Case Study

© Copyright 2011 Efima Oy

Case ComptelListed in NASDAQ OMX, Comptel is a global software company specialising in telecommunications. The company has a turnover of 75 million euros and customers in 85 countries. One of the key tasks for its finance department is providing support to the international business, which requires specific competencies. The company’s strategy, however, means that it is not possible to increase the number of finance personnel. Whilst the efficiency of routine processes needs to be improved, Comptel is committed to focusing its investments elsewhere. Therefore, as Mikko Hytönen, Comptel’s Group Business Controller, explains, outsourcing is the ideal solution for the cost-effective delivery of purchase and travel invoice processes. It also allows the finance team to develop the specialist skills needed to support Comptel’s international operations.

Outsourcing finance processes delivers soaring global benefits

Creating opportunities from outsourcingAlthough Comptel was already using electronic process tools in handling purchase and travel invoices, significant development opportunities could be detected in the processes. Added to which, a specific problem arose in the Spring of 2010 with the advent of high turnover amongst finance personnel and subsequent difficulties in finding replacements. What is more, travel claims handling was time-consuming and people were complaining about payment delays. Job rotation within the company created the opportunity to find a new kind of solution. The decision was made that purchase and travel invoice processes were not the core of the finance function, and so could be outsourced.

Implementation success and client satisfactionEfima’s outsourcing service for purchase invoice and travel management processes offered the perfect solution for Comptel. Trust in the competence of Efima’s personnel was the decisive factor. That trust was further strengthened during the implementation project. ”I can honestly say

that the implementation project was a great success. Actually I only saw the news in the intranet that the service is up and running”, Mikko Hytönen comments. The project goals were achieved and everything was delivered on schedule. Hytönen is also impressed by the fact that Comptel have received positive feedback from invoice approvers. Whilst change always carries the risk of uncertainty, the financial management team can now fully concentrate on exception handling – a development which has clearly improved their motivation.

Hytönen is also pleased with the service they are getting from Efima. Reaction times are short and delivery is both highly professional and strictly on time.

Enabling fully globalized processesEfima’s outsourcing service has delivered improved efficiency and scalability for Comptel. The finance function has achieved a key goal in moving forward from basic processing, giving personnel the time to study causalities.

Looking to the future, operations will be developed through system consistency across different countries. Hytönen believes

Comptel software enables telecom operators to deliver services flexibly and charge

them effectively. Comptel’s wide expertise in service fulfillment, mediation and charging

empowers customers to focus on delivering innovative services. Comptel has provided

solutions to 280 service providers with 800 million subscribers in 85 countries. The

Group has circa 600 employees worldwide with net sales in 2009 of 75 million euros.

Mikko Hytönen, Group Business Controller, Comptel

”I can honestly say that the implementation project was a great success.”

At a Glance The challenges• Resourcing process work, replacements

and business support. The solutions• Efima Outsourcing: Purchase Invoice

and Travel & Expenses.• Continuous process development. The rewards• Improved efficiency and scalability.• More focused concentration on the

demanding challenges of global business support.

• Quick and successful implementation.

© Copyright 2011 Efima Oy info@efima.com Tel. +358 10 470 5450 www.efima.com

that, amongst other benefits, fully globalized processes will enable replacements to be handled across borders.

Purchase Invoice

Sales Ledger

Travel & Expenses

General Ledger

Efima Outsourcing

Management Reporting

Efima improves the financial management and business management processes of

large and mid-sized companies. Efima delivers expertise across financial management,

processes and systems, and has over 10 years’ experience in cloud services and

digital financial management. This unique combination ensures fit-for-purpose

solutions, based on clients’ business goals. Efima’s services include consulting,

outsourcing and cloud-based software.