VENDORiQ: Workday Agentic AI: Industrial AI Agents are Coming to Your Core Systems!

Why It’s Important

The introduction of Workday’s Agent System of Record is further evidence of core business solution providers leading the evolution in enterprise AI strategy. We are moving beyond simple task automation to comprehensive AI agents professionally designed and coded to perform specific business tasks and roles. This shift aligns with IBRS’s prediction about the transition from personal to industrial AI agents, with major implications for enterprise software.

The development represents the coming change in how organisations will manage their workforce. Unlike current AI implementations focusing on individual task automation, industrial AI agents are designed to handle complex, role-specific responsibilities across entire business functions. This approach requires tight integration with core systems of record, ensuring AI agents can access and process enterprise data securely and effectively.

The strategy’s emphasis on centralised management and governance is particularly noteworthy. IBRS notes the critical need for robust AI management frameworks, especially as personal agents begin to include ‘out of the box’ integrations with business systems via low-code platforms. Workday’s platform addresses this by providing comprehensive controls for deployment, security, compliance, and cost management.

The parallel developments from Salesforce, particularly their flexible ‘Bring Your Own Model’ strategy, suggest a broader industry trend towards enterprise-grade AI integration. The strategic partnership between Workday and Salesforce indicates that these two vendors are positioning themselves for an ecosystem approach to industrial AI deployment.

Who’s Impacted

• CIOs: Prepare for a significant shift in IT strategy, focusing on integrating and managing industrial AI agents within core systems. Develop frameworks for agent governance and security, with a specific focus on the ease of integration to corporate data sources.
• CFOs: Review financial implications of AI agent deployment, including cost management and potential efficiency gains. Prepare for automated financial processes and enhanced risk management capabilities.
• Workspace Admin: Develop expertise in AI agent management and monitoring. Prepare for increased responsibilities in system integration and user support.
• HR Directors: Plan for workforce transformation as roles evolve to incorporate AI collaboration. Develop training programs for staff working alongside AI agents.
• Risk and Compliance Officers: Establish governance frameworks for AI agent deployment, ensuring compliance with regulations and ethical guidelines.

What’s Next

• Conduct an assessment of current systems and processes to identify opportunities for industrial AI agent deployment, focusing on role-based implementations rather than task-based automation.
• Develop a comprehensive change management strategy addressing technical integration and workforce adaptation to working alongside AI agents.
• Review existing data governance frameworks to ensure they can support the increased integration of AI agents with core systems of record.
• Establish metrics and monitoring systems to measure the effectiveness and ROI of industrial AI agent deployments.
• Create partnerships with key vendors who align with the industrial AI agent approach, ensuring strategic alignment with enterprise goals.