Esker, a global cloud platform and leader in AI-driven process automation solutions for finance and customer service functions, today announced the issuance of U.S. Patent No. 11132407B2 by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for Esker’s automated batch-cutting technology.

Spanning both the order-to-cash (O2C) and procure-to-pay (P2P) cycles, Esker’s AI-powered solutions are  built to vastly reduce repetitive, low-value and time-consuming tasks. For accounting staff, this often meant having to scan paper invoices to create a digital file that then needed to be separated out by individual invoice. Esker’s AI-driven batch-splitting solution handles this process automatically.

These, and other process efficiency issues that arise in the financial cycle can be adeptly addressed by AI-powered automation. Esker’s global AI investment strategy was initiated more than 10 years ago and places its focus on exactly these kinds of concerns. After extensive research on deep convolutional neural networks, Esker efficiently handles document batch-cutting operations, thereby accelerating the processing of supplier invoices. This, in turn, improves the relationships with suppliers while simultaneously increasing internal productivity and job satisfaction.

For over 10 years, Esker has been steadily developing and broadening its expertise in utilising AI technology to streamline business processes with capabilities such as auto-coding, email triage, improved document recognition as well as anomaly and fraud detection. In concrete terms, this innovation eliminates the hours spent manually managing document batches and contributes to shorter payment periods. “This is in line with our goal of simplifying business processes by facilitating invoice management without disrupting established collaboration processes with suppliers and customers,” said Jean-Jacques Bérard, Vice President of Research and Development at Esker.

“Innovation is an integral part of Esker’s DNA, which is substantiated by the fact that we currently have two more AI-engine related patents pending with the USPTO,” said Jean-Michel Bérard, CEO at Esker. “The focus on automation technologies is one of the keys to our success, because at a time when the finance department plays an increasingly important role in a company’s digital transformation, it is essential that they can focus on the most strategically valuable activities.”

Esker’s AI-powered solutions equip businesses with technology that creates positive-sum growth, which enables companies to create value for every stakeholder — employees, customers, suppliers and the planet.  “We strive to prepare businesses to be a driver of meaningful change by enabling the entire business ecosystem to flourish,” continued Jean-Michel Bérard.

Read full press release here.

Esker UK

Unlocking Positive-Sum Growth with AI-Driven Business Solutions for P2P & O2C Cycles

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A new year is a natural time to plan ahead, isn’t it? To look back on the past year, but also to think about what could be improved and what could be done differently. On the other hand, it can be a difficult time to be motivated. Those grey skies and cold mornings and the post-Christmas lull certainly don’t help.

But then comes the Spring. Bright sunny mornings, blue, clear skies on the horizon and warmer weather, buds, shoots and green leaves are definitely far more inspiring! Perhaps this too, then, is a great time to take action, to make a change and to work to transform those things which are ripe for improvement.

This time of year certainly inspires me. Since the sun came out and started to warm the ground properly, it didn’t take me long to get outside and start back in the garden, clearing, planting and painting. Transforming the garden from its grey, sad and rather abandoned look that it had developed over the cold winter months, to a richly planted, brightly coloured sanctuary for birds and wildlife once again.

However, this time, I’ve made some improvements. I’ve added in plants more suited to the bees. I’ve added more bird feeding stations (I’ve never seen so many birds in our garden!), I’ve improved the protection for my tiny seeds and bulbs with netting, to stop other animals from destroying them before they have a chance to bloom. We’ve also added in some new garden chairs so that we can actually sit and enjoy it more. Overall, it’s improved, transformed, more functional.

So what about your business? Could it too, like my garden, benefit from a bit of a Spring make-over? Because that’s where Esker can step in, with its expertise and know-how, developed over more than 35 years.

In an increasingly uncertain world, business success is multi-faceted. Beyond cost-cutting, it’s about relationship building and long-term value creation. At the heart of Esker’s global cloud platform are intelligent technologies that enable our customers to achieve their larger business goals.

Esker offers a suite of solutions across both the P2P and O2C spectrums. These aren’t though, just designed to transform a single process, they are designed to transform the wider business and promote positive-sum growth. The benefits speak for themselves:

• Empower staff & departments with a sense of purpose
• Provide customers with the best possible experience
• Treat suppliers fairly & strengthen relationships
• Generate value even in time of extreme crisis
• Increase sales revenue & generate new opportunities
• Contribute to local economic development

If you are inspired to look into business process transformation, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.

Amy Rees

As Digital Marketing Administrator at Esker Northern Europe, Amy spends her time working on the website, writing and publishing blogs and social media content, and publishing collateral. She has been part of the Esker family since 2014.

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