Lentis manages purchasing and logistics processes more efficiently with the purchasing solution from Anchr

Lentis, which has been collaborating with Anchr for years, had until recently been using the Anchr Discovery Suite, the predecessor to Purchase to Pay, for managing its procurement process. ‘The solution ran locally on our own server, which meant we were responsible for the technical management of the environment. Every new update had to be scheduled, tested, and implemented, which took management time. It was also important to keep the user interface up-to-date, which required considerable monitoring and implementation effort,’ says Francis Kroese, Manager iLentis at Lentis. ‘When we heard about Anchr’s modern Purchase to Pay, with new features, the decision was quickly made.’ Driven by a desire for greater user-friendliness and the need for IT relief, Lentis decided to switch to Purchase to Pay from Anchr through a Software-as-a-Service solution (SaaS).

Purchase to Pay Software Solution at Lentis

Anchr took on this project from A to Z. After a thorough impact analysis, the Purchase to Pay software solution was implemented. It streamlines and automates procurement processes. From contract management to supplier management, digital invoice processing, inventory management, and procurement. For Lentis, this means that today all employees, around 5,000, can order the items they need to perform their jobs via a user-friendly interface either from an internal warehouse or through an external supplier. The request follows a streamlined workflow, and the correct items are then delivered.

Thanks to the integration of Purchase to Pay with the financial package and invoice scanning package of Lentis, the circle is fully completed. After a purchase, external suppliers send an invoice. Kofax, a third party that scans and digitises invoices, forwards the invoices to Anchr, and within Purchase to Pay, the invoice is further tracked and submitted for approval to the appropriate employee. Once approved, the invoice is automatically exported to Exact, Lentis’s financial software, and the supplier is paid.

‘The automation saves time, and the processes also run more efficiently,’ says Michel Petrusma, Sales Director Software Netherlands at Anchr. ‘By centralising the procurement processes, cost savings are achieved, communication is clearer, and there is a clear system in place that can be used throughout the entire organisation. Additionally, real-time insights can be obtained with Purchase to Pay based on reports and analyses.’

Cloud Implementation

‘The solution is now also hosted within an Anchr data centre in the cloud and no longer runs on-premises at the client. As a result, updates are systematically and automatically applied, and Lentis always benefits from the most recent version with new releases and functionalities,’ says Lisa Baeten, Project Manager at Anchr. ‘We take care of the IT aspect for Lentis, relieving them as much as possible,’ adds Ferry Groffen, Technical Project Leader at Anchr.

Integration with External Packages and Parties

An important advantage of Anchr's Purchase to Pay is that it can be integrated with existing tools. In the case of Lentis, Anchr Purchase to Pay was linked to Exact, Lentis's financial package, and Kofax, the company responsible for invoice scanning. Another additional link that was established was with a specific supplier for cleaning products. The supplier has its own portal. Anchr ensured that all orders with that supplier are forwarded to the Purchase to Pay solution. This way, all obligations and requests are still clearly visible within one solution.

Successful Collaboration

‘We reflect on a successful collaboration and go-live on 5 December 2022,’ says Michel Petrusma. ‘There was good preparation from both Anchr and Lentis, followed by excellent testing. This made the transition smooth, and we look back with satisfaction on this project.’ Ineke Wijnholds, Manager Central Administration at Lentis, also confirms: ‘Kudos to the Anchr team and our Lentis employees who made this implementation a success!’ 

Lentis, a Dutch institution for mental health care, provides care and support to over 28,000 children, young people, adults, and the elderly with complex psychiatric issues.

With around 2,100 employees, it operates on the belief that people in the region have the right to a healthy and promising future. In treatment and support, it focuses on development and recovery. Lentis provides treatment and care as much as possible at home or in the (outpatient) clinic or digitally. Dignis, a part of Lentis, offers elderly care either at home or at one of the locations in the city of Groningen and in North Drenthe.

Purchase to Pay by Anchr supports all your locations and departments in streamlining and automating procurement processes, from purchase request to payment. This provides you with a clear overview, better control, and allows you to work more efficiently. Additionally, you save costs. It's worth noting that Purchase to Pay can be integrated with other systems you work with.