Case Studies

BUSINESS PROBLEM

Home-Tech was using American Express plastic cards before adopting CSI’s electronic accounts payable solution. “These cards work well for us and allow us to earn gift card rewards, which are useful to give as employee rewards or other ‘thank you’ gifts,” said Sonya Sawyer, CFO for Home-Tech. “But when paying vendors through the plastic cards, it’s a manual process where we provide the card number over the phone.” 

CSI’s fuel cards enable the company to save on fuel costs for its fleet of 75+ service vehicles. “Before CSI, I had no idea how much more expensive fuel was in certain areas around us and how big of a difference in price five miles could make,” said Chelsea Skaff, who oversees the fuel program for Home-Tech.

BUSINESS RESULTS

Home-Tech initially moved 50% of its payables over to CSI’s virtual program, gaining efficiencies through automation and reducing costs by eliminating paper checks. Sawyer added, “Writing checks is archaic. This is a new way to make payments that’s easy and allows us to earn 1% cash back.” The virtual AP system also allows for easy reconciliation, with a unique card number generated for each vendor payment. “The reporting is fantastic,” said Sawyer. Home-Tech reduced the number of checks written by 40% within the first six month. The company plans to continue expanding its use of virtual card payments throughout its business, including its corporate giving program. For those vendors that continue to require manual payment at the time of purchase, Home-Tech relies on CSI’s plastic credit card which provides the same opportunity to earn cash back rewards based onspend volume. Skaff, who oversees the fleet fuel program, also recognizes significant benefits and cost savings from the global-fleet fuel card program. The real-time reporting has helped the company better manage fuel usage, and the free Smart Buy application provides the ability to locate the lowest priced fuel options in their local area. “The CSI staff has been so helpful and very prompt to answer any questions I may have. I would definitely recommend CSI’s Fleet fuel program to any company looking for a modern, reliable fleet company.”

“Writing checks is archaic. This is a new
way to make payments that’s easy and
allows us to earn 1% cash back.”  

– Sonya Sawyer, CFO, Home-Tech

“I would definitely recommend CSI’s fleet fuel
program to any company looking for a modern, reliable fleet company.”

– Chelsea Skaff, Home-Tech

LESSONS LEARNED

One of the transitions that required a shift in thinking on Home-Tech’s part was the need to fund payments immediately. “With the virtual card program, we didn’t have the ability to wait 30-40 days to cover the payments like we had been accustomed to,” recalls Sawyer. “Once we became familiar with the program, we adapted and the cash flow difference has been more than compensated by the rebate we receive through the program.  The 1% back is a no brainer.”

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Solution:

The CSI MasterCard^® Corporate Fleet Card was implemented. Vehicle cards were issued to both U.S. and international fleet vehicles. Custom card purchasing limits were implemented and cards were locked to work only at Fuel Only merchants. Reporting in the U.S. captured line item detail and PIN and Mileage data capture. The international reporting met objective by tracking transaction date, merchant, country, purchase amount and vehicle. Custom authorization controls were established by classification of vehicle to adhere to company fleet fuel policy.

Key Card Functions:

• Real-time Online Card Management & Reporting
• National & International Acceptance at Fuel Merchants
• Security ” Restrict Type Purchases & Purchases Limits
• Reporting ” Track Purchases to Vehicles by Country & Merchant

Benefits:

A collaborated approach was taken with the CSI implementation team to establish a custom fleet fuel card program meeting all specified requirements. The CSI MasterCard^® Corporate Fleet Card was implemented to provide the needed flexibility to expand their fleet fuel card program for international use and acceptance

SOLUTION OVERVIEW

Organization Profile:

This search engine firm maintains an index of Websites and other online content, and makes this information freely available through its search engine to anyone with an Internet connection. The Company’s automated search technology helps people obtain nearly instant access to relevant information from its online index.

Program Need:

Search engine was looking for a fleet fuel card solution for both national and international use. Real-time account management, card level controls and fleet fuel reporting were key requirements.

Solution Provided:

CSI MasterCard® Corporate Fleet Card was the selected solution. The CSI card offers both national and international acceptance at MasterCard® accepting fuel merchants along with card level control and real-time account management.