Acumatica, a cloud-based ERP provider, has introduced new artificial intelligence (AI) features to help businesses improve efficiency in their daily operations. Designed for small and medium-sized enterprises, Acumatica’s ERP system includes industry-specific editions for construction, distribution, manufacturing, retail, and professional services, along with a general business version. The company releases major updates twice a year, known as R1 and R2, to enhance its platform.
At the Acumatica Summit 2025 in Las Vegas, the company unveiled new AI-driven tools tailored for each industry edition of its ERP system. It also announced two initiatives to advance AI development - Acumatica AI Studio and Acumatica Labs. Additionally, the platform now integrates with Shopify and other industry-focused software, making it easier for businesses to streamline their operations.
Ali Jani, Acumatica’s Chief Product Officer, emphasized that these AI capabilities are designed to transform ERP systems from simple transaction management tools into strategic business assets. He highlighted that the technology will help businesses make better decisions while maintaining data privacy and security. During his keynote, Jani stated, “We want to equip you with AI’s power,” reinforcing the company’s commitment to innovation.
The latest updates address specific challenges within each industry. The Distribution Edition now includes catalog and pricing management tools, while the Manufacturing Edition offers real-time tracking of material availability along with enhanced scheduling features. The Construction Edition improves billing processes and adds integrations with software like STACK and JobPlanner. The Retail Edition now includes a partnership with Shopify to strengthen e-commerce capabilities, and the Professional Services Edition has integrated with ProjectManager to enhance resource planning and scheduling.
Acumatica AI Studio allows businesses to create and expand their own AI functionalities using a low-code approach, making it easier to automate complex workflows while keeping data secure. Acumatica Labs introduces a customer preview program, giving users early access to new features and the opportunity to provide direct feedback. Some of the upcoming enhancements in the 2025 R1 and R2 releases include improved order processing, shop floor tools for manufacturers, and document templates for professional services firms.
Industry analysts believe these updates will benefit Acumatica users, though they point out that similar AI advancements are being made by other cloud ERP providers. The new scheduling and work instruction features may help Acumatica compete with manufacturing ERP providers like Epicor and Plex, while the enhancements in the Professional Services Edition could strengthen its position against platforms like Oracle NetSuite and Certinia. Although the Acumatica AI Studio provides an accessible way for customers to develop AI tools, analysts note that competitors like SAP, Microsoft, and Salesforce offer similar low-code AI development platforms. However, Acumatica appears to be ahead of some mid-market ERP vendors in this area.
Experts describe Acumatica’s approach to AI as practical and focused on solving real business problems. Joshua Greenbaum, a consultant at Enterprise Applications Consulting, highlighted that Acumatica is working closely with its customers to co-develop features rather than simply building generic AI tools. He also pointed to the Shopify integration as a valuable addition, particularly for businesses serving both B2B and B2C customers. With this integration, companies can manage a single product catalog with different views depending on whether the customer is a wholesaler or a direct consumer.
By focusing on real-world applications and improving efficiency for businesses, Acumatica continues to strengthen its position in the cloud ERP market. The latest AI-driven updates are designed to make processes smoother and help companies make smarter decisions, reinforcing the platform’s value for its users.
