Industry
Procurement, Essential Medicines, Capacity Building, Supply Chain Management
I+ Solutions About Customers
I+ Solutions is a leader in the health procurement industry, offering innovative solutions that ensure the sustainable supply of essential medicines. Serving a diverse clientele—including governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and businesses—the company plays a critical role in strengthening healthcare infrastructure worldwide.
4PL (Fourth-Party Logistics)
The company also extends 4PL (Fourth-Party Logistics) and market access services to pharmaceutical companies seeking to introduce products in challenging, hard-to-reach markets.
30 days
Days to Deploy
99.2%
Accuracy for Top 4 Fields
85%
Reduction in Data Entry Time per Field
1 Hr/Doc
Reduced to less than 1 hour per document
The Challenge – Inefficiencies in Invoice Processing
I+ Solutions faced significant challenges in processing invoices from a diverse range of trading partners.
Automated Invoice Processing
These invoices arrived in various formats, including PDF, JPEG, DOC, and XML. Manually handling and converting these invoices into a standardized format for internal systems was both time-consuming and inefficient.
The Solution – Customized EDI Platform
To tackle these challenges, we developed a customized EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) platform that automated the invoice processing workflow. This solution was designed to seamlessly integrate with I+ Solutions' existing AFAS systems, ensuring that invoices from all trading partners could be processed efficiently and in a standardized format.
File Routing via Email Gateway
The first step was the creation of an Email Gateway that allowed all trading partners to send invoices in any format (PDF, JPEG, DOC, or XML) to a dedicated IMAP email system. The system automatically routed these files based on specific criteria such as file type or trading partner, ensuring that each invoice was directed to the appropriate processing path. The system also performed validations to ensure the files met the necessary processing requirements.
PDF to XML Conversion
A significant challenge was dealing with invoices sent in PDF format, which had to be converted into XML—the required format for integration with internal systems. We implemented an automated PDF-to-XML conversion process. This solution converted PDF invoices into XML format automatically, enabling direct import into I+ Solutions' internal systems without manual intervention.
Custom Hub App for Unstructured Files
Some trading partners sent invoices in unstructured file formats (such as JPEG or DOC), which couldn't be processed through the standard PDF-to-XML conversion. To handle these exceptions, we developed a Custom Hub App specifically designed to process unstructured files. This app converted these files into a structured format that could be processed by the system.
The Result – Improved Efficiency and Data Security
The implementation of the EDI platform delivered measurable results across several key areas:
Improved Accessibilit
The automated routing and conversion of invoices provided I+ Solutions with immediate access to standardized data. Whether the invoice was received as a PDF, JPEG, or DOC, the system automatically converted and processed it without manual intervention. This significantly improved the speed at which invoices were processed, resulting in faster payments and better reporting capabilities.
Enhanced Data Security
By centralizing invoice processing through a secure IMAP system, the automated processes reduced the risk of human error and improved data security. Sensitive invoice information was processed within a secure, controlled environment, ensuring that it remained protected throughout the workflow.
Increased Efficiency and Accuracy
The automation of invoice processing led to faster, more accurate data handling. The solution reduced the need for manual labor, cutting costs, and allowing the team to focus on core business activities. The improved efficiency also helped I+ Solutions maintain their high service standards while minimizing errors in invoicing.
Conclusion – A Scalable, Efficient Solution for I+ Solutions
The tailored EDI solution provided I+ Solutions with the necessary tools to streamline their invoicing process, improving both speed and accuracy while reducing costs. By automating manual workflows, I+ Solutions can now process invoices faster, enhance data security, and focus more on delivering essential healthcare solutions to clients worldwide.
Tailored EDI Solution
This case study demonstrates how technology-driven solutions can revolutionize business operations, helping organizations like I+ Solutions improve efficiency and scalability in their procurement and supply chain management processes.