OCS NZ overhauls finance with full Esker AI automation rollout
OCS New Zealand has partnered with FUJIFILM Business Innovation New Zealand to rework its finance operations using AI and automation. It is the first organisation globally to deploy Esker's full suite of eight cloud-based finance automation solutions in a single rollout. For finance and operations leaders, this is a useful benchmark for scaling automation beyond isolated pilots.
Why it matters for finance and operations
OCS is moving core processes off manual workflows to standardised, data-led operations. That means faster payment cycles, fewer errors, and tighter cash control. The focus is practical: automate where the volume, variance, and risk justify it, then train teams to manage exceptions.
Scope and timeline
The partnership started in late 2023 with accounts payable. Within six months, the scope expanded to the full Esker suite. After a three-month training period, accounts payable went live in November 2024. Supplier contract management and expense management have since launched, with the remaining five modules planned by the end of 2025.
"We're committed to smarter, more sustainable ways of working," says Debby Wong, Finance Director for OCS Australia & New Zealand.
"OCS New Zealand's move to adopt the full Esker suite in one go is a standout example of digital transformation at scale," says Irene Direnko-Smith, Head of Process Automation at FUJIFILM Business Innovation New Zealand.
What's included in the Esker suite
- Supplier management
- Contract management
- Procurement
- Accounts payable
- Expense management
- Sales order processing
- Accounts receivable
- Collections
Early results and operational impact
By digitising and automating sales orders and purchase orders, OCS reports shorter payment cycles and improved accuracy. Automation supports exception-based work, freeing teams to focus on supplier terms, credit risk, and cash forecasting. This is the operational shift leaders want: fewer touchpoints, better visibility, cleaner data.
Context: vendor credibility
Esker was included in the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Source-to-Pay Suites and ranks among the top four global automated payment solutions. For methodology context on Magic Quadrants, see Gartner's overview.
What to watch next
- Full suite completion by end of 2025 and measurable KPIs (invoice cycle time, DPO/DSO, touchless rates, exception rates).
- Integration depth with ERP and banking systems, and the quality of master data governance.
- Change management effectiveness: user adoption, policy updates, and control frameworks.
About OCS New Zealand
OCS New Zealand employs over 4,000 people and delivers facilities management services across private and public sectors. This rollout is part of a broader strategy to lift operational performance nationwide.
Practical takeaways for CFOs and Ops leaders
- Sequence matters: start with high-volume AP, then expand to upstream S2P and downstream O2C to compound benefits.
- Train for exceptions: automation handles the routine; value comes from how teams resolve the 10-20% that doesn't fit.
- Measure aggressively: track touchless rates, cycle times, match rates, and recovery of early-payment discounts.
- Tighten controls as you scale: standardised workflows reduce fraud risk and improve audit readiness.
If you're building a finance automation roadmap or upskilling your team, explore curated AI tools for finance to accelerate selection and adoption.
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