Automate ERP processes with Business Central: The digital path to invoice efficiency
Why do companies today often take longer to send an invoice than to deliver a parcel? This question gets to the heart of a key problem: in many places, invoices are still exchanged manually - by post or email - and are prone to errors and inefficient. At the same time, requirements are increasing: E-invoicing obligations, growing customer expectations and the pressure to utilise resources better mean that a rethink is necessary.
Modern ERP systems such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central offer a clear solution here. They digitalise and automate processes relating to incoming and outgoing invoices - with the aim of reducing effort, increasing speed and maximising transparency.
Business Central as the foundation for end-to-end processes
Dynamics 365 Business Central integrates all business areas - from merchandise management and finance to purchasing and sales. This centralised platform is the ideal basis for automating company-wide processes.
The potential is particularly clear in the area of invoice processing: incoming invoices can be automatically recorded, read and released via digital workflows - without piles of paper, manual typing errors or long idle times. The entire process remains documented in an audit-proof manner.
Another advantage is its cloud capability: Business Central is flexibly scalable, available at any time and is constantly updated. This keeps companies technologically and legally up to date.
Why automation is so valuable, especially when exchanging invoices
Incoming invoices are one of the most time-consuming processes in accounting. Studies show: A manually processed document costs an average of 9 to 15 euros, while automated solutions can reduce this expense to less than 2 euros (source: Billentis Report, 2023).
Seamlessly integrated tools such as Finmatics automate the recognition, validation and posting of invoices. Scanned PDFs or email attachments are transferred directly into digital approval processes. Customisable workflows ensure that approvals by departments or management are carried out quickly.
Companies report significantly shorter processing times: Invoices that used to be in circulation for several days are now often processed in just a few hours - including approval. At the same time, the error rate is reduced as media disruptions and manual entries are eliminated.
Successful implementation - step by step
The introduction of digital invoicing processes does not have to be complicated. As a first step, companies analyse where bottlenecks occur and which documents are particularly time-consuming. On this basis, a pilot process is defined, for example for the receipt of invoices from certain suppliers. This workflow is first trialled in the test system before going live.
An important success factor is employee acceptance. Clear communication of the benefits and practical training ensure a successful rollout. The intuitive Business Central interface makes it even easier to get started.
Business Central as a technology partner for tomorrow
Business Central scores highly thanks to its openness for extensions and integrations. Using the Microsoft Power Platform, companies can develop their own workflows, visualise invoice data with Power BI or initiate approvals via Microsoft Teams. The highest security and data protection standards, regular updates and cloud operation guarantee future-proofing and availability - even when mobile or working from home.
Leading extensions for maximum efficiency
Powerful extensions can be integrated directly into Business Central for even greater automation and transparency:
FinmaticsAutomatic document recognition and posting.
NAVAX Automatic Order Matching: Automatic matching of invoices and orders.
NXEAW Extended Approval Workflow: Extended authorisation processes with individual approvals.
Our conclusion
Companies that rely on digital invoice processes with Business Central benefit from faster processes, fewer errors and greater transparency. Modern tools and clearly defined workflows ensure that invoices are processed in hours instead of days - efficiently, securely and with a view to the future.
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