Growthpoint has developed a bespoke automation solution in partnership with 1ai to streamline the processing of municipal invoices.
With its extensive South African portfolio spans around 350 buildings, the REIT processes more than 1 000 municipal invoices each month, a task requiring around 160 hours of manual handling, which makes it difficult to extract and apply critical data related to utility consumption.
The system automates the invoice processing workflow while extracting and structuring useful sustainability data embedded in the documentation, resulting in a process that combines advanced Robotic Process Automation (RPA) with powerful text extraction algorithms that are designed to manage the varied formats and complexities of municipal invoices.
The project has already delivered substantial operational benefits including the saving of 475 hours per month across both invoice processing and the extraction and analysis of sustainability data.
“Automation has significantly improved our invoice processing and data analysis capabilities. By accurately capturing detailed utility data, we are now better equipped to meet our sustainability targets and optimise resource management across our properties. This improves our efficiency and enhances our strategic decision-making process,” comments Engelbert Binedell, COO at Growthpoint Properties.
“Our partnership with Growthpoint demonstrates the practical value of intelligent automation in managing complex processes. By streamlining the processing of municipal invoices, and thereby unlocking critical sustainability data, we have helped Growthpoint enhance operational efficiency while gaining valuable insights that support their sustainability goals. Our collaboration reflects a shared commitment to leveraging technology to drive efficiency, sustainability, and innovation in the property sector,” adds Rudolph Janse van Rensburg, Founder and CEO of 1ai.
