A4e Takes Next Step in Streamlining its Purchasing Processes
Leading welfare reform organisation A4e expands its PROACTIS spend control solution.
Recognised as a global thought leader on welfare reform, A4e assists people in gaining qualifications and finding employment. With an annual turnover in excess of £145m, a staff force of 3,100 people and a supply chain of 700 organisations, A4e is focused on increasing the efficiency of its business processes so more funds can be directed into welfare programs.
A4e has significantly streamlined its procurement and invoice management processes throughout its operations, with PROACTIS solutions for purchase automation and employee expense management - accelerating the buying process and lowering the cost per transaction by reducing the time spent by employees, managers and Accounts Payable personnel on purchases.
The PROACTIS functionality of capturing purchase requests and orders at the point of commitment and the automated authorisation controls has also provided A4e with improved budget control and financial visibility throughout the purchase lifecycle.
As the next phase in this procurement efficiency program, A4e has adopted the PROACTIS solution for supplier "punch-out" which enables staff to send an order electronically from a supplier's catalogue. This means A4e no longer have to maintain the supplier catalogue internally and the time and effort spent ordering goods is dramatically reduced.
The "punch-out" capability also provides the ability to receive invoices electronically for orders placed from within the catalogue. Eliminating the need to manually process thousands of orders and invoices per year will dramatically reduce the amount of time and resources required from the A4e Accounts Payable team.
