1. ConnectingAP Automation to Your ERP System Connecting AP Automation to Your ERP System

2. Introductions Why Connect AP Automation … What Data to Connect How to Connect Q & A Agenda

3. Asking Questions – Getting Answers In the join.me tool bar click the “Chat” icon Enter you question or comment in the chat window and press “Enter”

4. Introductions Jon Titel Chief Technology Officer at iPayables Been connecting systems for over 18 years AP Automation Any system that automates a portion or all of the Account Payable Process – namely capture, workflow, payments and reporting

5. in·te·gra·tion an act or instance of combining into an integral whole.

6. Why Connect? ERP or AP Systems are a big investment and should remain the “Source of Truth” for corporate data Synchronize changes in the ERP with the AP Automation System Combine data from multiple systems into a single front-end Distribute data from a single front-end to multiple systems

8. Vendor Master Ensure AP Automation System has current vendor data – Name, Address, etc. Provide important Invoicing Parameters – Payment Terms, Business Units, etc Provide control parameters – invoice template, dynamic discounting options, etc

9. Invoice Extract Provide a channel for Invoices into the ERP or Accounting system from the AP Automation system May instead feed other systems such as internal workflow.

10. Invoice Status/Check Register Provide feedback on the invoice processes internal to the ERP system Provide remittance or other payment data

11. GL Account Validation Values Used to drive Account Coding during workflow and approval Can consist of a variety of distribution fields GL Account Cost Center Project Location Etc.

12. Purchase Order Used in the Invoice Creation and Match Process PO data can be used to drive workflow or other processes Can include PO related documents Receiving Acknowledgements Advance Ship Notices

13. User/HR Used to control access to the AP Automation system Can be used to drive workflow and final invoice approval

14. How? The Holy Grail The Next Best Thing Steps…

15. The Holy Grail Behold – the ADAPTER Great option for on-premise, installed ERP systems – Dynamics GP, Sage, etc Handles all aspects of Integrations Data Import/Export Connectivity to AP System Not a great fit for Cloud Based Not a great fit for larger ERP systems SAP Oracle PeopleSoft

16. The Next Best Thing “You have customers with _____ ERP?” Answers basic “Will this work?” question Can provide some insight into approach Usually does not lead to “drop in” integration – still takes some effort to handle in’s and outs

17. Steps 1.Pick your format 2.Pick your connectivity 3.Test…Test…Test

18. Pick Your Format EDI Many ERP have built in support for main data types (Invoice/PO/Remittance) Not a great fit for Account Distribution data Not a great fit for supporting data (Vendor, User) If you have EDI experience use it – otherwise not the best first choice.

19. Pick Your Format CSV CSV doesn’t have to use “commas” – pick a delimiter that makes sense Good format for straight forward outbound data (Vendors, Accounting Codes) Not as straight forward for some complex data such as full invoices, purchase order but can be made to work Not as flexible as XML

20. Pick Your Format XML ( data ) XML is very flexible Easy to read Can be bulky (lots of extra text) Good XML tools make life easy – hand programming can be problematic

21. Pick Your Connectivity Security, Security, Security Secure FTP (FTPS/sFTP) HTTPS (Web Services/AS2) VPN

22. test..Test..TEST Connecting two systems can tricky Be ready to adjust as testing reveals additional needs/changes in the interface Make sure that the data being passes ends up where it should and results in the behavior you want A good AP Automation solution should cover any gaps you have in the interface.

23. Not One and Done Integrate what you need to get started and add connects as it makes sense Only automate what is necessary Connecting to a centralized front end can ease ERP migrations or other internal system work A centralize front-end can connect multiple systems into a seamless experience for end users

24. Asking Questions – Getting Answers In the join.me tool bar click the “Chat” icon Enter you question or comment in the chat window and press “Enter”

25. ConnectingAP Automation to Your ERP System Connecting AP Automation to Your ERP System