Automating Vendor Invoice Processing for Eyewear Manufacturers

Current process automation applications in the eyewear industry

Manufacturing

Manufacturing is exhaustive and detail-oriented by design. That’s especially true in the eyewear industry, where minuscule components need to be painstakingly assembled to create a near-endless array of frame and lens combinations. With process automation, eyewear manufacturers can use software and physical sensors to more efficiently monitor production lines, intelligently adjust the type and number of eyewear produced, and eliminate products that don’t meet quality standards.

N49° EYEWEAR, co-founded by an engineer, is a brand known for leveraging process automation-powered manufacturing to craft high-quality offerings. By using the latest CAD-CAM software alongside CNC technology and five-axis milling equipment, N49° EYEWEAR produces accurate and symmetric frame designs, like the Edmonton and Inuvik, via simultaneous milling and core shooting. It can also mass-produce eyewear while minimizing waste, even as it allows customers to select different types of components like nose pads.

Ordering

Since eyewear offers both style and practicality, consumers prefer having a variety of models to choose from, including different prescription strengths, frame materials, and lens technology options for each. That makes convenience one of the biggest factors they look for when ordering eyewear, especially online. To provide that convenience, retailers use process automation. For example, they may use algorithms to automatically analyze a user’s demographics, search history, and past purchases, then generate personalized product recommendations. These can make it easier for buyers to navigate large eyewear catalogues.

Recommended reading: Order Management Challenges in Manufacturing

Consumers can also benefit from more dedicated ordering features powered by process automation. On the website of Clearly, a retailer best known for selling glasses online in Canada, buyers can create an account to save information such as their prescription, pupillary distance, and whether they prefer to place single-vision, progressive, UV-blocking, or even blue light-filtering lenses in models like the Harlem and Baryte. That allows them to automatically order eyewear when they need a new pair. Contact lens wearers can similarly benefit from Clearly’s auto-refill feature, which instantly ships off a new batch of contacts to buyers after a defined period of time.

Why automating vendor invoice processes should be next

As eyewear manufacturers embrace automation in ordering and production, streamlining vendor invoice processing is the next logical step. Manual invoicing is slow, error-prone, and costly. On the other hand, automation reduces processing times by up to 75%, enabling real-time validation and approvals that improve cash flow and vendor relationships.

Moreover, automated systems enhance accuracy by eliminating manual data entry errors. OCR technology, for instance, ensures precise data capture, reducing discrepancies and financial risks - especially critical for eyewear brands managing a global supply chain. Additionally, automation strengthens compliance by generating detailed audit trails and enforcing regulatory workflows.

Recommended reading: Invoice Reporting and Analytics Solutions for Manufacturers

A leading example of financial automation in the eyewear industry is DTC brand Warby Parker and its investment in an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to improve financial reporting and internal controls. In a quarterly report submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Warby Parker outlined its decision to implement a new ERP system, which represents an investment of USD 5.1 million (CAD 7.2 million).

The need for this upgrade stemmed from material weaknesses identified in the company’s financial reporting processes. Warby Parker found that its IT general controls - specifically in areas of user access and program change management - were insufficient. These weaknesses affected key accounting, reporting, and proprietary systems, as well as process, application, and management review controls. The company needed stronger safeguards to enforce the segregation of duties, validate the completeness and accuracy of financial data, and enhance controls over manual journal entries.

To address these issues, Warby Parker strengthened IT controls and implemented an ERP system to prevent errors and enforce compliance, enhanced review processes for financial accuracy and timely reporting, and expanded its finance team to improve oversight and responsibilities. These efforts paid off. By automating financial workflows, Warby Parker improved transparency, reduced risk, and increased efficiency. The company’s financial performance reflected this success, with projected 2024 revenue growth of 14%–15% to USD 765–768 million (about CAD 1 billion).

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In conclusion, eyewear companies like N49° EYEWEAR and Clearly are on the right track when it comes to automating ordering and manufacturing processes. However, automating vendor invoice processing is the crucial next step, as it accelerates payments, reduces errors, ensures compliance, and cuts costs. Warby Parker’s success demonstrates the financial and operational benefits of automation - making it an essential investment for brands aiming to stay competitive.