20 hours to 2 minutes: Alteryx automates auto company’s key processes

Overview

With the incremental growth of the automobile and car manufacturing sector, managing extensive amounts of data and operating expense (OpEx) allocations can sometimes become challenging. And in terms of efficiency, accuracy and transparency, the process can be difficult.

Background

Our client, part of the Canadian financing division of a global car manufacturer, faced significant challenges with their manual OpEx allocation process. The process was managed by a single financial planner using an Excel-based system. This time-consuming process lacked data integrity, leading to errors and operational challenges.

Project

To generate more efficiency and automate the client's manual OpEx allocation process, RSM US LLP’s data and digital services team leveraged Alteryx workflows to provide long-term sustainability. This solution enabled the client to achieve significant time savings, reduce errors through better data management and implement an audit-friendly process that enhanced efficiency.

RSM's Alteryx solutions brought about significant improvements in process accuracy and transparency. Alteryx workflows automated the entire OpEx allocation process, reducing the time required from 20 hours to just two minutes. To give an extra edge to business operations, the team also developed diagnostic checks within the Alteryx platform to compare output totals against expected values, which identified discrepancies.

In addition, the RSM team created comprehensive standard operating procedures (SOPs), including a detailed 28-page document, making the OpEx process audit-friendly. Further, to familiarize the client’s team with the solutions, RSM provided both preliminary and on-the-job training sessions, enabling them to manage the solutions independently.

Outcomes

RSM’s assistance through OpEx allocation automation, Alteryx workflows, technical output generation, SOPs, diagnostic checks, documentation mapping and training provided enormous benefits to the client. The client was enabled to enhance data management for 150 employees across 10 departments, involving 50 spreadsheets, which improved overall decision making. The comprehensive SOPs and documentation made the process audit-friendly and easily transferable, strengthening long-term sustainability.

RSM's proficiency in Alteryx workflows and process automation has empowered the client, providing them with an efficient and transparent solution for their critical OpEx allocation process.

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