#Japan #Tokyo #digital solutions #Panasonic Homes #Persol Business

Transforming Financial Processes: A Case Study

In today's fast-paced business landscape, companies continually seek innovative solutions to enhance efficiency and reduce operational burdens. A prominent example of this transformation can be seen in the collaboration between Persol Business Process Design and Panasonic Homes. Established in Tokyo, Persol aims to reimagine work methodologies with their vision, "Let's Work and Smile Together."

The Challenge Facing Panasonic Homes

Panasonic Homes, based in Toyonaka, Osaka, was grappling with operational challenges within their accounting department. As the company decided to consolidate accounting functions from multiple branches into their headquarters, the need for a streamlined process became evident. With a reduction in workforce, the existing operations relied on a custom-built system, which became inflexible and costly to update. Thus, the company faced a pressing need to rethink their processes and workforce allocation, especially in light of an anticipated reduction from 30 to approximately 15 employees within the accounting team.

The Introduction of Digital Solutions

To address these challenges, Persol Business Process Design introduced a comprehensive “Digital Solution Service” tailored for accounting. Their support encompassed everything from consulting and business streamlining to the implementation of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) tools, ensuring that all needs were met cohesively. By analyzing the operational landscape, Persol identified processes that were predominantly manual and implemented a combination of RPA, Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), and groupware to automate these tasks.

This approach allowed Panasonic Homes to utilize their existing systems efficiently, circumventing the need for costly system overhauls. The immediate benefit was a significant reduction in workloads, enabling faster problem-solving and a focus on core business activities.

Achievements in Automation

Through the successful implementation of digital solutions, a staggering reduction of 15,000 working hours annually was achieved across 130 different accounting processes. By assigning repetitive tasks—like data download and formatting—to RPA and VBA, employees were able to refocus their energies on more strategic aspects of the business. This strategic shift is crucial, particularly in ensuring the consistency and accuracy of operations across the company's nationwide branches.

Examples of Automated Processes

Here are some notable automated processes initiated at Panasonic Homes:
1. Automated Incoming Payment Operations: The traditional process required accountants to manually notify sales teams of incoming payments via email. This was replaced with an RPA solution that auto-generates notifications and reconciles expected and actual payments, drastically reducing oversight and communication errors.
- This automation not only increases accuracy but also allows both accounting and sales divisions to concentrate fully on their respective areas of expertise without constant interruptions.

2. Electronic Payment Processing: Tasks that involved manually entering invoice information and updating payment records have been fully automated. RPA now handles data extraction, while VBA is utilized for reconciliation, leading to a maximum time reduction of up to 95%. Challenges that previously required manual intervention due to the growing volume of electronic payment transactions have been effectively resolved.

A Collaborative Success Story

Feedback from Mami Onishi, the head of the Business Innovation Division at Panasonic Homes, highlights the effectiveness of this partnership. Unlike conventional outsourcing that often leads to communication delays, Persol’s team provided seamless support from consultation to implementation, allowing for a swift project execution. Onishi praised the ability of the team to offer insightful recommendations, such as integrating RPA with VBA, to further elevate operational efficiency.

Future Endeavors

Looking ahead, both companies are committed to extending these automation efforts beyond the accounting department. Plans to incorporate artificial intelligence and data analysis into the mix may further enhance processes across various functions. The potential for growth and innovation in automating business operations suggests a bright future for both Persol and Panasonic Homes in achieving their shared objectives of efficiency and productivity.

About the Companies

• - Panasonic Homes: Founded in 1963, Panasonic Homes specializes in construction contracting and real estate, leading innovation in residential system parts sales. Their commitment to efficiency reflects their desire to provide top-notch service while adapting to modern challenges.

- Website: Panasonic Homes

• - Persol Business Process Design: As a member of the Persol Group, the company brings together process design ability, organizational management expertise, and technological integration to deliver tailored Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services aimed at creating a better working environment for all.

- Website: Persol Business Process Design