A topic that’s starting to getattention in AP circles is gamification – the use of techniques and dynamicsadapted from video games to boost engagement and improve accuracy in workingenvironments.  The aim is to improve accuracy, especially in repetitivetasks, with the concept being that repetition at work is perceived by theemployee as boring, but repetition in a game is not seen as boring, butreinforced by positive feedback.

Here’s an interesting piece thatlooks at a presentation by a senior director of ERP vendor, SAP, on how thecompany has introduced gamification to enhance efficiency in its purchase topay processes – and how to manage gamification for the best rewards.  Canit really improve efficiency?  You decide.

http://www.sharedserviceslink.com/file/95065/how-gamification-in-purchase-to-pay-is-having-an-impact-on-employee-engagement.html

                             
New data released by Bacs Payment Schemes has shown the level of outstanding debt owed to SMEs in the UK has reached a high of £35.5bn – an increase of £2bn since the previous researched data was released with the average amount owed to SMEs across the UK standing at £45,000 each at the end of 2011, an increase of£6,000 from earlier in the year.

Although the number of SMEs experiencing late payment has fallen (down to 785,000 from 861,000), the combined debt has increased.  Furthermore, businesses are waiting longer for invoices to be settled. In the second half of 2011, SMEs said they were waiting on average 29.6 days longer than agreed payment terms, an increase over the 28-day delay reported in the first half of 2011.

Yet this behavior by companies owing money is counterproductive, as we have explained before. Not only does it put supplier relationships at risk, but it also does little to help the paying company’s capital. Perhaps impending EU late payment legislation will help to address this business practice?  In the meantime, here’s an alternative approach to payment that can pay dividends:  http://www.dofonline.co.uk/content/view/6021/116/

Euromaster, the leading tyre service and car maintenance network in Europe, is deploying PaletteInvoice and PaletteContact, to help streamline invoice processing and improve efficiencies across its Nordic businesses.

The deployment of the web-based end-to-end solution, which is to replace Euromaster’s current EDI-based invoice handling and matching system, will save staff time, improve efficiency, and minimize manual paper-based administrative tasks. It will also improve visibility of invoice status and transaction histories to give closer control over finances and to support enhanced cost analyses.

Euromaster chose Palette following an evaluation of solutions from a number of vendors, with both of Palette’s web-based solutions selected for their rich functionality, ability to be quickly customised to suit technical demands and for being the most user-friendly system out of those tested. The first phase of deployment will be completed by the end of the year.