Malaysia Airlines has announced it will automate vendor invoices into the company’s new SAP system via the Esker automated Accounts Payable (AP) solution in a $S700,000 deal.

Following its recent implementation of SAP, Malaysia Airlines pursued a solution that could automate the processing of its vendor invoices. With over 28,000 monthly invoices (increasing at approximately 5 percent annually), the ultimate goal of the initiative was to reduce operational costs, improve visibility and efficiency, and eliminate late payments.

The solution required by Malaysia Airlines first had to meet a number of stringent requirements, including: the capacity to handle its growing global invoicing needs, and the ability to seamlessly integrate with its future plans of setting up a shared services center. 

The company says it was impressed by Esker’s flexible workflow functions outside SAP, as well as its on-demand and on-premise global deployment. After signing a five-year contract it will begin implementing the Esker solution immediately, with project delivery slated for mid-2013.

“We are extremely pleased to have been selected to provide end-to-end vendor invoice automation for such a significant and pioneering company,” said Jean-Michel Bérard, CEO at Esker. 

“By implementing our AP automation solution, Malaysia Airlines can expect to benefit from numerous strategic business advantages, including: better integration to financial systems, stronger financial controls, strengthened supplier relations and improved cash flow visibility.”

“In this fast-paced global environment, it is important for us to rely on the best solution so that our internal or external customer will have a seamless operation/transaction,” said Malaysia Airlines’ Director of Corporate Services, Mohd Sukri Husin. 

“We are delighted to partner with Esker to automate and streamline our invoice processing function. We firmly believe that Esker can integrate in enhancing speed and accuracy in invoice automation and addressing our business goals.”