How Agentic ERP Workflows Keep Work Moving
- Aug 12
- 6 min read
The best ERP workflows are almost invisible.
Orders move from sales to fulfillment. Purchase requests become approved purchase orders. Inventory gets replenished. Finance closes the books. Customer questions get answered.
When everything is working as it should, nobody stops to think about the process because the work simply keeps moving.
You rarely notice a workflow until it loses momentum. An approval sits untouched. An inventory exception waits for someone to investigate. A month-end task stalls because one piece of information hasn't made it to the next person.
The software isn't usually the bottleneck. It's often just waiting for the rest of us to catch up.
Businesses using Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central are already exploring how agentic ERP workflows could keep work moving instead of waiting for the next manual step.
If you've ever spent a Saturday morning reminding three people to put their shoes on, you already understand workflow management. The work isn't difficult. Keeping it moving is the hard part.
In recent articles, I've explored Microsoft's expanding AI capabilities, how Copilot helps employees work more efficiently, and why agentic AI represents the next evolution beyond AI assistants. If you'd like to explore those topics further, I've included links to each article at the end of this post.
Agentic ERP Workflows are where those ideas become practical.
Unlike traditional workflow automation, agentic AI can understand context, coordinate multiple steps, and help keep work moving while still leaving important business decisions in human hands.
Businesses using Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and the Microsoft Power Platform are well positioned to take advantage of this next evolution, providing the automation, integration, and low-code capabilities that make these workflows possible.
In this article, I'll explore how Agentic ERP Workflows differ from traditional workflow automation, where they can reduce workflow drag, and why I believe they'll become valuable workflow partners that help teams spend less time waiting on work and more time moving the business forward.
How could AI agents improve ERP workflows?
Agentic AI improves ERP workflows by bringing a new level of AI workflow management, helping work continue moving even when processes become more complex or require coordination across multiple steps.
Most ERP workflow automation follows a predictable pattern.
When a specific condition is met, the system performs a predefined action.
If an invoice exceeds an approval threshold, it gets routed to a manager.
If inventory falls below a minimum level, a purchase request is generated.
Those automations save time, but they still depend on rules that someone defined in advance.
Business processes rarely stay that predictable. One delayed shipment, one last-minute customer change, or one unavailable approver is often all it takes to slow everything behind it.
A customer changes an order after production has already begun. A supplier misses a promised delivery date. An approval sits untouched because the approver is on vacation.
Traditional workflow automation typically pauses until someone notices the exception.
That waiting is exactly the kind of workflow drag I see in businesses every day.
Agentic AI introduces a different approach. Instead of simply executing predefined rules, AI agents can evaluate the situation, gather relevant information, recommend the next step, and coordinate actions across multiple processes before involving a person when judgment is required.
That doesn't eliminate human decision-making. It reduces the amount of time people spend tracking down information, following up on routine tasks, and figuring out what should happen next.
What ERP tasks could agentic AI automate without replacing employees?
When people hear about agentic AI, one of the first questions they ask is whether it will replace employees.
I don't see it that way. Most businesses aren't looking for fewer people.
They're looking for fewer delays, fewer manual follow-ups, and fewer routine tasks that keep experienced employees focused on work that actually requires their expertise.
I've worked with companies where buyers spend the first hour of every morning figuring out which problems deserve attention first.
Instead of digging through reports, an AI agent could monitor supplier commitments, inventory levels, production schedules, and customer demand to identify issues before they become problems.
The buyer still decides what to do. The AI simply helps them focus on the right priorities sooner.
The same idea applies to accounts payable. Rather than simply routing invoices through a predefined approval path, an AI agent could recognize unusual payment patterns, flag missing information, recommend the appropriate approver, and keep the process moving with less manual intervention.
Approvals are another good example. Every company seems to have at least one approval that was meant to be temporary but quietly earned tenure.
An AI agent won't replace the decision-maker, but it can make sure the right person has the right information at the right time, while keeping the process moving instead of letting requests quietly wait in someone's inbox.
Customer service can benefit as well. If a shipment is delayed or inventory availability changes, an AI agent could identify affected customers, prepare suggested communications for review, and alert the service team before the phone starts ringing.
The common thread? Agentic AI doesn't eliminate human judgment. It reduces the time employees spend chasing information, coordinating routine activities, and making sure work keeps moving.
That's where I believe businesses will see the greatest value: not by replacing people, but by helping good people spend more time making decisions and less time managing the process.
How are agentic ERP workflows different from traditional workflow automation?
One of the questions I expect to hear is, "Don't we already have workflow automation?"
Usually, my answer is, "Yes—but..."
Traditional workflow automation is excellent at following rules.
If an invoice exceeds a threshold, route it for approval.
If inventory runs low, generate a purchase request.
If an order ships, send the confirmation.
The challenge is that business rarely follows the expected path. It's a little like leaving the house without your keys. Everything seems to be going according to plan until one small interruption brings everything to a stop.
That's where agentic process automation begins to look different.
Instead of waiting for someone to notice the problem, an AI agent can recognize that something unexpected has happened, evaluate the available information, determine the most appropriate next step within the rules you've established, and either take action or recommend it to an employee.
The AI is making business decisions on its own. It's helping the process spend less time waiting for someone to realize it needs attention.
To me, that's the real distinction. Traditional workflow automation follows instructions. Agentic ERP workflows help keep work moving when the unexpected happens, which in manufacturing and distribution, is most days.
How should businesses prepare for agentic ERP workflows?
Preparing for Agentic ERP Workflows isn't about predicting every new AI capability.
Clear, consistent processes make Business Central workflows easier to manage today and easier to enhance with AI tomorrow.
I've worked with companies that wanted to automate inefficient processes before they fully understood them. AI can certainly help improve workflows, but it can't fix processes that are inconsistent or poorly defined.
f every exception requires a different answer, even the smartest technology has to work harder.
That's why I encourage businesses to start with the fundamentals. Review approval processes—especially the ones that have quietly outlived their original purpose. Look for unnecessary handoffs, improve data quality, and identify repetitive tasks that eat up time without adding much value.
The businesses that benefit most from Agentic ERP Workflows won't necessarily be the first to adopt every new AI feature.
They'll be the ones that already have processes worth improving.
Manufacturing and distribution have never lacked hardworking people.
The challenge has always been helping work move through the business without unnecessary delays.
I don't see Agentic ERP Workflows replacing employees.
I see them helping experienced people spend less time chasing information and more time making decisions that move the business forward.
Every business has workflows that create more friction than they should. Start with the one that's slowing people down every day.
Stay tuned for the final article in this series to learn how to prepare your business for Agentic AI. And if you're just joining the conversation—or want to revisit earlier topics, you may also find these articles helpful:
If you're thinking about AI readiness, process improvement, or how emerging capabilities could fit into your ERP strategy, feel free to reach out. I'd be happy to continue the conversation.
About Matt Keyes
Matt Keyes is a visionary leader, founder, and CTO of Key Partner Solutions. With over two decades of experience in Microsoft Dynamics, he is passionate about driving digital transformation for businesses through innovative technology solutions.
His deep technical expertise, combined with a strategic approach to solving business challenges, makes him a sought-after thought leader in the industry.
Today, Matt is focused on empowering companies to unlock new levels of growth and efficiency through cutting-edge software development and consulting.
Connect with Matt on LinkedIn.
