Manufacturers Double Down on AI and ERP Amid Economic Uncertainty
Event summary
- 94% of manufacturers now use some form of AI, with predictive AI adoption rising 12 points to 48%.
- 61% plan to increase enterprise software spending by 11–25% over the next year.
- 49% cite platform consolidation as a top ERP priority to reduce data silos.
- 33% report talent shortages and 31% lack cross-department collaboration as key barriers.
The big picture
Manufacturers are accelerating AI adoption and enterprise software investments despite economic headwinds, prioritizing agility and cost optimization. The push for platform consolidation reflects broader industry trends toward data unification as a competitive differentiator in volatile markets. Rootstock’s survey highlights how digital transformation is becoming more strategic—even as internal execution challenges grow.
What we're watching
- Execution Risk
- Whether manufacturers can balance AI-driven efficiency gains with organizational constraints like talent shortages and siloed collaboration.
- Market Dynamics
- How tariff pressures and volatile customer demand will shape ERP investment priorities in 2026.
- Platform Strategy
- The pace at which manufacturers consolidate fragmented systems under unified ERP platforms to improve forecasting and decision-making.
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