasks by 2030
AI is set to revolutionize ERP by automating over half of routine tasks across functions like finance, supply chain management, and HR. ERP systems are no longer just transactional, they will evolve into smart platforms capable of driving operational efficiency, smarter decision-making, and strategic growth. But with this change comes the challenge of ensuring AI tools are not just integrated, but fully embraced by employees. How can you ensure your organization is ready for the AI-driven ERP future and avoid the common pitfalls of adoption?
2. Ecosystems are expanding what ERP can deliver
As core ERP functionalities become increasingly standardized, the true differentiator for ERP vendors lies in the strength and depth of their partner ecosystems. Gone are the days when enterprises could rely solely on ERP vendors for every functional need. Today, specialized third-party solutions are essential, and the expansion of certified vendor marketplaces is addressing these gaps. The future of ERP selection will involve evaluating not just core capabilities, but also the integration depth, governance, and long-term viability of your vendors’ partner ecosystems. How can you ensure that your vendor’s ERP ecosystem is robust enough to meet the specialized needs of your business?
3. AI will reduce ERP modernization costs by 40%
AI-driven automation is slashing the cost and complexity of ERP modernization. Tools powered by AI are streamlining migration, integration, and testing processes, resulting in faster deployments with fewer resources. How can your IT team leverage this opportunity to speed up the ERP upgrade process? Which modernization activities will offer the fastest returns, and how can your team position itself as a key enabler of business growth through AI?
4. Geopolitical pressures will drive sovereign cloud adoption
Beyond AI, geopolitical tensions and regulatory shifts are reshaping how businesses approach ERP deployment. Sovereign cloud solutions (cloud infrastructures built to comply with regional data protection laws, security concerns, and data sovereignty requirements) are quickly becoming a strategic priority. Especially in regions like Europe and Asia Pacific, businesses must navigate strict data protection regulations and national security concerns, driving many to reconsider their cloud infrastructure strategies. How can your organization balance the need for innovation with the growing demand for compliance, security, and data control?
5. The risk of underutilized AI
While AI’s potential within ERP systems is vast, a significant portion of these capabilities remains underutilized. Many organizations fail to fully adopt AI due to poor data quality, lack of ownership, insufficient post-implementation planning, or even simple resistance to change. To avoid this, ERP leaders must prioritize ongoing support after implementation, ensuring AI adoption becomes a key component of the project, not an afterthought. How can you ensure that AI doesn't become just another piece of shelfware in your organization?
Looking for actionable insights? Get the full analysis on ERP’s future
The five trends outlined above are just the beginning. It you’re left with more questions than answers, the full research report: “Gartner® Predicts 2026: The Future of ERP” delves much deeper into these trends and offers practical insights that we believe help you stay ahead in the coming decade.
Haven’t prepared your data? You’re not alone
For organizations that prepare their data, governance, skills and processes today, the evolution of ERP will fundamentally change how work gets done and value is created. ERP won’t just be more efficient, it will be more impactful. Yet, many organizations are not prepared.
Data quality gaps, immature governance, and unclear ownership models are quietly undermining AI ambitions. As ERP vendors continue to innovate, many enterprises struggle to translate these capabilities into measurable outcomes, widening the gap between potential and reality.
We think the insights from Gartner® can help you get ready for the upcoming transformation by offering clarity on:
- How AI will reshape ERP execution and decision-making
- Why marketplaces and ecosystems will determine ERP winners and losers
- The economics of ERP modernization and what that means for IT teams
- How sovereignty will change ERP deployment strategies worldwide
- Why many ERP AI investments fail to deliver value on their promises
Download the full Gartner® report now to understand what’s coming and how you can prepare to stay competitive.
Discover strategic recommendations and insights from "Gartner® Predicts 2026: The Future of ERP"
Gartner, Predicts 2026: The Future of ERP, Johan Jartelius, Tomas Kienast, Neha Ralhan, 8 December 2025.
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