Read our case study on how we helped ADM Londis move to a SaaS business model & improve their supply chain visibility.
Posted on
October 4, 2011 in
Cloud Computing, EDI, Outsourced EDI, SaaS
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As with many other European countries, Norway is switching its government accounting systems to accept electronic invoices. From the 1st July 2012, business will have to present invoices to the Government electronically. The Norwegian Agency for Public Management and e-Government (Difi) have selected a specialist format known as Electronisk Handels Format (EHF), a secondary subset of UBL 2.0.
The overall aim of implementing e-Invoicing is to reduce the costs associated with manual processing and payments. Similar projects in other countries have demonstrated that such a roll-out does indeed generate significant cost savings.
Industry experts are concerned about the burdens placed on smaller businesses providing products and services to the government who may not ha
ve access to their own in-house e-Procurement solutions. The Norwegian government however is assuring companies in this position that they will be able to outsource these business processes to hosted service providers as is the case in other countries.
But herein lies a major problem. Despite there being over 50 companies offering electronic business to government (B2G) electronic invoicing, only one is capable of generating invoices in the required EHF format. At the moment there is no competition in the outsourced e-invoicing market in Norway. Consequently the incumbent service providers are lobbying hard for incentives to produce the necessary systems. The reasoning here is that if the government is making significant savings from this implementation, they can afford to share the spoils.
Despite this apparent paradox, the doomsayers are failing to recognise the interconnected nature of cloud services which extend beyond traditional national borders. Electronic Invoice Presentment and Payment (EIPP) systems such as Celtrino’s own Smart Admin platform accept input from virtually any data source before transforming it into the required output data type. Where local service providers are unable to meet needs, the global market can step in and fill the gap.
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October 3, 2011 in
B2G e-invoicing, e-Invoicing, EIPP, Electronic Invoice Presentment & Payment
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In his article, Defining Supply Chain Management, JT Menzer provides the following definition: “Supply chain management is the systematic, strategic coordination of the traditional business functions and the tactics across these business functions within a particular company and across businesses within the supply chain, for the purposes of improving the long-term performance of the individual companies and the supply chain as a whole.”
Going beyond this definition, Supply Chain Integration is the use of technology to underpin the coordination of these business functions. Businesses implementing Supply Chain Integration use a common platform like Celtrino’s Smart Admin, to provide a way to connect the disparate systems at each business and the transactional workflow required to move from raw materials to saleable product and the data interchange between each supplier in the process.
In the past, every step of the supply chain required manual intervention to process and progress orders and generate the paperwork required to keep track of each interaction. The supplier of raw materials would receive a manual purchase order from the manufacturer and in return create a manual invoice. Several documents would then change hands at every point of the initial purchase process to keep everything on track and ensure an accurate audit trail of the sale. This flurry of documents is then repeated at every step along the supply chain right up to the final sale.
Supply Chain Integration reduces the amount of paper changing hands, replacing them with electronic versions which are presented directly into the accounts system of each supplier and buyer. Often the full details of each transaction are also available through a B2B Supply Chain Management Portal, allowing all parties in the supply chain to see the details of their interactions and allowing for historical analysis of the financial implications of the relationship.
Supply Chain Integration Part 2
Supply Chain Integration Part 3
Supply Chain Integration Part 4
Supply Chain Integration Part 5
Posted on
September 30, 2011 in
Supply Chain, Supply Chain Document Automation, Supply Chain Integration
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Find out how you can make bottom line savings in your accounts receivable solution.
Posted on
September 29, 2011 in
Accounts Receivable, SaaS, Smart Admin, Supply Chain Document Automation
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Much has been made of Denmark’s transition to mandatory electronic invoicing in 2005 which requires any business who trades with the government to submit their invoices in an electronic format. The success of the system has seen the Danish government making efficiency savings of between €120 and €150 million each year since 2005.
Such headline figures have seen many other national governments looking to implement similar systems with a view to reaping comparable cost savings. The Dutch government have been the latest to make a headline-grabbing statement about e-invoicing, but the technologies they have implemented fall outside what is typically thought of as e-invoicing.
At its most basic level and as the name implies, e-Invoicing is the presentation of an invoice for products or services electronically. e-Procurement platforms such as that operated by the Danish Government, allow suppliers to generate electronic payment demands which are then submitted directly into the Government accounts system.
Many people, including the Dutch Government think submission of an electronic version of a document is the same as an e-Invoice. Under this definition, simply emailing a Word document or a PDF counts as an e-invoice because the payment demand is transmitted electronically.
Although there are similarities between the Danish and Dutch electronic invoicing systems, the Danes have a clear advantage. By having suppliers submit electronic invoices directly into their accounts system, the Danish Government recognise cost savings immediately through reduced time and effort manually entering invoice details themselves. As soon as the eInvoice is received it is ready for authorisation and payment by the Treasury.
The Dutch Government also receive invoices immediately as documents are attached to emails allowing for savings in postage at the very least. However these invoices must then be manually re-entered into the accounts system, requiring additional staff and duplication of effort for both supplier and customer. As a result, any cost savings recognised by the Dutch Government “e-Invoicing” system will be well below those of Denmark.
The use of a true e-Invoicing system generates substantial cost savings for both buyer and supplier. If in doubt as to whether a suggested system will generate the savings you hope for, try speaking to a specialist provider such as Celtrino.
Posted on
September 28, 2011 in
Accounts Payable, B2B Platform in the Cloud, Celtrino Platform, e-Invoicing, eProcurement
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Find out how you can make bottom line savings in your accounts payable solution.
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September 28, 2011 in
Accounts Payable, Cloud Computing, e-Invoicing, Electronic Invoice Presentment & Payment, Smart Admin
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As with any new concept, eProcurement has brought with it a number of new terms and phrases to describe certain functions within the process. One of the strangest phrases entering into the vocabulary of procurement and accounting professions is the “PO Flip”.
At the most basic level, a PO Flip is the conversion of a Purchase Order into an Invoice using the tools available in eProcurement or Electronic Invoice Presentment and Payment (EIPP) platforms, such as Celtrino’s own Smart Admin system. An eProcurement platform allows customers to submit their purchase orders electronically directly into the supplier’s accounting system. Using the automated tools available, the supplier can then automatically “flip” the purchase order into an electronic invoice for immediate return to the customer.
PO Flips have become massively popular with suppliers to the public sector as local councils and even central government carry out more procurement via online platforms which provide the function as standard. Both supplier and buyer then benefit from the reduced time spent on administration of the purchase.
Upon receipt of an electronic invoice (also known as an eInvoice), the buyer can approve the purchase and authorise a BACS payment at the click of a mouse button. By automating the purchasing process, buyers and suppliers reduce the margin for human error and unforeseen delays associated with posting invoices, cheques and remittance advice.
Reduction of time expenditure in accounts administration has the added benefit of freeing up finance staff to focus on other areas of their roles. If the resource requirements continue to be reduced through further implementation of eProcurement and the outsourcing of associated systems, significant costs savings can also be recognised through a reduction in headcount.
The PO Flip is but one of many time-saving devices available to users of outsourced EIPP gateways such as Smart Admin from Celtrino. To find out more how your business could benefit from outsourced EIPP, please visit www.celtrino.ie
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September 26, 2011 in
e-Invoicing, eProcurement, PO Flip
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For many businesses undertaking a major business process outsourcing project, several questions arise as to how the changes will affect interactions with other suppliers and customers. Taking a holistic view, Celtrino can assist in implementing changes which will not only benefit your business, but also provide your partners with potential savings as a result.
On a more basic level, Celtrino’s Smart Admin service provides a method by which a company can integrate its internal accounting and ERP system to produce a fully automated, transparent EIPP (Electronic Invoice Presentment and Payment) system. Essentially all of the paperwork traditionally associated with the accounts department is rendered and presented electronically to the relevant customer or supplier. Businesses outsourcing their processes in this manner reap immediate cost savings through increased automation, a reduction in duplicated effort and a low total cost of ownership.
Celtrino’s Smart Admin e-Solutions also include the ability to create B2B supply chain management portals, allowing multiple suppliers to integrate ERP and accounting systems via the cloud. Smart Admin features support for a wide variety of popular back office applications, including Sage, SAP, Oracle and Microsoft, converting any file format into a version readable by the receiver. Using EDI, the supply chain documents are sent from supplier to buyer and vice versa, with a speed and ease unavailable through traditional supply chain management channels.
Businesses forming such a strategic partnership immediately share the benefits of being able to present and pay invoices electronically and submit the relevant remittance advice directly into each others accounts systems via the Smart Admin platform.
As well as the technical know-how, Celtrino can also offer extensive experience in trading community onboarding by helping suppliers and partners recognise the many financial and procedural benefits available through the use of a B2B supply chain management portal. After all, when it comes to reduced costs through business process outsourcing, what is good for your business is also good for your suppliers.
Posted on
September 23, 2011 in
EDI, ERP, Smart Admin, Supply Chain Document Automation
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TOPAZ was awarded the Insight NACS 2011 International Convenience Retailer of the Year Award at a gala dinner last night in London. This award represents a major milestone in the history of the company and is an acknowledgement by industry peers from across Europe that it transforms the service experience for its consumers.
TOPAZ beat off stiff competition from across Europe and included notable competitors such as LS travel retail from France, Morrisons M-local from the UK, Reitan Servicehandel Shell/7-Eleven from Norway, Sourced Market, St Pancras International, also from the UK.
Don Longo, editor in chief Convenience Store News, summed up the overall sentiment among the judges. “[It] wasn’t easy to separate them. Great entries,” he said.
Stephanie Rice, founder of Rice Retail Marketing, agreed. “Wow – what a list of fantastic entries. It has been really hard to choose a shortlist,” she said. Ramon Kuijpers, international key accounts manager at Award sponsor, Imperial Tobacco; and a judge, said: “The top convenience retailers truly bring their format to life. They strongly appeal to the demanding shopper needs, providing them with high service, great quality and a differentiated offer for acceptable prices,” he said.
“Despite the economic downturn, this results in impressive sales growth figures. Sustainable growth is secured as they stick to their format’s core values, further strengthen their involvement in the local community and put great effort in continuing their staff development.” Topaz impressed judges for its commitment to its people and the community.
The new m
otorway design was considered very dynamic and well executed; and really looked after the dashboard diner, they said.
“Topaz appeared to be an innovation leader for the convenience channel; through the integration and use of technology across multiple platforms, from pay at the pump to social media and smart phones apps,” said Joe Bona, president retail division at CBX.
Posted on
September 22, 2011 in
Announcements
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Want to know how you can improve your customers bottom line through e-Invoicing? Read on…
Posted on
September 22, 2011 in
e-Invoicing, eBilling, EDI, EIPP, Smart Admin
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