Without automation, supplier statements were often loaded into spreadsheets and checked by hand. This meant:
- Errors could go unnoticed for long periods.
- Suppliers had to chase for updates.
- AP teams lacked confidence in balance accuracy.
- Data quality issues could pass from legacy systems into S/4HANA.
According to Tarryn, the lack of automation also made it harder to identify process gaps within the teams: “It showed that AP did not fully understand their role in the reconciliation process, and it highlighted some clear gaps in training across our teams.”
KION needed a solution that could scale, surface discrepancies early, and reduce manual effort so the team could focus on resolution rather than administration.
One automated process for every supplier
Basware Statement Matching allowed KION to automate supplier statement reconciliation across every region. The solution reads supplier statements, matches them against ledger data, and highlights discrepancies so teams can act quickly and accurately.
This approach removed manual spreadsheet work and ensured reconciliation happened continuously, even during busy periods.
Tarryn describes the transformation: “The statement matching tool has saved money and effort. The AP team does not even have to look at it. It runs in the background and shows missing invoices, credit notes, and payments that have not been allocated.”
For KION’s upcoming SAP S/4HANA deployments, this automation has been invaluable. Tarryn explains how the team prepared for North America’s cutover: “We used the statement tool to tidy up our accounts so we do not take inaccurate things from one system and put them into another. It has been a huge help before going into S/4HANA.”
Results that build accuracy and trust
- A complete and accurate supplier ledger
Basware automatically identifies missing invoices, missing credits, open payments, and discrepancies. KION now reconciles statements consistently across high-volume suppliers and critical vendors.
- Cleaner data for the SAP S/4HANA migration
The tool ensures ledger balances match supplier balances, which prevents incorrect or aged items from being carried into the new ERP environment.
- Improved supplier relationships
Suppliers receive clearer answers, faster. With fewer discrepancies and more proactive communication, supplier confidence has increased. Tarryn explains: “It builds confidence with the business and with our suppliers. They know we are not missing documents. It stops the noise between you and the supplier.”
- Reduced manual effort and stronger AP capability
Teams no longer spend hours reconciling spreadsheets. Instead, they focus on resolving the right issues. Automation has also helped KION identify training needs more clearly. “It showed where AP teams needed support. It made the gaps very clear.”
- Better visibility and audit readiness
With the entire reconciliation process automated and documented, audits are smoother and faster. “For audit, I can see it will be so much simpler. It is all in the tool,” Tarryn notes.
