Hillarys Automates Accounts Payable Process with Esker
Derby, UK — September 19th, 2019 — Esker, a worldwide leader in AI-driven process automation solutions and pioneer in cloud computing, today announced it is working with Hillarys, manufacturer and fitter of blinds, curtains and shutters across the UK and Ireland. Esker’s cloud-based Accounts Payable (AP) solution has enabled Hillarys to streamline its supplier invoice process by integrating with the company’s SAP® business system.
Prior to Esker, a team of 4 accounts payable staff were manually processing up to 35,000 invoices a year from 800 vendors. This resulted in a very challenging process that led to common issues such as: duplicate payments from data input errors, slow workflow approvals, limited control and visibility, poor supplier relationships.
Hillarys therefore researched the market to find a solution that could help eliminate many of these issues and make process improvements across their entire AP function. Specifically including the automation of data manually re-keyed, reduction in errors, and an electronic workflow approval process to reduce the burden on authorising signatories. A scalable, cloud-based solution was essential as invoice numbers were predicted to nearly double over the coming years.
Benefits of AP Automation
Thanks to Esker, Hillarys and its suppliers achieved numerous benefits, including:
- Faster invoice processing by eliminating manual handing
- Increased traceability throughout the entire AP process
- Improved supplier relationships thanks to timely payment of invoices and rapid dispute resolution
- Reduced invoice approval time with on-the-go review and approval capabilities, thanks to the mobile application Esker Anywhere™
- Increased visibility thanks to end-to-end AP automation
- Increased productivity within the AP team, allowing staff to spend more time on higher-value tasks
About Hillarys
In 1971, Tony Hillary began making blinds in his garage in Nottingham. It truly was a one-man operation, with Tony doing everything from the advertising and marketing to the manufacturing and fitting. More than 45 years later, Hillarys is the UK's market leader in made-to-measure window dressings, manufacturing and selling a huge range of blinds, curtains, shutters and awnings in the UK and Republic of Ireland. This is done through the Hillarys’ brand offering - the original in-home sales and installation service that covers everything from measuring up to installation.
Hillarys employs over 1,200 people over three sites, two in Nottingham and one in Washington, Tyne & Wear and has a network of over 900 self-employed Advisors who provide an in-home service, selling and installing core and specialist products.
About Esker
Esker is a worldwide leader in cloud-based document process automation software, helping financial and customer service departments digitally transform their order-to-cash (O2C) and purchase-to-pay (P2P) cycles. Used by more than 6,000 companies worldwide, Esker’s solutions incorporate technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) to drive increased productivity, enhanced visibility, reduced fraud risk, and improved collaboration with customers, suppliers and internally. Esker operates in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific with global headquarters in Lyon, France, and U.S. headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin. For more information on Esker and its solutions, visit https://www.esker.co.uk. Follow Esker on LinkedIn at Esker – Northern Europe, or on Twitter at @EskerNEurope and join the conversation on the Esker blog.