Basware lays down predictions for trends and issues impacting finance and procurement in 2013
STAMFORD, Conn—Purchase-to-pay (P2P) and e-invoicing solutions provider Basware has announced predictions for key trends and issues that are expected to impact finance and procurement in 2013. The increasing use of mobile apps to conduct key invoice processing functions; expanding use of social media platforms to collaborate with colleagues, suppliers and partners; and the growth of the cloud as an enabler of automation are central themes that Baseware sees driving growth this year. As well, business commerce networks will continue expanding, improving visibility and control across the financial supply chain.
“This year, marked by a continued focus on better managing spend and increasing profitability, companies will continue to require real-time visibility and control over finances,” said Bob Cohen, Basware’s VP of Marketing, North America. “While the challenges and goals remain the same, in 2013 we expect to see an explosion in mobility, social collaboration, cloud-based services and other trends that are redefining the way people work. Business commerce networks will continue to grow as they enable companies to conduct P2P transactions more effectively, gain critical insights into savings opportunities, and better manage cash flow.”
The following are key trends anticipated this year:
The year of the app with BYOD
As workers become increasingly accustomed to using the same devices (smart phones and tablets) at work, as they do at home, they require mobile apps that let them to work on the move. Mobile apps for purchase-to-pay are enabling professionals to review, approve and reject invoices and purchase requisitions when they’re out of the office. With these mobile capabilities enabling real-time anywhere, anytime access, businesses can speed up the review and approval cycles of invoice and requisition processing, providing data visibility and actionable performance insight on the move.
Social media
The growth of social media is continuing in the corporate environment. While many companies are establishing policies to limit or manage the use of social media in the workplace, savvy organizations recognize that social media can further collaboration in the workplace. In finance departments, social media is being applied to enable an immediate dialogue between buyers and sellers, to discuss purchasing requisitions and invoices and handle disputes on the fly.
E-invoicing and open network collaboration
The focus on financial collaboration between buyers and suppliers through e-invoicing and transactions over business commerce networks is increasing as companies realize their value. A recent study from Billentis reported that the potential cost savings of e-invoicing is estimated to be as much as 60-80 percent compared to traditional paper-based processing. E-invoicing use is rising thanks to a “viral” ecosystem as it is passed down the value chain from a large customer to a large supplier and consequently the suppliers that work with that business. These factors, combined with legislative changes and e-invoicing mandates by governments, improvements in connectivity solutions and market awareness, combine to increase the number of organizations adopting e-invoicing and the volume of invoices processed. In the 2012 e-invoicing study commissioned by Basware, 73 percent of respondents globally used electronic invoicing to some degree compared to 59 percent in 2011.
The open network, the global ecosystem of interoperable business commerce networks across which buyers and suppliers can easily transact regardless of their technology or document formats, will continue to be increasingly important as businesses look to increase cross-enterprise collaboration to speed up business processes and the flow of cash. Closer interoperation between suppliers and buyers will also provide better control over goods and services as well as the ability to conduct global commerce more effectively.
