Document systems cure Boehringer Ingelheim’s purchase-to-pay ills

Juliet Cherry, Boehringer Ingelheim treasury manager, says that improved efficiency, cost savings and better supplier relationships are among key benefits. "We were using suboptimal and disconnected systems, which proved restrictive," says Cherry. "We recognised that we needed a more reliable and integrated document management system to streamline our processes." She says the manufacturer chose modules for electronic form design, cheque printing, automated electronic delivery, document storage and automated data capture. All are now tightly integrated into the company's Proactis purchasing and BPCS ERP systems. "Since implementing Version One's document management, our purchase invoice processes have become significantly more efficient and cost effective. Suppliers now have 24 hour online access to imaged documents, such as purchase orders and remittance advices. "As a result, the number of queries we now receive has decreased and we can pay suppliers in a more timely manner. "In addition, as we are no longer printing, posting and duplicating documents, we have made considerable savings of time and money. We have also freed-up an entire room that was previously used for storing paper. And we can now retrieve copies of documents instantly from the desktop, and are confident that they are being efficiently stored."