ImageNow Speeds AP and HR Processes at Genesis Health System

Shawnee, KS, July 18, 2006 --(PR.com)-- Perceptive Software, Inc., announced that Genesis Health System, a leading provider of healthcare services in Iowa and Illinois, uses ImageNow® document management, imaging and workflow to facilitate efficient document storage, expedite invoice approval and standardize workflow.

The document imaging system used by Genesis's human resources department had insufficient functionality, and was used primarily for document archival. Accounts payable (AP) staff struggled to manage file cabinets full of historical records and process an influx of thousands of invoices per month. Managing this mountain of paper caused inefficiencies in AP, including delayed payment processing. ImageNow was selected as a remedy for these and other problems in AP and five human resources (HR) offices.

"Of the products we evaluated, ImageNow provides the best and most cost-effective way to access information," said Beth Fox, senior analyst/project manager. "The ability of ImageNow to integrate with current and future versions of multiple host applications was very important."

Using patented LearnMode™ technology, ImageNow seamlessly integrated with Genesis's Lawson Portal software. This tight link allows users to easily access documents from within a familiar software environment.

"Our HR staff members love ImageNow because it minimizes the paper chase and allows them to retrieve information immediately," Fox said.

Genesis imported more than one million document images from an existing imaging system into ImageNow, and is scanning new and historical HR documents into the product's central repository.

In AP, new paper invoices are scanned using multi-function devices, and routed into ImageNow work queues by ImageNow Import Agent. Genesis's AP and HR departments also receive documents as attachments to e-mail messages. These documents are printed electronically into ImageNow by ImageNow Virtual Printer and sent directly to workflow queues.

"With ImageNow Virtual Printer, we don't touch paper," Fox said. "Employees don't get out of their chairs to print or fax documents, and we avoid the cost and potential security risk of producing numerous hard copies."

Many Genesis employees work at more than one of the organization's 70 sites. For example, one health nurse is responsible for following up on worker's compensation cases, new employee health assessments and other health related activities at multiple locations. In the past, she made notes to refer back to documentation at a later time, or carried folders of papers for reference. With ImageNow, the nurse retrieves documents with a single click, allowing her to be more efficient and timely in her job performance.

"Providing ImageNow access via our Citrix environment enables users to easily review documents wherever they are, instead of carrying 50 folders in a bag when they leave the office," Fox said. "This is critical to an organization of our size and complexity."

Advanced ImageNow workflow features, such as automatic document routing and electronic annotations, assist with Genesis's definition and enforcement of best practices and corporate policies.

"ImageNow is an important part of our process optimization efforts," Fox said. "Its workflow features are as valuable as the ability to create and store electronic document images."

The AP department at Genesis receives a high volume of invoices from IT staff members. These users are assigned processing and approval queues in ImageNow workflow, ensuring that invoices are captured electronically at the point of receipt, approved and forwarded to AP in a timely manner. This improves the organization's ability to take advantage of early payment discounts.

"ImageNow improved invoice processing by transforming invoice review and approval from a manual paper routing challenge into an electronic workflow process," Fox said. "Productivity reports help management work with staff to identify and share business process improvement efforts."

Learn more about ImageNow for healthcare at http://www.imagenow.com/healthcare

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