From "First Time Right" to "Zero Touch" with SAP VIM
Are you getting the most out of your current SAP Vendor Invoice Management solution? Find out where manual steps, exceptions, and delays are getting in the way of automation—and how to prepare your VIM environment for the next step with AI.
Common Challenges
SAP VIM is up and running. But is the process performing at its best?
A successful go-live does not automatically mean that the invoicing process will still be performing at its best years later. Processes change, volumes grow, and new technology enables greater automation
In practice, we regularly encounter challenges such as:
Manual corrections
Invoices still frequently require verification, corrections, or additional information.
Recurring Exceptions
The same obstacles and exceptions continue to cause human intervention.
Slow approvals
Approval workflows contain unnecessary wait times, steps, or escalations.
Variable Recognition
OCR/Capture results are not consistent enough to maximize "First Time Right."
Limited Process Insights
It's not always clear where invoices get held up or why automation stops.
AI Potential Remains Untapped
Processes, data, and configuration are not yet optimally prepared for new AI capabilities
1. SAP VIM Assessment & Discovery
From Insight to a Concrete Optimization Plan
We analyze both the day-to-day operations and the technical infrastructure of your VIM environment. Not only to determine what can be improved today, but also to identify what is needed to achieve more “First Time Right,” more “Zero Touch,” and further AI-driven automation.
What do you get?
Assessment of End-to-End Invoice Processing
Review of VIM Configuration and Workflows
Analysis of Invoice Receipt and OCR/Capture
Understanding First Time Right and Zero Touch Potential
Assessment of AI Readiness
Quick wins and areas for long-term improvement
Prioritized Roadmap
Every successful optimization begins with a thorough understanding of the current situation. During the Assessment & Discovery process, we analyze both the technical architecture and the day-to-day operations of your SAP Vendor Invoice Management environment.
Business Process Review
Where does the process lose time and automation?
We evaluate how end-to-end invoice processing works in practice.
Where do delays, exceptions, and bottlenecks occur?
How efficiently are approval workflows set up?
Which steps still require human intervention?
Which invoices are processed "First Time Right"?
Where are the opportunities to increase the Zero Touch rate?
SAP VIM Configuration Review
Does the facility still meet current needs?
We evaluate the technical configuration of SAP VIM against best practices and the desired process outcomes.
Review of VIM Configuration
Analysis of Workflows, Roles, and Approval Logic
Evaluation of Exception Handling
Analysis of Automatic Matching and Processing Rules
Identification of Unnecessary Manual Steps
Invoice Receipt, Capture & AI Readiness
"First Time Right" starts at the front
The better an invoice is received, recognized, and interpreted, the greater the likelihood that it can be processed further without human intervention.
Analysis of email, scanning, PEPPOL, and e-invoicing
Evaluation of OCR/Capture Performance
Using Reports and Dashboards
Opportunities for Further Intelligent Automation
Readiness for Relevant AI Capabilities
Roadmap & Business Case
From Findings to Priorities
We translate the analysis into a concrete optimization plan, distinguishing between quick results and structural improvements.
What are the benefits of the assessment?
Not a general list of optimizations, but specific areas for improvement based on your own VIM environment, processes, and priorities.
More "First Time Right"
Fewer corrections and rework right from the start.
More Zero Touch
More invoices that go through the process without human intervention.
Fewer exceptions
Address structural causes rather than keep fixing the same mistakes.
AI Readiness
An understanding of what processes, data, and infrastructure require for intelligent automation.
Shorter turnaround time
Shorter wait times in workflows and faster processing from receipt to completion.
Greater process control
Better insight into performance, bottlenecks, and compliance.
Concrete quick wins
Improvements that can deliver value relatively quickly.
Prioritized Roadmap
Clarity regarding the next steps and the order in which they deliver value.
2. SAP VIM Optimization Program
From Roadmap to Measurable Results
After the assessment, Avelon can assist with the actual implementation of the improvements. Together, we’ll execute the roadmap and configure SAP VIM so that more and more invoices can be processed “First Time Right” and, where possible, “Zero Touch.”
Examples of what we typically deliver
Optimization of Workflows and Approval Processes
Improving Invoice Receipt and OCR/Capture Performance
Reduction of manual tasks and exceptions
Improving Automatic Matching
Optimization of E-Invoicing and System Integrations
Report Design and KPI Monitoring
Improving User Experience and Adoption
Preparing for Relevant AI Innovations
Knowledge transfer and guidance for key users
Why Avelon?
Don't just focus on VIM—look at the entire chain
Avelon combines SAP VIM and OpenText expertise with knowledge of finance, procurement, process optimization, and the day-to-day realities of users.
How much optimization and AI potential remains in your SAP VIM environment?
Start with insight. During a no-obligation intake session, we’ll discuss your current VIM environment, your key challenges, and whether an Assessment & Discovery is the right fit for your situation.
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