Bright Future: How Automation Supports Barron Lighting Group’s Sustained Growth

Lighting the way to efficiency 

Manual processes created inefficiencies 

When Barron Lighting Group implemented SAP Concur solutions, nearly a decade ago, invoice and expense management processes were manual, requiring significant time, resources, and coordination. Paper invoices, manual data entry, and fragmented systems created inefficiencies and slowed down operations. 

By embracing automation and machine learning before they became buzzwords, Barron Lighting Group transitioned to a fully digital, streamlined workflow using Concur Expense and Concur Invoice. As a result, invoices are captured and processed electronically, while expense reporting is simplified through an intuitive, user-friendly platform. 

The team saw improvements in speed and efficiency by eliminating those manual burdens.  

Working smarter and streamlining processes 

When Accounts Payable Specialist, Tara Reid, joined Barron Lighting Group, she had already been using Concur Expense at a previous company. In fact, she states finding a company that uses Concur solutions was part of her job search criteria because she found it so beneficial to the Accounts Payable role.   

Once onboard at Barron, Tara discovered the company had also implemented Concur Invoice, and she immediately saw the value. Rather than manual inputting, routing, and approvals, the company was saving time, money, and frustration by employing automation and machine learning to increase accuracy and efficiency.  

Concur Expense and Concur Invoice were integrated with Barron Lighting Group’s existing ERP system, so financial data was flowing smoothly and automatically across platforms. This eliminated duplicate work and reduced the risk of errors. 

Tara said, "There's no double work. We import everything directly into the ERP."

By connecting systems and automating data transfer, the company has created a more cohesive and efficient financial ecosystem. With data flowing into a single source, they have the ability to pull more comprehensive reporting and make decisions based on a more complete financial picture. 

Illuminating user experience and employee satisfaction 

Driving efficiency across a growing business 

Over time, Barron Lighting Group has been able to scale its financial operations without increasing headcount. As invoice volume, purchase orders, and employee expenses have grown, the accounts payable function has remained lean and efficient. 

When speaking of the growth the company has experienced, Tara said, "It's more invoicing and more people, but not more time completing tasks." 

Automation and AI built into Concur Invoice and Concur Expense have significantly reduced the need for manual intervention, enabling faster processing and fewer errors. 

Tara says, "We rarely see errors. All of the correct data is right there in front of you." 

This efficiency has allowed the team to focus on higher-value work rather than repetitive tasks. 

Simplifying expenses with a mobile-first experience 

Employees at Barron Lighting Group are also happy with their Concur solutions experience. One of the most impactful benefits for employees is the SAP Concur mobile app, which makes it easy to manage expenses on the go. 

Instead of tracking paper receipts or submitting reports after the fact, employees can simply capture receipts in real-time using their mobile devices. 

Tara said, "They can snap a photo of their receipt and then not worry about keeping the paper copy." 

This functionality is especially valuable for employees who travel or work remotely, ensuring expenses are recorded accurately and submitted without delay. 

A clear path to future success 

Improving visibility and control 

With all invoices and expenses centralized on one platform, Barron Lighting Group has gained greater visibility into spending and approvals. 

Managers and approvers can quickly review transactions, identify discrepancies, and ensure compliance with company policies.

 "Approvers can see everything right in front of them and catch anything that doesn't look right." 

This increased transparency supports better decision-making and stronger financial oversight. 

A platform that supports long-term growth 

Concur solutions have become an essential part of Barron Lighting Group’s day-to-day operations. 

The platform’s ease of use, scalability, and automation capabilities continue to support the company as it grows.  

Of the front-end user experience, Tara said, "It's very user friendly. Anybody could use it." 

She has also had the opportunity to train colleagues on the system and was impressed by how intuitive they found it. Though the new users had not previously used Concur solutions, they were able to quickly get up and running to find the information they needed. 

For the accounts payable team, the impact is clear. "It cuts our time in half for invoicing and expense reports," said Tara.

Conclusion: Enabling scalable, efficient operations 

By adopting Concur Invoice and Concur Expense, Barron Lighting Group has transformed its financial processes, eliminating manual work, improving accuracy, and enabling efficient growth. With a streamlined, mobile-friendly, and fully integrated solution in place, the company is well-positioned to continue scaling its operations while maintaining strong control and visibility. When asked to summarize her experiences with the product over an extended time span, Tara said, "It's just an amazing product."