MetaViewer MetaBlog

Part 1: Trash Paper Invoices and Go Digital

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:21:00 CST

Making the case for paperless invoicing

For savvy businesses, automated technology (like Metafile's AP automation solution) has removed much of the burden associated with billing and accounting processes. But for many of these organizations, paper-based invoices submitted by vendors may inhibit their progress toward realizing all the benefits of a completely digital accounting system.

Vendors should be eager to move toward electronic invoices, because printing and mailing paper documents is needlessly expensive. The vendor incurs cost for not only printing the invoice but also for the related staff resources and postage fees needed for handling the paper. As a results, vendors pay more per invoice to mail them than necessary. Electronic submission avoids all these costs, because the invoice never needs to touch paper. Vendors now have a new options for sending and tracking customer invoices.

In upcoming posts, we'll share some tips and strategies for companies using AP automation technology to help their vendors trash the paper and go digital. Stay tuned for more!

A Q&A with Metafile

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:07:00 CST

This past fall, Metafile's vice president of marketing and sales, Nick Sprau, and Steve Gregory, Metafile's partner channel manager, attended the Microsoft Dynamics GPUG Summit 2011 conference in Las Vegas where Metafile was a Premier sponsor of the event..

As a follow-up to their conversation at the conference, Jenny Davis,president of The Partner Channel and managing publisher of GPUG Magazine, spoke with Nick and Steve to discuss Metafile and their experiences with Microsoft Dynamics GP. Here are a few highlights from their conversation:

GPUG: What do you have coming up for customers?

Nick Sprau: We're continuing to integrate more and more with Microsoft Dynamics GP, creating the tools needed for people who are not only inside your organization - but also the people outside of the Microsoft Dynamics infrastructure.

GPUG: What's been the greatest benefit of being involved in GPUG?

Steve Gregory: We've found a lot of benefit in participating in regional chapter meetings, conducting webinars, and being face-to-face with Users. All of these activities have added value and have taken GPUG to the next level.

Nick Sprau: I agree with Steve. The opportunity to attend regional meetings has added strength to our User relationships.

Read the full Metafile feature story, on page 25 in the Winter issue of GPUG Magazine's "ISV Member Showcase."

The varying levels of automation

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:39:00 CST

PayStream Advisors recently released an Invoice Automation white paper that was featured by Financial Operations that discusses the level at which organizations are exploring automation solutions.

The article has some great insights on why organizations are being motivated to consider new technology, but one piece that we found particularly interesting was the following graphic that outlines the various levels of accounts payable automation solutions:

It's interesting to see how PayStream defines each segment and the graphic is a great primer for those that are new to the automation space. Read the full article on the Financial Operations website.

Paperless ERP for Microsoft Dynamics Webinar: How do Best-in-Class Organizations Utilize AP Automation?

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:51:00 CST

Organizations often have a lot of uncertainty when considering implementing new technology such as accounts payable/accounts receivable paperless document management software. A seemingly endless number of questions to ask and resources to turn to, but we've often found that it's best to hear it explained by a live person who can address questions in real-time.

On Thursday, January 26, Doug Bertram, a Metafile regional manager, will be presenting a 60-minute Microsoft Dynamics focused webinar in collaboration with The Accounts Payable Channel that will provide important information to professionals who are motivated to implement proven AP technologies that will add real cash to the bottom line.

During the webinar, Doug will share how organizations can improve results with an automated solution that will allow them to:

Avoid paper shuffling that can complicate business processing and lead to inefficiencies and errors
Go beyond the "electronic file cabinet" to true Paperless ERP
Eliminate data entry by efficiently implementing paper and electronic invoice capture
Utilize web-based workflow for full invoice approval and GL coding automation
Enjoy real-time visibility to the entire AP process
Automatically calculate use tax and assign the appropriate coding
Retrieve associated documents without leaving Microsoft Dynamics
Easily expand to AR, HR, and payroll to achieve fully integrated, paperless ERP

If you would like to learn more, we invite you to register and join us on January 26th for this no-cost webinar!

Convergence 2012 will be here before you know it!

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:41:00 CST

This year's Microsoft Dynamics Convergence is being held almost a full month earlier than in years past, which means it's already time to start preparing! Taking place in Houston from March 18-21, the conference is the premier event for the Microsoft Dynamics Customer and Partner business community, providing the opportunity to make key business connections and to discover the full potential of Microsoft Dynamics solutions.

Metafile is pleased to announce that we are once again a Gold Sponsor of this event. Our team is still putting together Metafile's Convergence plans, but we will be posting all of our updates here as they develop. We're looking forward to meeting with other Microsoft Partners and Dynamics users. Early registration is still open, so make sure to register and connect with us at the show!

Wrapping up another whirlwind year: Happy holidays from your friends at Metafile!

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 09:20:00 CST

As the year winds down, we would like to thank all of our customers, partners, employees and industry colleagues for making 2011 one of Metafile's most exciting years yet! It's the time of year for reflection, and as we look back on the past 12 months, there are so many milestones that deserve acknowledgement.

This year, Dan Hunstad was honored by Supply & Demand Chain Executive as a "Provider Pro to Know," an award that recognized his reputation as a trusted resource who is able to foresee challenges and work closely with his customers to proactively develop and implement targeted solutions.

Members of the Metafile team were also honored by the 2011 Stevie Awards as finalists in three categories, including Dan Hunstad in the category of "Technical Professional of the Year," Virginia Wimmer in the category of "Product Development/Management Executive of the Year," and our MetaViewer product, which was a finalist in the category of "New Product or Service of the Year - Computer Software - New Version."

Industry events also continued to be a priority for the Metafile team, and we had great experiences at this year's Microsoft Dynamics Convergence, IAPP Fusion, Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference, IOFM's Accounts Payable Conference and the Microsoft Dynamics Communities User Group Summit.

Finally, this year the Metafile partner program saw tremendous growth with the addition of several new trusted partners. Since the program's launch, these partners have become a valuable extension of the Metafile team and we are so proud to have everyone on board.

On behalf of everyone at Metafile, here's wishing you happy holidays and a very happy New Year!

Latest research from Aberdeen: Accounts Receivable and Customer Relationships

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:36:00 CST

The Aberdeen Group recently published its latest report, "Focusing on Customer Relationships in the Order-to-Cash Cycle," which demonstrates the positive impact that an efficient accounts receivable (AR) process can have on building and maintaining strong customer relationships.

One interesting finding within the report is that, overall, companies are feeling the pressure to improve service levels while lowering customer service costs. This results in an increasing focus on two main strategies: streamlining processes to remove non-value-added steps and increasing their use of electronic invoicing.

Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing some of the key insights from this research, however a complimentary copy of the report can be found on the Aberdeen website for a limited time.

The future of intelligent ERP solutions

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 19:21:00 CST

In a recent series of blog posts, we have been highlighting insights from our whitepaper, including how to approach removing paper from the accounting process, strategies to ease communication with vendors and customers, ensuring CIOs ask the right questions before investing in new technology and best practices for implementing a MetaViewer-enabled ERP solution.

In this week's final installment of this series, we ask, what does the future hold for organizations that are implementing intelligent ERP solutions, such as MetaViewer-enabled ERP?

As companies continue to integrate digital data with their work processes, MetaViewer is likely to find fans in more areas of the business. For example, human resources departments may progress from simply scanning their employee packets to digitally storing and grouping all types of documents associated with individual employees, from W4 forms to performance reviews and benefit enrollment forms. Those forms can be preserved in electronic form for a designated retention period and retrieved as needed. Legal departments may appreciate the security of MetaViewer's document management system for preserving highly sensitive information, as well.

Throughout midsized companies, MetaViewer-supported ERP is certain to keep evolving and enhancing processes to help businesses become more productive and efficient and to streamline their growth into new geographies, products and services.

Best practices in using a MetaViewer-enabled ERP solution – Part II

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 10:35:00 CST

In recent months, we've been sharing insights from our whitepaper "Uncovering the Real Value of ERP for Midsized Companies," most recently sharing our first for best practices as it relates to integrating an AP/AR automation solution with an organization's ERP system.

Here's the next installment of our recommendations:

Automate what can be automated and streamline the rest. In cases where purchasing or receiving does not have strict rules on a process, such as three-way matching, automating may be difficult and the process should instead be simplified and standardized to the extent possible.
Don't try to make the initial implementation too large. Consider streamlining certain processes in

phase 1, automating in phase 2, and streamlining and automating another area in phase 3. Once staff members have seen what the technology can do in its early stages, they will envision other areas where it can be used, and future phases likely will be easier to implement.
Get executive leadership involved and show them how they can easily gain visibility and business intelligence with the solution. They should be able to see ways that processes have improved, discounts gained and productivity increased for invoice processing and other data.
Plan to expand the Paperless ERP solution to other parts of the organization that currently maintain paper-based processes. This will help to more easily gain management approval and will maximize the company's investment in its state-of-the-art MetaViewer document management system.

In a couple of weeks we will share our vision of how implementing AP/AR automation solutions (like MetaViewer) will impact midsized organizations in the future. In the meantime, download our latest whitepaper here to learn more about how to properly implement technology to maximize its effectiveness.

A look at "behind-the-scenes" retail technology

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 09:15:00 CST

The retail industry traditionally takes the spotlight during the holiday season, as media pundits rank the hottest gifts, sales promotions are analyzed like the Superbowl, and in-store technology becomes the great differentiator for successful retailers.

Customer-facing technology is typically the hot topic of the retail industry conversation, whether it's the latest mobile application or the newest e-commerce sites that make national retail chains look, feel and act local.

But, behind the scenes, accounts payable (AP) automation technology - a little-thought-of, yet just as important automation area - is the latest and greatest tool to help CEOs, CFOs and financial managers stay ahead of the competition. AP automation technology provides retailers with the tools to make better, quicker business decisions using up-to-the-minute data with the customer in mind - all while enhancing operational ROI and eliminating the blind spots and inefficiencies of traditional paper based processes.

We invite you to read more about MetaViewer for retail on our website to learn how MetaViewer solutions are helping retail organizations unlock the value of business-critical content to enhance service, improve efficiency and reduce risk.

Announcing new partnership with American Digital!

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:14:00 CST

As organizations in all industries continue to strive to implement economical and efficient IT solutions, Metafile is proud to announce a newly formed strategic partnership with American Digital to provide customers with access to hardware solutions that are optimized to lend added efficiency to the financial process.

This exciting partnership will offer customers in the healthcare industry one-stop access to IT hardware solutions equipped with Metafile's MetaViewer solution. These hardware / software solutions will not only be easily and smoothly implemented into the organization's IT infrastructure without interruption, but will enhance the efficiency and visibility of the back-office financial processes such as Patient Billing and Accounts Payable.

To learn more about this strategic partnership, read the full announcement here.

Best practices in using a MetaViewer-enabled ERP solution

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 09:31:00 CST

In recent months, we've been sharing insights from our whitepaper "Uncovering the Real Value of ERP for Midsized Companies," most recently discussing important questions executives should ask when considering implementing accounts payable/accounts receivable technology.

Once an organization has decided to invest in an AP/AR automation solution (such as MetaViewer), to integrate with an ERP system, there are several best practices we recommend. Here are our first four:

Encourage vendors to move away from paper and toward an electronic format by creating purchasing documents in a digital form from the start. Electronic invoices can be saved in PDF format so that they can't be altered and then emailed to the company.
Review the company's processes to ensure that they are truly efficient. Automating a bad process simply makes a bad process faster.
Centralize accounts payable processes. All vendors should send their invoices to a central office so that individual branches don't need to manage the documents.
Standardize the company's review and approval process so that everyone can follow the same procedures and new employees will have workable guidelines.

In a couple of weeks we will share the second half of this list. In the meantime, download our latest whitepaper here to learn more about how to properly implement technology to maximize it's effectiveness.

A look at the Dynamics Communities User Group Summit 2011

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 09:58:00 CST

The experts at Metafile always strive to stay involved and up-to-date with the latest news and technology, including ERP solutions like Microsoft Dynamics with which MetaViewer is so often integrated. As part of our efforts, members of our Metafile team will be participating this week in the Microsoft Dynamics Communities User Group Summit 2011 in Las Vegas.

This year, Metafile experts Bob Hawley and Doug Bertram will be speaking at the following sessions:

Document Management Round Up - On Wednesday at 2:30 p.m., Bob Hawley will be participating in this roundtable discussion that will help attendees understand the differences of document management software solutions. The session will encourage discussion amongst customers sharing their experiences with their chosen solutions, lessons learned and advice for others evaluating the various solutions. It's a can't miss!
Paperless ERP for Microsoft Dynamics by Metafile - On Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. and Thursday at 9:30 a.m., Doug Bertram will discuss how organizations can use technology to revolutionize the way they process invoices and the benefits of a paperless environment, including reducing the cost of processing invoices and improving cash flow and working capital.

Will your organization be at this year's Dynamics Communities Summit? Be sure to visit us at booth 418!

Embracing change and eliminating paper

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:26:00 CDT

Implementing new AP/AR paperless document management software can lead to tremendous results in any industry. But, as is the case with any new technology, getting all of the necessary stakeholders within an organization on board can be a struggle.

History shows that managers are often averse to change. For example, accounting departments felt a high level of comfort with ledgers before finally being convinced to move to Excel spreadsheets and eventually to QuickBooks-type integrated accounting methods.

So how can a CIO approach implementing automation technology in a way that ensures success? Our customers have found that the benefits of MetaViewer's technology speaks for itself, once they experience the dramatic improvements in accuracy, speed and productivity.

Read our recent blog post on the ERP Software Blog to learn more about how organizations can successfully adopt new technology, while achieving company-wide buy-in.

Customer Success Story: Entercom ditches the paper and reduces costs

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:24:00 CDT

We often discuss the value of implementing an AP/AR document management system that integrates with an existing ERP solution, and one Metafile customer, Entercom, recently saw that value in action. As one of the five largest broadcasting companies in the U.S., Entercom uses Microsoft Dynamics SL to manage its accounting functions, using a centralized system to process invoices and other transactions for its 23 locations. Within the system, there are 76,000 records from 12,000 to 15,000 vendors who have been active over the last two years.

While Microsoft Dynamics SL offered significant capabilities in connecting the accounts payable process for all of the locations, the company was not capitalizing on the system's potential as it was manually processing paper invoices. Entercom decided to implement an accounts payable automation and workflow solution using Metafile's MetaViewer solution, which provides the ability to scan paper invoices, index them, route them for approval and archive them.

The company began by integrating MetaViewer with its Microsoft Dynamics SL at the corporate level, preceding a planned, strategic rollout to local offices. The company has plans to establish 21 scan stations (some locations have consolidated business offices) where paper invoices will be scanned into MetaViewer locally before being coded at Corporate and subsequently routed back to the office for the necessary approvals.

Entercom anticipates MetaViewer will greatly improve efficiency by allowing employees who currently spend large amounts of time on payables to focus on other areas as well as helping to reduce expenses. Read Entercom's full success story here.

Viva Las Vegas! Metafile heads to IOFM's Accounts Payable Conference.

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 09:33:00 CDT

We always look forward to participating in industry events, and this week, members of the Metafile team are traveling to Las Vegas for The Institute of Finance & Management (IOFM)'s 10th Anniversary Accounts Payable Conference & Expo where we'll meet with and learn from accounts payable professionals in a wide range of industries. This year's conference will cover the most up-to-date AP strategies and procedures, including:

How to Use Imaging, Lean Processing, Green Solutions and Partner with Purchasing to Improve Efficiency
Get Insider Secrets on Running a Global AP Operation, Merging AP Acquisitions, Handling International AP Compliance Issues
How to Manage Change in AP Today to Stay Ahead of the Curve and Make Yourself More Valuable
The CFO Perspective on Managing AP's Impact on Cash Flow to Hear What Your Boss Is Looking For
Building a Strategic Plan for AP Automation to Help You Get Your Department in to the 21st Century
How to Build Your Goals - and Your Career
Find Out About Latest in P-Cards, Using E-payables and P2P Best Practices

We're looking forward to sharing our insights and learning from our industry colleagues about the latest industry trends, and as a silver sponsor, we're proud to support such an important educational event.

Will we see you at this year's Accounts Payable Conference? If so, remember to visit us at booth #418!

Asking the right questions

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 10:38:00 CDT

Recently, we've been sharing insights from our whitepaper, "Uncovering the REal Value of ERP for Midsized Companies." We've discussed the benefits of eliminating paper from the financial process and how to leverage portal technology to ease communications with vendors and customers, but we've found that when determining whether to implement accounts payable/accounts receivable technology, executives best serve their organizations by asking the following questions:

What is the company's current cost to process an invoice? How long does it take and what is the dollar value of the man-hours required? Studies show that this cost will be drastically reduced with an automated AP/AR solution.
How often does the company miss out on early payment discounts? Collecting these discounts actually can make the accounts payable unit a revenue generator.
How much time does AP spend answering vendor inquiries? With an automated process, staff can immediately determine where in the approval process an invoice is and offer a prompt response. With a portal, vendors can answer many of their questions themselves.
Will automating AR improve cash flow as a result of implementing workflow procedures or bank wire transfers in place of checks? Will the company get paid more promptly?

By taking an honest look at their organization's existing AP/AR process and asking the tough questions, executives are best positioned to make an informed and valuable decision. Download our latest whitepaper here to learn more about how to determine an organization's technology needs.

Manufacturers maximizing the value of ERP

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 14:59:00 CDT

Earlier this month, we read with interest the story of Mar-Bal, Inc., a privately-held, mid-size manufacturing company that produces thermoset composite products for a wide range of industries. Similar to what we've seen with other manufacturing organizations, Mar-Bal was experiencing challenges in its day-to-day operations, including an outdated, expensive ERP solution that negatively impacted the organization's inventory control, a time-consuming interface with customer portals and lack of automation.

The article goes on to describe how Mar-Bal's implementation of a new ERP solution has led to streamlined operations, increased visibility, enhanced communication and total annual savings of $270,000 across its four plants.

With this recent success, where does an organization like Mar-Bal go from here? We've often discussed the benefits of AP/AR automation, and in our experience, integrating financial automation technology into an existing ERP solution is the surest way to maximize an investment and directly impact an organizations' efficiencies. Learn more about this process in detail here and feel free to share your experiences in the comment section below!

Easing communication with vendors and customers

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:33:00 CDT

Whether it's with employees, customers, vendors or third-party industry colleagues, thriving organizations across all sectors are recognizing that communication is a key driver of success. This communication can even extend to the financial process, where transparency and visibility strengthen third-party relationships while streamlining the payment process.

One way this can be achieved is through the implementation of a vendor and customer portal that offers external business partners visibility into the status of their invoices, payments and shipments. Portals can provide an alternative to email for communication and collaboration between the company and its clients and suppliers. Portals can speed communication and resolution of issues and offer a self-service capability that reduces the number and complexity of calls from suppliers or customers, further improving productivity.

Download our latest whitepaper here to learn more about how portal technology can enhance visibility and strengthen communications and relationships with third-party business partners.

Removing paper from the equation

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:11:00 CDT

Earlier this year, Metafile surveyed 209 executives, IT professionals and other employees in companies of all sizes that use Microsoft Dynamics ERP solutions. One of the most interesting findings was that paper is still by far the most prevalent form of processing AP/AR. Nearly three-quarters of respondents indicated that invoices are primarily shared among co-workers in hard-copy format and even among midsized organizations, more than 57 percent indicated that hard copies were their principal format for sharing invoices and associated documents for approval.

Through our work with our customers, we have found that paper is the natural enemy of efficient digital technology; sapping time, accuracy and efficiency from the organization. When businesses store their data on voluminous quantities of paper, that information can't be shared, understood or acted upon efficiently.

We've summarized our findings from this survey in our latest whitepaper, available for download here. In it, we discuss how organizations can ditch the paper to achieve efficiency, visibility and integration across the entire financial process.

Announcing the availability of Metafile's latest whitepaper!

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 11:08:00 CDT

We are excited to announce the availability of our newest whitepaper, "Uncovering the Real Value of ERP for Midsized Companies." Based on research performed in collaboration with MSDynamicsWorld.com, we delve into how organizations can leverage technology to maintain their competitiveness and boost process efficiency, especially with fully integrated paperless ERP.

Over the next few months, we will be sharing additional insights from this research, including the benefits of eliminating paper, the efficiency associated with automating manual paper management, the questions organizations need to ask when considering new technology and best practices for integrating with an ERP solution.

We invite you to download the full whitepaper here and let us know what you think!

Metafile Featured in Microsoft's Partnering with Precision Blog

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 14:31:00 CDT

Several weeks ago, Steve Gregory, Metafile's partner channel manager, attended the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) in order to connect with Microsoft and other Microsoft partners. As a first time participant in WPC, the Metafile team was very excited to learn about Microsoft's plans for the cloud, specifically as they relate to Dynamics (read our original post here).

After the conference, Microsoft's Jenni Flinders, the U.S. vice president of partner strategy and programs, asked Metafile for insights on our experience at WPC as a first time attendee. Our response was included in her latest post on the Partnering with Precision blog. In her post, Ms. Flinders shares her thoughts on the entire week and highlights the many exciting announcements and events at the conference.

Read the full blog post from Jenni Flinders here and let us know what you think!

Your Accounts Payable/Accounts Receivable Summer Reading List

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 15:13:00 CDT

Several weeks ago, we shared our top publications and resources for IT professionals and C-Suite level decision-makers. To continue this series, this week we are turning our attention to resources for accounting professionals who are on the ground in organizations' accounts payable/accounts receivable departments.

Accounting Today - AccountingToday.com is a great resource for professionals looking for the most current, breaking industry news. Focusing on providing online business news for the tax and accounting community, this publication also offers in-depth features and editorial analysis.
PayStream Advisors - Another excellent resource for professionals in the procure-to-pay industry, Paystream is a research and consulting firm that minimizes risks and maximizes value associated with technology investments.
SearchContentManagement.com - This publication is part of the TechTarget suite of publications, and provides professionals with a wide range of content management and collaboration resources to help organizations more effectively manage and leverage data as a corporate asset.
The Accounts Payable Network - This website is devoted to providing accounts payable professionals access to online data, facts, information, downloadable tools and peer-to-peer networking. Metafile works closely with TAPN on webinars and research projects and we look forward to our upcoming collaborations that will be shared here in the future.
The Institute of Financial Operations (IFO) - As we shared in January, four influential accounting organizations (NAPP, IAPP, IARP and TAWPI) joined forces to create a premier resource for accounting professionals, recently renamed The Institute of Financial Operations (IFO). IFO provides professionals in all areas of the accounting industry with educational resources, ranging from webinars and conferences to whitepapers and articles.

Enhancing the Microsoft Dynamics AX Solution

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 09:36:00 CDT

At Metafile, we talk a lot about the value that Microsoft Dynamics brings to organizations and strive to provide enhanced value with the integration of MetaViewer, which offers organizations the benefits of integrated eInvoicing, workflow and document imaging.

From within MetaViewer, users can access Microsoft Dynamics documents with just the click of a button, including accessing specific transactions within Microsoft Dynamics and allowing the ability to choose the exact type of document the user would like to access. Additionally, users can select all of the documents matching the current Dynamics record to retrieve the entire transaction folder arranged by document type.

All of the information users need to efficiently process these transactions is immediately available online, at which point the appropriate documents can be viewed, printed, emailed, routed or processed further.

With this level of integration, MetaViewer truly becomes an extension of the Microsoft Dynamics environment. Learn more about MetaViewer and Dynamics integration here.

Microsoft talks cloud ERP at the 2011 Worldwide Partner Conference

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 09:15:00 CDT

Regional Sales Manager Bob Hawley and I recently returned from the 2011 Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC), Microsoft's annual event for partners. The conference provided Metafile with the opportunity to connect with other partners and Microsoft, as well as learn about the latest developments in Microsoft programs, strategies and cutting-edge technologies.

For Dynamics partners, Microsoft unveiled its updated strategy for cloud-based ERP (enterprise resource planning) software, which will move its four Dynamics ERP suites to the Azure cloud service starting with NAV next year.

What does this mean for Dynamics' partners and users?

Microsoft says the transition will be seamless for partners for they will still be able to host Dynamics' applications after they become available on Azure. They also note that users will be able to quickly set up consistent and repeatable steps common across the life cycle of an ERP deployment.

Since the transition to Azure will also cut down on implementation work, it will allow partners to focus on ISV solutions, such as MetaViewer Paperless ERP.

We will keep you updated as we see rollouts and product upgrades from Microsoft in the coming months, so continue to check back for the latest information and insight.

Did you attend WPC, or do you have any questions about what happened at the conference? If so, please leave a comment below, we would enjoy hearing from you!

2011 Continues to be a Banner Year

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 14:33:00 CDT

Aggressive corporate growth, a new team member and industry honors round out the exciting news from the first half of this year we'd like to share with you.

First, our presence in the manufacturing, wholesale-distribution and retail industries has continued to grow, and increased customer acquisitions have contributed to a 35-percent growth in revenue and more than 100-percent net income growth year-over-year.

On the personnel front, veteran sales leader Bob Hawley recently joined Metafile as regional sales manager. He will be focused on expanding business and partner relationships in the Western region of North America. He comes to us with more than 20 years of senior sales and sales management experience at several organizations within the enterprise software sector.

As we mentioned a couple of months ago, our expertise was recognized when our MetaViewer solution and two of our executives were named finalists for this year's Stevie Awards. This industry honor recognizes the achievements and positive contributions of organizations and business professionals worldwide who strive to provide exceptional and innovative technology services to their customers. Metafile was a finalist in the following categories:

Product Development/Management Executive of the Year, Virginia Wimmer, Metafile's VP of product development, was recognized for her work in strategic product development and with all of our product lines, including ResultsPlus, MetaViewer and PrintStore.
Technical Professional of the Year, Dan Hunstad, a senior systems analyst, was honored for his commitment to customers, attention to detail, excellent customer service and breadth of knowledge of the issues facing accounts payable and receivable departments.
New Product or Service of the Year - Computer Software - New Version, for Metafile's MetaViewer solution, which offers customers unparalleled automation, visibility and workflow efficiency.

As we wrap up the first half of 2011, I'd like to take this opportunity to extend our appreciation to you, our customers and partners. Our success is due to your confidence in our ability to deliver solutions that add value to your organization and your bottom line.

We look forward to an exciting second half of this year and thank you for your continued partnership.

Reflecting on the First Half of 2011

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 13:02:00 CDT

As we reach the halfway point of 2011, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on some of the many significant things that have happened at Metafile during the last six months.

One of the most exciting developments was the continued development of our strategic partner program. We are proud to welcome six new technology partners that will sell, service and support the Metaviewer solution for Microsoft Dynamics users:

Computer Generated Solutions, Inc. - a provider of end-to-end, technology-enabled business solutions including ERP, SCM, PLM, WMS, CRM, portal, e-commerce, application development, project services, e-learning, training, staffing, call center and global sourcing solutions.
CRI Technology Solutions, LLC - a full-service information technology provider of accounting solutions for companies based in Northwest Florida and Alabama.
OmniVue - an IT partner that integrates sales, marketing, finance and operations data while providing businesses with the ability to gain visibility.
SBS Group - a creator of technology solutions that uses industry knowledge, technical savvy and project management know-how to deliver measurable results for businesses.
Zensar Technologies - an information technology and business process outsourcing (BPO) services company that provides end-to-end services from consulting to implementation to support to over 300 active Fortune 500 and other customers.
TM Group - provides integrated e-business solutions to more than 250 customers in the Great Lakes area focused on accounting and finance, customer relationship management, e-commerce, human resources, manufacturing, project accounting and supply chain management.

With the addition of these companies, our partner program has grown by 60 percent and continues to see momentum.

We'll be sharing more exciting news in the coming weeks and in the meantime, read more about the exciting year we've had here!

What's the Best Way to Stay "In the Know?"

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 12:24:00 CDT

At Metafile, we firmly believe in the importance of staying up-to-date on industry news, trends and best practices in order to best serve our customers. We often turn to online webinars and conferences, such as Microsoft Convergence and IAPP Fusion, however there are many publications that we turn to for the latest information.

Over the next few months, we'll be sharing some of our favorite "must-read" publications, websites and blogs. The following publications are great resources for IT professionals and C-Suite level decision-makers:

CIO Magazine - Addresses the issues affecting IT executives, their partners and their companies.
Business Solutions - Articles are written for management of companies that make up the distribution channel for IT products, demonstrating how to sell new technologies and reach growing vertical markets.
CNET - A great souce for information on new technologies, products and trends and brings breaking news related to the technology industry.
eWeek - Provides IT professionals, government agencies, educational institutions, nonprofits and corporate executives with essential technology information.
InformationWeek - An excellent source of news and analysis on leading-edge products, technology, vendors and trends for professionals in the IT industry.

What publications do you read regularly? Feel free to share in the comments section below!

Looking Ahead to Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 09:22:00 CDT

2011 has been a busy year for conferences, but with Microsoft Dynamics Convergence 2011 and IAPP Fusion under our belts, it's time to look forward to our next exciting event: Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC).

This will be our first trip to Microsoft's largest corporate conference, and it's a great opportunity for our team to join the almost 13,000 attendees that will gather in Los Angeles to gain insights into Microsoft's business and technology roadmap for 2011.

Including a keynote from Sir Richard Branson, the founder and president of Virgin Group, this year's WPC will focus on cloud computing and the opportunities it presents for IT partners. We're also looking forward to meeting with and learning from other Microsoft partners and technology experts.

Be sure to follow the WPC conversation on Twitter at hashtag #wpc11 and look for updates from the Metafile team after the conference!

Metafile Shares Insights on AP Best Practices

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 10:46:00 CDT

There are several great resources for information on AP/AR industry trends and best practices, and one of our most valued is the PayStream Advisors' blog, PayStream Voices. Recently, Metafile was asked to share our insights on how to make the integration of accounts payable automation and ERP technology a successful and valuable endeavor.

The first post in a four part series titled 'Why a Critical Look at Accounts Payable Processes Makes AP and ERP Technology Work,' discusses how more and more organizations are turning to paperless AP document management and workflow technology to manage their procure-to-pay processes.

Read the first installment here and be sure to check in on our monthly posts where we'll share more advice and best practices.

A Closer Look at Efficiency in the Accounting Department

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 13:39:00 CDT

Ask any accounts payable or accounts receivable professional to share their top financial operations goals and the list will likely include automating the financial process. Recently, Metafile discussed this hot-button topic with Diane Sears from Financial Operations Matters, sharing insights on the cloud's impact on the adoption rate of automation technology and the importance of putting technology in the hands of the end-user.

Click here to read the full Financial Operations Matters cover story, titled "The efficiency imperative: Is there a 'silver bullet' for speedier finance operations?". The article features insights from experts in all areas of financial process, making it an excellent, well-rounded resource for any organization that is looking to achieve greater efficiency.

Local Dynamics GP Users Meeting to Discuss Best Practices

Tue, 31 May 2011 12:34:00 CDT

Next month, the Dynamics GP Users Group (GPUG) Minnesota Regional Chapter is gathering in St. Paul, MN to network and learn best practices from each other and gain insights from presentations from Dynamics experts. Doug Bertram, Metafile's regional sales manager, will be presenting to GPUG members on how organizations can go beyond the electronic file cabinet to achieve cost-cutting efficiencies and executive visibility for all financial processes.

Doug will also be providing insights on how organizations can:

Eliminate manual data entry by efficiently implementing paper and electronic invoice capture.
Utilize web-based workflow.
Enjoy real-time visibility to the entire AP process
Retrieve associated documents without leaving the Dynamics solution
Easily expand to AR, HR, and payroll to achieve complete paperless ERP

Metafile is proud to have also sponsored similar GPUG regional events in Tampa, New York, Seattle and Portland and this next regional event on June 28 is sure to be a great experience for all. All job roles and disciplines from companies are encouraged to attend so register today!

Improving Vendor Relations: A Closer Look at VendorView

Tue, 24 May 2011 10:34:00 CDT

In every industry, relationships are vital to an organization's success. Whether it's the relationship with other departments, customers, partners or vendors, clear communication and collaboration is essential to building trust and rapport. This week, we want to take a look at one of our products, VendorView^TM, the MetaViewer Vendor Self-Service Portal, which has helped many of our customers facilitate online collaboration, visibility and communication.

In a paper-based accounting department, AP managers and suppliers often have to play unnecessary phone tag and spend countless hours searching for documents when completing transactions, checking status or resolving disputes. Implemented as an extension to the MetaViewer Paperless ERP solution, VendorView, provides suppliers with instant access to payment status, past and current invoices and other related transactional documents, essentially eliminating the need for unnecessary follow-up phone calls to the AP department.

In a business world where relationships are crucial to success, it is important for organizations to invest in technology that gives them the visibility and flexibility they need to stand apart among their competitors.

MetaViewer, Metafile Leadership and Senior Systems Analyst Achieve Industry Honor

Wed, 18 May 2011 12:56:00 CDT

Last week, we received the exciting news that Metafile has been named a three-time finalist for this year's Stevie Awards, which were created to honor and generate public recognition of the achievements and positive contributions of organizations and business people worldwide.

A finalist in the category of Product Development/Management Executive of the Year, Virginia Wimmer, Metafile's vice president of product development, is being recognized for her work in strategic product development and her work with all of Metafile's product lines including ResultsPlus, MetaViewer and PrintStore.

A finalist in the category of Technical Professional of the Year, Dan Hunstad a Metafile senior systems analyst, has been recognized for his commitment to his customers, his attention to detail, excellent customer service and his breadth of knowledge of the issues facing accounts payable and receivable departments.

Finally, our MetaViewer solution is a finalist in the category of New Product or Service of the Year - Computer Software - New Version, as an innovative solution that offers customers unparalleled automation, visibility and workflow efficiency.

It is an extraordinary achievement to be recognized as a finalist in these competitive awards categories. Congratulations to our fellow finalists and stay tuned for when the winners are announced in late June!

Staying Updated on All Things Dynamics

Wed, 11 May 2011 15:19:00 CDT

As a proud Microsoft partner, we at Metafile make a point to stay on top of the latest news as it relates to Microsoft Dynamics, whether it be through attending conferences like Convergence 2011 or reading publications that keep us updated with the most current information.

One of our favorite resources is the ERPSoftware Blog, a website where Dynamics vendors provide comparisons and opinions to professionals in the ERP/Accounting software selection process.

Recently, we shared our key takeaways from Convergence 2011 on the ERPSoftware Blog including a look at Microsoft's intensifying focus on the cloud and its call to Microsoft Dynamics partners to champion the cloud's security and agility among fellow partners and their customers.

Read the full blog post here!

One Distributor's Story: AP Automation as a Centralizing Force

Wed, 04 May 2011 13:52:00 CDT

Friends of Metafile know we often tout the value of accounts payable (AP) automation technology in increasing efficiency and productivity within an organization. In a recent blog post on Paystream Advisors, we illustrated how those benefits can translate into tangible ROI, citing one of our customers' recent success story.

One of our longest-running customers - a major architectural glass and aluminum fabricator and distributor - was relying on a heavily paper-based AP department, in which case AP staff in each branch would receive, stamp and sign suppliers' invoices and handwrite general ledger coding instructions on each invoice.

The blog post details how this organization was able to integrate AP automation technology with their existing ERP solution in order to drive tangible, impactful ROI for their technology investments. It's a great read for any organization that is considering implementing the technology, but is struggling to tangibly justify the investment.

Read the whole success story here!

Metafile prepares for IAPP FUSION

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 14:19:00 CDT

Having recently returned from Microsoft Dynamics Convergence 2011 where the focus on cloud computing was clear, we announced an exciting partnership with "Dynamics-in-the-cloud" platform provider SaaSplaza.

We're looking forward to extending that momentum to the upcoming IAPP FUSION 2011 conference, to be held May 8-12 at the Gaylord Palms Hotel and Convention Center in Kissimmee-Orlando, Florida. Visit us at booth 801 on the IAPP FUSION show floor, and hear our own David Danner discuss how organizations can go beyond the electronic file cabinet to an integrated invoice-capture and paperless ERP environment at an onsite session (#205) at 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11. During his session, participants will learn how best-in-class firms:

Eliminate data entry by efficiently implementing paper and electronic invoice capture
Use web-based workflow
Enjoy real-time visibility into the entire AP process
Retrieve associated documents without leaving their ERP solution
Easily expand to AR, HR, and payroll to achieve paperless ERP

Will we see you at IAPP FUSION?

A Look Back at Convergence 2011

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 13:08:00 CDT

Convergence 2011 came to a close Wednesday of last week and the Metafile team has been taking some time to reflect on everything we learned from the exciting sessions and our meetings with Dynamics partners and customers.

More than 9,300 Dynamics partners and customers were in attendance at this year's conference making it the second largest Convergence ever - it seemed like almost that many people visited our booth!

The conference kicked off with a great keynote address from Steve Ballmer and Kirill Tatarinov, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Business Solutions gave, during which they shared Microsoft's vision of the future of Dynamics, including an increased shift towards cloud-based solutions. If you have some free time, we highly recommend you watch their address - it's truly a must-watch for anyone who works closely with Microsoft Dynamics.

An Exciting Metafile Announcement from Convergence!

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 11:32:00 CDT

Microsoft Dynamics Convergence 2011 is in full swing and so far it's been an exciting and worthwhile experience.

As enterprises in all industries intensify their focus on the value of cloud computing, we announced today at Convergence a strategic partnership with SaaSplaza , the SaaS hosting service provider of choice for Microsoft Dynamics partners. As our MetaViewer solution easily integrates with all four Microsoft Dynamics ERP solutions (GP, AX, SL and NAV), Convergence is the perfect venue to share this exciting news.

Together, Metafile and SaaSplaza will advance and simplify integrated accounting automation of Microsoft Dynamics ERP technology installations in the cloud among Metafile's value-added resellers (VAR), referral partners and systems integrators.

Stay tuned for more on this exciting new partnership and how it will positively impact Metafile's customers and partners!

Final Convergence Planning is Underway!

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 10:56:00 CDT

Last month, we shared some of our exciting plans for the upcoming Microsoft Dynamics Convergence 2011 conference. Running from April 10-13 in Atlanta, we're proud to serve as a gold sponsor, and our team is eagerly anticipating attending some very informative sessions and meeting with valued members of the Microsoft Dynamics partner community.

As the conference approaches, be sure to follow us on Twitter at @MetaViewer, where we'll be posting our thoughts on this year's Convergence activities, sharing industry news and participating in the official Convergence conversation at hashtag #Conv11.

Also, be sure to check back here soon for a very exciting MetaViewer partnership announcement we will be making at Convergence!

Blurring the lines between C-Suite responsibilites

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 09:20:00 CDT

Organizations that have fully integrated an accounts payable automation technology with its ERP solution have likely benefitted from the visibility that is achieved by intelligent automation, which has long been a strategic priority that is paying dividends for Metafile and our customers.

Recently, Lisa Yoon from CIO Magazine interviewed Boris Groysberg, associate professor at Harvard Business School, and Jeremy Hanson, who manages the North American Financial Officers Practice for Heidrick & Struggles, about trends affecting C-suite executives - most notably the CFO.

One of the key points made by Groysberg and Hanson is the notion that, as the level of cross-team collaboration increases, CFOs must be knowledgeable about business functions outside of their specific responsibilities - and their impact to the business - in order to be successful. For example, a CFO must understand the priorities and projects of the CIO, and how they impact the bottom line.

This perspective shows the case for intelligent automation has never been stronger, as the visibility and business intelligence it affords is becoming more and more valuable to C-suite executives, all of whom rely on it to make informed decisions.

The real business value of 'Paperless ERP'

Sun, 20 Mar 2011 12:04:00 CDT

We write a great deal about the benefits of paperless AP automation and its ability to transform a business, but a lot of businesses don't know how gains in efficiency and visibility can be quantified.

Our customers rightly ask what returns they can expect for their AP automation technology investments - especially when those investments are integrated with ERP solutions like Microsoft Dynamics. As our partner channel manager Steve Gregory recently shared with MSDynamicsWorld, consider the following:

Metafile has found the average AP worker consumes 10,000 sheets of paper per year at an average copying and printing cost of between 2-5 cents per page, or between $200-$500 per year.
A combined AP/Microsoft Dynamics "paperless ERP" solution mitigates those costs. Costs associated with misfiled documents - averaging between 2-7% in most organizations at a cost of $120 per page - can also be eliminated.
Metafile's customers report that their average per-invoice processing times are reduced from 29.8 days using paper to just 4.8 days using an integrated paperless AP/Microsoft Dynamics solution.

By integrating AP automation technology with Microsoft Dynamics, invoices and supporting documentation can be accessed with just one click, ensuring accuracy and accelerating productivity gains - quantifiably - across the organization.

Microsoft calls for "cloud trust" from partners

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 09:51:00 CDT

There's no denying that cloud computing is playing and will continue to play an integral part in the future of IT, software development and services for businesses large and small. In the eyes of CIOs and other business and technology decision-makers, one of the largest perceived drawbacks for cloud computing is uncertainty surrounding security.

Security in the cloud is a valid concern, and one that Metafile takes very seriously. No matter how MetaViewer is deployed, be it hosted or on-premise, we take steps to prioritize security of information, ensuring that data is only accessed by the right people at the right time .

In a recent CRN article titled, "Microsoft Bangs Drum For Cloud Trust," Microsoft urges its partners, vendors and developers to work to establish cloud trust with customers, acknowledging the importance of instilling confidence in this technology. It's up to Microsoft partners like ourselves to join the cloud trust movement. It is our hope that businesses everywhere will embrace cloud computing as a trusted solution.

Read the full article on CRN here.

Lean manufacturing demands intelligent AP automation

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 13:59:00 CST

In an effort to make their organizations more lean, many manufacturers focus on reducing wasted time and resources on the production line. While this is certainly a key component of streamlining their businesses, in order to truly be considered lean, manufacturers must apply these same principles to their accounting processes.

In a recent Manufacturing Business Technology article, Dan Hunstad, senior systems analyst for Metafile, shares three essential strategies for streamlining the accounting process through the implementation of accounts payable automation technology.

Within the article, Dan highlights the benefit of integrating accounts payable technology with an existing ERP solution as well as the importance of closely evaluating the accounts payable process, and adjusting accordingly to eliminate waste of time and duplicate efforts.

Read the full article in Manufacturing Business Technology here.

Convergence 2011 is just around the corner

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 10:21:00 CST

One of our most anticipated events of the year, Microsoft Dynamics Convergence 2011, is fast approaching. As a Gold Sponsor of the event, we are excitedly preparing for what is sure to be a great conference. If you are unfamiliar, Convergence will take place April 10-13 in Atlanta, and is a great opportunity for Microsoft Dynamics customers and partners to network and discuss current Dynamics topics, including strategies for optimizing Dynamics investments.

We attended last year's Convergence conference and found that, in addition to broadening our Dynamics knowledge base, we also were able to meet and collaborate with many like-minded businesses that recognize Dynamics as an integral tool for creating efficiency within an organization.

If you're planning on attending Convergence, be sure to visit Metafile at booth 201 and if you are on Twitter, follow the Convergence hashtag #Conv11. Our conference planning is still underway, so check the MetaBlog often for updates as Convergence nears.

The latest on 1099 regulations

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 08:53:00 CST

There are many questions surrounding proposed changes to 1099 regulations and what they will mean for accounting professionals, the business community and others that rely heavily on suppliers, such as manufacturing and wholesale/distribution. In January, we discussed the 1099 changes and how it may impact those in the accounts payable function at their organizations.

According to a recent article on CNNMoney.com, the 1099 issue is receiving much attention in Washington because of the anticipated burden of paperwork the changes will create. Businesses of all sizes, and in all industries, need to prepare to handle the onslaught of paperwork that may be looming beginning in 2012.

To learn more about 1099 regulations and how they could affect your organization, read the full article here. As this situation unfolds, we will post recurring updates here on the MetaBlog.

Distributors gain visibility, efficiency from AP automation

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 10:48:00 CST

Distributors must continually manage a global ecosystem of suppliers, partners, and customers, so they are required to be nimble and efficient in order to handle their stakeholders' vastly different accounting and transactional needs. In a recent Industrial Distribution article, Jim Mandt, our vice president of technical services, shares strategies for leveraging AP automation technology to help distributors achieve accounting process.

Within the article, Jim recommends evaluating the existing accounting process for inefficiencies and investigating and implementing the right accounting automation technology, and stresses the importance of integrating paperless accounting automation technology with the ERP solution to achieve intelligent automation.

This is a great read for professionals in the distribution industry and others who want to apply these same principles within their organizations. Read the full article in Industrial Distribution here.

Senior Systems Analyst Receives Award for Industry Leadership

Sun, 06 Feb 2011 15:39:00 CST

Earlier this month, we were proud to announce that Dan Hunstad, our senior systems analyst, has been named a recipient of the 2011 "Provider Pro to Know" award by Supply & Demand Chain Executive. Throughout his 11 years of experience working with customers in manufacturing, the supply chain and other industries, Dan has built a reputation as a trusted resource who is able to foresee challenges and work closely with his customers to proactively develop and implement targeted solutions.

Dan is a firm believer that one of the most significant supply chain challenges his clients will face in the coming year and beyond centers on negating inefficiencies surrounding invoice reconciliation. His solution is to first adjust workflow surrounding the invoice processing, then leverage accounts payable automation technology to work within those process to cultivate better working relationships inside and outside an organization.

We are extremely proud of Dan and this much-deserved recognition of his talents and commitment to solving our customers' business challenges with the right automation solutions. Read more about Dan's award win here.

Innovation in accounting: more important than ever

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 09:21:00 CST

Recently, PayStream Advisors, a research and consulting firm that specializes in minimizing risks and maximizing value associated with technology investments, published the results of an interesting survey in PayStream Voices, its online community for financial operations technology and automation.

The survey asked financial operations professionals to rate the level of advancement their company had achieved with regard to adopting accounts payable, accounts receiveable or other financial automation technologies.

Only 21 percent of respondents identified their organization as an innovator that has "made significant investments in automation." The most common response, selected by 33 percent of respondents, was that the organization is "evaluating some advanced tools, but (has) not yet adopted them."

In this economic climate, Metafile believes that organizations with innovative accounting departments will be the ones that thrive. By implementing an AP/AR automation solution that integrates with ERP systems, organizations stand to gain enhanced visibility and workflow efficiency, enabling them to make strategic decisions and handle significant industry challenges, including anticipated changes to 1099 regulations.

See the full survey here.

The rising importance and impact of cloud-based accounting automation technology

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 10:18:00 CST

At Metafile, we listen to and learn from our customers, partners and colleagues to stay ahead of the top trends that will impact our industry and our customers. By staying on the forefront of these trends, we can ensure that our paperless AP and AR document management and workflow solutions are optimized to help our customers compete and thrive.

Recently, we shared our views on what we think are the most important accounting automation trends in 2011 with Pat Romanski of Cloud Computing Journal, including our belief that AP and AR automation technology will increasingly take to the cloud.

While we offer and support a traditional, premises-based licensing option, our customers are increasingly requesting the time, cost-savings and flexibility that cloud-based solutions can offer. Metafile's MetaViewer Online is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) option that offers secure Web-based access without infrastructure and software-license expenses.

For more on this and our thoughts on other pervasive accounting automation trends, read the full article here.

Industry News: Major accounting associations join forces

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 10:55:00 CST

Earlier this month, The National Association of Purchasing & Payables (NAPP) announced that it is merging with three influential organizations: International Accounts Payable Professionals (IAPP), and its sister organizations International Accounts Receivable Professionals (IARP) and The Association for Work Process Improvement (TAWPI).

The announcement notes that the procure-to-pay process is becoming an increased focus for IAPP, IARP and TAWPI. Not only is this significant to members of these associations who will benefit from the addition of procure-to-pay content and programming, but it should be recognized by the entire industry as a signal of widespread change.

As the president and CEO of IAPP, IARP, and TAWPI, Thomas Bohn noted, the lines between the accounts payable, accounts receivable and procurement processes are becoming blurred as integration becomes an increased priority. We at Metafile often discuss the importance of achieving automation integration throughout the accounting process and this merger is a positive sign that industry influencers share the same wholistic philosophy.

Read the full announcement here.

What do the new 1099 regulations mean for your organization?

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 10:39:00 CST

One of the biggest stories to come out of 2010 that is continuing to unfold in the New Year is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the healthcare reform bill) which contained a provision that will require all businesses to file 1099 forms if they purchase $600 or more in goods or services from another business during the calendar year.

Previously, only unincorporated businesses that purchased $600 or more in services were required to file a 1099 with the IRS and the service provider. The new rule extends to all companies, charities and state and local governments; and to purchases of goods and products as well as services. The added reporting burden is expected to bury all businesses in paperwork, which may stunt any hopes for business growth.

How will this change in regulations impact your organization's AP department? Industry experts are projecting an increase in the reporting workload by five to 10 times, which means companies will have to adopt more efficient accounting processes in order to cope.

In a recent article that appears in AP Matters, Diane Sears discusses the implications of the new 1099 regulations in detail and highlights automation as a key strategy that will help AP departments efficiently handle the paperwork burden. While the number of AP departments that have automated their invoicing is relatively low at (approximately three percent in the U.S.), the buzz surrounding accounts payable automation is increasing. This technology not only removes the paper but also provides organizations with transparency in the supply chain and overall workflow efficiency throughout the procure-to-pay process. Sophisticated AP automation systems are also capable of providing the C-suite with visibility that cultivates more informed business decisions while alleviating the strain caused by the anticipated influx of 1099 forms.

For more information on changes in 1099 regulations and what they could mean for your organization, read the full AP Matters article here.

Thanks and Happy Holidays from your Friends at Metafile!

Tue, 28 Dec 2010 08:59:00 CST

As 2010 winds down and we prepare to welcome the New Year, we would like to take this time to thank all of our customers, partners, employees and industry colleagues for making this past year one of Metafile's most memorable and impactful yet.

From the launch of our Microsoft Dynamics partner program to the unveiling of our new website, to our attendance and participation at this year's many exciting industry and technology events to Jim Mandt's recognition as one of a Supply & Demand Chain Executive's "Provider Pros to Know," 2010 has been a great year, and we are looking forward to tremendous success for Metafile and our customers in 2011.

On behalf of everyone at Metafile, here's wishing you happy holidays and a very happy New Year!

Eagerly anticipating 2011 Microsoft Dynamics events

Sat, 18 Dec 2010 15:32:00 CST

As our Microsoft Dynamics partner program continues to gain early momentum, we at Metafile are looking forward to 2011 and the many exciting opportunities that integrating MetaViewer with Microsoft Dynamics will bring for Metafile, our partners and our customers.

In 2011, we plan to extend our presence and influence in the Microsoft Dynamics community by participating in a variety of upcoming Dynamics events - most notably the Microsoft Dynamics Convergence 2011 Conference, to be held April 10-13 in Atlanta. We are also scheduled to attend the 2011 Microsoft Dynamics AX, GP and NAV Users Group Summits, the 2011 Microsoft Dynamics GP Technical Conference, the 2011 Microsoft Dynamics SL Users Group Conference, and The 2011 Partner Event.

We're looking forward to engaging with potential VAR, referral and systems-integrator partners at these events to make the integration process even faster and easier for our customers. Be sure to check back with us as these events approach for more details on Metafile's participation and key learnings.

Why AP Workflow Automation Should Matter to Enterprise

Sat, 18 Dec 2010 15:06:00 CST

We've talked at length about the meaning and value of "intelligent automation" in accounts payable. Intelligent automation is rooted in accounting systems that deliver built-in intelligence across the customer and supplier landscape, ensuring that, after the first time information is entered at any point in the procure-to-pay process, it will never need to be rekeyed and instead will appear automatically as work and data flow.

For all its value in helping organizations introduce visibility into accounting processes and identify system breakdowns, automation truly becomes intelligent when integrated with the AP department's workflow according to established business rules. Why does workflow automation matter to enterprise?

Leveraging a permission-based interface, AP leaders and staff can immediately establish and modify routing and approval rules among AP staff. They can adjust those rules according to specific customers, suppliers and other stakeholders, boosting customer service and satisfaction.
Once modified, newly designated approvers can be regularly reminded via e-mail about invoices awaiting their action. The best solutions also allow alternate approvers to be designated and notified if primary approvers are absent.
Optical character recognition (OCR) can enable invoice text to be scanned for keywords matching customer and supplier information stored in individual records. Once the correct customer or vendor is identified, the document can be updated and conditionally routed for processing via e-mail according to established rules.

For more on the power and value of AP workflow automation to enterprise, contact us.

MetaViewer annoucement on The Partner Channel

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 11:19:00 CST

The launch of our Microsoft Dynamics Partner Program was recently featured on The Partner Channel, a leading authority for sales, marketing and leadership news for Microsoft Dynamics partners. We highly recommend subscribing to The Partner Channel's e-newsletters, as it provides readers with comprehensive news and event coverage specific to Microsoft Dynamics.

As the announcement shares, we are currently seeking VAR and referral partners and systems integrators to sell, service and support our MetaViewer paperless ERP document management and workflow solution to and for Microsoft Dynamics users. MetaViewer is the one paperless AP/AR/HR solution that goes beyond the electronic file cabinet, providing integration with Microsoft Dynamics while offering the affordability expected by midmarket organizations and the scalability demanded by enterprise.

Read our coverage in The Partner Channel here.

Retailers stand to benefit from AP automation during the holidays and beyond

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 13:04:00 CST

With the holiday season upon them, retailers are working harder than ever to meet customers' demands while growing their own sales numbers. One often overlooked aspect of the retail sector is the internal challenges that are faced by retailers' AP and AR departments as they handle and process a high volume of invoices, purchase orders and more throughout the holiday season.

The fact is, retailers should view AP/AR automation as an effective way to improve efficiency and cultivate high visibility into accounting operations to not only improve their internal process, but increase sales as well. As is common during the holidays, more transactions mean the flow of invoices, purchase orders and supporting documentation accelerates. Retailers who are armed to handle the increase in paperwork using automation technology can avoid unnecessary headaches.

As all retailers know, the ability to capture process, and report on accouting information is essential to improving efficiency and informing decision making across the board, as the ability to capture, analyze, and react to data can ultimately save retailers money and nurture increased sales.

To learn more about how accounts payable automation can work for your retail business, check out MetaViewer for Retail.

Latest AP Productivity Index: U.S. a World Leader in AP Efficiency

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 15:33:00 CST

In a recent blog post, Diane Sears at AP Matters discusses the latest AP Productivity Index, a quarterly assessment of AP performance worldwide. In her post, Diane examines why the U.S. has the highest median score, outscoring the next highest region by 16.3 percent.

Diane rightly points to the fact that U.S. companies are mostly larger than those in other countries, meaning their accounts payable departments are often afforded access to more effective tools that foster greater AP efficiency. In our work with customers in all industries, we see the business-building benefits of AP automation technology in boosting AP process efficiency.

Beyond their organizational size, our customers achieve ultimate AP efficiency by first aligning their AP process to get the most out of their technology investment. They also recognize the importance of integrating our AP automation technology with their ERP solution. By achieving intelligent automation that puts process first, AP productivity is in the best position to soar.

Meet our partners!

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 12:33:00 CST

We are happy to welcome the first of our new Microsoft Dynamics partners to our Microsoft Dynamics partner program. Welcome Tribridge, Integrated Business Group, KeyQuest Consulting and Workflow Heroes!

Our Microsoft Dynamics partner program enables current and future customers to more easily integrate MetaViewer with their Microsoft Dynamics ERP solutions, to cultivate greater cost savings and "paperless ERP" efficiency.

Our newest partners also understand that there has never bee a better time for VARs, referral partners and systems integrators to incorporate affordable, measureable value into Microsoft Dynamics solutions with paperless ERP automation technology. The value of new customer Microsoft Dynamics ERP sales incorporating MetaViewer can be increased 25 percent, and current customers can be offered a fully integrated paperless ERP solution that affords tangible ROI.

For more information, contact Steve Gregory, Metafile's partner channel manager, at 800.638.2445 x180, or visit our partner area on the website.

MetaViewer.com gets a facelift!

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 09:02:00 CST

Here at Metafile, we have been pretty busy with the launch of our new Microsoft Dynamics Partner Program and with participating in three major conferences, but that's not all we've been up to! As you may have noticed, we recently made significant changes to MetaViewer.com.

While there are many exciting new design features and sections, one of our favorite additions is the menu bar located near the top of the homepage, which contains the "AP View," "IT View," and "Executive View" tabs:

The decision to implement accounts payable document management software into the financial process impacts every department in an organization. To help visitors find information that is most relevant to their role within their company, we have devoted special sections designed to answer the most pertinent questions to each department.

We invite you to browse the rest of our newly redesigned website and let us know what you think!

Announcing the launch of Metafile’s Microsoft Dynamics Partner Program!

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 13:11:00 CDT

At the Microsoft Dynamics GP User Group Summit 2010 event held this week in Orlando, Fla., we announced the launch of our Microsoft Dynamics partner program. We're actively recruiting value-added reseller (VAR) and referral partners and systems integrators to sell, service and support our MetaViewer paperless ERP document management and workflow solution to Dynamics users. All MetaViewer functionality integrates easily with all four Microsoft Dynamics ERP solutions (GP, AX, SL and NAV) - the foundation of many organizations' ERP infrastructure in a variety of industries.

The launch of our Microsoft Dynamics partner program will make it easier than ever for our customers to integrate our MetaViewer solution with the power and promise of Microsoft Dynamics GP, AX, SL and NAV to introduce "paperless ERP" efficiency and cost savings into their accounting operations.

A combined solution offering integration between MetaViewer and Microsoft Dynamics enables significant cost savings, affording accelerated ROI when compared to standalone Microsoft Dynamics implementations.

In addition, as Metafile's network of value-added resellers (VARs) and referral partners grows, our customers will benefit from more access to local partners and systems integrators who can sell, service and support the MetaViewer solution. That means even faster MetaViewer implementation and resolution of customer-support issues.

For more information on our new partner program, read our announcement , visit our new partner area or read a recent article from MSDynamicsWorld.com (free registration required).

The latest Microsoft Dynamics news from Convergence 2010 Europe

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 09:39:00 CDT

Microsoft made several announcements about its Dynamics ERP and CRM products at the recent Convergence 2010 Europe event in London. Among them was the general availability of a two-tier ERP connector for Microsoft Dynamics AX, which according to Microsoft's released statement, "... accelerates deployments between Microsoft Dynamics AX across subsidiaries, divisions or branch entities, and SAP Business Suite at the corporate headquarters."

Also according to Microsoft's statement, "A two-tier ERP implementation model helps organizations consolidate disparate ERP solutions, provides standardization and rationalization of IT investments, and improves business agility and value by facilitating cost-effective business process integration."

What does this two-tier ERP connector mean for Dynamics AX users - and for MetaViewer customers? By speeding Microsoft Dynamics AX deployment among an organization's multiple operations, the organization's business processes - including its AP and AR processes - will be made more efficient even faster than before, resulting in swifter ROI for the organization's Microsoft Dynamics ERP investment.

This development is sure to be a hot topic at the upcoming AXUG and GPUG Summit 2010 events and MSDynamicsWorld's Decisions 2010 Fall Conference. To learn more about Microsoft's recent Dynamics announcements, read this article from Redmond Channel Partner.

Also, look for an exciting Dynamics announcement from Metafile in the coming weeks!

Fall is a great time for Microsoft Dynamics users

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 13:01:00 CDT

In the next several weeks, we are attending three very important conferences for the benefit of both Metafile and our customers: the Microsoft Dynamics AX User Group (AXUG) Summit 2010, the Microsoft Dynamics GP User Group (GPUG) Summit 2010, and the MSDynamicsWorld Fall 2010 Virtual Conference. These conferences offer Microsoft Dynamics users, partners and others the opportunity to participate in educational sessions and role-based tracks designed to help organizations maximize the benefits gained from using Dynamics.

This year Metafile is scheduled to present a breakout session at the Microsoft Dynamics GPUG and MSDynamicsWorld Decisions Fall 2010 events entitled, "Paperless ERP for Microsoft Dynamics," which will show Microsoft Dynamics users how to move beyond the electronic file cabinet by eliminating paper, increasing visibility and maximizing the functionality of Dynamics. Participants attending our session will understand how best-in-class firms:

Eliminate data entry by efficiently implementing paper and electronic invoice capture
Utilize web-based workflow
Enjoy real-time visibility throughout the entire AP process
Retrieve associated documents without leaving Dynamics
Easily integrate Dynamics with AR, HR, and payroll to achieve paperless ERP

Here are important details for the three conferences - it's not too late to register!

AXUG Summit 2010 (Visit us at booth #326)

October 18-21, 2010

Orlando, FL

Registration Information

GPUG Summit 2010 (Visit us at booth #313)

October 25-28, 2010

Orlando, FL

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MSDynamicsWorld Decisions Fall 2010 Virtual Conference

November 1-4, 2010

Virtual Conference

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Visibility: The Hidden Value of AP Automation

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 15:23:00 CDT

The Accounts Payable Channel, a leading online resource for accounts payable (AP) and finance professionals, recently released its latest whitepaper, "Visibility: The Not-So-Obvious Real Value of AP Automation," which details the factors that play a critical role in finance management, cost reduction and business intelligence. The report discusses the hidden benefits associated with integrating automation technology into the financial process beyond simply eliminating paper: increased visibility. By streamlining and automating the workflow through the effective use of technology, organizations gain the ability to view and leverage information and data, which enables companies to negotiate and better volume pricing and contract terms.

To learn more about how your organization can benefit from AP Automation, click here to receive a copy of the report, which is available for a limited time.

Latest research: Why businesses should prioritize AP automation

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 10:14:00 CDT

The Aberdeen Group recently published its latest report, "E-Payables 2010: The Strategic Value of Accounts Payable Automation," which demonstrates the need for accounts payable (AP) cost-cutting efficiency and visibility through AP automation. Having surveyed more than 310 companies, Aberdeen found that paper-based AP processes hampered AP's readiness to address the efficiency and visibility challenge. Some important findings include:

Best-in-class companies achieved invoice processing costs 76 percent below their peers with invoice processing cycle times, on average, 82.5 percent faster.
Of these top performers, 72 percent currently have an active AP improvement initiative in place, and 60 percent employ a standardized payment process throughout the organization.

What does this mean for companies of all sizes that are looking to improve their AP process? Organizations can champion cost-cutting efficiency and visibility through automation of non-value-added processes - including AP processes - to better support value-added strategic initiatives.

To obtain a complimentary copy of the report, click here.

Research shows AP/ERP integration is a top priority

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 10:22:00 CDT

Last week, we discussed the emphasis that professionals in a broad range of industries are placing on streamlining their accounts payable (AP) and accounts receivable (AR) processes before AP/AR document management technology is implemented in order to be truly efficient.

Recently, MSDynamicsWorld conducted a survey among 240 Microsoft Dynamics users to gauge the level at which respondents within a broad range of industries are implementing AP and/or ERP technology to manage accounting documents and workflow.

Out of the survey results, two key findings emerged:

Despite the widespread use AP document management technology in some form among the respondents, processing invoices in a timely manner remains a prominent challenge facing the AP profession among more than 40 percent of respondents.
In addition, while relatively few respondents are employing AP/ERP technology integration in its entirety, integration is the priority identified as most likely to improve the Microsoft Dynamics experience. Integration of AP document management technology with ERP solutions is identified by nearly half (43.3 percent) of the sample as a priority over the next one to two years (see graphic immediately below).

We've always said empowering true AP/AR efficiency is rooted in intelligent automation, which means information only needs to be keyed once and is updated across the enterprise, whether using our solution or the organization's ERP. These findings show that organizations looking to enhance their AP operations can gain an operational advantage by making intelligent automation - enabled through AP/ERP technology integration - a top priority.

Efficiency, visibility a focus for all industries

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 10:21:00 CDT

Within the manufacturing and distribution industries, each industry category - from food distribution to metal fabrication - manages vastly different vendors and produces entirely different products. Despite these and other differences, true accounts payable (AP) and accounts receivable (AR) efficiency is a common goal across the spectrum.

Any organization that handles a large volume of invoices and produces a large quantity of products should understand that achieving true AP/AR efficiency means aligning AP/AR processes with the technology designed to support them. As Jim Mandt, our vice president of technical services, often states, before AP and AR technology of any kind can be implemented; the underlying processes must be extensively evaluated and aligned to achieve true efficiency.

We've found that this philosophy resonates with our customers involved in all industries. In addition, by selecting AP/AR technology that integrates with an organization's existing ERP solution, organizations can achieve intelligent automation by entering information only once, whether using AP/AR technology or the ERP. The impact to ERP return on investment can be tremendous.

To read about Perishable Distributors of Iowa's process efficiency success story, read the recent article in Refrigerated Transporter here.

For more on Jim Mandt's philosophy on putting process before technology, read his article as it appears on Chem.Info here.

ERP integration, AP automation and the supply chain

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:50:00 CDT

Last week, Supply & Demand Chain Executive featured an excellent article on how organizations can leverage enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems to positively affect the efficiency of the supply chain.

Written by Eric Kimberling, an ERP consultant based in Denver, the article outlines reasons ERP must be more effective, differentiates between ERP solutions and shares best practices for selecting and implementing ERP. As Eric states in the article:

"Managing receivables is more important than ever. For most businesses, the next best thing to cash is receivables. Although not directly related to supply chain management, robust financial and receivables management in an ERP system will help better finance inventory investment needs in the long-term..."

While Metafile is not an ERP solution provider, our MetaViewer product integrates with ERP solutions such as Microsoft Dynamics to create true workflow efficiency, achieve true process visibility and promote truly intelligent automation. As the excerpts from the article above illustrate, robust financial management, rooted in process visibility, should be a top priority for companies looking to establish a leaner supply chain.

For more on this topic, read the full article here.

Our Take on the Cloud

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:18:00 CDT

As anyone heavily involved in the technology-sector knows, cloud computing is a major cross-industry game changer that is having profound impact on software solution providers and their customers. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has said, "As I like to say at Microsoft, for the cloud, we're all in." We share in Microsoft's philosophy, and find it is ringing true across the industries we serve.

While we offer and support a premises-based, traditional licensing option for MetaViewer, we find that more and more customers are realizing the tremendous savings of time and cost that cloud computing environments can offer.

Our answer to the cloud computing call is MetaViewer Online, a Software as a Service (SaaS) option that allows our customers to access our solution securely on the web, allowing all the functionality of our on-site solution without the multidimensional expense associated with infrastructure and software licenses.

We've made it our mission to ensure that, as technology continues to evolve, so will MetaViewer. The move toward cloud computing is an exciting cross-industry innovation we're delivering today, and will continue to deliver in exciting new ways in the future.

Free online seminar: Accounts Payable Best Practices

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 09:49:00 CDT

When organizations plan to implement new accounts payable (AP) technology, education surrounding AP best practices is essential in ensuring ultimate value for technology investment. As part of our commitment to industry education, in tandem with The Accounts Payable Channel (TAPC), Metafile is offering free access to the "Accounts Payable Best Practices" on-demand multimedia seminar.

Hosted by Tom Nichols, consultant to The Accounts Payable Network (TAPN) and president of Process Management Improvement, Inc., this seminar provides insights and realistic approaches to process improvements that can bring positive change to accounts payable operations. Nichols provides best practices for:

Enforcing your company's ethical guidelines
Redefining internal customer satisfaction
Strengthening control of your vendor master file
Maximizing the benefits of P-cards
Tightening T&E controls
Improving invoice processing efficiency
Performance measurement

This 60-minute seminar is available free of charge to registered users of The Accounts Payable Channel for a limited time only and provides a flexible way to learn all about proven best practices that will help make operations more efficient. Click here to access the seminar.

Document scanning technology: things to consider

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:18:00 CDT

We spend a lot of time talking about the importance of evaluating the accounts payable process before implementing paperless document management software and how this technology can maximize an organization's previous investment in an ERP solution, such as Microsoft Dynamics.

However, when companies begin actually implementing this technology, they realize that there are number of specific factors that have to be evaluated in order to make the process as smooth as possible.

Recently, Bob Greenbaum, executive vice president of Metafile, was asked by The Accounts Payable Network to weigh in on document scanner technology and the factors that need to be taken into consideration before making an investment.

Bob's advice to organizations is to first have a deep understanding of the types of documents they will be scanning:

"When dealing with an accounts payable environment, you are going to find that documents are varied. You cannot control them. And the quality will vary enormously depending on the nature of your business."

"Ultimately, the goal of a scanner is to take a competent and quality picture of the document," Greenbaum says. "To do that you really have to look at the paper [documents] in your department's drawers. If that stuff is going through the machine, then the machine needs to be able to manage the stuff in the drawers right now."

For more about best practices surrounding document scanning technology, read the full article here.

Latest research: How businesses can streamline invoice processing

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:07:00 CDT

Recently, the Aberdeen Group conducted a survey of more than 150 enterprises serving a wide range of industries and developed a research report entitled, “Invoicing and Workflow: Transforming Process Automation into Operational Cost Control.” The report serves as an overview of the AP function’s current state, and offers strategies organizations can employ to improve invoice-processing efficiency and visibility.

We've always believed technology is a critical tool in delivering business value and confidence in decision making to the C-suite, but only in concert with an invoice-processing framework that is truly efficient. Among other findings, the research report indicates:

The most common factors driving participants’ focus on AP improvement are a lack of visibility into invoices and AP documents (575) and corporate directives to lower overall costs (43%).
Relative to invoice processing performance, the Best-in-Class maturity class (the top 20%) of respondents averaged a $4.84-per-invoice processing cost and a 3.7-day cycle time to process a single invoice, while the Laggard maturity class (the bottom 30%) averaged a $27.83-per-invoice processing cost and a 41.3-day cycle time to process a single invoice

To obtain a complimentary copy of the report, click here.

The next step in MetaViewer's evolution

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 10:25:00 CDT

Over the last 30 years, our products and technology have evolved based on our customers' ever-changing needs. By keeping our finger on the pulse of the industries we serve, we can ensure that our products are at the forefront of change.

The latest product innovation for MetaViewer is an enhancement to our existing invoice capture solution, Invoice Accelerator.

Because every document in Invoice Accelerator needs a matching vendor profile, Invoice Accelerator's automatic vendor profiler simplifies the process of building a vendor profile. The profiler automatically recognizes invoice header and line item information to create new profiles or match existing profiles. Once created or matched, the profiler enables automatic processing. In most cases, profiles can be modified or verified with a single keystroke, boosting time and cost savings.

From Jim Mandt: Five Questions About Accounts-Payable Tech Implementation That Every Organization Should Ask

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 09:54:00 CDT

With more than 20 years' experience implementing AP document management technology, Jim Mandt knows just how impactful AP technology investment can be to organizations in every industry. Beyond the expense, the technology that organizations select will touch every internal and external player in the procure-to-pay process.

In a recent blog post on The Accounts Payable Channel, Jim shared five simple, yet critical, questions that organizations should ask their technology provider to help them avoid the all-too-common pitfalls of choosing AP technology "flash" over substance:

PROCESS: How in-depth will your evaluation of my organization's P2P process be before implementation of AP document management technology?
CUSTOMIZATION: How will your solution adapt to my organization's particular operating environment and supplier ecosystem?
WORKFLOW CAPABILITIES: How will your solution move my organization beyond only eliminating paper to also addressing the workflow behind it?
ERP INTEGRATION: How will your technology integrate with my ERP solution to boost my organization's return on investment?
SERVICE AND SUPPORT: How will you ensure that your solution continues to deliver value long after the sale?

By asking these and other tough questions, organizations can make sure their AP technology choice reflects a long-term, value-driven commitment to true automation across the P2P spectrum.

Read Jim's full blog post as it appears on The Accounts Payable Channel.

Invoice Processing Goes Hi-Tech

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:22:00 CDT

Our work with one of our customers, Perishable Distributors of Iowa, Ltd. (PDI), recently made news on Food Manufacturing's website.

As one of the nation's largest food distribution companies, PDI faced many workflow challenges. Several of these were related to the high volume of paper representing more than 3,500 invoices processed each month.

One of the Metafile team's first steps was to evaluate PDI's accounts payable (AP) process. Our analysis revealed that each invoice was touched between 34 and 42 times during processing. The sheer number of invoices, coupled with the complicated processing, resulted in numerous logistical, organizational and financial challenges.

After implementing our MetaViewer solution, PDI was able to not only eliminate paper but also optimize its AP workflow to ensure that tasks and responsibilities were clearly defined and assigned across the team. PDI employees were able to spend less time on process and more time adding value to PDI's buisness.

In less than one year, PDI realized ROI and decreased annual processing costs from $135,000 per year to $80,000. Read PDI's full success story as it appears on FoodManufacturing.com.

What exactly is "intelligent automation?"

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 08:59:00 CDT

Often when discussing accounts payable technology, industry trends, and our products, we will talk about achieving "intelligent automation."

Intelligent automation is rooted in accounting systems that deliver built-in intelligence across the customer and supplier landscape, ensure that once information is entered at any point in the procure-to-pay process, it will never need to be rekeyed but will appear automatically as work and data flow through the process.

So what is the benefit of intelligent automation? It helps organizations introduce visibility into accounting processes and identify system breakdowns. This increased visibility allows accounting department leaders and C-level executives to make highly strategic decisions based on increased awareness of their companies' processes, and the impact of those processes on the bottom line.

For more true automation and how it is achieved, read our article that appears on Manufacturing.net..

Customer success story: Central Maintenance and Welding

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 09:49:00 CDT

When we first began work with our customers at Central Maintenance and Welding (CMW), a premier industrial maintenance, fabrication, and construction firm, we found they had an extremely complex and multifaceted procure-to-pay (P2P) process that was entirely paper-based. Having already made a significant investment in a Microsoft Dynamics GP enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution, CMW was looking to streamline its financial processes by implementing an accounts payable (AP) automation solution that could seamlessly integrate with Dynamics to achieve true automation.

After implementing MetaViewer to standardize its AP and AR processes, CMW successfully migrated those processes from 100% paper-based to 100% paperless. Automated indexing and text extraction from any invoice, links to supporting documents, workflow steps, customized, action-oriented emails, and customer notification tools are now accessible using either Microsoft Dynamics or MetaViewer, streamlining CMW’s P2P process and resulting in more efficiency throughout the organization. Aside from immediate and measurable return on investment, CMW leaders also enjoy a highly visible and accurate view of all captured financial information, empowering them to make thoroughly confident financial decisions.

Read Central Maintenance and Welding’s full story here.

MetaViewer MetaBlog

Part 1: Trash Paper Invoices and Go Digital

A Q&A with Metafile

The varying levels of automation

Recommended Reading: Considerations Before Moving to the Cloud

Paperless ERP for Microsoft Dynamics Webinar: How do Best-in-Class Organizations Utilize AP Automation?

Convergence 2012 will be here before you know it!

Wrapping up another whirlwind year: Happy holidays from your friends at Metafile!

Latest research from Aberdeen: Accounts Receivable and Customer Relationships

The future of intelligent ERP solutions

Best practices in using a MetaViewer-enabled ERP solution – Part II

A look at "behind-the-scenes" retail technology

Announcing new partnership with American Digital!

Best practices in using a MetaViewer-enabled ERP solution

A look at the Dynamics Communities User Group Summit 2011

Embracing change and eliminating paper

Customer Success Story: Entercom ditches the paper and reduces costs

Viva Las Vegas! Metafile heads to IOFM's Accounts Payable Conference.

Asking the right questions

Manufacturers maximizing the value of ERP

Easing communication with vendors and customers

Removing paper from the equation

Announcing the availability of Metafile's latest whitepaper!

Metafile Featured in Microsoft's Partnering with Precision Blog

Your Accounts Payable/Accounts Receivable Summer Reading List

Enhancing the Microsoft Dynamics AX Solution

Microsoft talks cloud ERP at the 2011 Worldwide Partner Conference

2011 Continues to be a Banner Year

Reflecting on the First Half of 2011

What's the Best Way to Stay "In the Know?"

Looking Ahead to Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference

Metafile Shares Insights on AP Best Practices

A Closer Look at Efficiency in the Accounting Department

Local Dynamics GP Users Meeting to Discuss Best Practices

Improving Vendor Relations: A Closer Look at VendorView

MetaViewer, Metafile Leadership and Senior Systems Analyst Achieve Industry Honor

Staying Updated on All Things Dynamics

One Distributor's Story: AP Automation as a Centralizing Force

Metafile prepares for IAPP FUSION

A Look Back at Convergence 2011

An Exciting Metafile Announcement from Convergence!

Final Convergence Planning is Underway!

Blurring the lines between C-Suite responsibilites

The real business value of 'Paperless ERP'

Microsoft calls for "cloud trust" from partners

Lean manufacturing demands intelligent AP automation

Convergence 2011 is just around the corner

The latest on 1099 regulations

Distributors gain visibility, efficiency from AP automation

Senior Systems Analyst Receives Award for Industry Leadership

Innovation in accounting: more important than ever

The rising importance and impact of cloud-based accounting automation technology

Industry News: Major accounting associations join forces

What do the new 1099 regulations mean for your organization?

Thanks and Happy Holidays from your Friends at Metafile!

Eagerly anticipating 2011 Microsoft Dynamics events

Why AP Workflow Automation Should Matter to Enterprise

MetaViewer annoucement on The Partner Channel

Retailers stand to benefit from AP automation during the holidays and beyond

Latest AP Productivity Index: U.S. a World Leader in AP Efficiency

Meet our partners!

MetaViewer.com gets a facelift!

Announcing the launch of Metafile’s Microsoft Dynamics Partner Program!

The latest Microsoft Dynamics news from Convergence 2010 Europe

Fall is a great time for Microsoft Dynamics users

Visibility: The Hidden Value of AP Automation

Latest research: Why businesses should prioritize AP automation

Research shows AP/ERP integration is a top priority

Efficiency, visibility a focus for all industries

ERP integration, AP automation and the supply chain

Our Take on the Cloud

Free online seminar: Accounts Payable Best Practices

Document scanning technology: things to consider

Latest research: How businesses can streamline invoice processing

The next step in MetaViewer's evolution

From Jim Mandt: Five Questions About Accounts-Payable Tech Implementation That Every Organization Should Ask

Invoice Processing Goes Hi-Tech

What exactly is "intelligent automation?"

Customer success story: Central Maintenance and Welding