AI-Powered Demand Forecasting in ERP: A Comparative Study of ML Algorithms

Demand forecasting is a critical function in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, directly influencing inventory management, production planning, and overall operational efficiency. Traditional statistical models often fall short in handling the complexity and variability of modern supply chains. This study investigates the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI), specifically Machine Learning (ML) algorithms, to enhance demand forecasting accuracy within ERP environments. I conduct a comparative analysis of four widely used ML models: Linear Regression, Random Forest, Support Vector Regression (SVR), and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks. Using real-world ERP datasets, each model is evaluated based on Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), and computational performance. The results reveal that while Random Forest and LSTM models outperform others in terms of accuracy, their complexity and training time vary significantly. My findings highlight the trade-offs between model accuracy and computational efficiency, offering practical insights for ERP stakeholders. This study contributes to the growing field of AI-driven enterprise analytics and provides guidance on selecting appropriate ML techniques tailored to specific forecasting needs within ERP systems.