Oracle has added role-based artificial intelligence (AI) agents to its cloud supply chain and manufacturing suite.
The new offering is designed to automate routine tasks and allow companies to devote more time to strategic supply chain initiatives, according to a Thursday (Jan. 30) press release.
“Supply chain professionals often spend several hours every week on administrative tasks, such as data analysis, policy reviews, and order processing, which takes a significant toll on productivity and resources,” Chris Leone, executive vice president of applications development at Oracle, said in the release.
“Our new AI agents for supply chain management help ease the administrative burden by streamlining workflows and automating routine tasks to enable greater accuracy and efficiency, smarter decision-making, and ultimately, a more agile and responsive supply chain.”
According to the release, the agents can help procurement professionals create, process and fulfill purchase requisitions with more speed and accuracy.
“For example, the agent can provide insight into procurement policies, share product recommendations, and identify specific information needed to complete a purchase requisition,” Oracle said.
The agents can also help manufacturing and production operators determine if operations align with procedural guidelines and safety standards, while also helping “suppliers streamline access to company-specific policies and guidelines to improve productivity.”
PYMNTS examined the role AI agents play in automation earlier this week, contrasting them with the duties handled by robotic process automation, or RPA, which is similar to “a highly skilled but inflexible assembly line of workers.”
An AI agent, meanwhile is software that also automates tasks, while also functioning more like an adaptable knowledge worker. Rather than just following ordained tasks under set rules, it can understand context, make decisions and tweak its approach as circumstances change. Importantly, it can autonomously carry out tasks on behalf of users.
“When RPA faces a problem that doesn’t match its template, it needs to be reprogrammed for changes in process,” PYMNTS wrote.
“When an AI agent faces the same situation, it can reason through the problem and come up with a fitting response. It can learn and adjust to new situations. RPA uses structured inputs and logic; AI agents use unstructured data and reasoning.”
For instance, an RPA-powered chatbot on a website can handle pre-programmed responses for the most commonly asked questions by customers. But deviate from those questions, and the chatbot provides incorrect or irrelevant answers. An AI agent trained on GPT-4, on the other hand, would have a more natural response, and could better answer the customer because it can understand the question and dynamically find the answer.
For all PYMNTS B2B coverage, subscribe to the daily B2B Newsletter.
The business landscape is challenging, but firms are increasingly flush with innovations designed to beat back any operational challenges with cutting-edge tech.
Artificial intelligence, for example, has become a linchpin of modern financial operations, reshaping processes from fraud detection to credit risk assessment. As companies warm toward harnessing AI-powered algorithms, efficiency and precision are being positioned at the forefront of operational improvement.
At the same time, B2B payments are undergoing a parallel transformation.
Legacy systems, which often relied on manual processes and paper-based invoicing, are being replaced by streamlined, digitized platforms. Businesses are turning to integrated payment solutions that enhance efficiency, security and transparency.
What is the reason for the accelerating digital transformation of back-office technology stacks and payment workflows?
A prominent root cause is the ongoing uncertainty afflicting the business environment. This includes escalating trade tensions marked by the imposition of tariffs, which have introduced a wave of hesitation across various sectors, impacting middle-market companies.
As economic uncertainties persist, financial management has become paramount, and, as the B2B news this week shows, few things support agile decision making and real-time forecasting better than the digitization of previously manual workflows.
Read also: AI Agent Systems Are Here — Will They Transform B2B?
One of the trends in B2B is the integration of AI-powered solutions to enhance operational efficiency. The adoption of agentic AI solutions is being explored to empower chief financial officers and treasurers by enabling autonomous financial decision making and operational efficiency.
Payments technology firm Transcard announced Tuesday (April 1) that it added agentic AI capabilities to its vendor network management solution. The changes to the company’s SMART Exchange are designed to streamline payment interactions between buyers and suppliers, with agentic AI automating onboarding and know your business (KYB).
Tesorio added an AI agent for supplier portals to its platform for accounts receivable automation, collections and cash flow management Thursday (March 27). The company’s new Supplier Portals Agent autonomously manages portal-based invoicing, from invoice submission to payment tracking, eliminating the need for finance teams to submit and track invoices across portals, a task that Tesorio said has become “one of the most manual, fragmented and error-prone parts of the AR process.”
AI-driven platforms can offer CFOs and treasurers insights and analytical capabilities, helping them navigate complex finances. The collaboration between agentic AI and financial operations is one potentially poised to unlock growth by empowering executives to make data-driven decisions with greater confidence.
See also: How CFOs Can Solve for Resource Bottlenecks in Back-Office Innovation
Beyond AI, the B2B sector is witnessing innovation in payment systems and risk management. Mastercard, for instance, launched a program Monday (March 31) aimed at encouraging the adoption of virtual cards for commercial payments. The initiative seeks to provide businesses with a more seamless, consumer-like experience, particularly in the realm of digital transactions.
Meanwhile, EasyPost on Tuesday introduced Forge, a B2B shipping solution designed to optimize logistics and reduce costs for enterprise clients. The development highlights the growing demand for specialized solutions that address the unique needs of B2B commerce, where efficiency and cost-effectiveness are paramount.
Risk management remains a concern for businesses operating on a global scale. To address this, Zip, also on Tuesday, rolled out a supplier risk management solution aimed at helping organizations assess and mitigate potential vulnerabilities in their supply chains. As geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions persist, such tools are key for maintaining operational resilience.
See also: What Treasurers Can Learn From How Central Banks Approach Risk
The ongoing evolution of FinTech is also shaping how businesses manage their assets and navigate economic uncertainties. A growing number of treasurers are turning to unconventional assets like bitcoin and gold as part of broader capital allocation strategies. The trend reflects a desire for diversification and a hedge against currency volatility, particularly as inflationary pressures and geopolitical risks continue to loom.
For CFOs, the challenge of maintaining financial visibility in a volatile environment is ever-present. Enhanced financial visibility tools are proving essential in navigating tariff uncertainties and ensuring liquidity management remains robust. These tools empower executives to forecast potential disruptions and respond proactively rather than reactively.
Supply chain transparency is another area receiving heightened attention. Inspectorio’s partnership with Open Supply Hub aims to promote greater transparency through open data platforms. The collaboration is intended to enhance accountability and ensure that sourcing practices adhere to evolving regulatory and ethical standards.
Looking forward, the question is not whether these technologies will continue to gain traction, but rather how quickly and effectively they will be adopted at scale.
For all PYMNTS B2B and AI coverage, subscribe to the daily B2B and AI Newsletters.
