AI Must Be Integrated into Core Business Systems, Not Just an Add-on Feature

The development of artificial intelligence (AI) has fundamentally changed the role of software in the business world. Where software previously served merely as a place to store and manage data, it is now transforming into the primary foundation enabling AI to analyse information and support strategic corporate decision-making.

Mekari, a provider of Software as a Service (SaaS) ecosystems, is setting a new direction in product development by promoting AI integration that is directly embedded into business workflows. The company stressed that AI works far more effectively when connected to a company’s internal data and operating within its systems, rather than being a mere add-on feature.

Chief Executive Officer Suwandi highlighted that the main strength of AI in a business context lies in its ability to process specific internal data. He noted that AI cannot provide optimal answers if it is not connected to the company’s own data repositories.

However, Mekari pointed out that AI implementation in Indonesia still faces significant challenges due to the lack of formalised systems and data recording. Data presented by the company shows that out of approximately 66 million registered businesses, only around 17.5 million are actively conducting formal transactions. This lack of structured data prevents AI from functioning at its full potential.

In its report, Mekari outlined a three-stage development approach for AI capabilities: assess, re-evaluate, and full implementation within the system. Through this approach, the company hopes that AI will no longer be perceived as a supplementary tool, but rather as a core part of the digital ecosystem driving efficiency and future business growth.