CASE STUDY: Valmet

VALMET IMPLEMENTS A HIGHLY AUTOMATED PURCHASE-TO-PAY SOLUTION

AN EFFECTIVE PURCHASE-TO-PAY PROCESS IS CRUCIAL FOR AN INTERNATIONAL GROUP WITH A WIDE NETWORK OF SUBCONTRACTORS. VALMET CHOSE THE BASWARE PURCHASE-TO-PAY CLOUD SERVICE AND GOT A SYSTEM THAT IS EASIER TO USE, WITH A HIGHLY AUTOMATABLE PURCHASE-TO-PAY PROCESS THAT MEETS THE GROUP'S REQUIREMENTS. THE SOLUTION WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN DOZENS OF COUNTRIES, AND COMPLIES WITH ALL THE LOCAL LEGAL PROVISIONS.

Valmet is the world's leading in Finland, Sweden and Cana- technology, automation and ser- da. They have been using two CUSTOMER: vice provider for the paper, pulp different invoice automation solu- and energy industries. As is the tions and several ERP systems, case with many other industries, and have not yet automated the speed of development is fast: their AP processes, which made integrating various operations INDUSTRY: "For example, technological de- challenging, as well as making velopment is constantly shaping procurement analysis and invoice Industrial products and the external operating environ- processing more difficult. services ment. This is why we must also be able to make internal changes", When Valmet launched a new LOCATION: says Ahti Väätäinen, Manager of ERP initiative, they decided to Finland Financial Services Implementa- implement one, shared purchase- tion and Robotics at Valmet. to-pay process globally across BASWARE SOLUTION: the group. These simultaneous With over 12,000 employees, Val- changes meant that the invoice met operates in five geographi- purchasing system provider had cal areas, from New Zealand and to meet a strict set of require- China to South America and the TAKING ADVANTAGE ments. United States. Global business OF AUTOMATION operations utilize a wide network "Changing two essential systems The next step was to define the of subcontractors. at the same time set the bar high. requirements for the system. The invoice purchasing solution A number of providers were in- ONE PROCESS FOR had to be flexible and able to in- volved in the tender until a late THE WHOLE GROUP tegrate into the new ERP sys- stage. Eventually, Valmet chose Valmet's Financial Services are tem", explains Väätäinen. Basware because it offered the separated across three offices: best solution compared with Val- "We were confident from the met's selection criteria and was "FROM THE USERS' POINT outset that Basware is able to therefore the clear winner. OF VIEW, BASWARE WAS manage this kind of international implementation, which requires The most significant advantage THE BEST CHOICE. THE high flexibility. So far the imple- of the Basware Purchase-to-Pay USER INTERFACE IS EASY mentation has progressed as solution was its ability to deliver TO USE AND THE RE- planned, so we have been satis- a global system that allowed the PORTING TOOLS ARE EX- fied", says Väätäinen. entire purchase-to-pay process ACTLY WHAT WE WANTED. to be developed according to Val- THE COST-BENEFIT RATIO As an industry expert, Ahti met's needs. Other advantages WAS ALSO COMPETITIVE." Väätäinen understands the bene- included the possibility of increas- fits of minimal customization re- Ahti Väätäinen, Specialist, quirements in the long run. Finance Development, Valmet. VALMET'S GOALS FOR DEVELOPING THE INVOICE "If we had created our own sep- PURCHASING PROCESS: arate solution, we would have lost the benefit of a standardized 1. Speeding up workflow by THE LESS system. This would have imped- maximizing the automation CUSTOMIZATION, THE level ed the functionality of analytics, BETTER among other things." 2. Reducing manual steps Implementing the Basware Pur- 3. Increasing the share of in- chase-to-Pay solution simul- voices with purchase orders taneously with the new ERP VALMET 4. Improving the processes system brings both advantages for indirect procurement and schedule changes to Val- Valmet is the world's leading met. Since implementing the ERP technology, automation and system will take several years to service provider for pulp, pa- ing the level of automation over complete, it will also affect the per, energy and processing time, the system's ability to learn, invoice purchasing system im- industries. The company op- erates in 33 countries across and the effective management of plementation within the Valmet five different geographical exceptions. group. areas. It has around 12,000 Furthermore, Valmet wanted to These overlapping projects re- employers, and its turnover acquire a system that is very easy was approximately 2.9 billion to manage, with industry-leading quire close collaboration and coordination between different euros in 2016. The Valmet product development, while still headquarters are located in project operators. The advantage being effortless from the custom- Espoo, Finland. er's point of view. Again, in this is that this provides a genuine respect Basware performed bet- opportunity to reshape business ter than the competition. processes along the way.

ABOUT BASWARE Basware is the global leader in providing networked purchase-to-pay solutions, e-invoicing and innovative financing services. Basware's commerce and financing network connects businesses in over 100 countries and territories around the globe. As the largest open business network in the world, Basware provides scale and reach for organizations of all sizes, enabling them to grow their business and unlock value across their operations by simplifying and streamlining financial processes. Small and large companies around the world achieve significant cost savings, more flexible payment terms, greater efficiencies and closer relationships with their suppliers. ©Basware 2017

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Photo: Valmet