"Digitization lets you get a lot more work done"
At Feyter Industrial Services, incoming invoices were processed the traditional way for a long time: the invoice was printed, had to be signed, and then disappeared into a binder in a cabinet. That is, until the company became part of the Feyter Group in 2023. CFO Natascha de Schrijver wanted to digitize the invoice processing workflow as quickly as possible. She was looking for a user-friendly solution that would integrate seamlessly with their Isah ERP system. The 4CEE Invoice platform turned out to be the perfect fit.
When CFO Natascha de Schrijver also became responsible for the financial processes at Feyter Industrial Services following the acquisition, her top priority was to digitize invoice processing as quickly as possible. “The invoices weren’t quite being stamped yet, but it was a close call,” she says with a wink.
“It wasn’t a question of whether we should digitize; it was a requirement. With a paper-based process like that, the Finance department has virtually no overview. Until an invoice is approved and processed, you don’t know where it is or why processing has been delayed. That lack of insight also hinders a clear picture of the financial situation and payment obligations.”
Automated invoice processing with Isah
In short, the process could be faster, more efficient, and more transparent. Natascha looked for a way to process invoices digitally and automatically, integrated with the ERP system the company uses: Isah. She soon settled on 4CEE Invoice, which has since been successfully implemented.
Natascha has experienced several benefits from this digitization effort. “As soon as an invoice comes in, it’s already traceable. You can see at a glance how many invoices are awaiting approval and who’s handling them. Plus, you can respond quickly to questions from suppliers because you can easily look up invoices. That saves a tremendous amount of time and provides better control.”
“As soon as an invoice comes in, it’s already traceable. You can see at a glance how many invoices are awaiting approval and who’s handling them.”
Error-free and time-saving
She also notes that automated invoice processing is much less prone to errors and saves a great deal of time. This is because purchase order invoices are automatically matched to the purchase order and goods receipt. As a result, an invoice is automatically approved and no longer needs to be processed by employees. “That does require a well-structured process up front,” Natascha emphasizes. “If the purchase order or goods receipt isn’t entered correctly in Isah, the invoice can’t be matched.”
“Digitization lets you get more work done,” Natascha continues. “And that frees up time for other things. I think it’s important that my colleagues have the space to think about what we do and how we can do it better or more efficiently. If you’re only busy manually processing invoices, there’s no time left for that.”
Finance as a strategic partner
Automation also enables the Finance department to play a more strategic role. “In the past, Finance was often seen as a department that looks backward, whereas we should actually be looking forward,” says Natascha. “With the right data and tools, we can help the organization make strategic decisions and provide insight into what’s happening both inside and outside the organization.”
User-friendly invoice processing software
4CEE Invoice has been in use at Feyter Industrial Services for some time now, and the experience has been positive. Natascha is particularly impressed with its ease of use. “There are software packages out there that are so complicated that users get lost. That’s certainly not the case with 4CEE Invoice; it speaks for itself. That’s especially important for colleagues who approve invoices, since it’s an additional task for them. So it shouldn’t be too complex or time-consuming.”
She’s also satisfied with the collaboration with the 4CEE staff: “Communication is good, but honestly, it’s hardly necessary. The software does what it’s supposed to do: invoices are processed quickly and accurately. That’s exactly what you want.”