Automate financial processes - reach your goal faster with SaaS solutions
The digitalization and automation of financial processes is no longer a “nice-to-have” for many companies - it has long been critical to success. Nevertheless, many CFOs and finance departments continue to operate exclusively within the capabilities of their ERP system - such as SAP or comparable solutions.
1. Initial situation: Digitalization often trapped in an ERP silo
Many companies have been investing in the digitalization of their financial processes for years - from invoice processing to payment runs and reporting. But the reality shows: In many cases, digitalization is limited to the ERP system (e.g. SAP S/4HANA, Dynamics or others). As a result, processes remain complex, interfaces cumbersome and automation potential unused.
2. The underestimated lever: Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
At the same time, a dynamic market has developed for specialized SaaS providers in the finance sector. These solutions offer targeted added value in individual process steps, e.g:
- Automated invoice processing (e.g. with AI recognition)
- Digital workflows for approval and account assignment
- Payment reconciliation and cash management
- Analysis & reporting with real-time data
- Integration with document management and compliance functionalities
Advantages for companies:
- Fast time-to-value through cloud-based deployment
- Specialized functions that go beyond standard ERP
- Easy scaling according to company size and transaction volume
- Lower IT burden through updates, maintenance and operation in the cloud
3. The challenge: selection and integration
The market is broad, confusing and highly fragmented. Many companies ask themselves these questions:
- Which provider fits my requirements?
- What does integration into my existing ERP mean?
- Is the solution cost-effective for my transaction volume?
- How secure are data processing and compliance?
4. Our approach: Systematic pre-selection & proof of concept
Horn & Company supports clients in the selection process - in a structured, methodical and practical way. Our approach:
Phase 1: Target definition & requirements analysis
- Shared understanding of optimization potential
- Definition of must/can criteria (functionality, interfaces, compliance, UX, etc.)
- Comparison with company size, transaction volume, IT strategy
Phase 2: Market screening & provider pre-selection
- Research & evaluation of potentially suitable SaaS solutions
- Creation of a longlist and reduction to 2-3 providers (shortlist)
- Preparation of demo scenarios & provider pitches
Phase 3: Proof of concept (PoC)
- Joint selection of specific use cases (e.g. cash management)
- Setup of a test environment with connection to real data
- Accompanying evaluation by key users from specialist departments & financial accounting
- Evaluation criteria: UX, degree of automation, interfaces, response times, reporting, etc.
Goal: Validate functionality, integration and usability in a live test
Phase 4: Decision & rollout preparation
- Joint evaluation of the PoC
- Recommendation of the final solution
- Creation of an implementation roadmap including change management
Conclusion
SaaS solutions can make a significant contribution to digitalization and increased efficiency in the financial sector - if they are introduced in a targeted, tailored and well thought-out manner. Horn & Company offers the methodical and professional support to not only plan digitalization, but to implement it effectively.
Many companies only think about the digitalization of financial processes within their ERP system - and overlook the enormous potential of specialized SaaS solutions.
Whether automated invoice processing, smart workflows or digital reporting: the market offers powerful tools - but the choice is complex.
Horn & Company supports companies in the structured pre-selection of suitable providers and validates their added value as part of a proof of concept. In this way, digitalization is not only implemented faster, but also more effectively.
