MasterCard International and SPS International have introduced MasterCard SmartLink, a new software product that integrates procurement information from MasterCard Corporate Purchasing Cards with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, including SAP R/3.
The integration of the MasterCard payment and data delivery mechanism into a corporation`s ERP system streamlines the monitoring, management and administration of direct and indirect corporate expenses. Now, ERP system administrators may generate transaction data specific to any corporate purchasing cardholder at any point of transaction worldwide.
MasterCard SmartLink has been designed to harness the controls inherent in SAP R/3 and other ERP systems, while eliminating the need for many of its manual processes which can also open potential for fraud, error and account abuse.
With MasterCard SmartLink, businesses can collect purchasing data, approve transactions, generate invoices, merge data with the general ledger, make split payments and download individual transaction information with the click of a mouse - without having to wait until month`s end to receive statements to track expenses. Full details of transactions are available for review by the designated company officer within 48 hours of purchase transaction.
The combination of SAP R/3 with MasterCard SmartLink and a MasterCard Corporate Purchasing Card enables a corporation to link its business processes with those of customers and suppliers, both online and offline.
The MasterCard SmartLink software is installed on a corporation`s SAP R/3 Application Server and remains separate from the rest of the R/3 system. Business Application Process Interfaces developed by SAP provide the only interfaces to the SAP R/3 modules. MasterCard SmartLink may be customised to meet ERP system administrator preferences. Only minimum training is required to operate the program.
A successful pilot of MasterCard SmartLink was recently completed at the University of Cape Town.
''We are discovering new applications daily, making procedures and processing so much more hassle-free and smoother, saving vast amounts of time, administration, paperwork and cost," says Linda Harrower, the university`s purchasing administrator.
"For example, the purchase of library and academic books from around the world was previously a laborious process, especially when arranging the banking drafts for payment. Now, it couldn`t be easier. If the user is entitled to buy it, the card will work and pop the cost into the correct general ledger account."
To support the integration of MasterCard SmartLink, SPS is appointing value-added resellers from the "Big Five" consultancy companies and SAP specialist consultancies to assist MasterCard member banks and merchants.
Additional information about MasterCard SmartLink is available at www.mastercardsmartlink.com.
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