Atmosphere in Bellevue
The Biz Apps Partner Executive Summit in Bellevue carried a clear sense of momentum. Surrounded by capable minds and forward‑thinking leaders, the energy was undeniable.
With the West Coast mountains as a backdrop, it felt like an ecosystem of strength and collaboration rising together. It was a reminder of how connected and forward looking the Microsoft partner community truly is.
Key Takeaways from Microsoft
Microsoft shared details that make the AI agent opportunity very tangible:
- Over 6,000 pre‑built agents are expected to launch within the next 24 months
- Each agent will be designed to perform a specific business task, from finance to supply chain to HR
- Customers will access them through an emerging “app store” experience inside Microsoft platforms
- The goal is to give businesses practical AI tools they can deploy in hours, not months
For partners, the expectation is clear: help customers adopt these capabilities, localize them for industry needs, and turn them into measurable business outcomes.
What Custom Systems Is Already Doing
We left Bellevue thankful that we are not starting from scratch — we are already implementing agentic AI.
Internally, our first agent is built to handle support ticket automation by reading incoming emails, creating tickets in Azure DevOps, and assigning initial status. This reduces manual administrative work and ensures faster response times.
For our clients, we are exploring and building agents to streamline:
- Sales order processing
- Workflow automation
- Planning and scheduling
- Integrating disconnected systems
By starting with low‑complexity but high‑impact use cases, we are creating a foundation of real‑world success.
What It Means for Our Customers and the World of Manufacturing
For manufacturers, this next wave of AI is not just about technology, it is about how business gets done. Companies that embrace agents will move faster, make smarter decisions, and compete more effectively. Imagine operations where scheduling is no longer a fire drill, financial cycles close in days instead of weeks, and the shop floor and supply chain stay in sync.
Manufacturing has always demanded precision and efficiency. AI agents bring a new layer of intelligence and adaptability. By combining human expertise with machine precision, early adopters will be able to adjust in real time to customer demand, supply chain disruptions, and shifting market conditions. This transformation is beginning now, and it is redefining what operational excellence looks like.
Looking Ahead
The Bellevue summit reinforced that agentic AI is the next wave of operational excellence. At Custom Systems, we are focused on building and deploying these solutions with practical results in mind.
If you are beginning to explore what this means for your business, we would be glad to share what we are seeing in the field and how other manufacturers are preparing. Like the mountains surrounding Bellevue, the horizon for manufacturing is expansive, and those who climb early will have the clearest view ahead.
— Brendan Murphy Chief Executive Officer | Custom Systems
