Saving Millions: Unleashing the Power of AP Automation Amidst S/4HANA Transformation

In the dynamic landscape of enterprise resource planning (ERP), SAP customers face the daunting task of migrating their systems to SAP S/4HANA. While this is a critical step for their continued innovation journey, an often-overlooked strategy to de-risk and simplify this complex migration is to take a critical process, like Accounts Payable (AP) automation, out of the ERP.

In this blog, we explore why relying solely on your ERP for AP automation during S/4HANA migration might not be the most prudent approach and how leveraging a best-in-class AP automation solution, can accelerate value capture and ensure a smoother transition.

Relevance for Prospects Planning SAP S/4HANA Migration

When enterprises contemplate the migration to newer technologies like S/4HANA, they often find themselves not in a highly automated state. This scenario is particularly relevant for enterprises planning the upgrade and migration from various SAP instances to S/4HANA, those currently using ERP add-ons or legacy systems for invoice processing. The inherent limitations of point solutions and the AP capabilities within an ERP become apparent, lacking the prowess to drive the automation and efficiencies required for complex organizations.

By embracing a dedicated AP automation solution outside the ERP upgrade, businesses can seamlessly transition their ERPs without disrupting critical financial processes. This strategic move is especially vital in complex environments with multiple ERPs. Utilizing point solutions or ERP capabilities alone would not only fail to drive the necessary automation but could also result in increased headcount and operational inefficiencies.

This calculated investment not only safeguards against potential disruptions but also positions businesses to achieve unparalleled efficiency and automation across the entire organization. It's not just an upgrade; it's a transformation facilitated by the foresight to invest in a dedicated AP automation platform, ensuring that the journey to S/4HANA is marked by streamlined processes and optimized efficiencies.

AP and Finance Challenges in ERP Upgrade and Migrations

Finance departments often bear the brunt of ERP migrations. As businesses grapple with the complexities of transitioning to S/4HANA, relying on the ERP for AP automation can compound challenges. The hurdles during ERP upgrades and migrations are vast, encompassing business continuity, diverse ERP landscapes, inefficient processes, scalability issues, and dissatisfaction with functionality.

With a best-in-class solution like Basware AP Automation, these challenges are addressed by ensuring business continuity, accelerating value capture, and providing a layer between suppliers and customer ERPs.

How Basware AP Automation Facilitates S/4HANA Migrations

• Time to Value:AP implementation takes a fraction of the time and resources compared to ERP implementation, allowing businesses to start automating AP processes immediately.
• Risk Management:By taking a critical process out of the ERP with a specialist solution, Basware ensures that AP operations continue seamlessly, even when changes happen in ERPs, mitigating risks and simplifying the overall ERP implementation
• Holistic Business Coverage: Basware covers the entire business landscape, harmonizing and scaling operations across multiple ERPs, automating more processes, and serving as a common platform for new market expansions and acquisitions.

Value of Taking AP Outside the ERP Migration/Upgrad

• Time to Value: Basware enables businesses to start automating AP immediately, achieving greater efficiency and automation without waiting for the full implementation of S/4HANA.
• Less Complexity: Migrate ERP systems individually while the networked AP automation layer remains unaffected, reducing complexity and allowing seamless integration.
• Consolidation of Financial Data: Basware unifies financial and performance data into one AP solution, providing accurate, high-quality data for spend visibility, forecasting, and reporting.

What Makes Basware Unique

Basware customers achieve metrics that matter, and the results speak for themselves — with an impressive 89% touchless rates and the ability to process invoices in less than 26 hours. These achievements underscore the unique strengths that set Basware apart in the realm of AP automation.

These metrics are achieved through our AI ML-powered solutions, seamless integration into complex environments with multiple ERPs, global compliance, risk reduction, and optimization of cash flow. As a leader in automation capabilities, Basware offers insights for touchless operations, full spend visibility, and continuous development to stay at the forefront of innovation.

By embracing true AP automation alongside SAP S/4HANA migrations, businesses can navigate the complexities with confidence, ensuring uninterrupted operations, greater efficiency, and a strategic advantage in the ever-evolving ERP landscape. It's not just an upgrade; it's a transformation facilitated by Basware's commitment to true automation, complete coverage, and deeper expertise in the realm of AP and invoice automation.

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