Staffordshire University Increases Efficiency with Electronic Delivery of over 100,000 Documents Each Year

• Thursday, 19 November 2009

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Staffordshire University is increasing efficiency by using Version One’s document management and imaging systems to electronically store and deliver over 100,000 documents each year.

Version One’s solutions, which are tightly integrated into the University’s Oracle E-Business Suite enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, are being used for the electronic storage of purchase invoices and the electronic delivery of remittance advices. These solutions will soon be used for the electronic delivery of tens of thousands of student finance documents every year, including 20,000 invoices, 40,000 dunning letters and thousands of monthly statements.

As well as enabling Staffordshire University to cut stationery and postage costs, Version One’s solutions are freeing-up storage space and streamlining the University’s financial processes. Version One’s systems can be accessed by authorised Staffordshire University staff across five different sites.

Lynn Coburn, Deputy Finance Director from Staffordshire University, says, “Before Version One’s systems, posting remittances was both time-consuming and costly as we’d be sending out 1,500 remittances on pressure-sealed stationery in the first-class post every month. By sending these remittances electronically, we’re now saving over £6,000 every year.

Furthermore, 30,000 purchase invoices each year are now being scanned using a Kodak i1420 scanner, automatically tagged to the relevant entries in the Oracle ledger and stored in the Version One archive. As all authorised staff can now access these invoices by drilling down through Oracle, this has eliminated the need to photocopy, manually circulate and store all paper purchase invoices.

Lynn Coburn explains, “Before Version One, we had no document imaging functionality. All the original purchase invoices were stored in the finance department.If anyone wanted to obtain an invoice, they would have to physically trek into the finance department to retrieve the required documents. This led to a number of staff creating their own file copies which was a waste of time and paper. Authorised staff now have instant desktop access to all imaged purchase invoices, significantly improving efficiency.”

The next stages of the project involve using Version One’s solutions integrated into Oracle’s workflow for the electronic circulation of documents around the University. The solutions will also be used for the electronic creation and automated delivery of thousands of student finance documents including invoices, dunning letters and monthly statements, cutting pre-printed stationery, printing and postage costs.

Lynn Coburn comments, “When we start electronically delivering over 100,000 finance documents each year, we will be significantly cutting costs and freeing-up administration time. For instance, the 2,000 invoices each month we currently post to students can take a full day to print, which eats into the finance team’s time.”

With pressure from Government to implement environmentally-friendly measures, Version One’s solutions also support the University’s green agenda. Lynn Coburn adds, “Eliminating the printing and photocopying of documents will cut paper waste considerably, supporting our crusade to become as paperless as possible.”

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About Staffordshire University www.staffs.ac.uk

Established in 1992, Staffordshire University has evolved into one of the country's most dynamic, progressive and forward-thinking learning institutions. Always quick to adapt as student requirements change, Staffordshire University has become renowned for its groundbreaking new courses and first-class learning opportunities. The University continues to meet the needs of its students, partners, communities and employees now and in the future by embracing diversity, enabling and encouraging local regeneration and constantly seeking to provide easier access to learning for people from all walks of life.

About Version One www.versionone.co.uk

Version One Ltd is the author of electronic document management and imaging software. These solutions enable the automated electronic storage, retrieval, management, authorisation and delivery of business documents such as invoices, purchase orders and statements. This 'paperless office' technology is seamlessly integrated into all major ERP and accounting systems and with a typical ROI of less than six months, Version One's solutions are enabling thousands of organisations to save dramatic amounts of time and money.

Contacts:

Liz Ebbrell
Version One
E: Liz.ebbrell@versionone.co.uk
T: +44 (0)1625 856505
M: +44 (0)7917 634 705

Ben Carey
Version One
E: Ben.carey@versionone.co.uk
T: +44(0)1625 856505

This press release was distributed via Response Source, a service from Daryl Willcox Publishing, on behalf of Version One. For more information visit http://www.dwpub.com/pressreleasewires