BC Hydro Transforms Accounts Payable with SAP Ariba

December 18, 2017

Company moves beyond invoice automation to create connected digital
process that leads to greater collaboration, savings and efficiencies

PALO ALTO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Automating invoices is easy and there’s plenty of software that can do
it. But creating an efficient process for managing accounts payable (AP)
in a collaborative and coordinated way that delivers broad business
value requires more. British Columbia (BC) Hydro and Power Authority,
has figured this out. And the company is using the cloud-based
applications and business network of SAP
Ariba to drive a connected digital procure-to-pay process that is
transforming its operations and earning it industry recognition.

Every day, more than four million people across British Columbia depend
on BC Hydro to power their homes and businesses. To deliver for them,
the company relies on a strong network of suppliers. So when the company
discovered that many of its suppliers were not being paid on time and in
response were building premiums into their contracts, it decided that an
overhaul of its AP processes was in order.

“Invoice approval was taking weeks, there were few controls to match
invoices to purchase order and contracts and our AP team was dealing
with duplicate invoices, leading to duplicate payments,” recalls Hanif
Dhrolia, Programs Lead, BC Hydro. “All of this was straining
relationships and hindering our ability to effectively manage our
business.”

To remedy the situation, many companies might opt for point solutions
that can automate invoices and payments. Knowing that such solutions
would only provide temporary relief, BC Hydro took a different tack. The
company created a plan to align sourcing, procurement and accounts
payable. Then it looked for a solution that could drive it.

And it found one in SAP Ariba. Leveraging the Ariba®
Network and the financial
supply chain solutions delivered on it, BC Hydro created a
connected, digital procure-to-pay process through which it could:

  • Move its more than 1,000 suppliers off paper to transact electronically
  • Increase straight-through processing by automatically validating
    invoices against open orders and ensuring availability of funds
  • Identify and lock-in opportunities for early-payment discounts
  • Enable suppliers to track and manage invoice-payment status online in
    real time, freeing up AP to focus on strategic activities such as
    planning and forecasting.
  • Help suppliers reduce their days sales outstanding while improving
    their cash flow

And the process quickly delivered results. Since implementing SAP
Ariba’s solutions, BC Hydro has:

  • Increased the number of invoices processed electronically from 58
    percent to 83 percent
  • Reduced its invoice exception rate by 80 percent
  • Generated thousands per month in savings through early payments
  • Improved on-time payment performance from 70 percent to 95 percent

The company has been recognized by provincial government officials as a
top-performer in its industry for its efforts. And Dhrolia was awarded
the Institute of Finance & Management (IOFM), AP Manager of the Year
Award.

“Accounts payable isn’t a discreet process that can be performed in a
vacuum,” said Drew Hofler, Senior Director, financial supply chain
solutions marketing, SAP Ariba. “Innovative organizations like BC Hydro
recognize that to deliver real value, it must be executed in an
efficient digital way that is simple and connected. And in embracing
integrated solutions that enable them to do this, they are truly
changing the game.”

To learn more about SAP Ariba’s financial supply chain solutions and the
transformation they are driving at companies around the world, visit www.ariba.com

About BC Hydro

BC Hydro is a Crown corporation, owned by the government and people of
British Columbia. It's our job to generate, and to purchase, reliable,
affordable electricity for our customers. To learn more about us, visit www.bchydro.com

About SAP Ariba

SAP Ariba is how companies connect to get business done. On the Ariba
Network, buyers and suppliers from more than three million companies and
180 countries discover new opportunities, collaborate on transactions
and grow their relationships. Buyers can manage the entire purchasing
process, while controlling spending, finding new sources of savings and
building a healthy supply chain. And suppliers can connect with
profitable customers and efficiently scale existing relationships –
simplifying sales cycles and improving cash control along the way. The
result is a dynamic, digital marketplace, where nearly $1 trillion in
commerce gets done every year. To learn more about SAP Ariba, visit www.ariba.com

About SAP

As market leader in enterprise application software, SAP (NYSE:SAP)
helps companies of all sizes and industries run better. From back office
to boardroom, warehouse to storefront, desktop to mobile device – SAP
empowers people and organizations to work together more efficiently and
use business insight more effectively to stay ahead of the competition.
SAP applications and services enable approximately 365,000 customers to
operate profitably, adapt continuously, and grow sustainably. For more
information, visit www.sap.com.

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Contacts

SAP Ariba
Karen Master, +1-412-297-8177
[email protected]