First Hospitality Group, a national hotel property management leader headquartered in Chicago, upgraded to BirchStreet’s cloud-based, automated procure-to-pay system. FHG operates properties across six major hotel chains, including Marriott, Hilton, IHG, and Hyatt, as well as independents with a portfolio of 51 properties.
“We needed to meet brand requirements and wanted to capitalize on our buying programs and rebates,” said Justin Harkey, FHG’s corporate director of food and beverage. “BirchStreet showed us that their procure-to-pay system had flexibility, scalability and more functionality than competing systems.”
FHG also uses Avendra’s procurement services and programs, so the decision fit well with the Avendra-BirchStreet strategic partnership and integration. Compliance with buying through programs was problematic.
“Our goal will be achieved if we minimize a labor intensive process, save time and have the ability to better manage our purchasing,” Harkey continued. “We want to leverage technology in our business and be at peak efficiency.”
FHG selected to implement a comprehensive procure-to-pay system for all of its locations, including eProcurement and accounts payable three-way auto-matching modules. The company selected the eProcurement module to connect with their preferred suppliers with easy ordering, advanced approval workflow to allow for different levels of routing and approval of purchase orders, as well as the checkbook drilldown to access line item details and instant business intelligence.
In addition, FHG selected the AP three-way auto-matching module to ensure compliance by matching the purchase orders, receiving documents and invoices. The system will enable FHG to meet their goals by increasing efficiency, control, visibility and profitability.