Is Your AP Process Fully Automated? Consider These 4 Telling Scenarios
A SAP Concur blog post notes that many accounts payable processes appear automated but still rely on faxes, scanned images, and manual steps. It describes four common scenarios: centralized vs. decentralized capture, semi-automated approval workflows, ERP module limitations, and insufficient payment optimization. True AP automation should be entirely paperless, with all invoices received electronically and all communication around approvals or matching issues in a single system. The article recommends assessing automation levels and considering specialized solutions.
Impact and considerations
Insufficient AP automation leads to inefficiencies, higher costs, and poor cash flow visibility; companies need to assess and upgrade their AP processes.
Key points
- Many AP processes appear automated but still rely on faxes, scanned images, and manual steps.
- Centralized capture is better than decentralized, providing cash-flow visibility.
- ERP modules typically offer only partial automation and may not scale.
- True AP automation should be entirely paperless, with all invoices received electronically and approvals in a single system.
Sources and time
- Primary source
- SAP Concur
- Other sources
- 0
- First source publication
- 29 Jun 2022, 19:47
- Page published
- 14 Aug 2026, 08:36
- Last updated
- 29 Jun 2022, 19:47
- Original links
- SAP Concur Blog：Is Your AP Process Fully Automated? Consider These 4 Telling Scenarios (opens in a new tab)Primary source · en · Published 29 Jun 2022, 19:47