FEATURE
" We have everything on the same ERP. Everything reports back to it, giving us a single source of truth," said Agarwal.
The same business discipline shapes the company ' s approach to cloud services. Technology is adopted when it improves efficiency, supports the operating model and provides a clear return, rather than because it is fashionable.
" There is no roadblock to cloud adoption. It simply has to make business sense, deliver a return on investment and improve efficiency," said Agarwal.
This foundation matters because AI cannot deliver reliable business value when information and execution remain fragmented. The ERP, mobility and automation programmes together create a more connected operating environment.
Agarwal’ s approach demonstrates the business understanding required to lead AI in FMCG. The goal is not maximum automation. It is better purchasing decisions at scale, supported by technology and governed by people who remain accountable for inventory and service.
This validation is essential because historical demand does not always predict future conditions. Supply disruption, sudden market changes and unusual customer demand can make past patterns unreliable. A technically correct forecast can still produce the wrong commercial result if the wider context is ignored.
Agarwal ' s approach demonstrates the business understanding required to lead AI in FMCG. The goal is not maximum automation. It is better purchasing decisions at scale, supported by technology and governed by people who remain accountable for inventory and service.
Keeping control as automation expands
Applying AI to purchasing decisions
Purchasing is the next major area of application. MH Enterprises is developing AI-based forecasting to support routine purchase-order decisions and help buyers manage availability, expiry exposure and working capital.
The system will first operate alongside the purchasing team. Its recommendations will be compared with actual buyer decisions and business outcomes before any wider automation is considered.
As operations become more automated and connected, Agarwal treats cybersecurity as part of business resilience. MH Enterprises has strengthened protection across endpoints, email, threat detection, vulnerability management and patching.
" We regularly test whether the security measures we have implemented are actually capable of blocking external threats," said Agarwal. " Based on the results, we take the necessary remediation actions and continuously improve our security posture."
The same principle applies to AI. Systems can handle repetitive and data-intensive work at a scale that is difficult to manage manually, but employees must retain authority over decisions carrying operational, financial or customer risk.
Across order processing, warehouse execution and purchasing, Agarwal is building an AI programme around operational relevance, controlled learning, connected data and accountable decision-making. It is a practical model for applying AI in FMCG without separating innovation from business responsibility.
" The heavy lifting should be done by the system," said Agarwal. " Responsibility, accountability and final decision-making should remain with humans." •
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INTELLIGENT CIO MIDDLE EAST www. intelligentcio. com