Zahara's Blog Archive

A man in a shirt and tie looks excited with clenched fists, next to text promoting Zahara's faster invoice processing using automated data capture and workflow routing.

Faster Invoice Processing

Reduce invoice processing time from days to minutes with automated data capture and workflow routing. Why Faster Invoice Processing Matters In accounts payable, speed isn’t just a ni…

A woman in business attire sits at a desk with her index finger raised. Text promotes Zahara invoice matching software and highlights its automation and efficiency benefits.

Invoice Matching Software

Invoice matching software helps finance teams prevent costly payment errors and improve visibility across their purchase-to-pay process. It ensures invoices are verified before payment — saving tim…

A man in business attire smiles and raises his fist in front of a laptop. Promo text promotes AP Automation for Microsoft Dynamics 365 by Zahara.

AP Automation for Microsoft Dynamics 365

Accounts Payable (AP) automation has become a must-have for finance teams using Microsoft Dynamics 365. Manual invoice handling and approvals drain time and increase errors. By integrating an AP auto…

A woman works at a computer in an office. Text reads: "Zahara. The Best Purchase Order Software. Explore the best purchase order software for efficiency, quick approvals, and easy integration.

The #1 Best purchase order software

If you’re searching for the best purchase order software, you want three things: clear controls, quick approvals, and zero surprises at month‑end. Zahara delivers all three—without the bloat. T…

A woman sits at a desk overwhelmed by invoices while coworkers in party hats celebrate in the background. Text highlights the stress caused by surprise invoices.

Surprise Invoices

Running a business means dealing with suppliers, purchase requests, and regular invoices. But many finance teams know the sinking feeling of receiving an invoice they weren’t expecting. These surpr…

A graphic titled "Blanket Purchase Orders Explained" with the Zahara logo, text about planned purchase order processes, and an illustration of a purchase order form.

Blanket Purchase Orders Explained

What Is a Blanket Purchase Order? A blanket purchase order (BPO) is a standing order that allows a business to buy goods or services repeatedly from a supplier without raising a new purchase order…

A graphic with the title “Planned Purchase Orders Explained,” a Zahara logo, and text about the importance of flexibility in procurement efficiency. An illustrated purchase order is shown.

Planned Purchase Orders Explained

What Is a Planned Purchase Order? A planned purchase order (PPO) is a type of purchase order created without a confirmed delivery date. It records your intention to buy certain items or services i…

A promotional graphic for Zahara shows "Single Use PO Templates" with a sample purchase order and text describing them as simple, precise, and for clearly defined, one-off purchases.

Single Use Purchase Order Templates

Purchase orders are the backbone of controlled business spending. Among the different types, the single-use purchase order (PO) is the most widely adopted. It’s simple, precise, and designed for o…

A woman in an office, wearing a party hat and looking stressed at a desk piled with bills, while people celebrate in the background; ad promotes controlled spending with Zahara software.

We Love Surprises, Just Not in Our Bills

Birthdays? Anniversaries? Office parties? We love surprises. Unexpected costs in your Accounts Payable? Not so much. Every finance team knows the frustration of a rogue invoice landing on their de…

A hand holds a microphone in front of two speech bubbles on an orange background, featuring the words “Insights” and “In conversation with: Tom Northeast, UX Designer at Zahara.”.

Meet Tom Northeast: UX Designer at Zahara

Q: Tom, can you introduce yourself – name, age, and position at Zahara?A: Hi, I’m Tom Northeast. I’m 25 and I work as a UX Designer here at Zahara, where I focus on creating intuitive and user-…

A man in a suit points to the right next to the Zahara logo; text explains accounts payable solutions and their benefits for automation and workflow.

Understanding Accounts Payable Solutions

Introduction to Accounts Payable Solutions What are Accounts Payable Invoice Automation Solutions?They are software platforms that manage the complete lifecycle of supplier invoices — from recei…

Illustration showing artificial intelligence in finance within a cityscape, featuring finance charts, informative text on AI boosting efficiency and decision-making in finance, and the Zahara logo.

Artificial intelligence in finance

From streamlining accounts payable to enhancing fraud detection and enabling real-time decision making, AI is becoming a vital asset for forward-thinking finance teams. Moving far beyond automation A…

Retail AP Automation A cartoon grocery bag with money in hand runs energetically next to text promoting Zahara’s Retail AP Automation for improved invoice processing and smarter payment management efficiency.

Retail AP Automation

Introduction to Retail AP Automation Accounts payable (AP) automation is transforming retail finance by streamlining invoice processing, payment management, and vendor interactions. For retailers …

Illustration of a smiling cartoon computer holding a plug, promoting Zahara Invoice Matching Software for improved accuracy and prevention of payment errors.

Invoice Matching Software by Zahara

When an invoice arrives at your Accounts Payable department, the best practice is to match it against a corresponding purchase order and delivery receipt. Known as three-way matching, this verificati…

A digital illustration for a guide to Digital Purchase Orders, featuring a smartphone character holding shopping bags, with the Zahara logo in the top right corner.

Digital Purchase Orders

Traditional purchase orders can slow down your business operations with unnecessary paperwork, manual approvals, and cumbersome invoicing. Digital purchase orders transform this process by providing …

A woman in business attire holds a laptop and gestures with confusion next to text explaining what is AP automation and the Zahara logo on a colorful background.

What is AP Automation?

...is the process by which accounts payable tasks are handled digitally using technology, rather than manually. It has revolutionised the way businesses process and pay their invoices, making the pro…

A woman holding a laptop stands next to text promoting Zahara AP Automation Software, highlighting features, pricing, and benefits for streamlining orders, invoices, approvals, and payments. Perfect for efficient AP automation.

AP Automation Software

If you’re searching for the best AP automation software to modernise your finance operations, you’re in the right place. Automating accounts payable is no longer a luxury — it’s necessary for…

A person in a suit with a question mark for a head holds signs with a check and an X; text reads “Tipalti? Zahara? Why Tipalti Might Not Be Right for You.” Tipalti’s suitability is questioned in this thought-provoking comparison.

Why Tipalti Might Not Be Right for You

Growing businesses love chasing revenue. That’s where the excitement is. New customers. Bigger deals. Expansion plans. But there’s a problem. When your company focuses only on the money com…

Banner for Zahara promoting purchase order software, featuring a smiling person at a laptop and highlighted features like real-time spend tracking and easy PO generation.

Best PO Software

A robust Purchase Order (PO) software streamlines your procurement processes, reduces errors, and provides greater control over your spending. Choosing the best PO software transforms how your organi…

Define accounts payable graphic A hand holds a magnifying glass over text that asks "What is Accounts Payable?" with details about its role in managing finances and supplier relationships. Zahara logo is in the top-right corner.

Watch is Accounts Payable?

To define accounts payable (AP), think of it like your business's "IOU" list—it’s the money your company owes suppliers for goods or services you’ve already enjoyed. Typically, these short-term…

Graphic explaining purchase orders, featuring a clipboard with a purchase order form, a magnifying glass with a check mark, and text introducing what is a purchase order ? basics for businesses.

What is a purchase order

A purchase order (PO) is a formal document sent by a buyer to a supplier. It confirms an order for goods or services, stating quantities, prices, delivery dates, and payment terms. Once accepted, …

Person using a laptop, sitting cross-legged on the floor with interconnected lines in the background. Text reads: "How to streamline your Accounts Payables" with additional explanatory text.

How to streamline your Accounts Payables

Understanding Accounts Payable Procedures Accounts Payable (AP) procedures are processes organisations follow to handle payments owed to suppliers and vendors. Effective AP management is crucial f…

Podcast cover for "Totally Balanced." Features "Conversations with a CFO, Episode 3, Bridging Finance and Technology" with Matthew Milne from Bridge Financials. Shows a collage with a suit holding a microphone.

Bridging Finance and Technology:

The world of finance is evolving rapidly, and those who embrace technology are staying ahead of the curve. In this episode of Totally Balanced, Zahara CEO Martin Peirce sits down with Matthew Milne of…

Promotional image for Zahara's AP OCR software showcasing improved accuracy and efficiency in invoice management, featuring a bar graph, clipboard, dartboard, and bell icons.

AP OCR – Unlocking Efficiency:

AP OCR (Accounts Payable Optical Character Recognition) technology is improving invoice management for finance teams. By digitising and automating manual tasks, OCR streamlines workflows, saves time a…

Promotional graphic for Dynamics 365 AP Automation, highlighting invoicing, enhanced business efficiency, and various icons against a dynamic gradient background.

Dynamics 365 AP Automation

Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a solid piece of software for an SME that requires something comprehensive. The software offers many of the tools you’d want from business software: accounting and ledger, …

Podcast cover for "Totally Balanced" featuring "Conversations with a CFO" for Episode 2, with Chris Racher, Finance Manager at Peterborough United Football Club, and a collage of a suit and microphone.

Behind the Numbers at Peterborough United

[ez-toc] In Season 1, Episode 2 of the Zahara Podcast, we sit down with Chris Racher, Finance Manager at Peterborough United Football Club, to explore the fascinating world of football finance. From …

Graphic for "Totally Balanced" podcast, Episode 1, featuring Jonathan Lee, COO of Zahara Systems. The abstract design highlights a hand holding a microphone, diving into the often-overlooked role of a CFO in steering company success.

The role of a CFO today

[ez-toc] In the inaugural episode of Totally Balanced, host Martin Peirce sits down with co-director and COO Jonathan Lee to explore the multifaceted world of finance and operations. From Excel favou…

Promotional image for Zahara, spotlighting the best PO system to automate accounts payable, featuring sleek interface elements and detailed pricing info.

#1 Best PO System

Having the best PO system you can is essential for streamlining your organisation's procurement of goods and services. PO stands for Purchase Order and implementing the best PO system will structure …