Invoice processing is a necessary part of business operations but it can be a time-consuming and error-prone task, especially if done manually, with inaccurate data-entry resulting in delayed payments and misreporting. For Southway Housing, invoice processing was a significant challenge so it partnered with TSG to implement a new solution using artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
TSG worked with Southway Housing to implement a new solution that uses AI technology to automate invoice processing. The solution uses an AI builder which has been trained on a wide variety of invoice layouts, allowing it to recognise and extract the relevant data from each invoice.
The AI model has been applied to a SharePoint document library, enabling invoices to be processed and data to be extracted automatically. The AI model also recognises the supplier, invoice date, invoice number and other essential details needed for payment.
For invoices that the AI model can’t process, a Power App solution is used to validate and correct any errors. To improve the accuracy of the AI model, Southway Housing’s onboarding process includes the addition of five example invoices to the system so that the AI model learns and adapts to the invoice layouts of each supplier, further reducing the need for manual interventions.
Less manual data-entry and fewer errors mean that the housing provider’s finance team needs to spend less time dealing with invoices, combined with greater control and visibility. In addition, TSG’s solution reduces the risk of errors and delays in processing. This will improve Southway Housing’s relationship with its suppliers and give it a better view of its cashflow and budgets.
Ian Hardingham, head of ICT, Southway Housing, said, “TSG has responded to the challenge of our various ‘digital workplace’ projects with enthusiasm and in-depth knowledge. We’ve now worked with several TSG consultants for different projects, allowing parallel developments in our Microsoft 365 strategy, and they have all worked hard to get us to the point where we are using our full Microsoft tenancy efficiently and effectively.”
