ABPD is a cost-effective and quick way to get certainty to the process

Automated Business Process Discovery in Invoice Handling Process

The concept of using data from IT systems for visualizing and analyzing processes gives a whole new aspect to process improvement – the facts. Automated business process discovery (ABPD) or process mining, as the methodology can be called, gives means to effectively find the bottlenecks of any process, which usually as a consequence, hamper the bottom line.

QPR had a great opportunity to join forces with Basware, the leading provider of e-invoicing and purchase-to-pay solutions, to support a Master’s thesis aiming to analyze the invoice handling process. Basware used QPR ProcessAnalyzer to conduct the process analysis based on the data in their own invoicing system. Here is Janne Hirva’s, Manager, Portfolio & Operations at Basware, take on the ABPD experience.

“We had heard of ABPD technology and QPR ProcessAnalyzer. The notion of being able to import any data to discover any process was really impressive. Therefore, we wanted to see how it would work when analyzing the invoice handling process for which we develop targeted software and solutions.”

“The analysis was conducted for our invoicing process and several selected customers, all using Basware’s invoicing system. As this was a new approach for us, we were interested to know what kinds of findings could be obtained overall from analyzing the process such as several open invoices and comparisons between different invoice types or vendors”, tells Janne Hirva.

As with any data-centric approach, acquiring the data can be a hassle. But the more familiar you are with the data, the easier it usually is.
Q: What was your experience with handling the data acquisition and ultimately the analysis?

“Customers who were involved in the project were happy with the easiness of the data acquisition. Data import was straightforward starting from using Excel for smaller data sets or importing to Cloud or CSV files for larger sets of data. QPR Process Analyzer took in easily Basware data and not only gave the means for effective analysis but also visualized the process”, Hirva continues.

“The experience from Basware and our customers was that ABPD is a cost-effective and fast way to get clarity to the process. You get quick access to fact-based information. As per the software, QPR ProcessAnalyzer, the user experience was good as the threshold for adoption is low. The Excel user interface is familiar so basic analyses can be done with working knowledge of Excel”, Hirva concludes.

“ABPD is a cost-effective and fast way to get clarity to the process – quick access to facts”

Janne Hirva Manager, Portfolio & Operations, Basware

“Problems in the invoicing process were clearly visible in the transaction data, giving a basis for further development. Customers did not need to guess anymore – they received facts.”

Janne Hirva Manager, Portfolio & Operations, Basware

Process bottlenecks exposed

With process facts at hand, there is no longer a need to base improvement decisions on a mere hunch. The analysis makes all issues that there might be obvious.
Q: What benefits did you get ultimately from the analysis?

“QPR ProcessAnalyzer delivered all relevant information so that predetermined questions were not needed. The problems with the invoicing process were visible in the transaction data, which also provided a basis for further development of the process. On a different note, it also showed areas, which were working well. But overall, customers did not need to guess anymore – they received facts”, comments Hirva.

“The process owners were astonished at the level of detail that could be obtained from the invoicing process. If organizations think that they have optimized the process to a T, they are mistaken. They can still make surprising discoveries from the data, which will make a difference in the process performance. This will ultimately affect customer satisfaction via correct invoicing and ensure cashflow with the timely process.”

Any process, any IT-system

“From QPR perspective, it was great to work with a forward-looking company who was able to find several use cases for ABPD in their own business.”, Mika Leonsaari, Director of Global ABPD Business at QPR comments.

“QPR ProcessAnalyzer fits well to Basware’s solutions as from the start, invoice handling is very much process oriented. It was also great to see how easy getting the data was for Basware, and how well the concept of being able to analyze any process from aPortfoliony IT system was realized. With this in mind, ABPD should be the default starting point when improving processes.”

“QPR ProcessAnalyzer is an excellent tool to develop and improve processes. You get the exact and relevant information quickly. It is easy to adopt into use with straightforward data import from different systems”, Hirva summarizes.

Basware provides open, secure, cloud-based purchase-to-pay and e-invoicing solutions to organizations of all sizes, resulting in greater efficiencies in procurement, accounts payable, and accounts receivable. Basware is the global leader in providing solutions for better buying, better selling, and connected commerce.

More about Basware
LEARN MORE

Leave your details and our team will contact you:

Copyright RQTech.  All rights reserved.  Click here to view our privacy and data policy.

Get a quick overview so you can spend your time improving your processes.

You can easily define and set up processes according to your own needs using a convenient layout tool. In addition, since all types of workflow processes can be managed, you get all case management in one single system. 

Analyses, statistics and reports give you an unbeatable overview with real-time status and division of responsibility. Nothing has to fall through the cracks anymore and you always have an accurate and up-to-date base for decision-making.

CANEA Process is a tool that allows you to model and share business processes in an easy-to-use graphical web interface.

Seeing is understanding

Visualisation gives all employees an understanding of the organisation’s processes, activities, responsibilities and information flows.

Living processes

Identifying working methods while making it easy to update is the basis for continuous improvement of processes.

Create a complete picture

Linking together documents, information and tools with clickable process maps create an intuitive and comprehensive management system.

CANEA Workflow is an IT solution that automates, quality-assures and speeds up administrative workflow processes.

You can easily define and set up processes according to your own needs using a convenient layout tool. In addition, since all types of workflow processes can be managed, you get all case management in one single system. 

Analyses, statistics and reports give you an unbeatable overview with real-time status and division of responsibility. Nothing has to fall through the cracks anymore and you always have an accurate and up-to-date base for decision-making.

By creating executable processes in CANEA Workflow, you get both better control of the situation and smoother processing.

Streamlining the work

Ensure compliance and that handovers are done correctly and with the right information.

Correct decision support

You get an unbeatable overview of the processes in real time, with both clear reports and clear diagrams.

Improve processes continuously

Our process support can be constantly adapted to changing needs and requirements. In this way, we give you the best possible conditions for your daily work.

A document management system without complicated folder structures.

CANEA Document combines simple and intuitive search features with powerful features for managing documents from a life cycle perspective.

Maximum availability
Search and find information quickly based on what you need, not where it is stored.

High security
Ensure accuracy, changes and access to all information – with high traceability.

Fulfils requirements
Manage information according to standards, legislation and other requirements for document management.

CANEA Document supports everything from production, publication and modification to archiving and deletion – with full traceability and version management.

CANEA Document provides secure management of all types of documents – in one place. Tagging the information with metadata creates a virtual, multidimensional folder structure. This means that a document appears in multiple locations at the same time, with authorisation-controlled access. The right information in the right place for the right users at the right time!

You can usefully add your company’s process-oriented management system to CANEA Document. All production and distribution of documents is quality-assured and streamlined. In addition, your employees always have access to the most up-to-date version of the documents – directly via intranet, tablets and mobile phones.

Improve the performance of your project activities

CANEA Project is a comprehensive project tool with integrated support for all types of projects and parties– such as management, resource owners, clients, project managers and project participants. CANEA Project gives you an excellent overview of your entire project portfolio, including profitability and status, making it easier to prioritize and make decisions.

CANEA Project shares all important project information with both internal and external members.

Let your project manager focus on management rather than administration and distribution of the information.

Gather all project information in one place and make it available to both internal and external members.

Helps you with prioritization of projects, resource management and analysis of portfolios and programs.

Make reality of the strategy

CANEA Strategy makes it possible for organisations of all sizes to create a unique common thread from the strategic work to the daily operations. We do not just provide performance management tools but rather a completely new generation of IT support for strategy activation. The system guarantees and provides support throughout the chain from strategy to execution. You get no results without action. CANEA Strategy makes it possible in practise! 

CANEA Strategy ensures and provides support throughout the entire journey from strategy to execution.

Create a shared understanding of the strategy, the goal to achieve and how.

Gives management an unbeatable overview of what’s happening, how it’s progressing, and why.

Creates a clear common thread from the strategy to project, initiatives and actions.