COMBINE IMAGING WITH WORKFLOW TO CUT ACCOUNTS PAYABLE TIME
This real estate firm
improved efficiency in its accounts payable processes by implementing
an imaging and workflow management solution.
In 1998, Durst began archiving its business documents via bar coding and imaging using OCR for AnyDoc. Integrator Seery Systems Group, Inc. (SSG) installed and maintained the system, which reduced the disorganization surrounding the storage of paper documents. According to Paul Piccininni, controller at The Durst Organization, “The original imaging solution reduced our error rate significantly. The accounts payable errors encountered since implementation can be counted on both hands. As a result, I wanted to automate our business methods further using workflows, starting with the accounts payable process.”
ELIMINATE DUPLICATE
INVOICES,
ELIMINATE NEED TO
HIRE
SSG and Mackin Imaging Systems, SSG’s distributor, combined Durst’s
existing imaging process with a workflow management solution.
Initially, the challenge for Durst was the need to image invoices prior
to processing within the organization, as opposed to afterward. With
workflows, upon arrival, a secretary labels each invoice with a unique
bar code, scans each via a centralized scanning process using OCR for
AnyDoc and a Canon 3060 scanner, and presses a key sequence to
automatically create an index linking the bar code to the image. An
accounts payable clerk accesses the AS/400 system and codes each
invoice by a relative record number, which links the AS/400 system to
the image.
The workflow system routes each invoice electronically to the appropriate building secretary, replacing the courier deliveries. Supporting documents are added to the invoices, using a distributed scanning process at each branch building. Invoices are routed to the property managers for approval. The controller, chief operations officer, vice president, and president approve the invoice if deemed necessary by the built-in routing process. The next step is check generation, completed weekly by the accounts payable clerks. Prior to using workflow management, each clerk spent 6 to 8 hours per week on check generation; this was reduced to less than 5 minutes each per week. The time from arrival of the invoice at headquarters to check generation was cut by almost half. Late fees have been eliminated, as has the need to hire additional accounts payable clerks. Courier and printing costs have been cut. In addition, the solution enables Durst to screen for duplicate invoices, resulting in significant monetary and time savings. An audit trail of approvals is appended to each invoice after check generation.
DOCUMENT CAPTURE EMPOWERS EMPLOYEES
Piccininni intends to expand the use of OCR for AnyDoc in 2006 by
capturing information from the invoice upon scanning to prepopulate the
relative record number, a step currently performed manually by the
accounts payable clerk. This will provide an immediate link between the
AS/400 system and the workflow management system at the point of
scanning. Workflow management has been expanded to manage Durst’s
tenant leasing process. Durst also accesses workflow management
information with reporting software to display scanned images as
hyperlinks in budget reports for easy accessibility. Later, Durst plans
to add human resources processes to workflow management. Piccininni
states, “This solution has empowered employees to search for invoice
and leasing information themselves prior to asking the clerks. In
addition, when employees need flexibility, they can access the workflow
system remotely to remain productive.”