"Platformization of Companies": Driving Digitalization of Processes

 

Traditionally, companies equipped with a central system (ERP, Integrated Management Software) integrate various platforms around this system. These platforms meet collaborative needs such as managing orders, invoices, transportation, expense reports, payments, etc.

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To function effectively, platforms require a set of data from the company and its partners (suppliers, clients)…

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"Data is the fuel, digitalization is the engine" – without digitized data, a process cannot be digitalized. These data come from the organization or its partners (clients, suppliers, billing agents, factoring companies, government agencies, etc.).

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To digitalize a process, it’s essential to identify the necessary data for its operation, determine how to retrieve and share it.

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Retrieving and Sharing Data via the Multi-Object Portal

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The AppDat B2B Multi-Object Portal is a class of apps managed by the X-PFwa solution, allowing for the secure retrieval and sharing of data from any type of object within internal systems (ERP, CRM, SRM, EAM, etc.).

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Operating Logic:

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• Each app corresponds to a specific type of object to be exchanged, based on business cases (e.g., establishment directory, vehicle fleet, phone lines).

• Data are sourced from central systems (ERP, etc.) and partners (clients, suppliers, etc.).

• Data is dispatched to different partners (suppliers, clients, etc.) securely.

• Data can be enriched securely by different partners, who enter additional data on the portal.

The B2B multi-object portal thus addresses the analytical communication needs of any company, for any business case.

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Business Case Examples Implementing the B2B Multi-Object Portal

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Purchase and Delivery Planning

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The Need:

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A client’s needs planning generated multiple scattered purchase orders sent to suppliers by email. Suppliers couldn’t manage these orders over time and lacked a consolidated view of the client’s needs, leading to supply chain disruptions.

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The Solution:

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Purchase orders were consolidated into a single type of object: a multi-supplier purchase planning schedule. A “purchase planning” app was created. Through the B2B multi-object portal, suppliers can now view their purchase schedules in real time, allowing them to organize production and confirm delivery schedules.

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Intercompany invoice validation workflow

 

The Need:

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Invoices require specific client data (e.g., order number, service code) in addition to legal mandatory information for processing. Suppliers often forget to add this data, making the process costly and complex.

 

The Solution:

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Even if invoices lack client-specific data, they are still transmitted through the supplier and client platforms, with no additional blocking controls. Only controls for mandatory information are enforced. Invoices needing supplementary data from the supplier are displayed in a “invoices to complete” app, and the supplier can complete the invoice on the B2B multi-object portal.

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Long-Term Vehicle Lease Billing

 

The Need:

 

A large group of hundreds of companies entered long-term leases with three main rental agencies. Over time, vehicles were reassigned to different companies, but the contracts weren’t updated, leading to billing errors, with invoices sent to the wrong company.

 

The Solution:

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Vehicle-related data was extracted from the client’s asset management software and consolidated into a single object type: vehicle fleet. A “Vehicle Fleet” app was created. Through the B2B multi-object portal, rental agencies can identify the company assigned to each vehicle. Contracts are updated, and invoices are sent to the correct companies.