François Masquelier (ATEL):
To find your way, there's nothing like a map of the regions you've visited...
Technology has evolved faster than the treasury function.
Cash management technology has evolved considerably over the last few decades, and even more so since the advent of Fintech. In this jungle of solutions, with no categories, it is complicated to find one's way. That's why we needed a map categorizing tools and providers, listing all the most credible and solid providers, and making it easier for treasurers to select tools. I therefore decided to create a tool to facilitate this choice and this delicate process by creating the treasury map. This map and website will enable any treasurer (or others) to simplify the selection of IT solutions suited to their needs. Is it a path of crosses? Perhaps... so I intend to make it easier and help my peers. In the hope that this will help them along the way.
Innovation: categorizing tools, a step forward
The first difficulty was categorization. There were no categories. So, I created them. Then I had to identify and list all the main suppliers identified in each category. Finally, using a data sheet, we had to understand what each solution did and didn't do and, using keywords, select the tools that would meet our pre-determined needs to launch an RFP worthy of the name.
"There is no favorable wind for those who do not know which port to enter" - Seneca
The treasurer's planisphere: the treasury map
As you can see, this is a sort of planisphere, on which you identify the continents (i.e. the categories), then explore the countries to visit (i.e. the suppliers in the category), and finally select the countries you want to visit. This makes the journey much simpler, and the map will help you find your way through this plethora of solutions. What's more, the technical data sheets give us a clearer, simpler, more coherent, and complete picture of the product to ensure that it meets our needs. It will also enable us to discover unsuspected solutions, because it's impossible for a treasurer to know everything and who to contact. But the tool is much more than that. It also compiles videos, articles, white papers, surveys, etc. on the subject at hand. The platform will be a sort of up-to-date directory of tools and everything that revolves around them. Everyone will be able to find the best references to help them in their complicated quest. Eventually, we'll be adding an RFP pre-population tool to pre-select and short-list the solutions invited to tender. I'll end with these words from Marcus Aurelius to ponder: "What gets in the way gets in the way" (Marcus Aurelius). (Marcus Aurelius).
