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Bridging the Gap: How AI and ESG Are Shaping the Future of Finance Teams

by AIESGNetSuite Financial Management
  • AI, ESG, NetSuite Financial Management

Gone are the days when the finance team’s primary focus was simply closing the books each month. As business expectations evolve, finance leaders are now stepping into broader strategic roles—playing a crucial part in shaping long-term success across their organisations.

Two major drivers are accelerating this shift: the growing adoption of AI and the increasing focus on ESG. While once seen as emerging trends, both are quickly becoming business priorities as organisations seek to boost efficiency, manage risk, and meet the expectations of customers, investors, and regulators.

In response, many finance teams are reviewing their existing systems, processes, and skills—looking for smarter ways to manage data, embrace automation, and contribute meaningfully to ESG goals. These themes were at the heart of a recent NetSuite webinar, Top Trends Supporting Businesses to Maximise Success, which explored how aligning people, processes, and technology can prepare organisations for the future. Here are some of the key takeaways.

Aligning Technology, Processes, and People

One of the main messages from the session was clear: to see real value from AI, businesses need a strong foundation. As highlighted by NetSuite ERP partners during the webinar, AI’s impact depends entirely on the quality of the data and workflows it is built upon. When applied effectively, AI can:

• Automate repetitive tasks and reduce human error

• Improve forecasting with predictive analytics

• Strengthen scenario planning and supply chain risk assessments

• Speed up access to critical business insights

However, the goal isn’t to replace finance professionals—it’s to elevate them. With AI, teams can shift from time-consuming data entry to more impactful interpretation and strategic decision-making.

This is where modern financial accounting software like NetSuite delivers real value. Its built-in automation, real-time reporting, and intelligent workflows enable finance departments to move from reactive operations to proactive planning—unlocking long-term NetSuite ERP benefits.

ESG Reporting Is Rising Up the Agenda

With new regulatory requirements on the horizon—particularly EU-driven ESG disclosures starting from financial year-ends in 2025—finance leaders are finding themselves at the centre of ESG reporting efforts.

The webinar’s advice? Don’t delay. Start integrating ESG into your systems now.

Implementing an ESG solution today helps avoid last-minute pressures later. NetSuite’s unified data model supports ESG services by bringing together financial and operational data—creating a reliable single source of truth for sustainability reporting. AI also supports ESG initiatives by:

• Capturing and analysing environmental and social performance data

• Automating key elements of ESG reporting

• Tracking progress against sustainability targets in real time

Embedding ESG into your core systems today allows finance teams to move beyond basic compliance and deliver real strategic value—building trust and demonstrating long-term resilience.

At OSSM, we’re already supporting businesses across the UK and Ireland on this journey—helping them integrate ESG services directly into their NetSuite ERP systems for a more efficient and effective approach to sustainability.

Why Many Finance Teams Are Still Struggling

Despite the opportunities AI and ESG present, many organisations are still facing challenges that limit their agility and insight. Common blockers highlighted in the webinar include:

• Outdated systems that lack true cloud capabilities

• Disconnected data and siloed departments

• Manual processes that increase errors and waste valuable time

• Poor collaboration between finance and other business functions

These limitations not only slow down reporting—they make it harder to adapt, stay compliant, or respond quickly to market changes.

The takeaway? Now is the time to modernise. Finance teams need flexible, scalable ERP systems that support automation, enable real-time insights, and empower continuous improvement.

Laying the Groundwork for Smarter Finance

Every business is at a different stage of digital transformation, but a great starting point is understanding where your finance team stands today. Here are a few practical steps inspired by the discussion:

• Map your current processes: Identify where delays, duplication, or inefficiencies exist

• Review your systems: Are your tools helping or hindering progress?

• Upskill your team: Equip staff with the knowledge to work confidently with modern tools and interpret data

• Engage business leaders: Show how finance can support wider strategic goals

Whether your organisation is focused on ESG compliance or looking to harness the potential of AI, it all begins with a solid foundation—underpinned by the right people, processes, and technology.

Looking Ahead

Whether your organisation is preparing for ESG compliance, improving reporting accuracy, or exploring how AI can streamline operations and uncover insights, finance teams are uniquely positioned to drive change.

From engaging with businesses across the UK and Ireland, we see that forward-thinking finance teams are already taking action. Rather than waiting, they’re embracing innovation and turning finance into a more strategic asset for the wider business.

Let our team here at OSSM guide you on the right ERP journey to meet your current and future challenges. Are you ready to future-proof your finance and ERP systems? Book a NetSuite demo and discover how a unified platform can simplify your processes and deliver lasting transformation.

About the Author

Picture of Ray Ryan

Ray Ryan

Ray Ryan is the CEO of the Noledge Group.

With over 30 years of experience in the software industry, Ray's expertise spans from Unix systems to modern cloud ERP solutions. As CEO, he leads the Noledge Group in delivering cutting-edge technology that simplifies business operations for our clients.

Hands of business team holding ESG text, Environmental, social and corporate governance concept.

How Intelligent Business Strategies Cut Costs and Drive Sustainability in 2025

by ESGNetSuite ERP
  • ESG, NetSuite ERP

In today’s business landscape, sustainability is no longer just a trend—it’s a necessity. Organisations face growing pressure to monitor and reduce their carbon footprint, stay compliant with evolving regulations, and align with ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) objectives. At OSSM, we are dedicated to helping businesses meet their sustainability goals while maintaining operational efficiency and profitability.

Through our partnership with Simble, a leader in energy management technology, we provide advanced solutions that optimise energy usage and seamlessly integrate with NetSuite. With Simble’s CarbonView and SimbleSense tools, businesses can enhance sustainability efforts by improving reporting accuracy, minimising waste, and making data-driven decisions that lead to long-term cost savings. In this blog, we’ll explore how these innovative tools work, the advantages of integrating them with NetSuite, and how they support both environmental responsibility and financial success in NetSuite.

Why Sustainability Matters for Businesses Today

Before diving into technological solutions, it’s essential to recognise the role of sustainability and ESG services in driving business success in 2025. With growing pressure from investors, customers, and stakeholders, businesses must prioritise environmental responsibility, making ESG initiatives vital for long-term growth.

Implementing smarter energy management solutions enables businesses to:

  • • Lower operational expenses by identifying inefficiencies and optimising energy consumption

  • • Stay compliant with national and international sustainability regulations

  • • Strengthen their competitive edge by showcasing a commitment to ESG practices

  • • Improve financial reporting by integrating sustainability data into performance metrics

CarbonView: A Smarter Way to Manage Carbon Emissions 

For UK businesses striving to meet sustainability targets, understanding and managing carbon emissions is essential. Simble’s CarbonView offers a centralised platform to track, measure, and report carbon footprints across multiple locations, helping businesses stay on top of their ESG commitments. By automating utility data entry and improving sustainability tracking, businesses can:

• Ensure compliance with environmental regulations and industry standards

• Pinpoint opportunities for emissions reduction and energy cost savings

• Leverage automated reporting and analytics for data-driven decision-making

CarbonView’s intelligent analytics not only help businesses monitor carbon emissions but also provide insights into energy consumption patterns. This empowers decision-makers to implement more effective sustainability strategies while identifying cost-saving opportunities. By consolidating data from various sources, businesses gain a comprehensive view of their environmental impact, making it easier to set achievable reduction goals and measure progress.

Additionally, CarbonView enhances financial oversight by validating utility bills, ensuring businesses only pay for actual energy usage. This feature helps detect billing discrepancies that might otherwise go unnoticed, improving cost control and financial accuracy.

SimbleSense: Real-Time Energy Insights for Smarter Decisions

For energy-intensive industries like manufacturing, logistics, and retail, understanding consumption patterns is key to minimising waste and reducing operational costs. SimbleSense acts as an advanced ESG solution by providing real-time energy monitoring, enabling businesses to:

  • Identify inefficiencies and uncover hidden energy expenses

  • Utilise IoT-powered sensors to track energy usage across assets

  • Automate energy-saving measures based on demand

With real-time visibility into energy consumption, SimbleSense empowers businesses to take immediate action—whether by shutting down idle equipment, reducing peak-time usage, or integrating renewable energy solutions. The result? Lower costs, greater efficiency, and a more sustainable business approach.

Additionally, SimbleSense offers predictive insights by analysing historical data to forecast future energy consumption. This allows businesses to make strategic energy procurement decisions, reducing exposure to fluctuating prices. With these insights, companies can negotiate better energy contracts and refine their sourcing strategies for long-term cost savings.

Why Integrate Simble with NetSuite? 

Integrating Simble’s advanced tools with NetSuite enables businesses to consolidate financial, operational, and sustainability data within a single cloud-based platform, providing:

• Comprehensive Sustainability Reporting: Align sustainability initiatives with financial performance by tracking carbon reductions alongside cost savings.

• Stronger Compliance and Risk Management: Automated reporting helps businesses stay compliant with evolving ESG regulations while minimising manual errors.

• Data-Driven Decision-Making: Combining energy usage insights with financial metrics allows organisations to optimise resource allocation and improve efficiency.

By embedding sustainability data within NetSuite, businesses can generate reports that not only meet compliance requirements but also enhance transparency for stakeholders. As investors and customers increasingly seek detailed ESG disclosures, a unified platform for both sustainability and financial reporting simplifies the process and strengthens accountability.

How OSSM and Simble Can Help Future-Proof Your Business  

Sustainability is no longer optional—it’s a business imperative. Companies that fail to act risk losing their competitive edge in a market that prioritises environmental responsibility.

As one of the leading NetSuite partners in the UK, OSSM is committed to helping businesses transition to more sustainable operations while maintaining financial stability. By combining our NetSuite expertise with Simble’s cutting-edge energy solutions, we equip companies with the tools needed to enhance their sustainability strategies. Leveraging ERP-driven financial insights alongside advanced energy management, businesses can improve reporting accuracy, gain deeper visibility, and achieve long-term cost savings.

Get in touch with us for a free consultation on how our integrated solutions can help reduce costs, boost energy efficiency, and support your ESG objectives.

Join us at the ERP HEADtoHEAD™ event, where we’ll be exploring the latest trends and discussing the strategies shaping the future of ERP. Visit our stand to discover how NetSuite can drive efficiency and growth for your business, and don’t miss our team’s expert presentations in the Projects and Production sessions.

Let’s connect and explore how OSSM and Simble can empower your organisation. Register here: erpheadtohead.com/uk/

About the Author

Picture of Ray Ryan

Ray Ryan

Ray Ryan is the CEO of the Noledge Group.

With over 30 years of experience in the software industry, Ray's expertise spans from Unix systems to modern cloud ERP solutions. As CEO, he leads the Noledge Group in delivering cutting-edge technology that simplifies business operations for our clients.