Customer Story
Hall’s Culligan Water
Harnessing AI-Powered Automation to Delegate AP Workload & Achieve Process Transparency
- Achieveda 93% automation rate after implementing Esker
- Improvedemployee morale by simplifying and streamlining AP workflows and eliminating manual data entry
- Gainedvisibility into every step of the AP process thanks to customised dashboards and advanced reporting capabilities
After automating accounts payable (AP), Hall’s Culligan Water has been able to improve the lives of staff and achieve the flexibility and efficiency needed to never miss a beat.
Here’s their story.
Challenges - Taking manual AP processes out of the equation
As a leader in water treatment since 1950, Hall’s Culligan Water has the skills and the experience to handle just about any water-related challenge that may come up. But when it came to the complex and inefficient processes bogging down its Accounts Payable (AP) department, the company knew it needed to turn to experts outside the water treatment industry to help overcome its invoicing challenges — experts in AI-driven automation.
Before adopting Esker, the team utilised a previous automation solution, which proved cumbersome. This prior solution necessitated the use of three separate software solutions, which ultimately lead to new operational challenges. User-friendliness was lacking, the team couldn’t create reports, OCR performance was poor, operations were sluggish, and AP staff could only access the solution when connected to the company’s own network.
These deficiencies fell short of Hall’s Culligan Water’s standards, prompting the need for replacement. In addition, the solution relied on Java, which had reached its end-of-life cycle. This combination of factors highlighted the inadequacy of the old system and underscored the imperative for a more efficient and modern solution like Esker.
OBJECTIVES
- Improve the processing speed for AP staff with easy-to-maintain approval workflows.
- Increase visibility to achieve full transparency over invoices and AP processes.
- Implement an automated AP solution that seamlessly integrates with existing ERP system.
- Be able to delegate tasks when users are out of the office to maintain efficiency and continuity.
Solution - Helping staff divide & conquer AP workload with ease
Transitioning to Esker proved remarkably easy and intuitive compared to Hall’s Culligan Water’s prior AP solution. The team found it effortless to adapt workflows and relished in the flexibility of accessing the platform from anywhere. Its seamless integration with Sage ERP provided real-time updates, which was complemented by customisable dashboards tailored to the company’s unique needs. The unlimited user capability was a significant improvement, as opposed to its previous restriction of 20 concurrent users. Now, all 154 end users can simultaneously use the solution, leading to a noticeable boost in overall productivity.
Esker Accounts Payable drastically reduced support calls that previously inundated the team with ERP integration issues and platform errors — calls that also used up significant time AP staff could be using for more valuable and strategic activities. Its advanced AI recognition minimised errors and expedited invoice processing. Notably, the delegation/out-of-office features emerged as pivotal and have enabled the team to easily distribute the AP workload during absences to better sustain operational efficiency. Esker’s implementation empowered the team to seamlessly manage tasks, a feat unattainable with their previous system.
Before Esker, we did not have the flexibility to set up approval workflows, which meant some invoices needed to be keyed in manually. Now, all AP invoices are in one place, helping make the AP process more transparent and, ultimately, more efficient.”
Results - Capitalising on full AP visibility & seamless invoice processing
Since implementing Esker, employee morale within Hall’s Culligan Water has seen a significant boost, with both approvers and management offering nothing but praise for its efficiency. Approvers even express a sense of ease in their tasks, highlighting that they feel as though they’re not merely fulfilling duties but navigating a more streamlined, simplified process. The team has even achieved an impressive 93% AP automation rate with Esker.
“Gaining visibility into the entire AP process was one of the main objectives of our selection team when we were looking for a solution,” said Shared Services Manager Kathy Coker. “Esker has helped us meet that goal and even exceed it, because now, every approver is able to access and view invoice statuses, historical invoices, payment updates, and even GL reports in just a few clicks.”
Now that task delegation is a breeze, any AP specialist can take on another’s workload without skipping a beat, making life easier for all team members and ensuring operational continuity.
Overall, the transition to Esker has positively and drastically impacted workflow efficiency and user satisfaction within the organisation as a whole. Looking ahead, the team plans to implement Esker Expense Management in Q2 of 2024, indicating a continued commitment to streamlining operations and optimising efficiency with Esker’s extensive suite of AI-powered solutions.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Achieved a 93% automation rate after implementing Esker.
- Improved employee morale by simplifying and streamlining AP workflows and eliminating manual data entry.
- Gained visibility into every step of the AP process thanks to customised dashboards and advanced reporting capabilities.
We’ve heard nothing but great things about Esker from end users in the field. They rave about how much easier their day-to-day is now because the solution makes it seamless. We’ve been able to eliminate most manual data entry, which has been huge for both morale and accuracy."
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