NMBS

How NMBS automated 280,000 monthly invoices across 600+ suppliers

Invoices processed monthly

280k+

Suppliers connected

600+

NMBS members already benefiting

30+

Industry

Building Materials

Product

Invoicing

Company size

600+ suppliers, 280,000 invoices/month

ERP

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

The Business

NMBS, the most successful Buying Society in the UK for independent builders, plumbers, hardware and timber merchants, called upon Open ECX to help manage its current eInvoicing processes. With over 600 suppliers and 280,000 invoices to process monthly, NMBS needed an efficient solution to help make complex, time-consuming processes more automated.

The Challenge

At the scale NMBS operates, manual invoice processing was never a viable long-term option. With 600+ suppliers generating 280,000 invoices every month, the business needed a way to automate complex, time-consuming invoicing workflows at pace. At the same time, NMBS wanted to improve the service it could offer to its supplier network, with the ability to extend electronic ordering to suppliers it couldn't previously reach through existing channels.

Pain point 1

Processing 280,000 invoices monthly across 600+ suppliers demanded automation. Manual workflows couldn't keep pace with the volume or the complexity of transactions moving through the business.

280k

Pain point 2

Some suppliers lacked access to NMBS's ordering network, limiting reach and creating gaps in the supply chain that affected service levels for members.

We chose Open ECX as we were extremely impressed with its concepts. In order to save time and resources, we needed to find a solution to guarantee performance efficiency and automation for the least amount of effort to our suppliers. This meant we had to get the maximum number of suppliers to make the change to eInvoicing. This is where ECX's unique PDF to XML service came in.

Andy Hextall, Commercial Director

The Solution

NMBS selected Open ECX for its credibility, reputation, and honesty. As well as providing Invoicing solutions, NMBS utilised Open ECX's Ordering solution. With Ordering, NMBS can send orders to suppliers, enabling broader access for suppliers it doesn't normally deal with. Open ECX's Ordering solution has provided an improved service to suppliers, increasing NMBS's network for the better.

Open ECX's specialist eInvoicing onboarding team is trained to quickly onboard suppliers in order to help businesses such as NMBS process invoices efficiently. Open ECX works with the entire supply chain, from contractors and subcontractors to merchants and manufacturers, to map end-to-end processes and provide straightforward solutions for the management of all business transactions.

How it worked

1

Open ECX's Invoicing solution automated NMBS's core invoice processing across 600+ suppliers and 280,000 monthly transactions, removing the need for manual data entry and cutting paper waste from the process.

2

The Ordering solution connected NMBS to a broader supplier base, enabling electronic order exchange where it wasn't previously possible and extending the value of NMBS's network.

3

Open ECX's specialist onboarding team managed supplier onboarding across the entire supply chain, from contractors to manufacturers, with minimal burden on NMBS throughout the process.

The Outcomes

Open ECX's Invoicing solution is time and cost-efficient, expediting the payment process so payments can be made without complication and staff can focus on more strategic tasks. The switch was made straightforward for both NMBS and its suppliers, with Open ECX providing complete support and assurance throughout the eInvoicing onboarding process.

NMBS's supplier network grew, with the Ordering solution opening access to suppliers that weren't previously reachable electronically. This improved the service available to NMBS members and strengthened the overall value of the buying society's network.

Outcome 1

280k

Invoices processed monthly

Outcome 2

600+

Suppliers connected

Outcome 3

Whole chain

Reached, from contractors to manufacturers

With 550 suppliers generating 1,300 statements and over 200,000 invoices each month, rapid processing is essential. Open ECX's Statement Reconciliation automates the receipt and processing of supplier statements, streamlining the entire process and highlighting any discrepancies. We anticipate a 50% reduction in processing time, enhancing supplier relationships, and supporting Prompt Payment.

Rex Nye, Digital Director

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