Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Cash Flow automation
   1. What do we mean when we talk about cash flow automation?
   2. Why do we need cash flow automation?
   3. Main driver: the need to centralise
   4. The benefits of automating cash flows
   5. The finance function: keeping on top of things
   6. Automation increases security
   7. Key points
   8. Standards and standardisation enable cash flow automation
2. Ideal Cash Flow automation Practices
   1. What is the aim of cash flow automation?
   2. The centralised cash flow process
   3. All cash flows are subject to real-time control
   4. Updated information available for every function
   5. Standard-compliant systems point to the future
   6. Integration through conversion
   7. Steps towards better cash management
   8. Key points
   9. YIT: We make payments from accounts with available funds. It's as easy as that!
3. Cash Outflows: Purchase Invoices, Payments
   
   1. What is the aim of automating outgoing payments?
   2. The cash outflow process Invoice approval
   3. Collecting the payment data
   4. Payment approval
   5. Feedback from banks
   6. Automated reconciliation
   7. Bank connections
   8. Payment factory
   9. Security and access rights management
   10. Disciplined payers support efficiency
   11. Key points
   12. TeliaSonera: A centralised payment system improves control of the cash position
4. Cash Inflows: Account Reporting and Reconciliation
   
   1. What is the aim of automating incoming payments?
   2. The cash inflow process
   3. Reference, allocation and reconciliation
   4. An account statement contains the identifying information
   5. The benefits of cash inflow automation
   6. Genuine electronic invoices accelerate automation
   7. The electronic invoice
5. Internal Cash Flows: In-house Bank and Netting
   
   1. What is the aim of concentrating internal cash flows?
   2. In-house bank concentrates accounts and payments
   3. The group takes the reins
   4. Who benefits from in-house banks?
   5. Netting combines a group's payments
   6. What kinds of companies should consider netting?
   7. In-house bank or netting?
   8. Key points
   9. SKF: Less currency exposure, fewer payments
6. Cash Flow Forecasting
   
   1. What is the aim of automating cash flow forecasting?
   2. Real-time forecasts
   3. Three levels of system support
   4. Cash visibility creates proactivity
   5. Information for diverse needs
   6. Benefits for business operations
   7. Communication improves the quality of input and output
   8. Key points
   9. Giuseppe M. Matassi: Organising your cash flow forecasting processes
   10. Ramboll: Automated cash forecasting shows how the business is expected to perform
7. Choosing Cash Flow automation Partners
   
   1. Customers will benefit from the increasing competition
   2. Weighing up bank services
   3. Benefit from standards
   4. Things to consider when choosing a cash management bank
   5. Safety and efficiency with electronic invoices
   6. Things to consider when choosing an eInvoice operator
   7. Key points
   8. SEB: Banks share companies' interest in increasing automation
   9. Itella Information: Business models more important than technology when choosing an operator
8. automating Cash Flows: The IT Perspective
   
   1. An IT or business project?
   2. Is one system enough, and will ERP take care of everything?
   3. General or specialised middleware?
   4. What about the bank connection and information security?
   5. Why you should not create the integration tool yourself?
   6. Can you buy cash flow automation as a cloud service?
   7. Key points
9. Route to Financial Excellence: Cash Management as a stepping stone
   
   1. Cash flow automation matrix
   2. What is the company's status and what is the next step?
   3. Financial excellence is just around the corner
10. Glossary
11. Acknowledgements