Agentic ERP: Microsoft's vision for an AI-first future for the shipping industry

The shipping industry is at a tipping point. Digitization, sustainability and data-driven decision making are no longer futures, but strategic imperatives. Within this context, Microsoft presents a clear vision: organizations must evolve to an AI-first business model, where technology not only supports, but actively thinks and collaborates. 

At the Sailing into the Future event in Athens, this vision was powerfully outlined by Harry Kambanis, AI & Business Solution Lead at Microsoft. His session on Agentic ERP, a new generation of ERP systems powered by AI, gave participants a tangible view of what this transformation looks like in real life. Curious about his key insights? In this blog article, we have summarized them. 

The adoption of AI

In recent years, adoption of AI has been skyrocketing. Consider, for example, ChatGPT, which reached 100 million users within two months. In this instance, AI was able to go into production immediately, meaning that the traditional adoption curve of new technologies is blurring. This rapid pace of adoption provides a significant competitive advantage, as companies that quickly embrace AI gain an edge over their competitors.

From data to answers: a two-fold revolution 

According to Microsoft, we are in the middle of a two-fold technological revolution: 

1. From data to answers: Where traditional systems revolved around “data in, data out,” it is now about “data in, answers out.” Generative AI makes it possible to generate insights and actions directly from raw data. 

1. A new interface: Natural language processing allows users to communicate with systems as if they were talking to a colleague. AI understands context, reasons and performs tasks. 

This shift makes it possible to fundamentally rethink and automate business processes.

Copilots and agents: the foundation of Agentic ERP 

Microsoft's AI-first strategy rests on three pillars: 

• Copilots: AI assistants that support employees in their daily work. 

• Agents: autonomous bots that perform specific business processes, such as vendor communication or financial reconciliation.

• Human ambition: technology facilitates, but people determine direction and innovation. 

"AI doesn't take you from 0 to 2. You have to get from 0 to 2. AI helps you get from 2 to 10," Kambanis explained.

This is how AI continues to transform your ERP 

But the possibilities go further. Consider agents that provide continuous financial close, where financial data is continuously updated and closed. This improves the accuracy and speed of financial reporting. 

Another example is self-healing supply chains, in which AI detects problems in the supply chain and automatically suggests or implements solutions. This allows you to minimize disruptions. 

Finally, you can also use AI to enable dynamic price management, with prices automatically being adjusted based on supply and demand, which is especially useful in industries such as the shipping industry.

Useful applications in the shipping industry 

The session illustrated how this vision is already becoming a reality in the shipping industry. It's not just something that's happening in the future; in fact, real-life applications are already in place. Some examples: 

Supplier Communication Agent 
This agent automatically reads supplier emails, detects delays or discrepancies, and adjusts purchase orders in the ERP system. This frees up more time for strategic supplier management. 

Account Reconciliation Agent 
Financial reconciliation that normally takes two weeks is reduced to two days. The agent automatically compares bookings, detects discrepancies, and suggests corrections. 

Yield Management Agent 
This agent helps optimize pricing strategies based on demand, capacity and external factors such as fuel prices or weather conditions. By applying AI to historical and real-time data, shipping companies can dynamically adjust their rates - similar to how airlines manage their ticket prices. This increases profitability and maximizes capacity utilization. 

 
These applications were built with Copilot Studio, in which processes can be easily configured based on existing documentation, ideal for compliance-driven industries such as shipping. Next to that, two other concrete examples were also discussed during this event: 

Voyage Management & ESG 

Dynamics 365 allows shipping companies to centrally manage their voyage management, fuel consumption, emissions and compliance. This includes:  

• Real-time route optimization based on weather and fuel data. 

• Automatic IMO and CSRD reports through Microsoft Sustainability Manager. 

• Digital twins of ships for remote maintenance and monitoring. 

eBL & DCSA-standards 

Together with the DCSA, Microsoft is working on the adoption of the electronic Bill of Lading (eBL). According to McKinsey, this could save: 

• Save 28,000 trees,
• reduce $6.5 billion in documentation costs,
• and unlock $30-40 billion in global trade growth.
  
  

Why start now? 

Microsoft's message is clear: The adoption curve of AI is gone. Technology is going straight into production. Organizations that invest in AI and Agentic ERP now take a head start on their competitors. 

 "This is your Gutenberg moment. Don't wait, innovate," Kambanis said.

What does this mean for shipping companies? 

With tools such as Dynamics 365, Power Platform and Copilot Studio, Microsoft, in collaboration with Cegeka, offers a robust ecosystem to achieve this transformation. Maritime companies can use these to automate their processes, support their ESG goals and strengthen their competitive position.

Want to know how your organization can get started with Agentic ERP and AI in shipping? Get in contact with us and let's talk about the posibilities!