By Tom O'Rourke in I&O Leadership —

A Conversation with Rich Corbridge

While automation, orchestration and agentic AI are key technologies at Segro, Rich explains that collaboration with the business teams has been the key to defining priorities and identifying opportunities, driving deployment of new AI-based workbenches, avoiding the need for ERP replacement.

A Conversation with Rich Corbridge
Enterprise Automation Excellence Episode 31 – A Conversation with Rich Corbridge

EAE Episode 31 – Business Collaboration Drives Success When Leveraging New Technologies

Although we didn't discuss it directly, Rich's approach at Segro PLC is rooted in product-thinking, discussing pain points with stakeholders and users to define a workbench-based solution that makes users more successful while avoiding an expensive and disruptive ERP replacement.

While automation, orchestration and agentic AI are key elements of the solution, Rich explains that collaboration with the business has been integral to defining priorities and identifying opportunities. Their initial successes have created an environment where there the business groups are enthusiastic about expanding the new solutions into their areas.

Summary

Transforming the business does not require expensive technology changes, it can be accomplished through business partnership and better use of existing systems and information. In this episode, Rich Corbridge (CIO, SEGRO plc) joins Dan Twing and Tom O'Rourke to discuss how they are using automation and AI to significantly improve their ERP capabilities, without replacing their ERP systems. Focusing on business value, SEGRO is piloting AI-enable orchestration to create workbenches that tie together disparate systems for timely access to information, improving decision making.

Key Points

  • Business value drove technology selection and the decision to supplement existing ERP systems rather than replacing them
  • A centralized approach balances consistency with localized customizations
  • Partnering with two vendors with different engagement styles provided valuable insights
  • ROI was defined upfront, each pilot process had specific targets before testing began
  • Technology change is happening quickly, SEGRO's deliberate approach is making them culturally ready for rapid change.

Takeaways for Automation Leaders

  • Build alliances with business leaders before starting the technology selection process
  • A structured evaluation of AI-enabled orchestration outperforms giving everyone tools to built their own agents
  • Cultural change in the IT team is as important as cultural change in the business
  • Momentum comes from demonstrating what is possible
  • Success is defined as business impact, SEGRO is using orchestration to grow the business without increasing staff or operational costs

EAE Podcast Home: https://em360tech.com/podcast-series/enterprise-automation-excellence
Feedback & Questions: eaepodcast@emausa.com