Why Peppol power depends on AP integration 

Introduction 

In 2008, the European Commission initiated a pilot scheme to introduce cross-border standards for digitalized business transactions. Electronic invoicing is of course a pivotal part of the Commission’s brief. Fifteen years on, e-invoicing is an operational and technological cornerstone of every type of business – with Peppol, as the scheme is called, making it possible to do this in a fast, compliant, and intuitive way.

Any organization that trades internationally with businesses or public bodies has an interest in being part of Peppol, because the benefits are overwhelming. In this blog post, we focus on the transformative power of Peppol in e-invoicing and explore the importance of integrating your finance operations with the Peppol Network.

Peppol power for e-invoicing

What is e-invoicing?

Electronic invoicing is a digital method of creating, sending, receiving, and processing invoices. It replaces paper-based invoices and manual processes with electronic documents and automation. Here are some key points about e-invoicing: 

• Digital format: e-invoices are created in digital formats, such as XML, or other structured data formats, rather than on paper or PDF. 
• Electronic delivery: invoices are transmitted electronically, often via secure online portals, or integrated directly into the recipient’s accounting or ERP system. 
• Automation: e-invoicing systems often integrate with accounting software and financial systems, such as Accounts Payable (AP) invoice automation or Accounts Receivable (AR) invoice delivery, enabling the end-to-end automation of tasks and minimizing the risk of errors. 
• Cost savings: e-invoicing saves money by reducing paper, printing, and postage costs. 
• Compliance: e-invoicing systems often adhere to specific standards and legal requirements, depending on the jurisdiction and business segment. Governments are increasingly implementing e-invoicing mandates to enhance tax compliance and stamp out fraud in the invoicing process.

What is Peppol?

Peppol stands for Pan-European Public Procurement On-Line. The non-profit organization behind the network is OpenPEPPOL, whose mission it is to enable electronic business transactions whether they are national or international, business-to-government (B2G) or business-to-business (B2B). Its mission is to help businesses standardize information by providing a set of rules and technical specifications. The supported transactions include electronic invoicing as described in the EU Directive 2014/55/EU and its e-invoicing standard EN16931.  

Peppol began in 2008 as a pilot; today, it is a widely recognized and adopted global standard for e-invoicing.

What are the benefits of Peppol?

• Connectivity: Peppol ensures cross-border interoperability, allowing businesses to send and receive invoices effortlessly across national borders. This interoperability minimizes the complications associated with international transactions, making it easier for companies to expand their operations globally. 
• Compliance: Additionally, Peppol ensures that your business adheres to international e-invoicing standards, reducing the risk of errors and non-compliance. The increasing adoption of Peppol by governments and businesses globally further cements its importance in modern business operations. An example is the EU directive 2014/55/EU on e-invoicing and its standard EN16931. 

The need for integration: Cevinio and the Peppol Network

As more governments and businesses join Peppol, seamless integration with the network becomes an ever-greater priority. Peppol integration may well be non-negotiable for your customers and suppliers for whom compliance with global e-invoicing regulations is a must. In the B2G space, we see more and more countries putting their trust in Peppol’s invoice validation rules to ensure compliance. 

Peppol is not a portal, or a provider of exchange services. It is an enabler. To send and receive business documents such as e-invoices across the Peppol Network you have to go through a Peppol-accredited service provider. 

At Cevinio, we take pride in having been a Peppol Certified Service Provider for over a decade. When you choose our Accounts Payable and/or Accounts Receivable services, we connect you seamlessly to the Peppol Network, which enables you to send and receive globally compliant invoices without effort. To support the requirements of our clients we continuously monitor the latest global and local regulations.

Cevinio AP Automation allows you to receive invoices via Peppol  

The Cevinio AP Automation solution offers a transformative answer to the challenges faced by businesses managing highly manual Accounts Payable processes. These challenges include low productivity, costly invoice processing, and payment of non-compliant invoices. The deployment of advanced AP software ramps up efficiencies and cost savings while improving compliance.  

Our software ensures that every invoice you pay is fully compliant, while also assisting you in aligning with international e-invoicing mandates. Peppol integration is part of that effort. We understand that compliance is highly complex for businesses operating on a global scale, and this is why we are about to enter our second decade as a certified Peppol integrator.

Cevinio AR Invoice Delivery software allows you to send invoices in Peppol format 

By implementing our Account Receivable Invoice Delivery software, you will benefit from improved efficiency, accuracy, and customer satisfaction while reducing operational burdens. It will allow your business to better manage its finances, compliance, and overall invoicing process, ultimately contributing to your long-term success. To ensure success at scale, our solution supports all major UBL invoice formats, including Peppol.

Conclusion 

The power of Peppol in e-invoicing cannot be overstated. With its commitment to standardizing information and facilitating seamless electronic transactions, Peppol has emerged as a pivotal player in the global business landscape. Its ability to ensure cross-border interoperability, compliance with international e-invoicing standards, and the simplification of complex international transactions make Peppol an indispensable tool for businesses looking to expand their operations on a global scale. 

Peppol is not a secure cross-border payment system such as PayPal. To benefit from its ecosystem of e-invoicing convenience and compliance, it is necessary to use the advice and service of a Peppol-accredited provider such as Cevinio. If you want to explore the possibilities of our AP Automation software in synergy with the indispensable Peppol Network, do not hesitate to get in touch.