One of the reasons we write this blog is to help put electronic invoicing in context. While e-Invoicing is no longer new, there is ongoing demand for good educational material.
A paper that recently caught OB10’s eye is a viewpoint from HP, Transforming the Procure-to-Pay Process. It explores supplier invoice automation and the benefits and concerns holding back adoption. We think it offers a succinct overview that any company looking to streamline its P2P operations will find useful.
HP is well placed to write this report. As one of the pioneers in e-Invoicing, it has been at the forefront of invoice automation for nearly ten years.
As HP says, few organisations have brought technology into their P2P functions in a determined fashion, even though they recognise the benefits of greater productivity, efficiency and visibility, improved relations with suppliers, and fewer exceptions. Fears persist over up-front investment costs, the time it takes to onboard suppliers, possible technical challenges, security, scalability and legal requirements.
But as the paper finds – and we agree – many of these concerns no longer hold water. Technology has evolved to make the technical obstacles obsolete; governments are starting to keep pace with e-Invoicing developments; the experienced network providers are increasing their compliance around the world while sharing and building on years of lessons learnt.
HP shows how its Enterprise Services-BPO offering fits within the invoice automation process flow and explains how organisations can “gain the maximum automation and efficiency from an electronic invoicing environment by partnering with a single, experienced solution provider.” We particularly like how its process flow diagram shows OB10 at the heart of e-Invoicing.
HP concludes by saying it sees invoice automation as the key transformational element within the P2P process. Based on the conversations we’re having with customers, prospects and partners, HP is not the only one who thinks this way.
Download the HP viewpoint.