40 Years of Information Technology in Valais – Conference #3: ERP, the Backbone of the Business, in the Age of AI
On Wednesday, December 2, 2026, HES-SO Valais-Wallis will host a conference at the Bellevue Campus in Sierre dedicated to the evolution of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems in the age of artificial intelligence. Titled “ERP: The Backbone of the Business in the Age of AI,” this event will conclude a series of three conferences organized to mark the 40th anniversary of business information systems education in Valais, highlighting the connections between applied research, technological innovation, and business needs.
ERP & Artificial Intelligence: Toward a New Generation of Management Tools?
At the heart of business operations, ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems enable the centralization of information and the coordination of various business processes, from accounting to inventory management, including purchasing, sales, and human resources. With the emergence of artificial intelligence, these systems are opening up new avenues for development, particularly in the areas of process automation, data analytics, and decision support. This third conference will explore the interactions between ERP and AI, bringing together perspectives from both academia and the business world.
Two speakers will contribute to this discussion:
- Prof. Sébastien Gard, a professor at HES-SO Valais-Wallis, will shed light on ERP systems and their role in the digital transformation of organizations.
- Philipp Fux, CEO of braintec, a company specializing in business management solutions, will share his firsthand perspective on this technological landscape.
For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in French-speaking Switzerland, this event will provide an opportunity to better understand developments in management tools and to identify the opportunities presented by integrating AI into their information systems. Beyond the prospects for automation, it will help foster discussion on key issues: data quality and value, tool interoperability, operational efficiency, and the adaptation of business processes. These are all factors to consider when working to sustainably evolve one’s digital environment.
