Managing the unmanageable.
OmniSource Corporation is one of North America’s largest processors and distributors of scrap and secondary metals. They collect, process, resell, and trade a wide variety of ferrous and nonferrous scrap from more than 70 U.S. scrap collection and processing facilities. OmniSource has the capacity to process seven million tons of ferrous materials and more than a billion pounds of nonferrous metals each year.
-
Number of employees: more than 2,500
-
Headquarters: Fort Wayne, IN
The Challenge
OmniSource came to Imaging Office Systems searching for a solution to an accounts receivable process that had become cumbersome and almost unmanageable. At the time they had six employees handling AR tasks with their own process. Everything was on paper and required multiple copies.
They had an additional challenge that is common in their industry: there were often discrepancies in payments received vs invoice amounts but they had no way to efficiently manage or track these discrepancies.
-
The all-paper accounts receivable process was creating a storage problem
-
Large volume made the copies, faxes and files overwhelming and difficult to track
-
Discrepancies from invoice amounts needed to be managed, tracked and collected in a more timely fashion
Why did OmniSource choose IOS?
“Imaging Office Systems could handle our volume and customize a solution that also met the unusual aspects of our problem. The IOS team took the time up front to really learn our procedures and ways of doing business – the efficiency impact was almost immediate.”
Dawn Snyder
Cash Applications Supervisor
The Solution
Imaging Office Systems knew that an Enterprise Content Management (ECM) system needed to be installed and implemented to solve OmniSource’s challenges. Their first steps included writing a customized accounts receivable software workflow that was integrated into OmniSource’s existing accounting processes. The IOS team also spent time learning the AR procedures up front so the new processes didn’t feel so different to the staff and would continue to work easily with their other accounting processes.
Key features of the IOS solution:
-
All invoices, payments and related files are captured electronically so all AR information goes into one central location – no copies, no paper, no passing from hand to hand.
-
Digital records are tied together for easier tracking of the entire receivable.
The system created a single-step data entry system to improve efficiencies.
-
Payment discrepancies are now tracked and collected with no additional paperwork required
Implementation of the initial solution was so smooth and successful that OmniSource came back to IOS to have them write a new workflow for their payment process.
Initially, payments were received at the bank and OmniSource had to wait 24 hours for copies of the checks to be overnighted and then entered into the system. The new system handles all receivables electronically and payment processing happens in real-time.
The Bottom Line
-
Number of open payment discrepancies dropped 80%
-
Average age of partial payments decreased 59 days
-
Now have more control over payment write-offs
-
Saved thousands of dollars a year in overnight shipping fees
-
Payment processing happens in real-time
-
Collections happen faster
-
Able to monitor everything in the system – huge time savings
How Can We Help You? Let Us Know.
Read More
Case Study: Goddard Public School System
From Paper to Cloud: Digital Transformation of HR Records & WorkflowsGoddard Public Schools (USD 265) is a rapidly growing school district in Goddard, KS, located in south-central Sedgwick County, less than 5 miles from Wichita. The school system serves more than...
Case Study: Global Consultant
Streamlined accounts payable across the globe.Client is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on...
Case Study: GE Aviation
GE Aviation needed to give its customer’s unlimited 24/7 access to aircraft engine service records from anywhere in the world. We built a solution that did it without any additional investments in capture software, hardware or hiring, training, and managing any new full-time employees.