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Improve Your Cash Flow In 30 Days With Automated AR and AP

Two manufacturing professionals reviewing automated AR and AP dashboards to improve cash flow efficiency

Summary

In a highly competitive manufacturing landscape, the pursuit of efficiency on the production floor must be matched by equal efficiency in the back office. For small-to-midsize manufacturers facing persistent challenges—long cash conversion cycles, supply chain volatility, and significant capital expenses—relying on manual Accounts Receivable (AR) and Accounts Payable (AP) processes is simply unsustainable. By adopting automation, you can transform your AR and AP functions from burdensome tasks into streamlined, strategic assets, seeing tangible cash flow improvements in as little as 30 days. 

Why automation matters 

Dealing with AR and AP manually is a silent killer of business efficiency and working capital. Manufacturers that routinely manage paper checks, chase down late payments, and spend hours fixing avoidable errors are wasting precious time and money. Automation replaces an easily compromised, error-prone system with one that secures your working capital and delivers the real-time visibility needed to confidently forecast and control your finances. 

The 30-day roadmap to AR/AP automation 

Achieving improved cash flow in just 30 days is possible by focusing on core automation benefits that yield quick returns. 

Week 1: Accelerated receivables

Implement automated invoicing and payment acceptance to get paid faster.

Week 2: Gain visibility and control 

Integrate AR/AP with your ERP for real-time data flow, giving you the visibility to accurately forecast your cash position and identify processing bottlenecks that delay payments. 

Week 3: Strategic payment scheduling 

Utilize AP automation to set timed payments, maximizing the time cash remains in your operating account and helping to avoid overdrafts. 

Week 4: Reduce costs and risk 

Activate digital payments through an AR and AP portal to prevent direct cash loss from check fraud. 

Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them) 

While the benefits are clear, a smooth transition requires avoiding common pitfalls. Many businesses fall into the trap of choosing disconnected systems that require manual double-entry, defeating the purpose of automation. Similarly, selecting a solution without bidirectional compatibility with your existing ERP can lead to ongoing errors and a lack of real-time updates. The solution is to choose a powerful, fully integrated platform, such as NET1 Commerce Suite, that ensures a seamless workflow and data integrity. Giving vendors control and visibility via a modern portal to manage their payment preferences and track invoice status also frees your team from low-value, time-consuming inquiries, further boosting operational efficiency. 

Final thoughts

The journey to greater financial agility begins with transforming your AR and AP processes. By moving beyond outdated, manual burdens, you gain a competitive advantage that directly impacts your bottom line as soon as 30 days after implementation. Automation delivers not just speed, but a foundation for long-term growth. 

Recap

The transition from manual financial management to a contemporary, integrated digital framework is not merely an upgrade—it's the strategic imperative for competitive manufacturers. By shedding the burdens of outdated administrative tasks, businesses gain immediate agility and clear, predictive control over their working capital. This shift swiftly transforms back-office operations from cost centers into engines of efficiency, securing a foundation for both short-term financial gains and sustained, confident growth in a volatile market. The path to superior financial performance begins by embracing this essential digital evolution.

FAQs

How does automation improve visibility?

Every invoice, approval, and payment is tracked in one system, giving you real-time dashboards, audit trails, and forecasting accuracy that paper and email will never match.

How does AR automation help manufacturers get paid faster?

AR automation helps manufacturers get paid faster by focusing on accelerating receivables. This is achieved by implementing automated invoicing and enabling diverse digital payment acceptance options, which significantly speeds up the collections process compared to traditional paper methods.

What are the risks of using paper checks and how does automation address them?

The primary risk of using paper checks is direct cash loss from check fraud. Automation addresses this by allowing businesses to activate and utilize secure digital payments through an integrated AR and AP portal, eliminating the security risks associated with physical paper transactions.

What is the long-term benefit of transforming manual AR and AP processes?

The long-term benefit of transforming manual AR and AP processes is gaining a competitive advantage that goes beyond just speed and cost reduction. Automation provides a secure financial foundation for long-term growth, allowing manufacturers to shift their focus back to innovation and production.

How does integrating AR/AP with an ERP improve financial decisions?

Integrating AR/AP with an existing ERP system is crucial for improving financial decisions because it ensures real-time data flow. This integration provides the necessary visibility to accurately forecast the cash position and quickly identify processing bottlenecks that may be delaying payments.