AITech Interview: Miten Mehta, Chief Engineering Officer at Acumatica, on AI Strategy

In this exclusive AITech Interview, we sit down with Miten Mehta, the Chief Engineering Officer at Acumatica, to gain insights into embedding AI into core business workflows. Miten shares how AI can deliver efficiency, accuracy, and long-term value for businesses, especially in an era where digital transformation is accelerating.

Miten, as the Chief Engineering Officer at Acumatica, can you share a bit about your journey into the world of AI and technology, and what drew you to Acumatica?
I’ve always been drawn to technologies that solve complex problems and make a positive impact on the world, from foundational platforms to cloud-based ecosystems and now AI-driven innovation. Over the course of my career, I’ve had the opportunity to lead engineering teams building products that transformed both consumer experiences and enterprise operations. At Acumatica, I saw the unique opportunity to join a company pushing ERP boundaries by embedding AI into a cloud-native platform designed for small and mid-sized businesses. Our mission is to build practical AI-powered solutions that enhance efficiency, streamline workflows, and help businesses make smarter, data-driven decisions.

With AI hailed as transformational, how can businesses determine which tools genuinely impact operations rather than add complexity?
The key is aligning AI-enabled tools with real business objectives rather than adopting AI for its own sake. Companies should begin by identifying challenges such as inefficiencies, decision-making bottlenecks, or areas where automation can reduce manual effort. AI should integrate seamlessly into workflows, drawing on relevant data to improve productivity and accuracy. At Acumatica, our approach is to embed AI directly into core business management processes, so that the impact is immediate, measurable, and tangible for users.

How should AI align with business goals such as efficiency, accuracy, and automation to deliver real results?
AI should not exist as a standalone tool. Instead, it must integrate with workflows to optimize processes and decision-making. By embedding AI into daily operations, companies save time, reduce costs, and achieve measurable efficiency without needing deep technical expertise.

Security and compliance are critical concerns when deploying AI. How do you address these challenges?
At Acumatica, we treat compliance and security as non-negotiable. Any AI solution must adhere to strict governance policies, maintain transparency in its decisions, and protect sensitive data. Leaders must demand compliance certifications, clear documentation, and conduct third-party audits to validate vendor claims. This approach ensures AI solutions meet regulatory standards and safeguard enterprise data.

Many AI solutions remain standalone. How can companies ensure AI is seamlessly embedded into workflows?
AI adoption should prioritize solutions natively integrated into platforms like ERP and CRM systems. This ensures businesses operate with accurate, up-to-date data while avoiding inefficiencies created by switching between multiple tools. In some cases, workflows may need rethinking to maximize AI’s value. Rather than layering automation onto outdated practices, organizations should redesign workflows with AI in mind to unlock full benefits.

How do you see AI enhancing human decision-making rather than simply replacing jobs?
AI’s role is to augment human expertise. The best solutions serve as digital co-workers—automating repetitive tasks and providing predictive insights—while employees focus on higher-value work. Humans contribute context, ethics, and creativity that machines cannot replicate. For example, in healthcare, AI may highlight treatment options, but human judgment ensures patient-specific needs are addressed. Similarly, in finance, AI surfaces unexpected investment opportunities, but advisors provide critical interpretation.

Acumatica Labs and AI Studio allow companies to test AI before deployment. How important is this in today’s evolving landscape?
Testing AI in real-world conditions is essential for usability, accuracy, and scalability. At Acumatica, we emphasize a customer-driven approach, using feedback loops to refine solutions before wide-scale deployment. Acumatica Labs allows us to test new features rigorously, while AI Studio gives users tools like the AI Prompt Editor to customize AI for their unique systems and processes. This agile, customer-centric approach ensures businesses can adapt AI innovations effectively while maintaining measurable impact.

What challenges do companies face when adopting and integrating AI?
A major challenge is integrating AI into existing infrastructure without causing silos or inefficiencies. Some companies lack the technical infrastructure to process large data volumes effectively. Concerns around security, compliance, and bias in AI-driven insights also remain. At Acumatica, our AI is designed to be intuitive and accessible, ensuring all users—not just technical experts—can make data-driven decisions with confidence.

What characteristics should businesses look for to ensure AI delivers long-term value?
Scalability, seamless integration, usability, and alignment with core objectives are crucial. AI should evolve with business needs while maintaining data accuracy and security. Leaders must prioritize cost efficiency and usability so both technical and non-technical teams can adopt it easily. Additionally, companies should focus on industry-specific applications, such as inventory forecasting in retail, to drive sustainable value.

Finally, what role will AI play in the future of business operations, and how can companies prepare?
AI will continue to transform business operations by driving automation, predictive analytics, and intelligent decision-making. It will democratize insights across organizations, giving businesses capabilities once reserved for advanced analysts. To prepare, companies should adopt flexible, cloud-based platforms, invest in seamless data integration, and upskill employees to collaborate with AI. Those who embrace AI strategically, rather than reactively, will gain competitive advantage and sustain long-term growth.

Through this AITech Interview, Miten Mehta, Chief Engineering Officer at Acumatica, emphasizes that AI’s true potential lies in being seamlessly integrated into workflows, aligned with business goals, and designed for real-world usability. By adopting this approach, businesses can achieve greater efficiency, stronger compliance, and sustainable growth in the era of AI transformation.