MADISON, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Esker, a worldwide leader in document process automation solutions, announced today that it has been selected by STACI, a specialist in integrated B2B logistics, to automate the processing and sending of customer invoices. This initiative will enable STACI to respond to two major business challenges: meet its customers’ growing need for paperless records and reduce internal administrative tasks.
In 2012, STACI selected Esker to automate the processing of its 1,500 monthly vendor invoices. Following the success of this first collaboration, STACI wanted to further streamline its financial processes to include accounts receivable — turning to Esker to process and deliver 34,000 annual customer invoices (representing 75 percent of its invoicing flow).
Improving its internal process
STACI selected Esker to optimize the end of its customer billing cycle (i.e., invoice printing, sending, tracking and archiving). Until now, the process was done in-house by 20 people spread over four decentralized locations.
“Our invoicing process is tailored in that it has to adapt to the needs and specificities of our customers,” said Brigitte Andreolis-Clavier, CFO at STACI. “We estimate that by optimizing our invoicing process, the amount of time saved will equate to one day per month per employee. We will not only improve productivity, but strengthen our billing expertise while contributing to our environmental policy by reducing paper consumption.”
Meeting customer expectations
With many of its important customers moving to inbound and outbound document process automation, STACI turned to Esker to help them meet these customers’ needs by offering the ability to receive invoices in different formats: paper, electronic or EDI.
“Our initial vendor invoice automation project with Esker was a success — there were no delays and it was on budget. It was clear we would collaborate with Esker to automate our customer invoices,” said Andreolis-Clavier. “The solution works seamlessly with all other systems and ensures flexibility for customers who have moved to 100 percent electronic invoicing as well as those who prefer to maintain paper invoices.”
Thanks to Esker, the accounting teams at STACI anticipate a return on investment within one year. Esker has helped STACI achieve many benefits including:
- Met the needs of important customers who had automated their accounts payable process
- Reduced payment delays as invoices are sent in real time rather than at the end of the month, and improved management of potential litigation
- Productivity gains from outsourcing the processing and sending of invoices, eradicating duplicate invoice printing and eliminating physical archiving on internal servers
- Invoicing teams are now able to focus on higher value tasks
- Improved traceability and follow-up throughout the customer validation process
- Reduced environmental impact thanks to significantly less paper production
About STACI
STACI specializes in integrated B2B logistics, such as advertising and promotions management, company stores, and out of production purchases. It also provides a Global Supply Chain process suited to large, networked companies that “dispatch” multi-product, retail orders to multiple recipients (points of sale).
With over 230,000 square meters of warehouse space across its 17 warehouses in Europe (France, Italy and Belgium) STACI manages over 500,000 product references and prepares close to 20 million yearly order line items for its 300 large international customers. STACI employs 1,000 people and achieved over 173.9 million euros in sales revenue in 2012 and remains independent of major international transportation groups. STACI consists of a group of eco-friendly companies, placing sustainable growth at the heart of its strategy.
About Esker
Esker is a worldwide leader in document process automation solutions. Addressing all types of business processes, from accounts payable and accounts receivable to order processing and procurement, Esker cloud computing solutions enable companies to automate the reception, processing and sending of any business document with one platform. Esker helps over 80,000 companies across the world to reduce the use of paper and eliminate manual processes while improving their productivity, efficiency and environmental impact.
With 40.3 million euros in sales revenue in 2012, Esker operates in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific with global headquarters in Lyon, France, and U.S. headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin. Esker is listed on the NYSE Alternext in Paris (Code ISIN FR0000035818). For more information, visit www.esker.com. Follow Esker on Twitter at twitter.com/eskerinc and join the conversation on the Esker blog at www.quitpaper.com.
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