Rexel Canada deploys Hyland AI for invoice processing

Rexel Canada has deployed Hyland's agentic document processing for non-trade accounts payable invoice ingestion. Onit delivered the rollout as part of Rexel Canada's Axelerate 2028 digital transformation programme.

The system reached invoice indexing accuracy approaching 100% within 48 hours of deployment, according to Hyland. That removed the need for manual invoice validation and reduced processing time.

Rexel Canada has used Hyland's software for more than a decade. The new deployment extends that relationship into accounts payable, where companies often deal with large volumes of unstructured documents and time-consuming checks.

The system is designed to process financial documents that conventional automation tools often struggle to handle, including handwritten invoices, documents with complex tax structures and poor-quality scans.

According to Hyland, the setup uses generative AI and agentic automation to interpret documents without extensive customisation. The software also uses plain-language configuration and automated reasoning to handle varied invoice formats.

For Rexel Canada, the project forms part of a broader operational overhaul under Axelerate 2028. The company distributes electrical products and services across Canada through banners including Westburne, Nedco, Rexel Atlantic, Jacmar Automation, Lineman Testing Labouratories, Apex Automation and Rexel Utility.

It operates nearly 200 locations and employs more than 2,000 people. That scale makes back-office efficiency especially important, particularly in finance, where invoice processing delays can affect supplier payments, controls and downstream workflows.

Workflow changes

The deployment reduced manual data entry and improved downstream workflow efficiency and financial control, according to Hyland. The company said it shifts staff away from routine validation and towards handling exceptions and higher-value analysis.

Invoice ingestion has become a key testing ground for AI-led automation because documents arrive in multiple formats and often contain inconsistent data. Businesses have sought tools that can extract information from scans and handwritten forms while fitting into existing finance systems.

Onit, which worked with Hyland on the deployment, was the delivery partner for the project. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Frederic Petit, CIO and Vice President of Supply Chain at Rexel Canada, described the deployment as part of a broader digital plan.

"As a long-standing Hyland customer, we've seen how their platform continues to evolve alongside our business," said Frederic Petit, CIO and Vice President of Supply Chain at Rexel Canada. "Hyland's agentic document processing aligns directly with our AI‐forward digital strategy, helping us streamline business processes and unlock new levels of intelligence and efficiency across our operations."

Broader market

The project reflects a wider push by software suppliers to embed AI more deeply into routine business processes rather than offer it as a separate tool. In finance and shared services, document handling is one of the clearest early use cases because companies can measure accuracy, staffing impact and turnaround times.

Hyland positions the software within its broader content management and automation portfolio. According to the company, the system is designed to connect unstructured content with business context across finance, operations and shared services while leaving existing enterprise platforms in place.

That approach matters for large organisations looking to add AI to legacy systems without replacing core infrastructure. It also addresses a persistent problem in document-heavy departments, where the cost of tailoring software to each document type can limit returns from automation projects.

Steve Baird, Chief Revenue Officer at Hyland, said the Rexel Canada deployment showed how companies could start using AI in practical settings.

"This deployment with Rexel Canada sets a clear foundation for how organisations can operationalise AI today while building a strong foundation for enterprise‐wide agentic automation," said Steve Baird, Chief Revenue Officer at Hyland.