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Tag: EIPP

Once bitten, the e-invoicing bug remains forever

Let me first clarify what I meant by e-invoicing here. It is not about scanning and OCRing paper invoices with tight integration of accounts payable systems. It is about connecting disparate finance and procurement systems seamlessly, so that an electronic document (purchase-to-payment and supply-to-cash) from one system flows automatically to another system owned by the same or separate organisation without duplication of effort. At its very basic level, avoiding retyping of data created by the originating system. In my mind, you can only achieve this through a electronic document exchange hub. A prime example is OB10 (in the case of…

United Data #2 – Teaming up with Accountancy Age

According to David Ferdinando, Regional Director – London South of United Data: “The decision to sponsor the Accountancy Age awards was a natural choice. Over the next three to four years, the impact of ‘open networks’ will have a significant effect on the way every finance department in this country operates. United Data will be at the forefront of that change with ExDox ?, Europe’s first free to join Open Document Network, which becomes available in November to coincide with the Awards.” Well done David with striking such an important strategic partnership – getting accountants and financial directors on your…

United Data Ltd # 1 – Mark Morahan is back!

Note (1st October 07) – I have tone down the following article which was posted on 27th July 2007. There has been numerous occasions when I wanted to write about Mark Morahan but have resisted the temptation. But this article (update: link no longer working) caught my eye. I came to know Mark through Morahan International, he set-up with few colleagues in 2003/04. Instead of talking about his previous business, lets look at his new business. One thing I can congratulate Mark on is about “never giving up”. Unfortunately or fortunately (depending on your view point) I have become bit like…

EIPP Market Analysis by Forrester

You can download the original powerpoint presentation from Forrester (thanks to Jean-Philippe Massin for the story). The title above is A/P EIPP. Once again, the theme is about purchaser-centric exchange solutions. I personally do not like the idea of segregating companies into purchasers and suppliers. In the long run, the solutions that cater for both will be the winners. Colour grid is (years are 2003 to 2006 from left to right): Light brown – service revenues Dark brown – subscription revenues Light blue – Maintenance Dark blue – License revenues Bit confusing with the title here, as it says EIPP…

EIPP is hotting up – Sprinter from Bottomline Technologies

Recently, Bottomline Technologies announced an Integrated Solution for End-to-End Purchase-to-Pay Automation. Bottomline has been in the Electronic Invoicing Presentment and Payment (EIPP) (also called e-invoicing) market for number of years, have supplied solutions to many organisations across Europe and North America. What is so special about, Sprinter? Its claimed to be a modular solution that streamlines Purchase-to-Pay processes through a combination of integrated invoice data capture services and innovative software for purchasing and requisition management, invoice workflow and supplier collaboration. Lot of keywords, but what does this mean to the layman? Ok, my analysis as follows: It integrates seamlessly with…

HSBC Launches Accounts Payable Integration

Continuing from my previous article, Two Heavy Weights enter EIPP market, GT News reported in March that HSBC has launched A/P integration service. HSBC calls this service, Accounts Payable Integration (API). I wish they chose a different name. In our industry, API stands for Application Programme Interface. APIs are needed to build interfaces between different programmes, for example, connecting ebdex Document Exchange to Access Accouting, Mamut, Oracle or any other. “HSBC API is an integrated accounts payable solution, the first in a series of a new suite of accounts payable solutions launched by HSBC. The platform accepts all types of…

Sage Visma and Hg Capital

Few weeks ago, David Terrar and I got excited by the news of Sage eyeing Norwegian Visma, who we thought had a SaaS model. But now it emegered that Hg Capital may have beaten Sage in acquiring Visma. I see participation of private equity in accounts/ERP/EIPP as a positive step, given that ebdex is also seeking private equity funding. It is worth analysing the portfolio of Hg Capital to understand the threat they pose to Sage, in putting a barrier to increasing Sage’s dominance. Some of technology investments include: Addison Software – German Accountancy and business software software. Burns e-Commerce…

EIPP: Two Heavy Weights enter EIPP market

I just came across this article: Deutsche Bank and CSC launch electronic corporate invoicing service. Should we be scared! Hell no!! This confirms that market is ready for such innovative solutions. Analysing the story….the solution seems to be aimed at Euro Top 1000. It is right for these two companies Deutsche Bankand Computer Sciences Corporation) to join forces together, as one complements the other. Deutsche Bank would never be able to operate an EIPP system alone without a technology specialists, who has experience of integrating complex ERP systems. The solution is internet based, which is a positive. I presume it…

Who else blogs on EIPP or e-invoicing

I have tried to find other bloggers blogging on my favourite subject, i.e. EIPP and e-invoicing. If you do come across any, please let me know. I found this article from Rich Miller’s blog dated 02 July 2003 why old tech is beating new in B2B bill payment. Surely, there must be others out there in the wilderness telling stories about EIPP! Update 1: 30 April 06: I came across an article on ebdex on outserve.biz Blog. Key theme “The move to a near paperless office and more importantly the avoidance of data entry of information that is held elsewhere…

Article 3 – EIPP Market – Segmentation

EIPP market can be split into four segments, these being: supplier-centric (sending invoices electronically from A/R systems), buyer-centric (receiving invoices electronically into A/P systems), enterprise-centric(sending and receiving invoices electronically from/into A/R and A/P systems – a customised solution usually based on ERP solution) and exchanges. The first three types generally cater for one party, usually the dominant player to the cost of its trading partners. They also provide partial solutions, which limits benefits that could be gained by parties involved in a transaction. The enterprise (and DIY) solutions are costly due to underlying ERP solutions and high consultancy fees usually…