8 AP Automation Case Studies That Drove ROI

Manual AP processes bog down financial teams with tedious data entry, slow approval cycles, errors, and limited visibility into spending. For finance leaders looking to transform their AP operations, the question isn’t whether to automate, it’s how to do it effectively.

Companies implementing Coupa’s AP automation software report dramatic improvements: invoice processing costs drop by 70% or more, first-time match rates soar above 97%, and finance teams reclaim days from their month-end close cycles. By eliminating manual data entry and routing invoices through AI-powered approval workflows, AP automation frees finance professionals to focus on strategic initiatives such as supplier relationship management or early payment discount capture, rather than tedious administrative tasks.

The following case studies demonstrate how eight diverse organizations — from healthcare providers to global waste management leaders — partnered with Coupa to overcome their unique AP challenges and achieve measurable results.

8 accounts payable automation case studies

Each case study below describes the customer, their industry, their main challenge, and the successful solution they achieved using Coupa AP automation software. Click any company name to jump directly to their story:

• GameStop
• Theravance Biopharma
• Blood Cancer United
• SUEZ
• Nationwide
• Reddit
• Molina Healthcare
• Eurowag

1. GameStop eliminates 750K manual entries & achieves 82% first-time match rate

Company overview

Challenge

GameStop’s AP team manually keyed every single invoice into their ERP system — all 750,000 of them each year. This entirely manual process meant the only way to handle increased volume was to keep adding staff. Recent acquisitions compounded the problem, as globally dispersed divisions operate independently and lack visibility into supplier relationships or opportunities for discounts.

• Hand-keying 750,000 invoices annually into the ERP system, making headcount growth the only option for scaling
• Global operations operated in silos, preventing consolidation and optimization of supplier relationships
• Limited visibility into suppliers across locations made strategic management and discount capture impossible

Solution

GameStop deployed a comprehensive suite of Coupa solutions to automate and consolidate its dispersed global divisions onto a single, centralized platform. The implementation covered the full source-to-pay lifecycle, from sourcing and contracts through invoicing, expenses, and payments.

• Automated invoice capture and processing eliminated 750,000 annual manual data entries.
• Centralized platform unified globally dispersed divisions into one shared service center for full visibility.
• AI-powered insights enabled analysis of employee and supplier performance to optimize business decisions.

Results

GameStop transformed its AP function from a purely tactical operation into a strategic asset that drives efficiency and provides visibility into cash management.

• 82% increase in first-time match rate: The vast majority of invoices are now processed automatically without manual intervention.
• 20% reduction in AP headcount: Resources redirected to strategic initiatives while processing 20% higher invoice volumes.
• 70% reduction in average invoice processing time: Reducing average invoice cycle time to just five days freed the AP team to focus on exception handling and supplier relationship management.

“I now have a seat at the table with the treasurer and the CFO on how we manage cash because now I have the visibility to see potential spend over the next three to six months.”

— Nathanael Pearson, Vice President, Global Accounting Shared Services & Global Process Owner Source-to-Pay, GameStop

 

Read GameStop’s full case study.

2. Theravance Biopharma saves $3.1M in employee time with 4x faster approvals

Company overview

Challenge

As Theravance Biopharma expanded globally, paper-based AP and invoicing processes created congestion that prevented scaling. The Sunshine Act imposed strict compliance requirements for spend reporting on healthcare provider relationships, adding regulatory complexity. Meanwhile, the IT team was already operating at capacity and couldn’t take on additional implementation projects.

• Time-intensive manual workflows for AP and invoicing simply couldn’t scale with organizational growth.
• The Sunshine Act demanded rigorous compliance and spend reporting specific to biopharma companies.
• The IT team’s heavy workload meant any solution needed minimal technical resources to implement and maintain.

Solution

Theravance deployed Coupa’s platform, leveraging its cloud-based AP and procurement to automate workflows and ensure compliance without burdening IT. The solution digitized paper processes and automated workflows that could grow seamlessly with the organization.

• Automated requisition, purchase order, and invoice processes gave users an intuitive interface while maintaining controls.
• Centralized contract repository ensured visibility into supplier agreements and simplified compliance tracking.
• Deployment required minimal IT resources to implement and maintain ongoing operations.

Results

The implementation enabled Theravance to redirect valuable resources from administrative tasks to its core mission of developing medical therapies.

• 4x faster invoice and approval lifecycle: Reduced invoice approval lifecycle by 73%, enabling teams to do more with less.
• $3.1 million in employee time saved: Scientists and operational staff can now focus on core responsibilities instead of procurement administration.
• 100% compliance with real-time reporting: Automated compliance ensures the Sunshine Act, SOX, and other regulations are met accurately and on time.

“Coupa definitely makes our lives easier in IT. When you add Coupa as an application, your IT tickets go down.”

— Shannon Rold, Former Sr. Systems Analyst, Theravance Biopharma

 

 

Read Theravance Biopharma’s full case study.

3. Blood Cancer United redirects $2.4M to cancer research through AI-powered invoice automation

Company overview

Challenge

Manual invoice processing and payment workflows at Blood Cancer United created significant delays and limited visibility into spending, diverting precious resources away from its core mission of funding cancer research. Invoices often arrived 30 days late to headquarters, disrupting cash flow. Decentralized procurement meant different departments operated independently without visibility into existing supplier relationships.

• Invoices often arrived at headquarters 30 days late for payment, making cash flow management difficult.
• Manual processes made it extremely difficult to gain visibility into where money was being spent.
• Decentralized procurement led to duplication because departments couldn’t see existing supplier relationships.

Solution

The organization implemented Coupa to automate invoice processing, streamline procurement workflows, and replace manual payments with faster, AI-powered solutions. The AI-native platform provided real-time visibility into spending and established clear audit trails for compliance.

• Electronic payments via ACH and virtual credit cards replaced time-consuming manual payment processing.
• Automated requisitions and purchase orders replaced manual workflows with streamlined cloud-based processes.
• Real-time spend visibility and supplier information management eliminated duplication and improved resource allocation.

Results

The implementation delivered substantial savings that the organization immediately redeployed to fund cancer research and patient support programs.

• $2.4 million saved in one year: Resources immediately redirected to fund cancer research and patient support programs.
• Over $800,000 in savings from invoice digitization and automation: 14,000+ invoices digitized across 20,000 suppliers utilizing the system.
• Clear audit trail established: Automated segregation of duties and delegation of authority simplified compliance and reporting.

“We’re able to quickly redeploy the savings we earn with Coupa, putting them back into our mission to find cures.”

— JR Miller, Chief Financial Officer, Blood Cancer United

 

 

Read Blood Cancer United’s full case study.

4. SUEZ doubles annual savings to £15M with improved data visibility

Company overview

Challenge

SUEZ’s legacy Basware platform, installed in 2010, was poorly maintained and couldn’t provide the procurement data needed for strategic decision-making. Teams relied on disconnected spreadsheets, leading to data inconsistencies and compliance risks. Without reliable information on spending patterns or savings achieved, the procurement team couldn’t demonstrate its value to the business or enter supplier negotiations with confidence.

• The legacy system couldn’t answer basic questions like what they bought, from whom, or at what cost.
• Teams relied entirely on spreadsheets because the system was poorly maintained, creating inconsistent data and risk.
• Procurement couldn’t prove value to the business or negotiate strategically without reliable spend data.

Solution

SUEZ partnered with Coupa to replace its fragmented spreadsheet-based approach with a unified data platform that became the single source of truth for all procurement operations. The implementation happened entirely remotely during COVID, with careful change management across 300 sites.

• Procure-to-pay automation connected requisitions, POs, receipts, and invoices, creating a complete audit trail.
• AP automation invoice processing with intelligent matching eliminated manual data entry while capturing detailed spend data.
• A unified AI platform replaced disconnected spreadsheets with consistent, real-time procurement intelligence.

Results

The transformation gave SUEZ the procurement capabilities and data foundation needed to drive strategic value and demonstrate measurable business impact.

• 58% first-time invoice match rate: More than half of 12,000 monthly invoices are now processed automatically without intervention.
• Annual savings doubled from £6 million to £15 million: Improved data visibility enabled strategic supplier negotiations and better contract compliance.
• Three-month ROI on AI-powered negotiations: Seamlessly integrated Pactum AI with Coupa for autonomous supplier negotiations, achieving full return on investment within three months.

“Cooperation between procurement and finance was critical. Coupa gave us the data backbone to drive savings, efficiency, and measurable impact.”

— Robert Bailey, Head of Procurement, SUEZ

 

 

Read SUEZ’s full case study.

5. Nationwide accelerates PO cycles 60% with 90%+ e-invoicing compliance

Company overview

Challenge

Nationwide’s procurement landscape was scattered across disconnected systems, leading to offline workflows that created gridlock across the organization. Finance teams couldn’t forecast accurately because data wasn’t consistent or up to date. Manual approvals meant executives traveling or working remotely couldn’t easily review requests, frustrating business units that needed to respond quickly to market opportunities.

• Multiple disconnected systems made real-time spend tracking nearly impossible, preventing cash flow optimization.
• Manual approvals created bottlenecks, as traveling executives couldn’t easily review and approve requests.
• Finance lacked consistent data for forecasting, making cash flow predictions and working capital management difficult.

Solution

Nationwide implemented Coupa’s comprehensive AI platform to unify procurement operations across all 15,000 employees. The solution connected Coupa Procure-to-Pay, AP Automation, and Inventory Management to create a single source of truth for all procurement data.

• Procure-to-pay automation created seamless processes from requisition through payment with built-in compliance controls.
• AP automation with AI-powered invoice processing and matching eliminated manual work and accelerated payment cycles.
• Real-time inventory management replaced once-daily paper-based warehouse ordering with digital fulfillment on iPads.

Results

The digital transformation delivered procurement excellence, creating efficiency gains while maintaining the focus on member service.

• 60% faster PO cycle time: PO cycle times dropped 60%, approval processes accelerated, and teams shifted from administrative tasks to strategic initiatives.
• 90%+ e-invoicing compliance across AP operations: Virtually eliminated paper-based invoice processes and associated inefficiencies.
• 75%+ supplier portal adoption: Self-service portal strengthened supplier partnerships, improving Nationwide’s leverage to negotiate better pricing and terms.

“We don’t want just efficiency, we want excellence. Coupa supports that across every layer of our operations.”

— Sarah Dryden, Head of Digital Procurement, Nationwide

Read Nationwide's full case study.

6. Reddit compresses close time 60% & saves $6M for IPO success

Company overview

Challenge

As Reddit prepared for an IPO, fragmented financial systems created serious obstacles. Data lived in different systems, making budget and forecast planning nearly impossible and preventing the long-term business decision-making investors expected. The manual accrual process stretched the month-end close to 15 days, with finance teams spending most of that time compiling data rather than analyzing it. IPO readiness demanded better segregation of duties, stronger controls, and comprehensive spend visibility to meet SOX compliance.

• Data scattered across different systems prevented reliable spend visibility, budget planning, and financial forecasting for IPO-readiness.
• 15-day month-end close due to manual accrual process, with late issue discovery requiring corrections.
• IPO preparation required segregation of duties and spend process visibility to satisfy auditors and investors.

Solution

Reddit implemented Coupa’s AI platform to create a unified spend database and establish the financial controls required for operating a public company. The solution covered payments, procure-to-pay, virtual cards, and invoicing to provide complete visibility.

• Centralized payment processing and virtual cards provided complete cash flow visibility, stronger controls, and simplified reconciliation.
• Automated invoice processing eliminated manual accruals and provided real-time visibility into liabilities.
• Unified spend data created a single source of truth, enabling reliable forecasting and providing the required audit trail.

Results

The implementation delivered the financial operations transformation Reddit needed to successfully prepare for and complete its IPO.

• 60% reduction in close time: Compressed the month-end close from 15 days to six days or less through AI-powered automation.
• $6 million in total savings in three quarters: Better contract compliance, early payment discounts, and elimination of maverick spending.
• Complete line-item visibility: Finance leaders could answer spending questions instantly instead of waiting for days for manual analysis.

“The benefit of implementing Coupa is definitely having data at our fingertips in one place.”

— Michelle Reynolds, Chief Accounting Officer, Reddit

 

 

Read Reddit's full case study.

7. Molina Healthcare scales efficiently through 420% invoice growth with just 10% more staff

Company overview

Challenge

Molina Healthcare doubled in size in just two years, pushing its AP operation to the breaking point. Legacy systems and paper-based workflows couldn't scale with the organization's rapid growth. The AP team spent most of their time manually matching POs to invoices and handling end-of-month reconciliation, resulting in approval jams and operational strain.

• Processing six boxes of paper invoices every month, creating physical backlogs, and slowing approvals.
• A bulky, inflexible ERP created friction for employees submitting purchase requests and AP staff processing invoices.
• Rapid acquisition growth meant procurement volume exploded, while systems couldn't keep pace.

Solution

Molina implemented Coupa’s comprehensive AI-native platform to eliminate manual processes and enable scalability for continued growth. The cloud-based solution provided an intuitive interface that enabled rapid user onboarding while maintaining appropriate controls and automating compliance requirements.

• Automated and streamlined the entire procure-to-pay process, eliminating manual workflows.
• 100% mobile accessibility enabled managers to review and approve requests on the go from any device.
• AP automation provided transparent audit trails and continuous compliance tracking, simplifying SOX requirements.

Results

The implementation fundamentally transformed Molina’s AP operations, enabling the organization to handle explosive growth without proportional increases in staffing.

• 250% increase in efficiency for invoices processed: AP team handled dramatically higher volumes.
• Accommodated 420% invoice growth with only 10% staff increase: Demonstrated the scalability of automated processes versus manual workflows.
• Eliminated paper processes: Transitioned from processing six boxes of paper invoices monthly to fully digital workflows with transparent audit trails.

“The difference with Coupa is our buyers aren't managing transactions anymore. Now they are managing vendors and commodities. Our AP team has moved from being data entry clerks to being detectives.”

— Bryce Berg, Vice President, Business Services, Molina Healthcare

Read Molina Healthcare's full case study.

8. Eurowag standardizes AP 100% across all entities with 30% payment improvement

Company overview

Challenge

Eurowag’s aggressive acquisition strategy created a fragmented operation, with each acquired entity bringing its own systems and processes. Disconnected invoice workflows prevented the company from operating as a unified organization. With each entity using different systems, Eurowag couldn’t access real-time spend data, struggled with inconsistent finance reporting, and faced higher error rates from manual data reconciliation across platforms. Manual approvals and data entry caused delays, while finance and procurement teams worked in silos using different systems, making collaboration nearly impossible and compliance challenging to enforce.

• Rapid acquisitions created disconnected invoice workflows with no integration or visibility across entities.
• Manual approvals and data entry caused delays, errors, and supplier dissatisfaction due to inconsistent payment timing.
• Finance and procurement operated in silos with different systems, preventing effective compliance enforcement and collaboration.

Solution

Eurowag implemented Coupa to establish one standardized, end-to-end AP process across all entities, replacing fragmented workflows with unified automation. The platform maintained compliance with appropriate local requirements while enabling groupwide visibility and control.

• Procure-to-pay standardized requisition and PO processes across entities, creating consistency and better accuracy.
• AP automation with intelligent three-way matching eliminated manual data entry and accelerated payment cycles.
• Contract lifecycle management provides centralized visibility into supplier agreements across all entities.

Results

The transformation unified Eurowag’s operations while improving financial performance, visibility, and supplier relationships across all entities.

• 30% improvement in paid-on-time performance: Standardized workflows created predictability that strengthened supplier relationships
• 100% standardized AP process across all global entities: Unified previously fragmented subsidiaries, simplifying operations and improving efficiency.
• Three-way match prevents fraud, overpayments, and errors: Teams process payments faster with greater accuracy and confidence, eliminating the errors inherent in manual verification.

“Coupa provides a clear, traceable link between purchase orders, receipts, and invoices — supporting finance and compliance with a reliable audit trail.”

— Marcella Mathes, Head of Finance Processes and Digital Finance, Eurowag

 

Read Eurowag's full case study.

Transform your AP operations with Coupa

The organizations featured above started in different places. Some were buried in paper, others were preparing for IPOs, and many were simply unable to keep pace with fast growth and added complexity. While their challenges varied, their conclusion was the same: Accounts payable isn’t just a back-office function to be managed. It’s a strategic asset waiting to be leveraged.

When finance teams are freed from manual data entry and approval-chasing, they move from hindsight to driving foresight. This reclaimed capacity is redirected toward high-impact work. This includes negotiating favorable terms, capturing early-payment discounts, and deepening supplier partnerships. Powered by the Coupa AI platform, AP evolves from a siloed back-office function into a primary lever for global financial control, delivering the real-time insights executives need to make definitive, data-driven decisions about cash and growth.

Let Coupa’s AI platform handle the heavy lifting so your team can focus on what matters.