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Platform Agentic AI for operationsAgentic AI for MRO (guide)MRO inventory optimizationMRO digital transformationSolutions by industryGuides by role
Resources Original researchInventory & procurement statisticsBenchmarksCalculatorsGlossaryHow-to playbooks
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For the Chief Digital & Transformation Officer

The Digital / Transformation's Guide to Autonomous Operations

Last updated July 2026

The short answer

Autonomous operations means AI agents handle the routine inventory and procurement decisions continuously, escalating only the exceptions and value calls to a human. Maintained runs the day-to-day and asks for approval on what matters, so your team scales without adding headcount.

What you're measured on

Speak in agentic AI, scales beyond a pilot, integrates with ERP/WMS, and GenAI ROI.

  • Digital adoption
  • ROI on tech spend
  • Automation rate
  • GenAI ROI

Where the value is

  • Automate routine replenishment, sourcing, and disposition decisions
  • Escalate only exceptions and value calls to a person
  • Codify tribal knowledge into always-on decisioning
  • Scale operations without adding headcount

The pains this removes

  • Legacy systems plus dirty data
  • AI pilots that never scale
  • Pressure to 'do something with AI'
  • Point-solution sprawl and integration risk

The numbers behind it

83%
83% of distribution executives have implemented AI in at least one function, up from 35% in 2023.
Epicor
20–30%
AI-driven optimization can cut inventory 20–30% while holding service levels, and reduce forecasting error up to 50%.
Epicor / MDM
3.2×
Procurement 'Digital Masters' see 3.2× GenAI ROI versus 1.5× for followers, and allocate up to 24% of budget to procurement technology.
Deloitte 2025 Global CPO Survey

Frequently asked questions

How should a Digital / Transformation approach run autonomous inventory and procurement operations?

Speak in agentic AI, scales beyond a pilot, integrates with ERP/WMS, and GenAI ROI. Autonomous operations means AI agents handle the routine inventory and procurement decisions continuously, escalating only the exceptions and value calls to a human. Maintained runs the day-to-day and asks for approval on what matters, so your team scales without adding headcount.

What outcome should a Digital / Transformation expect?

Let the system decide the routine; your team owns the exceptions. Automate routine replenishment, sourcing, and disposition decisions

See what your inventory is really costing you.

Tell us where the cash is trapped — excess stock, idle surplus, slow RFQs — and we'll show you the outcome Maintained can unlock.

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