In June, we attended DSG's Applied AI for Distributors 2024 show. At the industry-leading event, our CEO, Nelson Valderrama, shared insights on their podcast, The Wholesale Change Show, alongside Kristen Thorn from White Cup and Dush Ramachandran from ORS Group. Here are five key takeaways they discussed that can help project managers and business leaders transition smoothly to AI-powered solutions:
Key Takeaways from DSG
1. Focus on practical solutions
Businesses are moving away from viewing AI as a magical tool and are focusing on its practical applications. They want to learn how AI can address their specific problems and deliver tangible benefits. Identifying the problem you are trying to solve is the first step towards successful AI implementation.
2. Data quality is crucial
High-quality data is key for effective AI implementation. The better your data, the better AI can help identify patterns to improve your business. However, it is also important to keep in mind that AI tools themselves, like our partner Wrangleworks, can assist in managing and automating the process of cleaning and organizing data. Businesses should not wait to have perfect data to start their AI journey, that does not exist, but every step towards optimization can have a huge impact on your ROI.
3. Update your internal systems
Our industry often relies on old-school tools, so long-term AI solutions might require updates to internal systems. This should not dishearten you but rather push you forward. The best way to future-proof your business is to take steps into the future. Businesses must be prepared to invest in these updates to achieve sustainable improvements and future readiness. Many solutions, like Intuilize, can help give your ERP the edge it needs to start revolutionizing your system from the ground up.
4. AI adoption should be tailored to your business
The best process to simplify and maximize the results of AI adoption varies by company size and specific needs. Each organization must decide its path based on its unique circumstances and goals. Understanding what drives AI adoption within the company is key to successful integration. Ask yourself: What problem are you solving? Where do you want to go?
5. Keep an eye on metrics and measure the impact
Organizations measure the impact of AI in three main areas: adoption (how widely the solution is used), financial impact (monthly capital gains), and time saved. These metrics are also often the benchmarks used by the solutions to market themselves. While not all organizations are the same, audiences are increasingly demanding hard numbers and tangible outcomes from AI implementations, and knowing this data about your chosen solution is key.
That said, it’s also essential to focus on the human aspect. AI's main goal is to help employees perform tasks that were previously impossible without replacing their roles. This approach ensures a smoother transition into AI integration and fosters a more positive and productive work environment.
Learn More About AI Adoption
You can watch the full DSG podcast discussion here.
And, if you would like to know how you can easily automate your product data work to guarantee a smooth adoption of AI solutions, don't miss our upcoming webinar where Intuilize and WrangleWorks will teach exactly that.
