When prices don’t match, quantities are off, or references are missing; invoices pile up in AP queues to be evaluated, fixed, and sent back to suppliers.

But this operating model is fundamentally broken.

Every incorrect invoice that reaches AP is work that shouldn’t exist. The real opportunity isn’t making AP faster at fixing errors; it’s preventing faulty invoices from entering the system in the first place.

Reality Check: Automation Can’t Fix Bad Input.

Many organizations invest heavily in AP automation inside the ERP. Yet exception rates stand stubbornly high. Why?

Because automation doesn’t eliminate errors, it just processes them faster.

If suppliers can submit invoices that exceed price or quantity tolerances, reference incorrect or missing PO, or ignore mandatory tax data, then AP is forced into a reactive correction role. This also creates tax compliance risks, particularly with growing requirements such as e‑invoicing mandates.

These issues aren't caused by AP inefficiency but because most AP automation systems aren’t designed to prevent incorrect invoices from entering the process.

According to Ardent Partners research*:

• 49% of AP executives cite the length of time required to approve invoices and payments as a top challenge.
• 48% of AP executives identify the high volume of invoice exceptions as a major issue.

Modern AP shouldn’t operate this way.

The Solution: Advocate Proactiveness with SAP Business Network Commerce Automation

With SAP Business Network Commerce Automation, AP automation starts before the invoice is even submitted.

Buyers can configure business rules that adhere to their requirements and policies. While an invoice is being created and filled on SAP Business Network, it's validated in real time against the buyer’s requirements and policies, including:

• Required fields and references
• Price and quantity tolerances
• PO, goods receipt, or service entry sheet alignment
• Country/region-specific tax and compliance rules

If an invoice doesn’t meet the rules, it can't be submitted, and the supplier is prompted to correct the issue. On top of that, invoices created via a PO “flip” within SAP Business Network consistently have far fewer issues to begin with.

The result is simple but powerful: Only structurally valid, financially accurate, and compliant invoices reach AP.

The Benefits: Fewer Exceptions, Lower Operational Cost, Ensured Compliance.

This enforcement changes outcomes greatly. SAP Business Network has achieved:

• 83% of total invoices are processed without exceptions
• Up to 60% reduction in operating costs for processing invoices
• E‑invoicing compliance across more than 40 countries/regions with regulatory requirements

And our customers thrive. Deutsche Telekom is a leading telecom company with more than 260 million customers in 50 countries/regions. They've achieved:

• More than 92% no-touch invoice processing
• 96% on-time payment rate
• More than €1 m in savings by focusing on automated business processes

Key Takeaways

When invoices are stopped at the source, AP changes fundamentally. Teams shift away from correction and rework toward payment optimization, analytics, and supplier experience.

That’s automation; built into the process, like on SAP Business Network.

Explore how business rules help organizations achieve true straight‑through, no-touch invoice processing on SAP Business Network.