Rethink ERP: How to move to a system of action

From the 2025 Technology Finance Symposium - East

David Appel, managing partner at Vertical Ventures, delivered a compelling session on rethinking enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, emphasizing the transition from systems of record to systems of action. He opened by highlighting the importance of community and collaboration in decision-making, sharing a story of a $50 million client leveraging AI-driven recommendations to align investors and accelerate product decisions.

At the core of his talk was the notion that traditional ERP systems often lag behind business needs, operating as historical record-keepers rather than tools for proactive decision-making. He described the risks of disconnected systems, dirty data and high modification costs, stressing that modern finance leaders must shift from tactical responders to strategic architects. By integrating AI and automation, organizations can move beyond merely observing outcomes to understanding causes and driving actions.

Appel outlined a structured 30/60/90-day plan for adopting intelligent systems. In the first 30 days, he advised selecting a product, training the team on security and prompt engineering and documenting workflows with historical data and clear policy rules. Days 31-60 focus on building context and refining data integration through APIs, while the final 30 days emphasize scaling, systemizing automations and progressively optimizing workflows. Central to this process is managing exceptions and learning from early adopters to accelerate adoption and accuracy.

He detailed four pillars for successful AI-driven ERP: clean data as the source of truth, workflow integration, defined outcomes and leveraging organizational memory and context as competitive advantages. Appel also highlighted the importance of cultivating the right team structure, distinguishing three roles: coaches who guide execution, finance engineers who streamline processes and strategic architects who oversee capital allocation and planning at a higher level.

By following this approach, Appel illustrated how organizations could achieve dramatic improvements in operational speed, forecasting and decision-making. He cited examples where automation reduced cycle times by 90%, enabling faster planning and more intelligent capital allocation. Ultimately, his message was one of empowerment: with thoughtful implementation, finance teams can leverage AI to transform workflows, create actionable insights and gain a lasting competitive edge – without overburdening employees. He concluded by encouraging attendees to continue these conversations, connect with peers and embrace the mindset of a strategic architect in their organizations.