November 10, 2025
Does ERP fail, or does it just need AI to unlock its potential? In this episode, host JP Wargithole sits down with Robert Jolliffe, owner of Sabre Limited and a 30-year veteran of manufacturing IT, to challenge the notion that ERP systems have failed.
Robert brings a compelling perspective from the trenches of small to mid-market manufacturing ($10M-$500M revenue). For companies still running on QuickBooks and Excel, ERP isn’t a failure—it’s the most transformational investment they can make. But the real breakthrough happens when you combine ERP’s structured data foundation with AI’s natural language capabilities.
In this episode, we explore:
- Why ERP success depends on scale and implementation context
- How Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is integrating Copilot for natural language queries
- The critical relationship between data structure and AI effectiveness
- Why you can’t skip straight to AI without proper data foundations
- What’s coming next in ERP-AI integration (hint: big changes in 6 months)
Robert also shares the fascinating history of ERP—from its origins as separate MRP and accounting systems in the late 1960s to today’s integrated platforms that serve as the central nervous system for manufacturing operations.
The bottom line: You can’t leverage AI without good data. You can’t have good data without proper systems. ERP creates the foundation; AI unlocks the insights.
Whether you’re running a $10 million shop or managing IT for a Fortune 500, this conversation will change how you think about the relationship between traditional enterprise systems and emerging AI capabilities.
Connect with Robert Jolliffe: Sabre Limited – Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Partner: https://outlook.office365.com/book/RobJolliffeSabre@sabrelimited.com/?ismsaljsauthenabled=true
About AI in Motion: AI in Motion explores the intersection of artificial intelligence with supply chain and manufacturing. Host JP Morgenthal brings you conversations with industry experts, practitioners, and innovators who are shaping the future of how we make and move things.
