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Advanced Business Solutions procurement software plays part in Aer Lingus’s double award success

Advanced Business Solutions procurement software plays part in Aer Lingus’s double award success Web-based procurement portal has delivered commercial benefits worth millions in less than two years

11 December 2013 – Advanced Business Solutions (Advanced) customer, Aer Lingus, has won two awards in The National Procurement Awards 2013 (Ireland) for iBuy, a web-based procurement portal which has been developed using e5 procurement and reporting software from Advanced.

Aer Lingus was presented with the Overall Excellence in Procurement and Best Use of Technology Awards for its iBuy solution on December 4 at The Doubletree Hilton in Dublin.

iBuy, which was selected from eight finalists, was developed by Aer Lingus’ procurement team working in partnership with Advanced’s financial management software consultants. The judging panel selected Aer Lingus for demonstrating best practice and project management excellence.

iBuy is now the recognised first port of call for all buying activity and has been embraced by end-users throughout the company. The solution is fully integrated into the Airlines’s everyday procurement process with approximately 150 buyers and receivers throughout multiple departments and physical locations.

Since implementing the solution, the airline has achieved a more streamlined internal procurement process. Improved visibility of all direct expenditure has allowed the company to identify and pursue cost savings and to date, the airline has calculated that iBuy has delivered benefits worth millions.

Kieron Byrne Director of Strategic Sourcing, Aer Lingus says: “We have worked with the Advanced IT team for the last 15 years and this achievement demonstrates that both the Aer Lingus and Advanced teams work closely together to ensure delivery of the best outcome.

Dean Dickinson, Managing Director Advanced Business Solutions (Public Sector & Enterprise Division) says: “We would like to congratulate Aer Lingus on their award success, which is a clear testimony to the work of the procurement team. We are very proud of the part Advanced has played in helping Aer Lingus to achieve their strategic procurement goals.”

Advanced has provided Aer Lingus with financial management software for 15 years. Solutions include eProcurement Portals, budgeting and forecasting, Collaborative Planning, and document management software (powered by V1). The airline also uses IBM Cognos BI which is integrated with e5 in order to provide business intelligence and financial reporting.

Aer Lingus additionally plans to go live with Advanced’s Spend Analytics in February 2014. The solution is part of Advanced’s Business Intelligence suite and will use data from Aer Lingus’s existing finance system to give a unified view of all spend in an easy-to-use web-based interface. This will enable staff to instantly identify price variances, non-compliant ordering, problematic invoice processing and measure supplier performance.

Aer Lingus won two additional categories in the National Procurement Awards 2013; Best Cross Function project and Innovation in Private Procurement.

Head quartered at Dublin Airport, Aer Lingus is the national airline of Ireland. The airline operates 58 aircraft and carries in excess of 11 million passengers per year.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors About Aer Lingus www.aerlingus.com

Aer Lingus is the national airline of Ireland. It operates a fleet of 58 aircraft, on 116 routes, from central airport locations in Ireland, the UK, mainland Europe and North America, serving in excess of 11 million passengers annually while providing seamless global connectivity with its partner airlines.

About Advanced Business Solutions www.advancedcomputersoftware.com/abs

Advanced Business Solutions (Advanced) provides leading integrated business applications and services that enable public, private and third sector organisations to retain control, improve visibility and gain efficiencies whilst continually improving corporate performance. Advanced prides itself on getting close to its customers by understanding their businesses and responding to their evolving needs.

Advanced’s software systems comprise core accounting/financial management, procurement, supply chain management, human resource and payroll systems, integrated with a range of collaborative, document management and business intelligence solutions to extend the value and effectiveness of the finance, human resource and payroll departments. Management information systems for schools and academies are also provided through Advanced’s subsidiary, Advanced Learning. All solutions can be delivered as a managed or bureau service.

Customers are from both the public and private sectors and include Companies House, Newcastle City Council, NHSScotland, Norfolk Constabulary, Edge Hill University, WH Smith, Royal Bank of Scotland, Aer Lingus, National Express Group, DFS and RSPB.

Advanced Business Solutions is a division of Advanced Computer Software Group plc, a leading supplier of software and IT services to the health, care and business services sectors.

Angela Mycock and Nick Hardy, Advanced Computer Software Group pr@advancedcomputersoftware.com

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Advanced .