DHL introduces e-invoicing to improve efficiencies

DHL shared its e-invoicing experiences with delegates at the EXPP European Summit 2007 in London. DHL is automating its accounts receivable (AR) processes across Europe with an e-invoicing service from Accountis Europe Ltd, an international provider of secure financial document exchange and payment systems.

Brian Thumwood, e-billing programme manager for DHL, spoke to around 300 delegates at the e-invoicing and e-billing summit, where he launched the company’s Flash demonstration of its e-invoicing application. As Brian explained: “Printing, posting, delivering and managing many bulky, complex paper invoices each month was an expensive and time-consuming process, not only for us but for our customers as well, who were a primary driving force behind the implementation of our e-invoicing application”.

The Flash demonstration takes customers through the e-invoicing process step-by-step, allowing them to see the many benefits it will bring to their business before they register.

Brian’s key criteria when looking for an e-invoicing system were that it should be proven, compatible and allow DHL to generate and manage VAT compliant and multilingual e-invoices. DHL chose UK-based Accountis for its powerful yet simple to use, flexible system. “Accountis blew us away with their enthusiasm, technical ability and experience,” said Brian.

With the successful implementation of Accountis EIPP (Electronic Invoicing Presentment and Payment), all DHL’s paper invoices from 13 European countries will now be generated and delivered electronically, resulting in a much faster and cost-effective process for DHL and its European customers. DHL’s operations in Belgium and Switzerland have been the first to experience the benefits of Accountis EIPP, with the remaining 11 countries coming online in the near future.

Brian Thumwood continues: “We initially integrated the system in Belgium but were so impressed with Accountis EIPP that we were keen to extend the service to our other European offices as soon as possible. Those customers that already have access to the system are finding it very easy to use, which proves to us that the project has already been a success.

Accountis EIPP is integrated with DHL’s existing complex finance systems to consolidate disparate invoice data and make it available for expedient processing via the Accountis HUB. Using a DHL-branded e-invoicing portal, the DHL finance team can now generate, send and manage invoices from one secure location. All new and archived e-invoice data is available 24/7 from any location and customised workflow functions ensure that business processes and data flows are streamlined and audited.

Instead of receiving bulky complex paper invoices, DHL customers can now either receive their invoices as digitally signed PDFs, or view them online by accessing a secure DHL-branded customer portal. From the portal, customers have access to all invoice data, including a detailed document history. They can also view invoices in the language of their choice, and in a variety of formats for easy download into their accounting or finance system. By removing slow manual processes, such as re-typing invoice data, Accountis EIPP has made invoice processing quicker, more accurate and safer for customers.