Stories from the Field on Automation

Automation is making big changes in the way businesses operate, allowing companies to streamline processes, reduce manual workloads, and improve accuracy. Whether in payroll, financial management, employee communication, or corporate expense tracking, automation tools are helping organizations overcome inefficiencies and scale effectively. This article provides real-world stories of businesses successfully implementing automation to drive efficiency and growth.??

Tools That Power Automation

BambooHR

BambooHR is an all-in-one HR software that simplifies employee management, payroll, and time tracking. It integrates various HR functions into a single platform, reducing administrative burdens and ensuring accurate payroll processing. With an intuitive interface and mobile accessibility, BambooHR enhances workforce management by automating data entry, employee record-keeping, and benefits administration.

Clinica Colorado: Simplifying Payroll for Precision and Accuracy

A practice manager at Clinica Colorado struggled with a cumbersome payroll process that required manual data entry and verification across separate systems. Managing work hours, benefits, and reimbursements was time-consuming and prone to errors.

By implementing BambooHR's payroll system, the practice manager eliminated redundant tasks and improved accuracy. The system integrated time tracking and payroll, reducing administrative burden and enabling instant access to pay stubs. The transition to digital records also eliminated paper forms, making payroll and HR management more efficient. As a result, the payroll cycle became faster and more reliable, allowing employees to access accurate and timely compensation.

BILL

BILL (formerly Bill.com) is an accounts payable (AP) automation platform that streamlines financial workflows. It eliminates manual invoice processing, accelerates payment approvals, and provides real-time financial visibility. BILL Spend & Expense further enhances financial control by managing employee spending through virtual and physical corporate cards.

Tower 28 Beauty: Automating Accounts Payable to Support Rapid Growth

Tower 28 Beauty experienced a threefold business growth between 2022 and 2023, expanding its employee base and vendor network significantly. The manual accounts payable (AP) process was no longer sustainable, as it involved excessive email exchanges and document approvals.

To address these challenges, the company adopted BILL, an AP automation platform that streamlined financial workflows and eliminated bottlenecks. BILL automated 90% of AP tasks, saving nearly 40 hours per week, which equated to the workload of a full-time employee. Additionally, BILL Spend & Expense provided controlled spending solutions, reducing financial risks while maintaining flexibility. With these automated solutions in place, Tower 28 scaled its operations seamlessly without financial constraints slowing them down.

Ramp

Ramp is a corporate card and expense management platform that automates transaction categorization, receipt tracking, and financial reconciliation. By integrating with accounting software like Sage Intacct, Ramp eliminates the need for manual data entry, reducing the financial close time and enabling finance teams to focus on strategic analysis.

Marqeta: Reducing Financial Close Time with Automated Corporate Card Management

For Marqeta, a leader in modern card issuing, financial inefficiencies stemmed from a manual corporate card management system. The finance team spent considerable time manually uploading credit card transactions, tracking receipts, and reconciling expenses—delaying financial close.

To streamline these processes, Marqeta implemented Ramp, which automated corporate card management and seamlessly integrated with Sage Intacct. The shift saved the company approximately seven hours per month, improving transaction categorization and expense tracking. Ramp’s real-time syncing of transactions enabled faster financial close, allowing the accounting team to focus on higher-value financial analysis rather than repetitive administrative tasks.

UKG

UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group) offers workforce management and HR solutions that enhance employee engagement and compliance. UKG Talk facilitates real-time communication between employees and management, improving workplace culture and collaboration. UKG Pro provides transparency in scheduling, payroll, and benefits management, ensuring compliance with labor laws and fair pay practices.

Lettuce Entertain You: Enhancing Employee Engagement Through Real-Time Communication

In the restaurant industry, employee engagement and transparent communication are critical to operational success. Lettuce Entertain You, a well-known restaurant group, sought to enhance workplace culture and streamline communication between management and frontline staff.

The company implemented UKG Talk, a mobile-first platform designed to connect hourly employees with management in real time. Employees could communicate with peers, discuss schedules, and receive important company updates, creating a stronger sense of belonging. In addition, UKG Pro provided real-time access to schedules, benefits, and pay structures, ensuring compliance with complex wage regulations. This integration strengthened trust, improved engagement, and enhanced employee retention in a competitive industry.

BlackLine

BlackLine is an accounting automation platform that streamlines financial close and reconciliation processes. It replaces traditional spreadsheets with automated workflows, reducing errors and accelerating month-end close cycles. BlackLine provides real-time visibility into financial operations, allowing finance teams to improve accuracy and compliance.

Domino’s: Accelerating Financial Close with BlackLine

Managing financial close processes at scale is a challenge for any enterprise, and Domino’s Pizza was no exception. The company faced inefficiencies due to manual reconciliations and outdated accounting methods, leading to delays and increased error rates.

By adopting BlackLine, Domino’s automated its financial close process, enabling real-time reconciliations and improving accuracy. This automation reduced month-end close time significantly, allowing the finance team to focus on strategic decision-making rather than routine reconciliations. Accuracy was improved to 99.9% with team leaders focused only on the exception to the rule, helping to improve efficiency and transparency.

Tipalti

How GoDaddy Streamlined AP

GoDaddy, faced challenges in managing international payments as it expanded its global partnerships. Initially, cross-border transactions were inefficient, with partners incurring high fees and delays. To streamline operations, GoDaddy implemented Tipalti, automating outbound payments and tax compliance. This eliminated the need for additional AP staff while ensuring seamless payments in local currencies. By centralizing tax documentation and compliance, the company reduced manual workload and minimized compliance risks, allowing for smoother global expansion.

The adoption of Tipalti delivered significant benefits, including multimillion-dollar topline revenue growth, improved partner relationships, and optimized AP operations. By automating payments, GoDaddy reduced labor costs and enhanced efficiency, enabling its finance team to focus on strategic initiatives. The company is now well-positioned for future growth, with a scalable, automated system that can support new acquisitions and an expanding partner network. Looking ahead, GoDaddy continues to leverage Tipalti to maintain agility and drive global expansion without operational bottlenecks.

Mindtree

Mindtree specializes in digital transformation and enterprise solutions. It helps businesses leverage cloud, AI, and data analytics to drive innovation and improve operational efficiency. Mindtree delivers end-to-end IT services, including application development, cybersecurity, and automation, enabling organizations to enhance customer experiences and accelerate growth.

How MineralTree Helped a Growing Healthcare Company Cut AP Time by 67%

A fast-growing healthcare practice management company faced significant AP challenges due to rapid expansion, multiple ERP instances, and manual workflows. To streamline operations, it implemented MineralTree’s TotalAP, integrating it with Sage Intacct. This automation eliminated manual data entry, improved invoice tracking, and enhanced reporting. As a result, the company reduced quarterly close time by 67%, saved 20% of a staff accountant’s time, and reassigned two full-time employees to higher-value tasks, ensuring faster, more accurate payments.

MinerTree also improved cash flow visibility, vendor relationships, and employee satisfaction. The finance team, previously requiring five full-time AP staff, now operates efficiently with three, reducing costs while improving accuracy. More timely vendor payments secured better terms and lower pricing. The automation also helped recover a $150,000 rent overpayment, highlighting its broader financial impact. Looking ahead, the company aims to further optimize payments and maximize vendor discounts and rebates.

The Power of Automation

These stories illustrate how automation enhances efficiency, accuracy, and scalability across different business functions. Whether it’s payroll, accounts payable, financial close, or employee communication, automation empowers organizations to focus on strategic growth while reducing administrative burdens. As technology continues to evolve, companies that embrace automation will stay ahead of the curve, fostering efficiency and long-term success.