Managing accounts payable manually can slow down your finance team and create costly errors. Choosing the right AP automation solution helps you eliminate bottlenecks, reduce manual data entry, and speed up invoice approvals.
Table of Contents
In this article, we’ll explore what an AP automation solution is, the key benefits, and how to choose the best option for your business.
What is your AP Automation solution?
A great AP automation solution is provided by fully supported software that automates the accounts payable process. The features should include:
- Capturing supplier invoices digitally
- Matching invoices to purchase orders and goods receipts
- Routing invoices for approval
- Managing invoice exceptions
- Exporting approved invoices to your finance system for payment
Solutions like Zahara’s Accounts Payable automation software help businesses streamline AP workflows and reduce the risk of manual errors.
Martin Peirce
Founder and CEO
Benefits of Using an AP Automation Solution
Here’s why more businesses are turning to AP automation:
1. Faster Invoice Approvals
Manual approvals slow down payments and frustrate suppliers. An AP automation solution routes invoices to the right people automatically. With Zahara, you can set up multi-step invoice approval workflows that speed up the process.
2. Reduced Manual Data Entry
Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and intelligent data capture reduce the need for manual keying. Zahara’s OCR invoice scanning extracts key invoice data in seconds.
3. Improved Accuracy
Automation reduces human errors, from duplicate payments to incorrect supplier details. Automated three-way matching compares invoices with purchase orders and delivery receipts, helping prevent mistakes.
4. Better Visibility and Reporting
A good AP automation solution gives you real-time visibility over invoice status, approvals, and outstanding payments. Zahara’s AP Automation features include built-in reporting dashboards.
5. Lower Processing Costs
Reducing paper handling, postage, and admin time cuts your average cost per invoice. Studies show AP automation can reduce invoice processing costs by up to 80% (Source: Ardent Partners).
Features to Look for in an AP Automation Solution
When choosing an AP automation solution, focus on the following features:
– Invoice Capture Tools
Look for software with invoice capture software that uses OCR or email parsing.
– Automated Approval Workflows
Make sure the solution offers customisable, rule-based approval workflows.
– Purchase Order Matching
If you use purchase orders, select a solution with purchase order management and automated matching.
– Supplier Payment Scheduling
Some solutions, like Zahara, also handle scheduled supplier payments, giving you control over your payment run process.
– Integrations
Ensure the system integrates with your finance or ERP system. Zahara offers flexible integrations with popular accounting platforms.
Choosing the Best AP Automation Solution for Your Business
Follow these steps to select the right tool:
- Map Your Current AP Process
Understand where delays and inefficiencies occur. - Define Your Goals
Are you looking to reduce costs, improve visibility, or speed up approvals? - Review Features and Pricing
Compare providers on functionality and AP automation cost. - Request a Demo
See how each solution works in practice. Zahara offers free demos to help you evaluate fit. - Check Support and Onboarding Options
Look for providers with strong customer support and implementation help.
Why Zahara Could Be Your Ideal AP Automation Solution
Zahara is designed for mid-sized businesses that want flexible, easy-to-use AP automation. Key advantages include:
- Fast implementation
- No long-term contracts
- User-friendly interface
- Affordable subscription pricing
Learn more about Zahara’s Accounts Payable automation software.
Related Resources You Might Also Like to Read
🍋 AP automation
Discover the full benefits of automating your accounts payable processes.
🧾 Invoice approval software
Find out how automated approval workflows can speed up month-end.
📥 Invoice capture software
Learn how to digitise your invoices quickly and accurately.
🛠️ Purchase order software
Control spend before it happens with easy-to-use PO tools.
🏗️ PO system for small businesses
See how small businesses can benefit from using a PO system.
🚦 Invoice processing
Understand the full invoice processing journey from capture to payment.
📡 OCR Software
Explore how OCR technology transforms paper invoices into digital data.
FAQs About AP Automation Solutions
What is an AP automation solution?
An AP automation solution is software that automates accounts payable tasks like invoice capture, approvals, and payment scheduling.
How much does AP automation cost?
Costs vary depending on the provider and features. Zahara offers affordable pricing with no long-term contracts. See Zahara’s pricing page for details.
Can AP automation integrate with my finance system?
Yes, most AP automation solutions, including Zahara, offer integrations with popular finance and ERP platforms.
How long does it take to implement AP automation?
Implementation times range from a few days to several weeks, depending on the solution and your internal processes.
Does Zahara offer support during setup?
Yes, Zahara provides onboarding support and training to help you get started.
