Why Your ERP Is Already an Automation Platform (You’re Just Not Using It)
When finance teams talk about automation, the conversation usually jumps straight to new tools: AI, OCR, RPA. But here’s the reality most CFOs already know. Your ERP is already an automation platform. You probably just aren’t using it fully.
The kicker? Unlocking value doesn’t always require a shiny new tool. Often, the automation you need is already there. You just need to deploy it effectively.
Event Frameworks, Workflows, and Accounting Rules — All Built In
Modern ERPs aren’t just ledgers. They come with:
Event frameworks that trigger actions based on business events
Workflows that enforce approvals, exceptions, and notifications
Accounting rules and templates that automatically post transactions correctly
All of this can reduce manual work, cut errors, and speed up processes - sometimes without touching a third-party tool.
Common Underused ERP Capabilities
From my experience across multiple implementations, finance teams often underutilize:
Workflow engines: Automating approvals, exceptions, and notifications instead of chasing emails or Excel sign-offs.
Event triggers: Automatically creating accruals, journal entries, or alerts based on business events.
Accounting rules: Handling recurring adjustments or exceptions without manual intervention.
Reporting and analytics: Scheduling dashboards or alerts to flag anomalies instead of exporting and reconciling manually.
Reality Check — Costs and Scope
Yes, unlocking ERP automation isn’t always “free.” Some of the most valuable functionality often sits outside the core scope of your initial implementation. Activating these modules may involve:
Additional licensing for features or modules not included in the original rollout
Consulting effort to configure workflows, event triggers, or advanced rules
Training so the team knows how to use the new capabilities effectively
But here’s the upside: you’re still within the same ERP landscape. That means:
Guaranteed inter-application conversation - no complex integration work is needed
Faster adoption since users are already familiar with the ERP interface
Lower risk compared to introducing a third-party platform
In other words, you pay a relatively smaller incremental cost to unlock built-in capabilities but you avoid the headaches, delays, and integration risks of buying something new.
How to Unlock Value Without a Full Transformation Program
Inventory what’s already there: Map workflows, rules, and event triggers that exist but aren’t fully leveraged.
Prioritize high-impact areas: Start with approvals, recurring entries, or reconciliations where manual effort is highest.
Balance cost and benefit: Some modules may need licensing or consulting. Weigh the ROI against buying a new tool.
Train the team: Many underused ERP features fail simply because people don’t know they exist.
Iterate and monitor: Small automations can compound. One automated journal entry can prevent dozens of downstream manual fixes.
The Takeaway for CFOs
Before chasing the next shiny object in finance automation, look closely at your ERP. Odds are, it already has the tools you need and unlocking them often costs less than buying new software.
The biggest gains aren’t always in new tools. They’re in making the systems you already own work harder for you, within the same landscape, with lower integration risk.
