The disconnected nature of many enterprise systems is a persistent challenge in the procure-to-pay (P2P) process automation world. Accounts payable runs through one system or maybe a backend ERP server and procurement and sourcing run through yet another discrete system or series of systems – all within the same enterprise.
Esker (NYSE Euronext: ALESK) has taken some steps to change that for its customers. In April 2014, they launched a new on-demand ePurchasing solution, which, when added to their existing AP offering means that an enterprise can automate its P2P cycle with a single solution provider.
Catherine Dupuy-Holdich, senior product manager at Esker is in charge of the company’s P2P offering. She emphasized that many of Esker’s customers are interested in automating their entire purchase-to-pay process, so this new solution can help to fill the gap left over when disparate solutions are involved.
Beyond its current customer base, Dupuy-Holdich believes that the eProcurement “greenfield opportunities” are where Esker will focus its efforts and ultimately shine in the early days of this solution, such as if someone has an ERP program but has not yet implemented an ERP-based eProcurement system or larger standalone solution.
Thinking About the Procure-to-Pay Cycle
The eProcurement solution isn’t the only change in the Esker solution portfolio. The company’s accounts payable automation technology, launched back in 2008, has seen some updates as well.
In 2013, Esker launched an iOS mobile app that allows for invoice approval on the go; in 2014 the Android version was released, and Dupuy-Holdich said that they’ll launch line-item view functionality the third week of October 2014. The basic idea, according to Dupuy-Holdich, is to move purchase requisition and invoice approval into the mobile apps. She noted that this functionality is on the way in 2015.
Overall, however, the goal of Esker’s new offering is to bridge the gap between procurement and accounts payable for its current AP customers. Dupuy-Holdich said that, as a result of adding the new purchasing solution, Esker can help enterprises cut down on the time spent processing invoices and capture more early payment discounts in addition to offering a greater degree of control over spend. Esker also noted that some of its clients are ready using purchasing workflows that Esker custom-built (which really were the genesis behind Esker’s “ePurchasing” offering).
Looking Ahead
Beyond increasing the mobile capabilities of their products, Dupuy-Holdich said that Esker’s focus in the year ahead will be on improving the usability and user experience across their product lines. She stated that Esker has updated the user interface in their AP product to make the design more modern and the buttons more visible [Note: we did not demo the solution updates].
Dupuy-Holdich also noted Esker plans to expand beyond its historical focus on SAP clients and into the Microsoft Dynamics and Oracle ecosystems. Down the road, Esker’s goal is to increase the security of their solutions and make it simpler for companies to collaborate across the Esker platform. They also recently opened a German mail facility in order to expand their document-process-based services.
The overall future, however, Dupuy-Holdich said, includes a focus on increasing collaboration and security. As to Esker’s success in its historical markets, Dupuy-Holdich credits the company-wide tendency to first listen to what clients want and then build the solutions to fulfill those goals. Esker reported sales of €41 million in 2013 and says that it is managing 20 million business documents per month.
It is from this base that Esker now attempts to enter the eProcurement marketplace and expand its footprint within its customer base.
Keep up with all the discussion around ePayments and other B2B ePayables topics at the Ardent Partners LinkedIn group.
