Pleasanton, CA December 12, 2002 Armstrong World Industries Inc., the primary operating subsidiary of Armstrong Holdings Inc., a designer and manufacturer of floors, ceilings and cabinets, has selected the Xign Payment Services Network to automate its paper-based accounts payable processes.
Armstrong has 57 plants in 14 countries and approximately 16,000 employees worldwide. The company's progressive accounts payable operation is metrics focused. Each month, the company processes approximately 18,000 invoices in its North American Shared Services organization, most of which are paper documents paid via paper check. Over time, Armstrong had identified a number of internal methods to reduce the number of invoices that need to be "touched" as they are processed.
To further streamline its accounts payable operations, Armstrong looked for a solution that would automate transactions with suppliers, eliminate paper and support its existing technology infrastructure. After a thorough business analysis and review of several supplier solutions, Armstrong concluded that the services Xign offered to drive supplier adoption ensured a strong return on investment. In addition, Xign's ePayables solution offered Armstrong the chance to automate the remaining paper invoices and drive their cost per transaction even lower.
Steve Borkgren, vice president of supply chain management for Armstrong Flooring Products, said, "Many of our suppliers do not have sophisticated technical systems. Xign's service will allow our suppliers to sign-up easily and track invoice and payment status from a web browser. In addition, a number of our suppliers are already on the Xign Payments Services Network, so we can begin processing electronic invoices and payments with them immediately."
