In today’s manufacturing environment, artificial intelligence is everywhere. It shows up in consumer tools, retail platforms, and enterprise systems. But for many food and beverage manufacturers, AI is still more promise than progress.

The potential is not in question. What often gets in the way is how AI is introduced. Too many manufacturers are treating it as a short-term fix rather than a foundation for long-term capability.

During a recent executive session, one theme became clear. Many organizations are deploying AI to solve isolated problems. A finance issue leads to a tool. A separate pain point in sales leads to another. What’s missing is the structure that ties these efforts together.

AI Needs a Broader Mandate

AI can deliver results. However, the question is whether it is being applied in a way that supports the business across functions. Manufacturers should think beyond department-level tools and look at AI as a way to improve stability across the supply network. That requires alignment between systems, data, and partners.When AI is connected to the wider operation, it becomes more than a tactical solution. It helps reduce risk, surface better decisions, and improve execution across the board.

The Ecosystem Around AI Matters

AI does not create value in a vacuum. Its effectiveness depends on the quality and structure of the ecosystem it supports, which includes:

• How consistent supplier and distributor data
• How well pricing and contracts are managed
• How efficiently finance teams can validate claims and address discrepancies

Manufacturers that focus on cleaning up these processes before introducing AI will see better outcomes. They should not rely on automation to fix chaos, rather use it to reinforce structure that already works.

Lead with Readiness

AI is not the question anymore. The real issue is whether the business is prepared to use it well.

That preparation starts with connected systems, cleaner data, and workflows that are ready for automation to step in and extend their reach.

Leaders who approach AI with readiness in mind are not chasing trends. They are positioning their organizations to adapt faster, serve customers better, and protect margin more consistently.

These ideas were explored in more depth during our session, From Cost to Capability: Rethinking the Manufacturing Ecosystem in the Age of AI. If you missed the conversation, you can watch the full recording on demand here.

Unstructured systems often lead to avoidable loss. Cerena for Manufacturers organizes core processes such as order management, trade activity, and deduction handling. This structure creates a clearer foundation for AI, making it more reliable and easier to scale. With clarity in place, AI supports the system rather than compensating for it.

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