Many finance teams already know why AP automation matters. The harder question is: how do you choose the right AP automation software and ERP-connected solution without getting stuck in endless demos and vague promises?
If you’re moving away from manual AP and toward invoice processing automation, the goal isn’t just to “go digital.” It’s to pick a platform that integrates tightly with your ERP, improves AP efficiency, and scales with your business.
In this article, we’ll walk through:
- The key ROI metrics you should expect from ERP-connected AP automation
- Practical questions to ask in vendor demos
- Why now is the right time to modernize AP
- How Quadient can help you see this in action
The Numbers: What ERP-Connected AP Automation Delivers
For teams still deciding whether automation is worth the investment, the metrics shared in the webinar were hard to ignore. Organizations that modernize AP with ERP connectors typically see:
- More discounts captured
Automated AP departments capture a higher percentage of available vendor discounts, thanks to better visibility and faster approvals.
- Lower cost per invoice
Processing costs can drop from around $9.40 per invoice down to roughly $2.50–$3.00 with a mature, automated process.
- Faster processing cycles
Cycle times shrink from about 9.2 days to 3–4 days on average when approvals, matching, and data entry are automated.
- Fewer exceptions
Exception rates fall below 10%, meaning fewer errors, fewer reworks, and less time spent on firefighting.
Beyond the hard numbers, automation gives something harder to measure but equally important: time back to the team. AP staff can focus on analysis, vendor relationships, and process improvements instead of chasing signatures and digging through inboxes.
How to Evaluate AP Automation (and the Right ERP Connector)
One of the strongest themes from the webinar was: don’t be shy about asking tough questions in demos. A solution might look great in a slide deck, but the details determine whether it actually improves AP efficiency.
Here are some practical evaluation angles and questions you can bring to vendors.
1. Integration and ERP Fit
Your ERP is the system of record. Any AP automation software you choose should respect that and integrate cleanly.
Ask:
- Does the AP solution support a prebuilt ERP connector for your specific ERP (e.g., NetSuite, Sage Intacct, QuickBooks, Xero, Microsoft Dynamics, etc.)?
- How long does a typical implementation take for organizations similar to yours?
- What data flows are supported (vendors, POs, invoices, payments, GL codes)?
- How often does data sync, and can it be scheduled or near real-time?
2. Data Security and Compliance
AP sits at the intersection of sensitive vendors, invoices, and payment data. Security can’t be an afterthought.
Ask:
- How is data encrypted in transit and at rest?
- What certifications or compliance frameworks does the solution support (e.g., SOC 2)?
- How are roles, permissions, and approvals controlled?
- Can the system support your internal controls and audit requirements?
3. Configuration and Scalability
The goal of invoice processing automation isn’t just to get today’s process online—it’s to give you a flexible framework you can grow with.
Ask:
- Can you configure approval workflows, coding rules, and exception handling without heavy IT involvement?
- How easy is it to add new entities, subsidiaries, or locations?
- How does the platform perform as invoice volume grows?
- Are there built-in tools for handling edge cases and exceptions?
4. User Experience and Adoption
Even the best engine will fail if no one wants to drive it. User experience matters for both the AP team and approvers.
Ask:
- How intuitive is the UI for AP users who live in the system every day?
- Can approvers review and approve invoices easily from email or mobile?
- Is it clear, at a glance, what’s pending, what’s blocked, and who needs to take action?
- What training and onboarding resources are available for finance teams?
Why Now Is the Right Time to Modernize AP
If you’re still managing AP with spreadsheets, email, and manual ERP entry, you’re not alone but you may be leaving a lot of value on the table:
- Time that could be reallocated to more strategic work
- Discounts that could be captured with better visibility
- Stress that could be avoided at month-end and audit time
ERP connectors and AP automation software aren’t just about “going digital.” They’re about building an AP function that’s:
- Faster – shorter cycle times and fewer bottlenecks
- More accurate – lower exception rates and cleaner data in your ERP
- More resilient – a process that holds up even as volume grows or teams work remotely
In other words, you’re not just fixing today’s pain, you’re designing an AP function that can support your long-term growth.
Ready to See What This Could Look Like for Your Team?
If you’re curious how this would work with your ERP, your vendors, and your approval workflows, the best next step is simple: see it live.
Quadient’s AP automation platform is designed to integrate with leading ERPs through robust, prebuilt connectors, so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel to get the benefits of automation.
Book a personalized demo with Quadient to:
- See how invoices flow automatically from capture to payment
- Explore how ERP connectors keep your data in sync and audit-ready
- Understand what implementation would look like for your organization
- Get a realistic picture of the time and cost savings for your AP team
If your goal is to boost AP efficiency, slash processing times, reduce costs, and give your team back hours every week, this is the moment to explore what’s possible.
By putting ERP connectors at the heart of your AP automation strategy, you’re not just fixing today’s bottlenecks; you’re building a smarter, more scalable finance operation for the future.
