use cases

Prepare Corporate Tax Return Appendices automatically

If you’re working in compliance, then you’ll be quite familiar with the idea of Appendices and the painful process of preparing them. Companies of all sizes are still copying and pasting information into Appendix templates to produce these data summaries, often spending days and weeks to ensure every digit is correct. It’s time we stop this madness … 

The problem

“We have dozens of clients with hundreds of entities each that we prepare tax returns for. This means we’ve got an enormous number of appendices we need to prepare for each annual compliance process and the task is simply exhausting. We have put in place numerous levels of review to make sure all information is reported correctly. Unfortunately, this “peace of mind” takes us weeks to finalise.”

The Solution

A robot that takes your appendices templates and completes them with all information from the prior year’s Appendix and the current year’s trial balance as well as any other relevant data. It also reconciles the final Appendix with the Annual Accounts to ensure a correct disclosure.

How it works? ... in 6 Simple Steps

1. Robot asks you to provide the files containing all required data

To start the process all you need to do is provide the robot with the files that contain all data that needs to be transferred into the Appendix. This could be in any format and it could include, but is not limited to, prior year Appendix, current year trial balance, a working file with any adjustments put through in the year, a mapping file, final Annual Accounts, etc.

 

2. Robot extracts the required information

The robot picks up all required information from the various documents and stores the data, ready to be imported into the Appendix template in the next step of the process. 

 

3. Robot takes the Appendix template and imports the data

The robot imports all the information extracted from the various files and inserts it into the correct placeholders within the template, using a pre-configured logic. 

 

4. Robot updates the dates within the template

The robot uses the timestamp function to update all dates within the template. The reason for this is that in 2022, the return in preparation is 2021, and so on, so by using the timestamp the robot makes sure it captures the correct period.

 

5. Robot performs a reconciliation to the Annual Accounts

To complete the process the robot performs a health check to highlight any differences between the finalised Appendix and the Annual accounts, ready for you to investigate. 

6. Ready to save your Appendix

Finally, the robot pushes a message that informs you that its work is now done and gives you the option to save the Appendix to your preferred location. Job done!!


Why automate the preparation of your Appendices?

Reduce error

Focusing on a manual task for hours is tiring and boring so the scope for error is huge. A robot doesn't get tired and works with 100% accuracy to prepare all Appendices quickly & diligently.

Increase efficiency

A robot works without a break and it doesn't mind the work it needs to do so you can fully focus on the value-adding tasks whilst it handles all the admin.

Save time

A robot is able to prepare all Appendices in a fraction of the time and provides reconciliation with the Annual Accounts, so all you have to do is investigate the odds.

Ready to automate the way you prepare your Appendices?

Let's talk about the way you generate your Appendices and see how we can automate the process 🙂

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Automatically validate VAT numbers using VIES API

Lawyers and accountants will have experienced firsthand the pain of manually validating every single VAT number in the EU VAT Information Exchange System (VIES). It sounds like a little step in a big process but if not performed diligently, it can cost businesses thousands or in some cases even millions of funds in irrecoverable VAT so it’s pretty important to get this right. 

The problem

“We have hundreds of VAT numbers that we need to verify weekly and checking every single number manually is not only very unexciting but it’s also hugely time-consuming. The biggest problem is that after a few dozens of checks, the attention to detail starts to escape and that increases the scope for errors and slows down the process even further.”

The Solution

A robot picks up all VAT numbers that need to be validated, performs a check against the VIES platform using an API, creates a report showing you exactly which VAT numbers were validated and which were not, and emails you the findings.

How it works? ... in 4 Simple Steps

1. Robot asks you to provide the file containing all VAT numbers

To start the process all you need to do is provide the robot with the file that contains all the VAT numbers you need to verify. This could be in any format and it could contain numerous columns. The robot will identify the column with the VAT numbers and will use only that information for the next steps.

 

2. Robot picks up the VAT numbers and performs a VIES check

The robot picks up all VAT numbers, and using an API connection, it checks if the VAT numbers can be found on the VIES database.

 

3. Robot prepares a PDF report with the results

After the check is complete, the robot calculates the % of VAT numbers that were successfully validated, the % of those that were not validated, and the % of those that had an invalid format. It presents this visually too in a little graph.

 

The robot also prepares an Excel table showing the status of each VAT number check, indicating that the number is one of the following: Validated, Not Validated, Invalid Format. 

 

That way, all you have to do is investigate the exceptions. 

4. Robot sends you an email with the results

To complete the process, the robot sends you all results directly via email so you don’t have to wonder when it’s finished. Job done!!

 

 

Why bother automate your VIES Check?

Save time

A robot is able to verify the VAT numbers in seconds and provide a clear analysis showing all VAT numbers that were successfully validated and those that failed, meaning all you have to do is investigate the exceptions.

Reduce error

Focusing on a manual task for hours is tiring and boring so the scope for error is huge. A robot doesn't get tired and works with 100% accuracy to validate all VAT numbers in a few seconds or minutes.

Smarter Operations

The robot works in the background so you can easily continue doing other value-adding work whilst the robot does the checking. That way you do the valuable job whilst the robot handles the admin.

Ready to automate your VIES check?

Let's talk about your VIES check process and see how we can automate it best 🙂

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Extract text from scans and categorise automatically

Lawyers and accountants will know best the pain of having to scan a lot of paper documents, receiving the scans in the inbox, and then classifying all these documents into their respective folders on the desktop or data management system.

The problem

“We receive client-related paper documents that we have to scan and then classify to add them to the correct client folder in our DMS. With a few documents, this wouldn’t be too much of a hassle. However, we have dozens of clients for which we receive multiple documents every month. This creates a time-consuming admin task that we needed to automate to increase the efficiency and smartness of our operations.”

The Solution

A robot that picks up all scans from the scan folder, classifies them based on the text contained within, and moves the files into the correct client folder they should be stored in.

How it works? ... in 6 Simple Steps

1. You scan the documents and save them into the scan folder

You scan each document into a standalone scanned file, i.e. no bulk scanning of documents is performed. Each scan is saved into a scan folder.

 

2. Robot picks up the scan from the scan folder

The robot picks up all documents in the folder and performs the following steps for each:

 

3. Robots connects to an OCR engine

In order to classify the documents, the robot connects to an OCR engine which reads the document.

 

4. The OCR engine reads the scan

The OCR engine goes through the scan and instantaneously extracts all readable fields within it.

 

5. The OCR engine picks up the list of folder names and looks for a match in the content of the scan

The OCR engine takes a hardcoded list of the folder names, each representing one client. The list of folder names is saved within the client’s environment to which the robot has been given access. The OCR takes the list of names and performs a matching exercise until one of the folder names is found within the scan.

 

6. Robot moves the scan to the folder of the relevant client

Once a match is found, the robot moves the scan into the correct client folder, thus removing the file from the initial scan folder.

 

Job done!!

 

Why bother with automated Data Extraction from scans and Scans Categorisation?

Better organisation

End the stress of having to remember to classify document X, Y, Z. We're human so we do forget and at times we may not even know where to store some files. A pre-configured robot has no stress and knows it all.

Smarter Operations

You can continue doing your scanning, reviewing each file, and moving it manually to the system or database where it needs to be stored. But there's a smarter way so why continue to play the robot??

Save time

A robot is able to extract data from your scans in seconds and perform a matching exercise with such speed and accuracy that it categorises your scans exactly where you want them to be stored.

Ready to automate your scans categorisation?

Let's talk about your scans extraction and categorisation and see how we can automate them best 🙂

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Data enrichment on auto-mode

Whatever business you are in, it’s inevitable that you have some form of data exchange with third-party companies. This can often result in manual processes taking place to make sure the data shared by or to third parties is complete and enriched with unique IDs, names, or other details. This manual data enrichment is often time-consuming, prone to error, and highly monotonous for the employees tasked with the job. This is where a robot becomes extremely helpful.  

The problem

“We have reports coming from a key client that we need to enrich to include not only our client unique Product IDs but also our internal unique Product IDs. The reason for this is that our internal system can update with the latest information per the report only based on internal IDs, not client IDs. This process used to be done fully manually by members of our team who had to spend a lot of time and focus going between databases and copying and pasting IDs to enrich the reports.”

The Solution

A robot that takes the XML reports shared by the third party, locates an internal database that contains all Product IDs (both internal and external), enriches the reports with the internal Product IDs that correspond to the external Product IDs, and automatically imports the updated report into your internal system

How it works? ... in 5 Simple Steps

1. The XML report is added to a folder within your environment

The robot waits until the report it needs to work on is found within a pre-defined folder within your environment. This could be a simple Google Drive, an internal database that our robot is given access to, or any of your systems. In the instance we have worked on, this was added to an FTP server.

 

2. Robot picks up the file from the folder

The robot will pick up the XML from the folder and perform the following steps:

 

3. Robot picks up an Excel table that contains the list of all Product IDs

In order to identify which internal Product ID corresponds to which third-party Product ID, the robot picks up an Excel table, stored and updated directly in the inernal system, that contains all ID pairs, i.e. what internal ID corresponds to what third-party ID. 

 

4. Robot updates the XML to add all corresponding internal IDs

The robot goes through the third-party Product IDs in the XML file and on each row it adds the internal Product ID that corresponds to the respective third-party Product ID, based on the ID pairs information per the Excel table.

 

5. The robot drops the updated XML into the initial folder

Once an internal ID match is found for each third-party ID, the robot drops the updated file back into the folder. Now the internal system automatically picks the file, processes it based on internal IDs, and updates the records with the latest information contained within the XML file.  

 

Job done!!

Why bother with automated Data Enrichment?

Save time

A robot is able to perform all data enrichment requirements, by navigating to databases, extracting data, copying, and pasting it in seconds. With stellar speed and accuracy!

Strengthen Partnerships

When data flows fast, completely, and correctly, and staff on both sides are not burdened with admin, relationships build and get happier and stronger.

Reduce error

Focusing on a manual task for hours is tiring and boring so the scope for error is huge. A robot doesn't get tired and works with 100% accuracy to enrich all required data round the clock.

Ready to automate your data enrichment?

Let's talk about your data enrichment and see how we can automate it best 🙂

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Transfer of Assets Excel Automation

We all love Excel and rely on it heavily. However, it quickly gets messy and time-consuming when the tabs become many and the data becomes abundant and involving of a lot of computations.

The problem

“We used to invest over 400 hours each month filtering Excel data, doing many computations, and copying and pasting information from dynamic and static sources into templates to prepare all transfer assets documents for our clients. It was a highly time-consuming and tedious process, often coming with errors. We needed a change.”

The Solution

A robot that performs all data transformation and data extraction in Excel, collects all static information from online databases, and prepares all transfer assets documents automatically (using preapproved templates) … with speed and 100% accuracy! 

How it works? ... in 6 Simple Steps

1. Robot requests the Transfer Asset Excel file

The robot asks you to provide the file containing all Transfer details for all client entities (.xlsx format). This will start the automated process. No other inputs are required from you. At this point, you are able to continue your activities on your laptop whilst the robot is doing all the required work on the server.

 

2. Extract data from the Transfer Asset Excel file

Next, the robot extracts and collects all the data from the Transfer Asset file. This is also when the robot performs all computations. This ensures that no computations have to be managed further in the process. This operation enables the robot to detect any errors in the dynamic data early in the process.

 

3. Extract the static information for related entities

The robot then collects the remaining static information that is required to complete the transfer assets documents. This data is stored within an online database and contains all required information for each client and its entities.

 

4. Create Word documents for each entity

The robot populates all empty information holders within each document template with the static information (entity name, entity address, etc.) and does the same for all dynamic information from the Transfer Assets Excel file. 

 

5. Email the documents for each entity

The output of the process is a series of Word documents for each entity’s transfer assets. The risk is to have a confusing output from the robot with dozens of files. To mitigate this risk, a separate email is sent with the documents for each entity. Other solutions are also possible for ease of use (i.e. zip).

 

Job done!!

 

Why bother with Excel automation?

Save time

A robot is able to perform all your Excel computations, filtering, data extraction, copying, and pasting in seconds. With complete consistency!

Reduce error

Focusing on a manual task for hours is tiring and boring so the scope for error is huge. A robot doesn't get tired and works with 100% accuracy.

Improve service

With increased efficiency, reduced errors, and more engaged staff, the quality of service and the loyalty of clients go up exponentially.

Ready to start with Excel automation?

Let's talk about your current process and see how we can automate it best 🙂

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Generate Documents Automatically

You probably have company templates to prepare legal documents, approval of accounts, supplier and customer contracts, and various types of onboarding documents. Still, it takes hours to prepare all required documents manually? This robot does it all automatically. 

The problem

“We used to spend over 200 hours a month manually preparing all of our client documents.  We had to find a better way to manage this process because it was clearly inefficient and frustrating for our staff.”

The Solution

A robot that prepares all company documents automatically for you and your team … in seconds, not minutes! 

How it works? ... in 4 Simple Steps

1. Robot asks you what document you need to prepare

The robot prompts you with a question to select from a dropdown of templates which one you want it to find and use. It uses a preconfigured list of company templates to select the correct template for the type of document with want to create. Your answer here determines the next question.

 

2. Select who to prepare the document for

To prepare the document with the correct information, the robot then asks you whose information to use to prepare the document: employee name (if an HR doc), client name (if a client-related doc), supplier name, etc.

 

3. Robot finds the pre-configured database with all required information

To populate the template, the robot navigates to the database where the required information is stored. This could be an internal database, a good old Excel spreadsheet, your CRM, your ERP, your HR system, or in some cases, even a third-party website. 

 

4. Robot prepares the new document & sends it to you. Job done!

Using the information from the relevant database for the selected template, the robot automatically extracts and inserts all data into the correct information holders within the template and completes the document. 

 

Once complete, the robot saves the new draft for your final review. 

 

The robot can also send you the draft directly via email or it can upload it to your CRM, ERP, or HR system. It can even send you a notification to review and approve it. Quite easy & efficient!

 

Why bother automating your documents generation

Save time

It probably takes you 20-30 min to prepare a single document (with all reviews). A robot is able to perform the same task in just 30 seconds

Engage staff

Focusing on a manual task for hours is tiring and boring so your people will happily cheer if you bring in a robot to take over the tedious process.

Increase efficiency

A robot works without rest which means you can finally supercharge the speed of doing business and even reduce the scope for error.

Ready to start generating your docs automatically?

Let's talk about your doc generation process and see how we can automate it best 🙂

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