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In previous posts, we have described HOW procure-to-pay processes could be automated end-to-end by adding RPA and cognitive automation to bridge gaps between email, ERP, and payment solutions. También hablamos sobre la forma más fácil de implementar tales proyectos al aprovechar los bots prediseñados de Bot Store.
Now I want to focus on WHY AP automation is important and the difference between semi vs. full automation of procure-to-pay process. When we focus on the top concerns of the AP department heads, we can see how automation addresses them.
1. Procure-to-pay process efficiency. AP departments rarely have enough resources and are pressed to do more with less. Esto es particularmente desafiante, ya que el flujo de facturas entrantes reduce la eficiencia de procesamiento. Este se mide con la cantidad de facturas por FTE (equivalentes a tiempo completo), lo que equivale a un empleado de AP que trabaja 8 horas por día. The chart below shows the average number of invoices processed by a single professional per year, depending on the level of P2P automation.
En las organizaciones que adoptaron la automatización de cuentas por pagar, donde al menos el 70 % de las facturas se reciben electrónicamente y luego se procesan mediante un flujo de trabajo automatizado, un solo empleado de AP puede procesar más de 22 500 facturas por año. En una organización similar que aún procesa facturas manualmente, el rendimiento de un solo empleado de AP se podría reducir 10 veces.
2. Invoice processing cost. The Institute of Finance and Management data shows the average cost of invoice processing depending on level of automaton. This number does not include some expenses, such as overhead and initial automation expenses, but does compare AP functions across different organizations. Los departamentos de AP altamente automatizados pueden reducir sus costos hasta en un 80 %.
Source: Institute of Finance and Management AP Benchmark Report, 2017
3. Vendor relationships. More efficient invoice processing leads to more on-time payments. Aproximadamente el 29 % de los encuestados del IOFM con un informe de automatización significativo que pagan las facturas que no son órdenes de compra a tiempo al menos el 96 % de las veces, en comparación con solo el 13 % de aquellos con automatización moderada. This means that your vendors are happier, while your employees are less stressed out, and more satisfied with their jobs. Earlier payments may even lead to additional discounts and more cost-savings.
Overall, automation improves AP process performance and reduces costs by eliminating the invoice data entry, manual invoice handling, and routing required in a manual or semi-automated environment. The technology automatically extracts, validates invoice data, matches invoices with POs, along with proof-of-delivery receipts, and posts approved invoices directly into an ERP platform. Any invoices that require review, approval or exceptions resolution are electronically routed to specific individuals based on pre-configured rules.
Additionally, dashboards automatically alert managers to bottlenecks and users to invoices approaching their due-date. The technology tracks key productivity metrics, such that accounts payable no longer needs to pay fees on multiple bank systems to pay suppliers.
Para obtener más información sobre POR QUÉ la automatización integral de procure-to-pay es tan importante y CÓMO la combinación de la tecnología de RPA y el Document Automation cognitivo permiten alcanzar el nivel máximo de automatización, mire este seminario web a pedido.
