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In a substantial project codenamed ELVIS (ELectronic Vision, Integrated Systems), Dixons Group plc has commissioned the prominent UK IT systems integrator, Digital Vision, to automate its accounts payable (AP) processes.
Following a 2003 review of Dixons’ accounts payable requirements and a competitive pitch involving eight vendors, Digital Vision was awarded the contract to automate and improve the retailer’s invoice approval processes. Dixons’ objectives were to implement a supplier web portal to aid communication, replace a mature invoice matching system, and implement workflow for internal approval and dispute resolution. Following a visit to one of Digital Vision’s reference sites, Dixons extended its objectives to include automated invoice data capture from scanned invoices using Paradatec’s OCR module.
Timescales were tight, and the implementation was in two phases. Work commenced on phase one - data capture, workflow approval, and supplier portal - in July 2004.
Before the ELVIS project, Dixons used a mix of manual invoice data entry and electronic systems for processing through to completion. This made accurate reporting of liabilities and tracking of invoice status a challenge, besides threatening Dixons’ ability to meet supplier payment terms and therefore achieve maximum settlement discounts.
Dixons had also identified a need to reduce call traffic from suppliers to its AP department. A quick win to address this issue was achieved through the implementation of the supplier portal, allowing selected suppliers to resolve their own queries (call traffic will reduce further once the new matching system goes live in phase two, April 2005).
In mid October, some three and half months into the project, the first phase of project ELVIS went live. This comprised automated invoice data capture, electronic invoice processing and the supplier communications portal.
Together these systems allow same day processing of a large proportion of invoices. Paper invoices go through automated invoice data capture before release to the new Contempus system. This automatically routes invoices through approval and updates the Lawson ERP system. All invoices cleared within preset tolerance levels are archived, marked, completed and released for payment through the ERP system.
Dixons perceives the benefits as reduced costs through better AP productivity, improved expenditure control and greater margins through the ability to negotiate better terms with suppliers. Other benefits include better accountability from divisions and subsidiaries, fewer write-offs and integration of back end systems with the web portal.
Julian Smith, finance director at Dixons, comments: “Project ELVIS has brought our AP processes into the 21st Century. Being able to control the certainty of payment and deliver information to suppliers through the web is critical to successful partnerships.”
Dennis Wright, director of Digital Vision, comments: "Dixons is a great name to add to our already impressive list of AP automation clients. With our system in place, Dixons is able to increase the efficiency of its extensive operations and fine-tune its admin functions.”
Taken from http://www.pressdispensary.co.uk/releases/c99352.html | 
Dixons Group
