Bertelsmann

Challenge

An Access-based solution was being used for the management of guarantees within the group. This involved considerable work at group level. The aim was to decentralise this work and to make it possible for all subsidiaries to enter guarantees directly into a web-based system. Another objective was to automate simple processes in order to further reduce the work-related inputs. This included being able to generate requests, invoices for guarantee-related expenses and commissions directly from the system.

Solution

The guarantee management module of Nomentia offered the best solution, with this module being further developed and optimised in the course of the project. The management of guarantee master data remains the preserve of the central treasury department. Current guarantee valuations are captured and confirmed by the subsidiaries on a monthly basis. In addition, the subsidiaries are also reminded of their obligations to input data by means of automated emails if certain data have not been updated by the defined deadlines. The guarantees are assigned unique identifiers automatically on the basis of a defined system. The calculation of the associated charges and fees takes place after the guarantee has been entered and the invoices for commissions are generated at intervals defined previously in the system.

Outputs

• Monthly time savings as a result of the automated issuing of invoices for guarantee-related charges and commissions.
• The treasury workload is reduced due to the management of data by the subsidiaries and the automated processes related to data-input reminders.
• A full overview of the internal guarantee-related landscape.
• Extensive analysis options.

“We save valuable time every month due to the simple data management and the automated issuing of invoices.”

Christian Melcher, Senior Vice President International Corporate Treasury & Finance, Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA