ReadSoft software will speed processing of 100,000 invoices a year
ReadSoft DOCUMENTS for Invoices has been selected by BBC Worldwide - the UK's number one exporter of TV programs, and the UK's third-biggest consumer magazine publisher - to help automate the processing of 100,000 purchase invoices a year from 20,000 suppliers.

The £175,000 software purchase is for an automated invoice processing solution which also includes Ebydos' Invoice Cockpit and Web Cycle software. This solution will enable the company to increase efficiency, reduce the costs associated with invoice processing, and make it easier to track invoices compared with paper-based processes.

Faced with the high costs and time involved in keying supplier invoice details into its SAP ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system, as well as handling the queries that arose from those invoices, the company sought an easy-to-use, scaleable and proven solution that automated the handling of invoices.

The selection of ReadSoft DOCUMENTS for Invoices will enable the company's accounts payable staff to automatically scan, interpret, verify and transfer invoice images and data to SAP. Integration with Ebydos' solutions will also allow them to visually check captured data and benefit from Web-based workflow for approval and payment of the invoices, with an audit trail to meet compliance requirements.

David Wren, Head of Financial Accounting Services at BBC Worldwide, said: "Through the implementation of ReadSoft DOCUMENTS for Invoices we will be able to realise substantial annual cost savings, achieve a reduction in the overall processing time within the procure-to-pay process and improve the working environment by removing repetitive and tedious tasks."

Improved controls and traceability will also help the company to identify the status of any invoice queries within its workflow, enabling speedier resolution of invoice queries.

Jan Andersson, President of ReadSoft, said: "ReadSoft DOCUMENTS for Invoices is part of an out-of-the-box solution for SAP that will fulfil BBC Worldwide's automated invoice processing requirements. Our solution will enable the organisation to start realising immediate financial returns."