Streamlining the accounts payable function with EDI.

Abstract

Kaiser Permanente of Southern California is expanding its use of EDI as a way to enhance the efficiency of its procurement effort and reduce administrative costs. Based on the results of surveys of key suppliers, Kaiser executives identified four EDI-based process improvements: 1) using the X12 832 standard to reconcile contracting data, which can eliminate up to 33 percent of mismatches among purchase orders, invoices, and receiving documents; 2) using procurement cards for many purchases, which can eliminate 20 percent of all invoices and related check payments; 3) using the X12 810 standard to obtain electronic invoices from Kaiser's largest suppliers; and 4) implementing the X12 820 standard, which lowers both supplier and claims payment costs.