When prices do not match, quantities are incorrect, or references are missing; invoices accumulate in Accounts Payable queues to be assessed, corrected, and returned to suppliers.

But this operating model is fundamentally flawed.

Every incorrect invoice that reaches AP is work that should not 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 Poor Input.

Many organisations invest heavily in AP automation within the ERP. Yet exception rates remain stubbornly high. Why?

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

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

These issues are not caused by AP inefficiency but because most AP automation systems are not 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 should not operate in this way.

The Solution: Promote Proactivity with SAP Business Network Commerce Automation

With SAP Business Network Commerce Automation, AP automation begins 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 completed on SAP Business Network, it is validated in real time against the buyer’s requirements and policies, including:

• Mandatory 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 does not meet the rules, it cannot 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 yet powerful: Only structurally valid, financially accurate, and compliant invoices reach Accounts Payable.

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

This enforcement greatly changes outcomes. 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 telecommunications company with more than 260 million customers in 50 countries/regions. They have achieved:

• More than 92% touchless 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 source, AP changes fundamentally. Teams shift away from correction and rework towards payment optimisation, analytics, and supplier experience.

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

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