Case Study: Large Utility Company achieves flexible, centralized Accounts Payable with Cognizant Catalyst

How a large utility keeps its Accounts Payable flexible with Cognizant Catalyst

One of the U.S.’s largest regulated utilities needed a more flexible, centralized Accounts Payable function to support a rapidly changing energy business. The Midwest-based company required a solution that could handle PO and non‑PO invoices, interface with multiple ERP systems, give visibility to internal users and vendors, and adapt as purchase processes evolved.

Cognizant deployed its cloud‑based Catalyst AP platform—centralizing invoice capture, approvals, imaging and reporting, operating a single document center, and providing AP customer service and vendor self‑service. The result: end‑to‑end visibility and reporting for users and suppliers, automated data capture (~80%), a ~60% reduction in paper costs, a ~70% drop in inquiry calls, EDI and multi‑ERP integration, and ongoing process improvements that keep AP aligned with the utility’s strategy.