Embedding AI into Enterprise Platforms – Episode 3: Microsoft | An SMC Podcast Series

In this episode of Embedding AI into Enterprise Platforms, Rob Stummer, Director of Growth at Solution Minds Consulting (SMC), speaks with Marko Maljkovic, Marc Havercroft, and Nataliia Sukhanova from Microsoft.

They explore how AI has evolved from hype to habit — becoming a core part of enterprise platforms that drive real business outcomes. Learn how Microsoft is embedding AI across Dynamics 365, Power Platform, and Azure to help organisations automate processes, enhance decision-making, and scale innovation in a responsible and modular way.

🎧 What you’ll learn:

• How Microsoft is operationalising AI at scale across industries

• Why AI is now foundational to Dynamics 365, Power Platform, and Azure

• Embedded AI in finance, supply chain, and operations workflows

• The value of extensible, modular enterprise architecture

• Responsible AI and governance in transformation programs

• Real-world ROI and emerging industry use cases

⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 – Welcome and introductions
01:00 – From hype to habit: the evolution of enterprise AI
03:00 – AI adoption across industries and transformation maturity
06:00 – Embedding AI in Dynamics 365, Power Platform, and Azure
10:00 – Automation, analytics, and next-generation workflows
15:00 – Responsible AI and data governance
20:00 – ROI insights and real-world adoption stories
25:00 – What’s next for AI in enterprise software

Embedding AI into Enterprise Platforms is a podcast series from Solution Minds Consulting (SMC). Each episode takes you inside one ERP vendor’s team to explore how they’re embedding AI into the systems that power modern businesses — what’s working, what’s next, and how their customers are capturing real value.

We go behind the scenes with leaders from Epicor, Infor, Microsoft, and more to separate the AI hype from actual impact.

SMC is a 100% independent, vendor-agnostic consultancy, trusted by mid-market and large enterprises across Australia and New Zealand. With over 750 digital transformation projects delivered and offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Auckland, we provide client-side, bias-free advisory to help organisations select, implement, and succeed with enterprise software.

Learn more at: https://www.sm-c.com.au

Embedding AI into Enterprise Platforms – Episode 2: Infor | An SMC Podcast Series

In this episode of Embedding AI into Enterprise Platforms, Rob Stummer, Director of Growth at Solution Minds Consulting (SMC), speaks with Aidan Brecknell, Head of Commercial, Enterprise & Channel, Pacific Region at Infor, and Matthew Addley, Industry Strategist at Infor.

They explore how Infor is embedding AI into enterprise systems to move beyond theory — delivering real business outcomes across manufacturing, distribution, food & beverage, logistics, energy and utilities, healthcare, government, and construction. With deep industry expertise and an AI-native architecture, Infor is helping organisations drive smarter decisions, operational efficiency, and measurable ROI.

What you’ll learn:

• How AI is delivering proven value in enterprise platforms

• Why industry-specific AI is outperforming one-size-fits-all approaches

• Infor’s embedded AI architecture and AWS Bedrock partnership

• Real-world ROI from predictive maintenance and data cleansing

• How trust and governance are shaping the future of AI in ERP

Chapters:
00:00 – Welcome and introductions
01:35 – The race to embed AI into enterprise platforms
03:00 – Why AI is now delivering proven business value
05:40 – Industry adoption trends and AI embedded in ERP
09:10 – From hype to reality: AI applications that work
14:30 – Infor’s AI architecture and AWS Bedrock integration
20:05 – Data trust, quality, and governance in AI
28:20 – Real-world ROI and lessons from Infor customers
34:00 – The next wave of AI-driven enterprise transformation
38:00 – Closing thoughts and resources

Embedding AI into Enterprise Platforms – Episode 1: Epicor

30-minute deep dives with top ERP vendors on how they’re hard-wiring AI — and what’s coming next.

In this launch episode, SMC’s Rob Stummer speaks with Dan Houdek (Sr. Director, Product Marketing, Manufacturing & AI) and Ellen Cox (Sr. Product Marketing Manager, AI) from Epicor.

They reveal why ERP has entered its “second life” with AI — showing how Epicor is embedding intelligence directly into everyday workflows, from quoting and forecasting to shop floor optimisation. Learn how ERP is shifting from back-office software to a driver of smarter decisions, faster operations, and real business value.

What you’ll learn:

• Why ERP has entered its “second life” powered by AI

• How Epicor is moving AI from buzzword to everyday workflows in manufacturing

• The breakthrough opportunities for industries that make, move, and sell

• Where ERP platforms are heading in the next wave of transformation

Chapters
00:00 – Welcome & why AI in ERP matters now
01:30 – Dan’s career in tech and what he’s seeing change
02:20 – Ellen on leading AI innovation at Epicor
04:00 – ERP’s “second life” with AI at the core
07:30 – From concept to shop floor: AI in manufacturing use cases
12:00 – Embedding AI across Epicor’s stack
20:00 – The next frontier: where ERP and AI are going