Louwman Group, one of the largest automotive groups in the Netherlands, uses ISPnext to strengthen control over financial processes. Starting with AP Automation in SAP in 2019, it expanded to Spend Analytics and Contract Management for a fully integrated platform.
Fragmented systems for invoice processing, spend analysis and contract management, with a lack of uniform oversight and control of financial processes.
ISPnext platform rolled out step by step: AP Automation as the foundation in SAP, then expanded with Spend Analytics and Contract Management for complete financial oversight.
Better quality and process insight, greater workforce flexibility and faster handling of routine tasks, supported by continuous audit management.
From fragmented systems to a unified platform
Louwman Group, active in automotive retail, logistics and healthcare, operated different systems independently. This led to inefficiencies and a lack of insight across invoice processing, procurement spend and contract obligations.
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Lack of uniform invoice process
Invoice processing ran through multiple systems and approaches without a uniform workflow or standardisation. This made control, approval and archiving time-consuming and error-prone.
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Insufficient spend visibility
Spend data was fragmented and difficult to analyse. For a group like Louwman with multiple divisions and supplier relationships, lack of procurement insight was a strategic risk.
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Contract management without a central system
Contracts were managed decentrally without a central system or ownership model. Visibility into durations, renewals and supplier compliance was insufficient for an organisation of this size.
"The software provides valuable insights and makes our processes more efficient and more manageable."
Step-by-step platform: AP Automation, Spend Analytics and Contract Management
Louwman Group chose a phased rollout of the ISPnext platform, built on a strong AP Automation foundation, then expanded with analytics and contract management for a fully integrated financial platform.
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Foundation: AP Automation in SAP ECC
Louwman Group started with ISPnext AP Automation connected to SAP ECC in 2019. Invoice processing became uniform, automated and fully traceable, with a consistent approval process across all entities.
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Expansion with Spend Analytics
After the successful AP Automation rollout, Louwman Group added Spend Analytics. Finance gained insight into spending patterns, supplier concentrations and cost-saving opportunities, enabling better strategic procurement decisions.
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Contract management via Contract Management
Contract Management added central contract registration, active ownership and compliance monitoring. Louwman Group now proactively monitors contract durations, performance and renewals, with no risk of unexpected automatic renewals.
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Cloud technology as future foundation
ISPnext provides centralised data management via cloud, with fast access to critical information and scalable processes. This reduces operational costs and increases accessibility for users throughout the organisation.
Better insight, more control, greater flexibility
Louwman Group now has an integrated platform for invoice processing, spend analysis and contract management. Finance has better quality, more process insight and greater flexibility in deploying staff.
What it delivers for Louwman Group
- Uniform AP process in SAP ECC for all entities, no more fragmentation
- Spend Analytics provides insight into spending patterns and cost-saving opportunities
- Contract Management proactively monitors durations, performance and renewals
- Greater workforce flexibility, less dependence on specific individuals
- Continuous audit management for ongoing process monitoring and improvement
Frequently asked questions about the ISPnext platform at Louwman Group
Louwman Group is one of the largest automotive groups in the Netherlands, active in automotive retail, logistics and healthcare. The group manages multiple brands and divisions and has locations throughout the Netherlands.
Louwman Group uses three ISPnext modules: AP Automation (invoice processing), Spend Analytics (procurement analysis and spend insight) and Contract Management (contract registration and monitoring). The rollout was phased, starting with AP Automation in 2019.
ISPnext has a native integration with SAP ECC. Invoice data, purchase orders and booking rules are exchanged in real time. The AP Automation module provides uniform invoice processing and automatic approval routing within the SAP environment.
Spend Analytics gives Louwman Group insight into spending patterns by division, supplier and category. This enables strategic procurement decisions, such as consolidating supplier relationships or identifying cost-saving opportunities.
A phased approach reduces implementation risks and gives the organisation time to adapt to new processes. By starting with AP Automation as the foundation and then expanding with analytics and contract management, Louwman Group built a solid base for the full platform.
Cloud provides centralised data management, fast access to critical information and scalable processes. For Louwman Group this means lower operational costs, higher accessibility for staff throughout the organisation and a flexible foundation for further digitalisation.
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