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Ahead of the P2P Process Owners Strategy Workshop, we spoke with Mrs. Anna Gburczyk-Shraga, Business Transformation Manager of Global Finance Systems and Processes at Orange Business Services about the main lessons learnt from AP Automation.

About the conference:

This workshop stream will serve as a platform for benchmarking best practices and successful approaches to resolving key P2P goals and obstacles that are on the way to those goals. New topics discussed will include creating a strong Purchasing Master Data Management fundament, delivering additional value through dynamic discounting, discussing the best strategic P2P function models and experiences with outsourcing vs. in sourcing. We will also hear innovations on self-service supplier portal, eCatalogue, and eProcurement in general. Our seasoned speakers from cross-industry spectrum of MNC will share a detailed practical overview and experiences on main P2P challenges to Straight-Through -Processing and well balanced DPO management. Attend this marcus evans Process Owners P2P strategy workshop to get a clear understanding of the latest trends and best practices from peer lead practical case study sessions. The P2P Process Owners Strategy Workshop will take place from the 17th until the 18th of November 2016 in Amsterdam Marriott Hotel, Netherlands.

About the speaker:

Anna is a Business Process Transformation leader specialising in complex end-to-end transformation and continuous improvement programmes for global organisations. She is currently responsible for large systems and process improvement programmes at Orange Business Services. Her background in Finance (FCCA, IFRS Diploma) and Economics (MSc In Economics and Banking) is supported by an Executive MBA from the internationally renowned London Business School. She is a champion of Lean Six Sigma methods and a trainer in PMI Project Management framework. Anna supports the Cherie Blair Foundation and the Onpartu Programme as a Mentor and Speaker.

Lessons learnt from AP Automation

An interview with Orange Business Services

What was key in selecting a model in realising savings?

It is essential to relate the model of realising savings to the core of the automation project. AP Automation is inevitably intertwined with 3-way matching. However the efficiency of the PO – invoice – receipt process is impacted by many factors that may be outside of control of the AP Automation process owner. Therefore the model for realising savings should closely relate to the exact architecture of the solution, carefully covering only those areas that can be effectively improved by it.

Which partners would you feel are the most useful and why?

When moving from paper-based process to the data-based one, discipline is by far the most important. Those partners that demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the business process of their customer, the ways their data models interlink and who show meticulous attention to detail are going to add the most value. Those who don’t should be avoided!

What are you doing with remaining paper and how are you automating remaining scope?

Cost of collecting data should always be balanced by the value of that data. Automation may not be the best solution when the cost of achieving full compliance automatically is very high, when there are the necessary differences in local business models or with very complex invoices. In those cases the manual invoice entry remains the optimum option. We are working hard to avoid any other exclusions from the scope.

What are the main lessons learnt from AP Automation?

Build an intimate understanding of your process, your invoices, your territories and your suppliers. Take decisions based on data, not on anyone’s gut feel. Don’t even start without a functional specialist who has a deep understanding of the process and the underlying data – and can translate the process solutions into the IT language. Understand your suppliers and build relationships with them. Strive for a long-term IT relationship so that the IT understands the minutiae of your process. If everything else fails, you will always have one big argument up your sleeve: moving from paper to data is inevitable.

What would you like to achieve by attending the P2P Process Owners Strategy Workshops session?

Share my experience from leading a complex, challenging and interesting project, grow network, exchange insights and ideas and learn!

Anna Gburczyk-Shraga, Business Transformation Manager of Global Finance Systems and Processes, Orange Business Services