Navigating the demands of complex, multi-channel accounts payable operations
A global leader in pharmaceutical distribution and medical supplies, the client operates across multiple segments, serving biopharma companies, pharmacies, healthcare providers, and government entities. Their Accounts Payable (AP) teams process a high volume of invoices spanning channels like retail banner groups, dropship services, and carrier invoices. Legacy systems struggled to handle the complexity of these operations, creating a demand for a more advanced solution.

Overcoming unique challenges in high-volume, multi-format invoice handling
The client faced significant obstacles in their AP processes, including:

• Complex Invoice Formats: Invoices arrived in varied formats like PDFs, Excel sheets, and multi-page documents, requiring labor-intensive manual data extraction.
• Multi-Tiered Billing Structures: Diverse charges—such as base rates, surcharges, and discounts—added layers of complexity to reconciliation efforts.
• Data Inconsistencies: Ambiguities in invoice details (e.g., "Miscellaneous charges") and missing shipment specifics led to delays and manual clarifications.
• Invoice Matching Challenges: Matching invoices with purchase orders and contracts frequently encountered discrepancies, causing payment errors.
• Rate and Tariff Complexities: Rate calculations depended on shipment zones, weights, and seasonal variations, requiring real-time data integration.
• Human Error and Fraud Risk: Manual handling exposed the process to higher risks of errors and fraudulent billing.

Transforming AP with Star Software's AI-powered AP automation
Star Software's AP automation solution revolutionized the client’s invoice processing by integrating seamlessly with SAP, mainframes, and Oracle Transport Management (OTM). The solution leveraged advanced AI for data extraction, validation, and matching, significantly reducing errors and processing time.

Key features of the solution included:

• AI-Driven Document Extraction: Adaptive AI models processed diverse invoice formats, accurately extracting data from thousands of multi-page documents.
• Intelligent Categorization: Automated splitting and categorization handled high-volume email attachments and consolidated invoices.
• Advanced Validation and Matching: Algorithms matched invoice details with contracts and shipment data, ensuring compliance and accuracy.
• Anomaly Detection: Machine learning flagged unusual billing patterns, preventing overcharges and identifying discrepancies.
• Integration with Shipment Tracking: Automated cross-checking aligned billed services with actual shipment records.
• Streamlined Exception Handling: Automated workflows resolved discrepancies faster, reducing payment delays.
• Detailed Audit Trails: Comprehensive reporting enabled better error tracking and cost control.

Improved efficiency across logistics channels

• Retail Banner Group Channel: Processing 500,000+ invoices annually, automation achieved 85% straight-through processing, saving $750K annually.
• Dropship Channel: AI integration reduced errors for 200,000 invoices annually, achieving $200K in productivity savings.
• Carrier Channel: Automated line-item processing improved fraud prevention and saved $250K annually across 200,000 invoices.

Driving Results
Star Software's AP automation enabled up to 90% straight-through processing, yielding $1.2 million in annual savings. Real-time visibility improved decision-making, transforming the client’s labor-intensive AP operations into an efficient, automated system.

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Flack Global Metals Boosts Efficiency with Automated MTC Processing

Overview

Flack Global Metals is a prominent distributor & supplier of metal products and services, renowned for their dedication to quality and innovation. Serving a wide array of industries, Flack Global Metals has earned a reputation for dependability and excellence in the metal supply chain.

Challenges

Initially, Flack Global Metals faced significant workflow inefficiencies due to the manual processing of Material Test Certificates (MTCs). The lack of an automation solution meant that employees had to manually check & process MTCs. The diverse formats of test report documents further complicated the manual process, making it labor-intensive and error-prone – hindering the company's ability to maintain high efficiency and productivity.

Solution: MTC Automation

To address these challenges, Flack Global Metals partnered with Star Software to automate the processing of MTCs. The solution involved extracting information on the metal's chemical properties and other test data, converting it to meet ASME and ASTM standards, and integrating it into the existing ERP system for seamless workflow.

Key Features:

• Automated Data Extraction: Extracts information on metal's chemical properties and test data from MTCs.
• Standards Conversion: Converts extracted data to comply with ASME and ASTM standards.
• ERP Integration: Integrates standardized data into the existing ERP system without any re-work, ensuring a seamless workflow.

Impact and Results

The implementation of MTC Automation by Star Software brought significant improvements to Flack Global Metals:

• Increased Efficiency: Automated processing of MTCs eliminated the need for manual checks, significantly reducing processing time and effort.
• Error Reduction: Standardizing data according to ASME and ASTM standards minimized errors, ensuring accurate and reliable information.
• Improved Workflow: Seamless integration with the ERP system streamlined operations, enhancing overall productivity.
• Cost Savings: Reduced manual labor and associated costs, allocating resources to more strategic tasks.
• Enhanced Compliance: Ensured that all metal data met industry standards, reinforcing Flack Global Metals' commitment to quality and compliance.

By adopting the MTC Automation solution from Star Software, Flack Global Metals has revolutionized its operations, significantly reducing inefficiencies and enhancing accuracy. This strategic initiative has solidified its leadership in the metal supply chain, showcasing the vital importance of automation in contemporary business practices and positioning the company for sustained growth and future success.

Friedman Steel Streamlines Payments with Automation Solution

Overview

Friedman Steel Products, Inc. is a company that processes, packages, and distributes flat-rolled steel products. Known for its commitment to quality and innovation, Friedman has been at the forefront of the industry for decades. Friedman Steel serves a diverse range of sectors, including automotive, construction, manufacturing, appliance, and HVAC industries.

Challenges

As Friedman Steel expanded, managing the increasing volume of invoices became a significant challenge. The company processed over 3,000 invoices monthly, and manual handling led to inefficiencies, errors, and delays. Friedman Steel needed a solution to streamline its payment processes, ensuring timely and accurate payments to vendors.

Solution: Payment Automation by Star Software

Friedman Steel partnered with Star Software to implement a Payment Automation solution. Initially using SAP systems, the solution was designed to automate the entire payment process, from invoice extraction to payment authorization.

Key Features:

• Automated Invoice Extraction: Using state-of-the-art OCR technology, Star extracts invoice details and feeds them into the ERP system.
• Voucher Creation: Creates vouchers from the fed data, matching it with vendor details in the ERP.
• Bank Integration: Sends payment information to the bank for authorization.
• Purchase Order Closure: Closes purchase orders once payments are completed.

Later, when Friedman Steel transitioned to Stratix ERP, Star Software provided the same robust solution, ensuring a seamless transition and continued efficiency.

Impact and Results

The implementation of the Payment Automation solution by Star Software brought significant improvements to Friedman Steel:

• Increased Efficiency: Automated processing of over 3,000 invoices monthly, reducing manual intervention and speeding up payment cycles.
• Error Reduction: Automated validation checks minimized errors, ensuring accurate payments.
• Improved Vendor Relationships: Timely and accurate payments strengthened vendor relationships, enhancing Friedman Steel’s reputation as a reliable partner.
• Cost Savings: Reduced operational costs associated with manual processing, including labor and administrative expenses.
• Scalability: The solution scaled effortlessly with Friedman Steel’s growth, supporting increased invoice volumes without additional strain on financial operations.

By implementing the Payment Automation solution from Star Software, Friedman Steel has streamlined its payment processes, reduced inefficiencies, and improved accuracy. This strategic move has fortified Friedman Steel’s position as an industry leader, demonstrating the critical role of automation in modern business operations and positioning the company for continued growth and success.

Success Story: Nucor Skyline Transforms Financial Operations with Invoice Automation

Company Overview

Nucor Skyline, a premier provider of steel foundation products and solutions, has been a leader in the construction industry for decades. With a reputation for high-quality products, innovation, and exceptional customer service, Nucor Skyline serves a wide range of sectors including infrastructure, energy, and commercial construction.

Challenges

As Nucor Skyline expanded its operations, the company faced increasing challenges in managing its invoicing processes. Manual handling of invoices led to inefficiencies, delays, and errors, which not only slowed down financial operations but also strained relationships with vendors and partners. The company needed a solution that could streamline their accounts payable processes, ensuring timely and accurate invoice handling.

The Solution: Invoice Automation by Star Software

To address these challenges, Nucor Skyline partnered with Star Software to implement an Invoice Automation solution. This solution was designed to automate the entire invoicing process, from receipt to payment, significantly reducing the need for manual intervention.

Key features of the solution included:

• Automated Invoice Capture: The system automatically captured and digitized incoming
  invoices, eliminating the need for manual data entry.
• Seamless ERP Integration: The solution integrated seamlessly with Nucor Skyline’s existing ERP system, ensuring that all financial data was accurately recorded and accessible.
• Intelligent Workflow: The system implemented intelligent workflows for invoice approval and payment processing, significantly reducing approval times.
• Real-Time Reporting: The solution provided real-time visibility into the status of invoices, enabling better financial decision-making and cash flow management.

Impact and Results

The implementation of Invoice Automation by Star Software brought about transformative results
for Nucor Skyline:

• Enhanced Efficiency: The automation of invoice processing reduced the time required to handle invoices by 60%, allowing the finance team to focus on more strategic tasks.
• Error Reduction: The elimination of manual data entry and the introduction of automated validation checks led to a 70% reduction in invoice processing errors.
• Improved Vendor Relationships: Faster and more accurate payment processing strengthened relationships with vendors, ensuring that Nucor Skyline remained a preferred partner.
• Cost Savings: By automating the invoicing process, Nucor Skyline was able to reduce operational costs associated with manual processing, including labor and paper-based expenses.
• Scalability for Growth: The solution provided a scalable platform that could grow with Nucor Skyline, supporting the company’s expansion without additional strain on its financial operations.

By implementing Invoice Automation from Star Software, Nucor Skyline has successfully streamlined its financial operations, reduced inefficiencies and enhancing accuracy. This strategic move has not only improved internal processes but has also fortified Nucor Skyline’s position as a leader in the industry.
The success of this initiative underscores the critical role of automation in modern business operations, positioning Nucor Skyline for continued growth and success in the future.

Success Story: Apollo Scientific Transforms Operations with AP Automation

Company Overview

Apollo Scientific is a leading distributor of laboratory chemicals, specializing in sourcing and supplying a wide range of high-quality compounds to researchers and scientists worldwide. Known for their commitment to quality, customer service, and rapid delivery, Apollo Scientific has established itself as a trusted partner in the scientific community.

Challenges

As Apollo Scientific expanded, the volume of sales orders grew significantly, putting a strain on their accounts payable (AP) and order processing departments. The manual handling of customer purchase orders (POs) was becoming increasingly cumbersome, leading to errors, delays, and inefficiencies. These issues were impacting the company’s ability to maintain their commitment to
fast and accurate service.
The company recognized the need for a solution that could streamline their processes, reduce manual intervention, and improve accuracy and speed in handling sales orders.

The Solution: Sales Order Automation with Customer PO Integration

Apollo Scientific turned to Star Software for a robust Sales Order Automation solution. This solution enabled them to automate the processing of customer purchase orders, seamlessly integrating with their existing systems.

The key features included:

• Automated PO Capture: The system automatically captured and digitized customer POs,
  eliminating the need for manual data entry.
• Seamless Integration: The solution integrated smoothly with Apollo Scientific’s ERP system, ensuring that all order information was accurately reflected in their accounting and inventory management systems.
•  Real-Time Validation: The automated system validated orders in real-time, checking for discrepancies or missing information, which helped in reducing errors.
• Scalability: As Apollo Scientific continued to grow, the system scaled effortlessly to handle increased volumes of orders without compromising performance.

Impact and Results

The implementation of Sales Order Automation using Customer PO from Star Software proved to be
a game changer for Apollo Scientific. The benefits were immediate and significant:

• Increased Efficiency: The automation of sales orders reduced processing time by 50%, allowing the team to handle a larger volume of orders without additional resources.
• Error Reduction: With the elimination of manual data entry, Apollo Scientific saw a 75% reduction in order processing errors, leading to higher accuracy and fewer customer complaints.
• Cost Savings: The efficiency gains translated into substantial cost savings, as the company was able to reallocate staff from manual processing tasks to more value-added activities.
• Improved Customer Satisfaction: Faster and more accurate order processing allowed Apollo Scientific to enhance its service levels, leading to increased customer satisfaction and repeat business.
• Scalability for Future Growth: The solution provided a scalable platform that could grow with the company, ensuring that Apollo Scientific could continue to meet the demands of its expanding customer base.

The successful implementation of Sales Order Automation with Customer PO integration by Star Software has revolutionized Apollo Scientific's order processing operations. By embracing AP automation, Apollo Scientific has not only improved its internal efficiency but also reinforced its reputation for reliability and excellence in the scientific community.
This transformation positions Apollo Scientific to continue its growth trajectory, confident in its ability to deliver exceptional service to its customers.