Connexus® Energy | Evolving AP Automation from Invoice Capture to Intelligent, Vendor-Specific Workflows

How Connexus Energy Uses InvoiceAction to Automate Complex Invoice Processing, Support Dynamics GP Workflows, and Continuously Optimize AP Operations

Client Overview: Connexus Energy - Advancing Digital Enablement Through Intelligent AP Automation

Based in Ramsey, Minnesota, Connexus Energy is the state’s largest consumer-owned electric cooperative, providing electricity and related energy services to approximately 150,000 residential and business members across eight counties. With a history dating back to 1937, the member-owned organization combines a strong focus on reliability and affordability with an ongoing commitment to innovation and operational efficiency.

As part of its broader digital enablement strategy, Connexus has relied on Artsyl InvoiceAction, powered by the docAlpha Intelligent Process Automation platform, since 2021 to support accounts payable invoice processing. Vendor invoices submitted through a dedicated AP email channel enter an automated processing environment where InvoiceAction captures invoice data and supports the detailed extraction required for downstream financial workflows.

Over years of production use, Connexus has continued to expand and refine its automation environment. InvoiceAction supports both invoice-level and detailed line-item data capture, while intelligent classification and routing direct documents into the appropriate workflows based on recognized information. Specialized processing can also accommodate complex vendor invoices and vendor-specific business requirements, with processed data supporting downstream operations in DocLink and Dynamics GP.

From Invoice Capture to Intelligent AP Automation

At Connexus Energy, invoice automation begins as soon as documents arrive. Vendors submit invoices through a dedicated accounts payable email channel, where InvoiceAction automatically processes attachments using OCR and intelligent data capture to extract the information required for downstream AP workflows.

With InvoiceAction, automation extends beyond basic invoice-level capture to detailed data contained within invoice tables. This enables Connexus to process more complex invoices while supporting the classification, validation, and routing required across its AP environment.

"OCR kicks in and processes those invoices, those attachments to those emails, and that's where the magic kind of occurs with OCR and the recognition capabilities of docAlpha."
- Jake Hackenmueller, Systems Analyst, Connexus Energy

Going Beyond the Header with Line-Item Automation

For Connexus Energy, invoice automation goes beyond capturing standard header information. InvoiceAction extracts detailed table data, including Work Order information from complex invoices containing multiple Work Order entries, helping move data into downstream AP processes without rekeying each individual entry.

The value becomes especially clear on invoices with large tables. In one documented example, a single invoice contained 76 valid Work Order entries. Without successful line-item capture, Connexus noted that those entries would otherwise need to be manually keyed - turning a complex, multi-line invoice into a much more labor-intensive task.

By capturing invoice tables line by line, InvoiceAction helps Connexus automate some of the most data-intensive invoices in its AP workflow while reducing the manual effort associated with complex document structures.

Intelligent Classification Routes Every Invoice to the Right Workflow

Not every invoice follows the same path. Connexus Energy uses intelligent classification within docAlpha to identify key document information and automatically route invoices to the appropriate workflow, including purchase order, non-purchase order, and complex invoices containing multiple Work Order entries.

Once classified, each invoice follows processing rules designed for its specific requirements. This allows Connexus to manage different invoice types within one automation environment while reducing the need for users to manually determine how each document should be processed.

The result is a more flexible AP operation where automation determines not only what information to capture, but what should happen to the invoice next.

Vendor-Specific Automation for Complex Invoice Requirements

Invoice formats and processing requirements can vary significantly from one vendor to another. Connexus Energy is working with Artsyl to expand vendor-specific automation for approximately 17 recurring vendors, using dedicated processing rules to improve data extraction and route invoices according to their individual requirements.

This approach allows automation to accommodate real-world variations such as changing invoice layouts, specialized data fields, and vendor-specific calculations. Rather than forcing every invoice through the same standardized process, InvoiceAction can be configured around the requirements of more complex vendor documents.

This ongoing optimization helps Connexus extend automation to more complex invoice scenarios while maintaining the flexibility to adapt as vendor requirements change.

Continuous Learning Keeps Automation Evolving

Since implementing InvoiceAction in 2021, Connexus has continued to refine its AP automation as documents, vendors, and processing requirements evolve. Using docAlpha’s learning and verification capabilities, the team can teach the system how to recognize recurring document patterns, improve data extraction, and adjust processing rules when requirements change.

Capabilities such as Auto-Find and learn/relearn help the system build on user corrections, while configurable validation and data normalization rules support more consistent information for downstream processing. This gives Connexus the flexibility to optimize automation over time rather than relying on a static configuration.

"Artsyl is helping us create and maintain efficiencies all around."
- Kris Pearson, Systems Analyst, Connexus Energy

Connected to the Systems Behind AP Operations

InvoiceAction operates as part of Connexus’ broader accounts payable technology environment. After invoice data is captured and processed in docAlpha, the information moves through DocLink and supports downstream financial processing in Dynamics GP.

Over years of production use, Connexus has continued to maintain this environment through system and infrastructure changes, with Artsyl supporting configuration updates and production transitions when needed. This helps keep invoice automation aligned with the systems that accounting depends on every day.

Responsive Support That Extends Beyond Issue Resolution

For Connexus, Artsyl’s role extends beyond the technology itself. As invoice workflows evolve and new processing requirements emerge, the team works with Artsyl to refine configurations, address exceptions, and keep automation aligned with changing business needs.

"Y'all definitely stand out as some of the most professional and responsive support teams I work with."
- Logan Sell, Associate Business Systems Analyst, Connexus Energy

The Artsyl Helpdesk also serves as a centralized knowledge base. Connexus can revisit previous support requests, solutions, and communications to determine whether an issue has already been addressed before opening a new request.

"We really love the support portal that you have."
"Everything is logged and all communication is logged in one central location."
"We absolutely utilize it as a knowledge base."
- Jake Hackenmueller, Systems Analyst, Connexus Energy

Training That Helps Teams Manage Automation with Confidence

As Connexus continues to refine its invoice automation, ongoing training helps users understand the platform’s capabilities and make better use of tools such as document learning and Auto-Find. Connexus specifically highlighted Artsyl’s online training sessions as valuable not only for technical users, but also for the accounting team working with the system.

"The new online training sessions have been beneficial to us."
"They've been beneficial to our accounting team as well from a training perspective."
- Jake Hackenmueller, Systems Analyst, Connexus Energy

From Automation Platform to Long-Term AP Partnership

Since 2021, Connexus has continued to evolve its use of InvoiceAction from intelligent invoice capture into a flexible AP automation environment built around its real-world processing requirements. Line-item extraction, intelligent classification and routing, vendor-specific workflows, and continuous learning help the organization manage increasingly complex invoice scenarios while supporting downstream processes in DocLink and Dynamics GP.

"Support is at the top of your list for priorities, and we appreciate that."
- Jake Hackenmueller, Systems Analyst, Connexus Energy

For Connexus, InvoiceAction has become more than an invoice capture solution - it is a long-term automation platform that continues to evolve alongside its accounts payable operations.