Canadian consulting firm Syntax has leveraged SAP Business AI and natural language processing to revolutionize its timesheet tracking and billing processes. The innovative solution, developed in collaboration with SAP AppHaus, has significantly shortened the company’s billing cycle while enhancing operational efficiency, setting a new benchmark for professional services firms.
Recognizing inefficiencies in its task tracking and billing systems, Syntax collaborated with SAP to explore new use cases through the SAP Business AI Explore and Design workshops. These sessions utilized a human-centered approach to evaluate operational challenges and develop a tailored solution leveraging SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP) and SAP S/4HANA Cloud. The result was a generative AI-powered application that simplifies the recording of billable hours, addressing the critical need for accurate time tracking in the consulting industry.
The new Timesheet app allows employees to log their time in real-time using conversational prompts. This eliminates the need for ‘shadow systems’ such as Excel or Notepad, where employees previously tracked tasks before entering data into the system. With this streamlined process, timesheet data is directly entered into the application in draft format, ensuring accuracy and saving valuable time. By addressing inefficiencies in time entry, the solution reduces delays, minimizes errors, and helps capture all billable hours, enhancing revenue generation.
Ingo Feucht, Senior Director of Product Management for SAP S/4HANA, praised the innovation, stating, “This project showcases how SAP customers can leverage the generative AI hub to quickly build custom business AI solutions that solve real-world problems.”
The implementation has already shown transformative results for Syntax, with reduced delays in billing cycles, improved accuracy, and significant cost savings. The solution has helped the company reduce its days sales outstanding and save up to $100,000 per day. Employees can now dedicate more time to high-value tasks, boosting productivity and improving client satisfaction.
Leonardo De Araujo, Partner for Global SAP Innovation at Syntax, highlighted the impact, saying, “As early adopters of SAP S/4HANA Cloud, we’ve used SAP Business AI to address industry challenges like inefficient timesheet processing. The results have been truly transformative.”
By successfully implementing this innovative solution, Syntax not only addressed immediate operational challenges but also established a model for future growth. The firm is now exploring opportunities to extend this technology to its clients, reinforcing its commitment to leveraging cutting-edge solutions to drive industry-wide efficiency and progress.
