JSE-listed Growthpoint Properties has partnered with 1ai, a leader in intelligent automation, to develop a bespoke solution that streamlines the processing of municipal invoices while unlocking critical sustainability data. This initiative is part of Growthpoint’s broader efforts to leverage technology for operational efficiency and to reduce its environmental impact in line with its sustainability goals.
With a portfolio of around 350 buildings in South Africa, Growthpoint handles over 1,100 municipal invoices monthly, a process that used to require about 160 hours of manual work. This manual handling made it difficult to extract and apply crucial data on utility consumption, such as power and water usage.
Recognising the potential for automation, Growthpoint collaborated with 1ai to create a custom system that automates invoice processing while extracting and structuring valuable sustainability data. The solution uses advanced Robotic Process Automation (RPA) combined with sophisticated text extraction algorithms to manage the varied formats and complexities of municipal invoices.
This project has already produced substantial benefits. It has saved 475 hours per month in both invoice processing and sustainability data extraction, allowing Growthpoint to allocate resources to other priorities, including improving sustainability reporting and supporting the company’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives.
Engelbert Binedell, Chief Operating Officer at Growthpoint Properties, notes, “Automation has significantly improved our invoice processing and data analysis capabilities. By accurately capturing detailed utility data, we are now better equipped to meet our sustainability targets and optimise resource management across our properties. This improves our efficiency and enhances our strategic decision-making process.”
Rudolph Janse van Rensburg, Founder and CEO of 1ai, adds, “Our partnership with Growthpoint demonstrates the practical value of intelligent automation in managing complex processes. By streamlining the processing of municipal invoices, and thereby unlocking critical sustainability data, we have helped Growthpoint enhance operational efficiency while gaining valuable insights that support their sustainability goals. Our collaboration reflects a shared commitment to leveraging technology to drive efficiency, sustainability, and innovation in the property sector.”
The success of this initiative is a key component of Growthpoint’s strategy to incorporate intelligent automation across various operations. Plans are already in place to expand RPA to other critical areas, such as vendor onboarding and contract lifecycle management.
Binedell emphasizes that this automation aligns with Growthpoint’s vision of staying at the forefront of sustainable property management and setting new standards for operational excellence and environmental stewardship in the industry.
