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Streamlining AP Processes for a Building Supplies Distributor

Streamlining AP Processes for a Building Supplies Distributor

A $6.3 billion construction and industrial products company resolved a severe accounts payable backlog, reduced processing errors and restored operational stability across three ERP systems with the strategic support of SolomonEdwards’ technical advisory services and experienced interim leadership.

Challenge

Our client, who was operating with three separate ERP systems uniting a centralized AP team with procurement at 130 branches, faced significant inefficiencies in their AP processes, including extensive exception handling and use of email and phone calls to resolve exceptions. To address these challenges, the parent company proposed implementing a popular workflow solution that had been successful in another business context. However, the solution was not aligned with the client’s unique operational structure, creating the potential for risks to downstream supply chain relationships. The client needed a clear, objective, and data-driven approach to evaluate alternatives to what had worked for their parent company and optimize their AP workflow.

Solution

We acted as both technical advisors and interim leadership to stabilize the AP environment and guide strategic decision-making. Key initiatives included:

  • Discovery and analysis: We mapped the AP workflows highlighting manual steps in each process and identifying possibilities to automate each of those process steps by addressing ERP configuration and software they already owned.
  • Vendor and solution evaluation: Acting as an intermediary, we facilitated discussions with the parent company and vendors to critically evaluate the suitability of the proposed workflow solution. By building business cases, we demonstrated why the solution was unsuitable for the client’s needs.
  • ERP optimization: We identified opportunities within their existing systems (Mincron, Eclipse and Workday) to address automation gaps and reconfigure features to better support the client’s AP operations.
  • Cost-benefit analysis: A thorough analysis showed that optimizing current systems would yield similar efficiencies to implementing the parent company’s proposed solution without incurring the high costs, change management and work associated with a new implementation.

We also uncovered a valuable contractual clause allowing complimentary annual evaluations from ERP vendors, which had been underutilized by the client.

Outcome

The client achieved significant operational improvements through ERP optimizations, reducing manual intervention points and enhancing system functionality. With our technical guidance and objective advice, the client also avoided a costly new software implementation, avoiding a substantial capital commitment while achieving comparable efficiency gains. The cost-benefit approach positioned the client to integrate seamlessly with their parent company while maintaining operational autonomy. The successful outcome of this engagement underscores the value of a methodical, holistic and data-driven approach to technology decisions​

Industry

Deployment

Services

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