Okinawa FamilyMart Digitizes Invoices from 700 Companies, Reducing Processing Time by 70%

Infomart Corporation announced that Okinawa FamilyMart Co., Ltd. has achieved significant efficiency gains and paper reduction in its invoice-receiving operations by utilizing "BP Storage for Invoice Receipt."

■ Background of Implementation
Okinawa FamilyMart, which operates 335 convenience stores—the largest number in Okinawa Prefecture (as of March 31, 2026)—handled a large volume of mostly paper-based invoices from approximately 700 business partners. Even invoices received as PDFs were printed for internal circulation and then replaced with the original after approval, creating duplicate work. The approval process required signatures from 5-6 people and took up to three days, with the need for employees to be physically present for stamping, making back-office efficiency a pressing issue.
To address these challenges and promote digitalization, the company implemented "BP Storage for Invoice Receipt" in December 2024. This service uses AI-OCR to digitize invoices received in various formats, including PDF and paper. A key factor in their decision was that Infomart has an office in Okinawa, providing the reassurance of face-to-face consultation.

■ Effects of Implementation
1. Approval Lead Time Reduced from 3 Days to 1 Day
After implementation, invoices were digitized, allowing for remote approvals. This drastically cut the final approval lead time from three days to just one. As a result, operations continued smoothly even when employees were dispersed due to head office renovations.

2. Processing Time per Invoice Reduced from ~10 min to 2-3 min, Saving ~1,000 Sheets of Paper Monthly
Through AI-OCR's automatic data capture and integration with their accounting system, the manual entry of supplier codes was eliminated. This reduced the processing time per invoice from about 10 minutes to 2-3 minutes. The heavy workload previously concentrated at the beginning of the month has been alleviated, leading to standardized workflows and reduced dependency on specific individuals. Additionally, by consolidating multiple invoices into a single voucher on the system, the company has achieved a monthly paper reduction of approximately 1,000 sheets.

■ Future Outlook
Okinawa FamilyMart plans to digitize its invoice issuing process next. The initial goal is to electronize approximately 200 monthly inter-company transactions by February 2027. Looking ahead, the company will continue to promote business digitalization and efficiency, including the potential use of generative AI.

■ Service Overview
"BP Storage for Invoice Receipt" is an invoice receiving service that uses AI-OCR to digitize invoices in all formats, including PDF and paper. It automates the entire process from receiving invoices to payment and accounting entries. With the operator-assisted option, the service boasts a data accuracy rate of over 99.9%.