Top 10 SAP AP Automation Solutions

SAP AP automation, achieved through add-on software having seamless integration, adds cost-saving efficiency, financial controls, and simpler tax compliance and global regulatory compliance to SAP ERP products.

This article lists and describes the best AP automation for SAP invoice processing automation and accounts payable software, starting with award-winning Tipalti AP automation.

A Brief Overview of SAP

SAP ERP includes SAP S/4HANA, SAP ECC, SAP Business One, and SAP ByDesign.

SAP S/4HANA is high-end and complex cloud-based SAAS software used by large enterprise companies and medium-sized businesses. SAP ECC, still in use by some long-time SAP users, is a predecessor ERP from before SAP S/4HANA’s launch. SAP Business One is deployed as an on-premises or cloud-based type of ERP system for small and mid-sized companies. SAP Business ByDesign is used by mid-market companies.

The SAP ERP systems are modular, with optional SAP modules available to increase functionality as needed.

What is the AP Process in SAP?

The AP process in SAP S/4HANA ERP consists of steps for invoice processing and accounts payable reports. The Invoice Processing and Payables Processing functions in SAP S/4HANA are integrated with S/4HANA Sourcing & Procurement.

Accounts payable invoice processing steps in SAP S/4HANA are:

1. Receive paper or PDF invoices that can be scanned and extracted for data digitization.
2. Enter invoice data and review and code invoices to general ledger accounts with Invoice Management.
3. The accounts payable team performs 3-way or 2-way invoice matching to the purchase order and goods received note with Invoice Management.
4. Route invoices and supporting documents to approvers for payment approval.
5. Post invoices, after resolving any discrepancies, to financial records.
6. Pay supplier invoices.
7. Generate and review accounts payable aging reports and invoice processing metrics.

The cloud-based accounts payable process in SAP S/4HANA is similar to other SAP systems for enterprise resource planning.

Benefits of SAP Invoice Processing Automation

Integration of accounts payable automation in SAP helps your business avoid pain points that you experience in AP workflow from using a manual accounts payable system and provides process efficiency.

Integrated SAP accounts payable automation simplifies the use of SAP and replaces the SAP payable process for manual invoice processing, including data entry, with more streamlined and automated workflow processes that include automated notifications for discrepancies, exception handling, approvals, and payment status.

Your business also receives better control over fraud, errors, and duplicate invoices, real-time spend visibility, global regulatory compliance, and tax compliance. An integrated third-party, AI-driven accounts payable automation SAP system is efficient. Used as an invoice automation SAP solution, it lets your company reduce its hiring needs and save money by reducing costs and taking early payment discounts on time.

The Top AP Automation Solutions for SAP

Top AP automation SAP solutions or alternatives to SAP ERP include:

• Tipalti
• Acumatica
• Microsoft Dynamics 365
• SAP Concur
• QuickBooks
• NetSuite
• Medius
• Serrala
• Quadient
• Stampli

Tipalti

Overview

Tipalti is scalable AP automation software for the cloud with SAP integration for end-to-end payables processing that replaces paper systems and manual tasks with digitization and workflow automation. Tipalti begins with self-service supplier onboarding and automates electronic invoice processing from digital invoice capture through real-time supplier invoice payment reconciliation, then provides real-time spend visibility and analysis.

Tipalti automation software simplifies tax compliance. It improves operational efficiency. Tipalti uses artificial intelligence/machine learning, optical character recognition (OCR), and robotic process automation (RPA) technologies.

Features

Tipalti AP automation features include:

• Self-service supplier onboarding, with tax form collection and preferred payment method choice
• Digital invoice data capture with optical character recognition (OCR) and artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) with headings and line items for automated invoice processing
• Automated supplier validation that includes TIN matching
• Match invoices automatically, with 3-way or 2-way matching
• Automate general ledger account coding using AI
• Automated routings to approvers, with communications
• Automated global regulatory compliance with screening against the OFAC sanctions list and other blacklists
• Global payments to 196 countries in 120 currencies, with a choice of 50 payment methods
• Cash flow requirement views before making large scheduled batch payments
• Real-time automated payment reconciliation
• Simple tax preparation reports with optional eFiling through partnered Zenwork Tax1099
• Multi-entity and multi-currency, including optional advanced FX software products
• Real-time spend visibility with business intelligence analysis, including Ask Tipalti AI^SM queries

Usage

Tipalti AP automation integrates with SAP ERP products and other ERPs and accounting software, including NetSuite, Acumatica, Microsoft Dynamics 365, and QuickBooks Online.

Acumatica

Overview

Acumatica has accounts payable functionality that includes limited AP automation features. The Acumatica ERP financial capabilities are improved through the integration of more robust third-party AP automation software.

Features

Acumatica accounts payable features with some automation include:

• Receiving supplier invoices and source documents (via email or scanning)
• Attaching source documents to invoices
• Approval workflows
• Machine learning for data anomaly detection in accounts payable costs
• Automatically approve payments

Usage

Acumatica ERP alone provides basic automation in accounts payable. Tipalti AP automation software has Acumatica integration that adds more extensive AP automation capabilities.

Microsoft Dynamics 365

Overview

Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP is a SAP ERP alternative that automates accounts payable to a limited extent.

Features

• Comprehensive third-party automation software integration or OCR services to import scanned invoice details
• Apply prepayments to vendor invoices
• Match receipts to pending invoices
• Simulate posting of vendor invoices before posted
• View workflow, automation history, and results of automated vendor invoice processing
• Automate processing of multiple invoices

Usage

Microsoft Dynamics ERP, which competes with SAP ERP, provides limited AP automation and is best used when integrated with more robust third-party AP automation software.

SAP Concur

Overview

SAP Concur products include Concur Invoice, Concur Expense, and Concur Travel. Concur Concur Invoice is for AP automation. Concur Expense is a product that automates employee travel and expense management and reimbursement.

Features

Features of Concur Invoice include:

• Email and OCR with machine learning for invoice capture, followed by human validation
• Manual selection of expense class that automatically shows the distribution of expense
• With invoice submission, managers can approve and review invoices for payment through the mobile app
• The AP team receives the approved invoice and finalizes the invoice for upload into the ERP system for payment
• Concur Payment Manager prepares payment batches

Usage

SAP Concur Invoice competes with Tipalti AP automation. Concur Expense competes with the Tipalti Expenses finance automation product that works with Tipalti AP automation software in the employee expense claims submission and reimbursement space.

QuickBooks

Overview

QuickBooks may be used as an alternative to SAP Business One ERP software for small businesses.  QuickBooks Online accounting software provides simple automated receipt of bills but can’t be considered an AP automation solution without third-party AP automation software integration because it requires manual steps between invoice receipt and payment.

Features

• Receive bills/invoices (with attached PDF file) automatically from another QuickBooks user
• From the Expenses/Bills/Add bill dropdown menu, select Upload bills from computer, which extracts information from the bill and adds the QuickBooks Online transaction

Usage

Integrate third-party AP automation software (from Tipalti) to add end-to-end accounts payable automation to QuickBooks.

NetSuite

Overview

For medium-sized businesses, NetSuite ERP is a competitor to SAP ERP. NetSuite ERP, owned by Oracle, has limited experience with its own AP automation solution and also integrates with third-party ERP software. Tipalti AP automation software is partnered with “Built for NetSuite” and received the SuiteApp of the Year award from NetSuite in 2019.

Features

• NetSuite Bill Capture with AI/ML and OCR
• NetSuite Payment automation with HBSC payments, using payment methods of check, ACH, or virtual credit card
• Daily payment data and monthly statements downloaded into NetSuite for reconciliation
• Accounts and payables dashboard for your viewing status, enabling your company to analyze metrics and communicate payment dates with suppliers

Usage

Compare the features and benefits of award-winning Tipalti AP automation software with NetSuite’s accounts payable automation solution to find the best solution for your business needs.

Medius

Overview

Medius automates accounts payable workflows, approval process workflows, and the payment process without human intervention.

Features

• Invoice capture
• Automated process automation workflows
• Anomaly detection to detect fraud and duplicate invoices
• Automated invoice payment
• Tax and global regulatory compliance

Usage

Medius integrates with SAP ERP for AP automation.

Serrala

Overview

Serrala is a Germany-headquartered company that provides accounts payable automation that integrates with SAP ERP and other automated financial products.

Features

• Self-service supplier portal
• Digital invoice data capture in the cloud
• Robotic process automation for SAP invoice automation
• Invoice matching
• Automated approvals routing
• Dashboard-based invoice status views with drill-down
• Journal entry for SAP
• Invoice payments
• Analytics

Usage

Serrala is used by businesses looking for a combined accounts receivable, accounts payable, and treasury solution with products from one source, with SAP integration.

Quadient

Overview

Quadient provides SAP-integrated accounts payable automation, accounts receivable automation, and mailing solutions. Its accounts payable automation software provides the following features.

Features

• Uses AI for data entry
• Custom rules for end-to-end payables automation and touchless invoice processing
• Automatically routes POs, invoices, and payment approvals
• Adds financial controls
• Provides spend visibility

Usage

Quadient AP automation is used by businesses in various industries, including the restaurant, hospitality, and fitness industries.

Stampli

Overview

Stampli provides AP automation software for automated invoice processing.

Features

• Self-service Vendor Portal
• Billy the Bot for AI-driven invoice processing
• Invoice-centered conversations, with communications as attachments
• Automated invoice data capture, general ledger account coding, matching, and approvals routing
• Payments and payment reconciliation
• Dashboard with invoice status
• Spend visibility
• Financial controls to prevent paying duplicate invoices

Usage

Stampli is used by SMBs for AP automation in various industries.

Which AP Automation Integration Fits Your Business Needs?

Your business can decide which AP automation for SAP fits your business needs by conducting a software evaluation project. Request input from a team of SAP users to determine and rank the features that are essential or nice to have in AP automation. Select the third-party software product with SAP integration that best meets these requirements. Establish or allocate a budget for AP automation software that fits your business needs.

Consider cost-savings from AP automation efficiency that can save AP department and accounting staff time and reduce hiring needs, fewer payment errors and fraudulent supplier payments, and better real-time spend visibility and analysis for improved expenditure management and control.

SAP can be made more efficient with added financial control. SAP ERP is missing features in its last mile for payables processing and real-time, multi-entity spend control. Learn more about how to bridge the ERP gap and request a Tipalti AP automation software demo to get started.