Norwegian: AI solution SEMINE delivers immediate results in AP

One year after adopting the AI solution SEMINE, Norwegian has achieved significant improvements in its accounts payable operations. The processing time for invoices has been reduced by six days, and 70% of all invoices are now processed automatically using advanced AI technology.

In a highly competitive industry with tight margins, Norwegian has positioned itself as a leader in innovation and operational efficiency. Driven by this forward-thinking mindset, the company sought to enhance its processes further. Turning to artificial intelligence (AI), Norwegian aimed to modernise its accounts payable function, simplify workflows, and secure a stronger position in the market.

Challenges in the finance department

Norwegian’s finance department faced a range of complex challenges, particularly in managing accounts payable. The process was heavily manual and labor-intensive, lacking transparency and oversight, making the process inefficient. This created delays, an increased workload for staff, and made it difficult to track key performance indicators (KPIs) or pinpoint areas for improvement. Managing VAT on both domestic and international invoices was particularly challenging, as differing regulations demanded careful attention and precise reporting

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The need for a smarter, more efficient solution

Recognising the limitations of its existing approach, Norwegian realised the need for a solution that would not only enhance efficiency but also provide advanced analytics and an improved user experience. It was crucial that the system could meet Norwegian’s unique requirements, reducing the time spent on accounts payable and invoice approval. By automating routine tasks, the finance team could shift their focus to more strategic, value-adding activities.

- We needed a solution that offered a seamless user experience—something intuitive and accessible to all staff, while also improving the quality of our working environment, explains Līga Supe, Head of Shared Service Centre at Norwegian.

 

Seamless Integration

Despite the complexity of Norwegian’s systems, SEMINE was successfully implemented within four months, during one of the busiest times of the year for air travel. Deploying the system during the peak travel season highlights the efficiency of the process.

This success was driven by close collaboration between Norwegian and Semine’s project team. Semine’s standard ERP integration with SAP, the IT partner Sopra Steria’s SAP expertise, and the involvement of experienced project managers on both ends, ensured a smooth and efficient transition.

- The implementation went remarkably well, especially given the challenging timing. Our strong collaboration with Semine was key to this success, as well as the support of our internal superusers and ambassadors, says Līga Supe.

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Immediate results

Since the implementation of the AI solution SEMINE, Norwegian has experienced substantial improvements in its accounts payable operations. Over 70% of the company’s 5,000 monthly incoming invoices are now processed automatically, significantly reducing manual effort. The automation has shortened the overall processing time per invoice by six days, freeing up the finance team to focus on more strategic and value-driven activities.
Jeanette Bø-Alnes, VP Performance Management at Norwegian, highlights that the decision to implement SEMINE was not only about increasing automation, but also about gaining more insightful data.

- SEMINE has given us detailed insights into our procurement activities by extracting data from both the header and line items of each invoice.

This rich dataset integrates seamlessly into our analytics tools, allowing us to track costs by aircraft, location, or airport, which in turn enables us to make more informed financial decisions and drive greater efficiency, she explains.

Significant improvements and strategic benefits

The partnership with Semine has led to significant improvements for Norwegian, including a six-day reduction in the processing time for each invoice and achieving an impressive 70% automation rate across their accounts payable operations.

- For VAT processing alone, across all our entities, the automation rate consistently exceeds 90%, notes Jeanette Bø-Alnes, VP Performance Management at Norwegian.

By partnering with Semine, Norwegian has not only enhanced financial efficiency but also improved decision-making through deeper data insights and analytics. These improvements have allowed the company to shift focus towards more strategic initiatives, driving greater value and long-term growth.

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Enhanced user experience and operational flexibility

The implementation of SEMINE has not only streamlined workflows but has also to a large extent enhanced the user experience. The intuitive nature of the system, particularly its mobile-friendly application, has been well-received internally and allows enabled invoice approval to take place anytime, anywhere.

Superusers have also gained increased operational flexibility, as they can now modify automation settings without needing assistance from IT, further boosting efficiency across the board.

- As a leading player in the aviation industry, Norwegian is committed to continuous innovation and optimising our operations. Our ambition is to set new standards for efficiency and customer satisfaction in an increasingly competitive environment.

- With SEMINE as our partner, we are well-positioned not only to adapt to changes but to lead in this development,  concludes Jeanette Bø-Alnes.