Designed to “make every day simpler for builders’ merchants,” Aptean has launched the new the new AppCentral AI platform. Kelly Stafford, Regional Account Manager — Merlin ERP, explains…
Running a builders’ merchant business has never been more demanding. Rising costs, supply chain pressures, and changing customer expectations mean efficiency isn’t just helpful — it’s essential. For many merchants across the UK, Merlin ERP is the operational backbone that keeps everything moving, delivering the reliability needed to stay steady and responsive in the face of constant change.
Designed specifically for merchants and bringing together their business processes — from order entry through to delivery — into one clear, connected system by reducing paperwork, cutting out repetitive manual tasks and offering real‑time visibility across your business, the system helps you save time, control costs and make confident decisions.
It gives your teams the information they need, when they need it, enabling branches to work more efficiently and consistently. Indeed, whether you’re operating a single branch or a multi‑site business, it provides a strong, dependable foundation.
However, as your business grows, so too can complexity. Many merchants now rely on multiple systems, logins and platforms alongside their ERP, often leading to frustration, duplicated effort and wasted time. Valuable information can become harder to access, and simple tasks can take much longer than they should. And this is where AppCentral, Aptean’s vertical AI platform, comes in.
“However, as your business grows, so too can complexity. Valuable information can become harder to access, and simple tasks can take much longer than they should.”
Making things simple
AppCentral was developed to make your working life simpler. It brings together the systems and information your business already relies on into one easy‑to‑use, connected workspace that works seamlessly with Merlin ERP.
Instead of switching between different tools, or searching for information from a variety of sources, everything is accessible in one place and presented in a way that supports how you work — without adding any complexity or extra systems to manage.
One of the biggest advantages of AppCentral is how it removes everyday friction. Common tasks such as raising support requests, managing user access or finding the right information are faster and easier to navigate. This reduces disruption across your teams and gives you back time to focus on what matters most — supporting your customers and keeping your branches running efficiently.
Aptean Intelligence is built directly into AppCentral, adding an AI‑powered layer that helps you unlock more value from your data without needing technical expertise. It automates routine tasks, surfaces the information you need most, and presents insights in plain language.
The goal isn’t to overwhelm users with technology; it’s to support better decisions and free up time across your business. Here, AppCentral boosts productivity, streamlines workflows, and reduces the cost and complexity that comes with managing multiple systems.
Ultimately, AppCentral is about making everyday work easier, giving you the clarity, confidence and tools you need to run your business more efficiently.
Click here for more information on AppCentral and how it can support your business.
Virtual AI Summit:
Join Aptean for its Virtual AI Summit on Thursday 5th March to explore how AI can be “practical, actionable, and grounded in the way your business operates.”
This session is designed for leaders who are time-poor or overwhelmed by the promise of AI to help you gain a clear view of how industry AI can connect data, systems and decisions, and drive the next era of business performance.
