International hotel chains face several challenges when it comes to digitalization and integration of different providers and systems in the same network. Besides, when it comes to electronic invoicing, compliance with local regulations is a true necessity when operating in many different countries at the same time.
For hotel chains with international footprints, choosing valuable technology partners can be the solution for a smooth journey to the digitalization of electronic invoicing. It’s the case of Accor, the French multinational hospitality group, who chose Voxel, an Amadeus company, as their e-invoicing partner for a significant part of their European operation.
The Accor story
Accor is one of the world’s biggest hospitality groups, with over 5000 hotels in more than 100 countries and several different types of accommodations, from franchises to luxury resorts. Due to its international scale, the hotel group issues and receives thousands of invoices per month, not only for reservations but also for their extensive network of suppliers.
In a case like Accor’s, an ideal e-invoicing technology partner should meet the following requirements:
– Seamless integration to the PMS
– A dedicated legal team to ensure compliance
– Supply chain expertise
– Extensive archive capacity
– A robust and scalable platform
In 2013, the Accor Group chose Voxel as its electronic invoicing partner for 450 hotels of their operation in seven countries in Europe (France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Italy, and the Netherlands). This partnership allowed the hotel group to automate their supplier orders and invoice issuance and collection.
The importance of PMS integration
A Property Management System (PMS) is the heart of a hotel, centralizing all the core functions of the operation. PMS data such as guest information, check-ins/check-outs, rates, charges during the stay, and others, are crucial for the issuance of invoices. Therefore, in the absence of an e-invoicing partner that integrates with the chosen PMS, hotels need a dedicated team to manually fill in the information for every invoice issued.
In the case of Accor, they operate with two PMS systems: Opera and FOLS, their proprietary iPMS (integrated property management system) solution. With Voxel’s platform, all invoice data is extracted from FOLS and Opera automatically to fill in and issue invoices with no need for manual labor. This includes the ongoing migration to Opera Cloud.
Invoice digitization: scalability and compliance
With less time dedicated to invoice completion, more time invested in value-added tasks and access to Voxel’s Bavel network, the 450 Accor hotels were able to increase the volume and the speed of invoice issuing. “The direct connectivity with over 1,000 tourism companies worldwide enables instant B2B exchanges on the billing process”, said Karine Picard, Product Director at Accor.
Also according to Karine Picard, a hotel with 100 rooms issues around 10 000 invoices a year, which stands for one hour and a half per day spent on manual tasks related to invoice submission. In 2023, 6 000 000 Accor invoices were processed through Voxel’s platform, escalating to approximately 8 000 000 in 2024. Without Voxel, this would entail hundreds of hours spent daily on invoice processing every year.
These figures prove how seamless connections with other technological providers and partners such as travel sellers are the key to scaling the volume of electronic invoices issued by a hotel chain. Voxel’s solution not only allowed hotels to increase their efficiency, but also to ensure international e-invoicing compliance.
Finally, invoices to final clients are integrated into their Accor Live Limitless (ALL) accounts, allowing them to access them through the ALL app or the ALL website. This project enhances customer experience and operational efficiency.
Watch the full interview with Karine Picard and learn more about the benefits of e-invoicing for the Accor Group now.
Procurement solution
Managing an international hotel chain means having a supply chain network making sure inventory is working efficiently. Due to its global operation, the Accor Group counts on its own procurement organization, Astore. Dedicated to hospitality, Astore sources food, furniture, equipment, products and services for thousands of hotels worldwide.
With over 4 500 suppliers, Astore manages € 3 billion per year, which incurs in the exchange of thousands of orders, delivery notes and invoices collected. Voxel’s Procurement solution was integrated into Astore to facilitate the electronic receipt and processing of orders from major suppliers.
In terms of volume, 7 000 orders were processed by Voxel from Astore in 2023, reaching over 10 000 orders sent in 2024. The digitalization of the procurement process allows Accor to benefit from faster payment cycles and improve the relationship with their suppliers.
Undoubtedly, the journey of 450 Accor hotels to e-invoicing digitalization has been smooth and seamless. This is due to Voxel’s ability integrate with Accor’s existing platforms, provide robust and scalable connections that enhance operational efficiency and ensure global compliance. In addition to digitizing the invoices from its hotels, Accor has selected Voxel as its certified Plateforme Agréée provider for the invoices issued and received from its headquarters in Paris.
