AI agents are turning Salesforce and SAP into rivals
Artificial intelligence is blurring the distinction between front office and back office

ENTERPRISE SOFTWARE is an unlikely source of hubbub. Bringing up CRM or ERP in conversation has usually been a reliable way to be left alone. But not these days, especially if you are chatting to a tech investor. Mention the acronyms—for customer-relationship management, which automates front-office tasks like dealing with clients, and enterprise resource planning, which does the same for back-office processes such as managing a firm’s finances or supply chains—and you will set pulses racing.
This article appeared in the Business section of the print edition under the headline “Back to front”
Business
June 7th 2025- Even as the Murdochs bitterly feud, their empire thrives
- Which universities will be hit hardest by Trump’s war on foreign students?
- How managing energy demand got glamorous
- What Bicester Village says about the luxury industry
- Germany thinks about cancelling a public holiday
- A short guide to salary negotiations
- AI agents are turning Salesforce and SAP into rivals

From the June 7th 2025 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the edition
Pity France’s cognac-makers
They have won a respite from China, but face growing pressures in America

Linda Yaccarino goes from X CEO to ex-CEO
The top position at Elon Musk’s social-media platform is open once again

Does working from home kill company culture?
Our analysis suggests it depends on what sort of culture bosses want
On Lego, love and friendship
Human relations are a useful way to think about brands
Jeff Bezos 2.0: new wife, newish job, old vision
The Amazon founder’s semi-retirement plan
Would you pay $19 for a strawberry?
The rise of luxury fruit