Accounts Payable Automation

Learn how using an AP Automation Platform can help you streamline workflows, improve communication, and bring your entire AP process together in one place.

AP Automation Software

How AP Automation Software Streamlines Your Business (Without Reworking Your ERP)

An AP automation platform brings all communication, documentation, and workflows into one place for complete visibility and control. It’s simple for users to learn and even simpler to use, especially with Billy the Bot™ automating nearly all of your capture, coding, routing, fraud detection, and other manual tasks. For even greater efficiency, you can integrate with additional tools like Direct Pay, Credit Cards, Advanced Vendor Management, and others.

Stampli Accounts Payable automation (AP automation) software is for Accounts Payable teams that want the efficiency of automation, but don’t want to rework their ERP or change their existing AP processes. Unlike other solutions, Stampli provides full support for the full range of native functionality for more than 70 ERPs — enabling us to deploy in a matter of days, not months, with no disruption to your business.

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Minimal disruption

No need to rework your ERP or change your AP processes

Clear control

One place for all your communication, documentation, and workflows

AI-Powered AP

Billy the Bot assists you across the entire invoice process — and he’s always learning

Fastest time to value

Stampli deploys in days, not months, with minimal user training

AP Automation Software Capabilities

Invoice processing

Invoice processing

Automate capture, coding, approvals, and more to make AP processes more accurate & efficient

Centralized collaboration

Invoice collaboration, interactions, documentation, and workflows are all centered on top of each invoice

Billy the Bot™

Advanced AI that adapts to your unique AP processes to automate manual tasks and eliminate manual ERP work

Purchase orders

Purchase orders

Effortless 2- and 3-way PO match, process partial amounts, update line items & add new ones directly in Stampli

Vendor management

Vendor management

Manage vendor onboarding, information, & documentation to maintain compliance and strengthen relationships

Multi-entity AP automation support

Multi-entity support

Process and pay invoices across departments, offices, companies, or locations in a single AP automation solution

ap insights

Insights

Gain visibility into invoices, employee productivity, and AP processes with built-in analytics & reporting. Learn more.

Audit-ready access

Audit-ready access

One-click access to all conversations and activities related to each invoice to make audits efficient

Compare Accounts Payable Automation Solutions

Compare Accounts Payable Automation (AP Automation) Solutions 2023

See a demo

Contact us to see why users love using Stampli.

How Invoice Processing with AP Automation Software Works

See how finance teams process invoices, approval workflows, and more with Stampli’s AP Automation solution.

AP Automation Software

AP Automation Reports

2023 G2 Report for AP Automation Software

Stampli is named to G2’s Leader Quadrant for AP Automation in a field of 44 players, and is rated #1 in Customer Satisfaction.

Download this AP Automation report for 2023 to learn why customers love Stampli, how AP Automation streamlines payment and invoice processes, and more.

In this report, you will receive:

  • The G2 Grid® Report for AP Automation Software
  • AP Automation Index Reports for Implementation, Usability, Relationship, and Results
  • Software Reviews and Satisfaction Ratings for AP Automation Software
  • Accounts Payable Automation Product Comparisons
  • AP Automation Customer Testimonials
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2023 G2 Report for AP Automation Software

What is Accounts Payable Automation?

AP Automation Definition

Accounts Payable Automation (AP Automation) is a technology system used by accounting teams to automate accounts payable invoice processes. AP Automation software is equipped with intelligent optical character recognition (OCR) technologies which integrates both artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) softwares to automate accounts payable invoice and payment processes.

The most common automation for accounts payable takes place with the receipt, capture, and coding of invoices.

Intermediate AP Automation systems will also streamline processes such as purchase order (PO) matching and three-way matching against goods or services delivered. At the intermediate level, you can expect the identification of duplicate invoices, mismatch notifications and other fraud prevention functionality.

Advanced AP Automation systems take it a step further by bridging the communications divide between AP teams and non-accounting colleagues by turning invoices into a collaboration tool to ensure control over the procure-to-pay process.

Best of breed AP Automation systems are rare and they provide end-to-end AP Automation with the ability to pay inside the system or outside the AP Automation system. All the while offering a variety of payment methods which don’t push fees on vendors and they make payment reconciliation easy.

AP Automation FAQs

How does AP Automation fix the invoice approval process?

AP Automation from Stampli streamlines the accounts payable invoice approval process by identifying the correct approvers, sending notifications, and automating reminders. In addition, AP Automation enables businesses to keep all documents (Purchase Orders, receiving documents or receipts, and previous invoices) in one place so everyone has what they need to take action.

Will AP Automation fix invoice-related communication problems?

Yes. With AP Automation from Stampli, the invoice itself becomes a communications channel and historical record where all comments, questions, answers, and invoice inputs are documented in a central and searchable location. Anyone can be invited to the conversation including vendors where they have limited access to what they can see if invited.

How does AP Automation improve document management?

AP Automation securely stores all invoice-related documents electronically within the system for up to 7 years. Documents for AP Automation often include supplier invoices, files and contracts, W-9s, and invoice history.

Where there is an integration with an ERP or accounting system, documents like Purchase Orders (POs) allow for easy access to adjustments and real-time receiving information of POs from your accounting system.

Can AP Automation prevent duplicate payments?

Yes. The Stampli AP Automation has built-in advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) to identify duplicate invoices. Stampli’s AI-helper, Billy the Bot performs duplicate invoice checks along the way. Billy the Bot checks from the time an invoice is uploaded, to when it’s registered, and even when communicating with integrated systems. When there is a duplicate or potential duplicate invoice, Stampli will present a warning message at the top of the invoice.

Does AP Automation software deter invoice fraud?

In short, yes. AP Automation from Stampli provides controls in more ways imaginable to mitigate fraud and improve security over your financials. An example of control for the invoice approval process—is by setting approval limits for a specific or all users. Or requiring an additional approver when a limit is reached or invoice amount is changed by AP. Reporting functionality tools also provide full control and visibility into suspicious activity by AP staff or management.

How does AP Automation intake vendor invoices?

With Stampli, the AP Automation software digitally captures invoice data by utilizing technologies like advanced Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to make invoice processing fast and easy. Stampli’s very own, Billy the Bot, can manage approval identification and auto-populates fields based on your specific accounting codes which includes any custom fields you might have.

How does AP Automation support invoice approval workflows?

Invoice approval workflows can be either dynamic or predefined. Dynamic approvals use machine learning capabilities to auto-suggest approvers for specific invoices. Predefined approvals require you to define approvals using an approval workflow builder.

Do vendors interact with AP Automation software?

Vendors can interact with AP Automation in a few ways. They can send invoices or bills directly into your Stampli account. Then a Vendor Portal is available for all customers that enable this feature through their system settings. The Stampli Vendor Portal must be enabled by the Stampli customer and is available by invitation only.

The benefit of the Stampli Vendor Portal is that it helps customers reduce the communications overhead by providing an online portal to their vendors where the status of an invoice can be accessed 24/7.

Will AP Automation allow me to invite external users or vendors if I have an invoice question?

Any external users including vendors can be asked a question on top if the invoice in Stampli as an external contact. As an external contact, they can only view the invoice image and a section to respond to the specific question asked.

Does AP Automation work with other accounting systems?

Stampli AP Automation offers API integrations to connect directly with a company’s accounting, financial, or ERP system. The Stampli API integration ensures up-to-date and constant data flow between systems. Stampli also offers a file integration for systems without an API integration.

What is the best AP Automation software?

There are 29 software providers in G2’s Grid® Report for AP Automation in Winter 2022 and Stampli has the best satisfaction rating at 96/100. Stampli AP Automation is the best across indexes as the company is ranked #1 overall in Implementation, Usability, Relationship, and Results indexes.

How does Stampli AP Automation stack up to the competition?


See how our AP Automation software compares to other products in the market:


• Stampli vs Accounting Seed
• Stampli vs Airbase
• Stampli vs AvidXchange
• Stampli vs Beanworks
• Stampli vs Bill.com
• Stampli vs Chrome River
• Stampli vs DocuWare
• Stampli vs MineralTree
• Stampli vs Nvoicepay
• Stampli vs Spendesk
• Stampli vs Tipalti
• Stampli vs Yooz

AP Automation News, Blogs & Case Studies

How to Calculate the True Cost of AP Automation
AP Automation Blog
How to Calculate the True Cost of AP Automation

Automation can help your business perform more tasks in less time with fewer errors. Firms use automation to scale the business and to stay competitive, but every new technology requires an investment of time and money. How long does it take to earn back your investment, measured by higher revenue and/or cost savings? This discussion… read more

AP Automation Blog
Looking for the Best AP Automation? How to Choose AP Platforms

Businesses that don’t take full advantage of accounts payable automation face significant challenges, including high processing costs, greater risk of fraud and errors, late payments, and frustrated vendors. Using an AP solution to automate procure-to-pay processes can help your business meet these challenges. AP automation speeds up invoice processing, reduces data entry and payment errors,… read more

Stampli-Leads-the-Way-Winter-2023
AP Automation News
Stampli is a 14x Leader in G2’s Grid for AP Automation

As the holidays are near, gift-giving is in full effect and we’re happy to share that we’ve received the best gift of them all. Once again, Stampli has been named an Accounts Payable (AP) Automation Leader in G2’s Winter 2023 Reports.  This is now the 14th straight quarter we’ve received this distinction, and we’re excited… read more

The Why of AP Automation - blog
AP Automation Blog
Why Companies Are Investing in AP Automation (Data-Backed)

By Ernie Humphrey, CTP, Treasury Webinars In my last blog, I examined how companies are investing in AP automation. In this blog I will leverage the results of the AP Automation: The How, Why and ROI survey to offer insight into why companies of all sizes across a diversity of industries are investing in AP Automation… read more

The ROI of AP Automation
AP Automation Blog
The ROI of AP Automation: Accounting for a Smart Investment

AP automation software is a good investment. It promises to save time and money and turn accounts payable into a strategic driver for business by streamlining manual processes and providing transparency and visibility of invoice data. The challenge for CFOs is turning the promise into an actual business plan for automation – which means understanding… read more

Stampli G2 Best Software Awards 2023 Winner Badge
AP Automation News
Stampli Wins G2 Best Software Awards 2023

Stampli, the leading accounts payable (AP) automation software, is excited to announce that it has received a number of accolades in G2’s annual Best Software Awards for 2023. This year, Stampli earned several spots across G2’s Best Software Products for 2023 lists, making it the #1 rated AP automation software. “We always listen when our… read more

Accounts Payable Automation Case Studies
AP Automation Blog
AP Automation Success: The Story Behind the Numbers

Seeing is believing.  We’ve all heard this maxim hundreds of times, but it rings especially true when it comes to accounts payable automation.  At Stampli, we’ve written a lot of content around the benefits of AP automation, the ROI your organization can expect, and even how to work with the management team on implementation.  While… read more

automated invoices
AP Automation Blog
Accounts Payable Technology: 10 Tools to Streamline AP

Does your accounts payable department struggle with any of the following challenges? Lost invoices and other important documents? Approval bottlenecks? Understaffing? Sketchy purchase orders? Duplicate invoices or documents? Employees not following expense claims policies? Late invoice payments that impact operations?   Mountains of paperwork? Invoices and other documents in a multitude of different formats? Tedious,… read more

New England Security - Stampli Case Study
AP Automation Case Study
New England Security automates AP, eliminates manual, error-prone processes

Facilitates digital transformation by reducing physical office space needs by 3X Eliminating manual processes is getting easier for businesses with the rise in digitization of offices and use of cloud computing. Many businesses are looking for automation to eliminate manual tasks, which can lead to costly errors, and streamline costs in order to position the… read more

Procurement, receipt, and payments
AP Automation Blog
Why End-to-End Accounts Payable Integration Requires AP Automation

Many companies lack end-to-end accounts payable integration, whether they know it or not. Sure, they might have purchased a top-of-the-line enterprise resource planning system in recent years, with cloud computing making ERPs much easier for companies to implement. Perhaps a business has implemented invoice scanning with OCR, or optical character recognition software – a low-hanging… read more

Family Allergy & Asthma - Stampli Invoice Processing - Case Study
AP Automation Case Study
Stampli Unlocks AP Automation for Family Allergy and Asthma During COVID-19

Family Allergy & Asthma is a group of board-certified allergy and asthma specialists with offices in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, and Tennessee. Its 30+ board-certified allergists and physicians are still serving thousands of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic via telemedicine, which its small IT team was able to set up and launch quickly. In fact, it… read more

AP Automation - How, Why, Return on Investment (ROI)
AP Automation Blog
AP Automation: The How, The Why, The ROI

By Ernie Humphrey, CTP, Treasury Webinars AP automation demanded the attention of Controllers and CFOs in 2020 as working in a remote environment exposed and magnified weaknesses in accounts payable processes and systems at companies of all sizes and across all industries. That is why I partnered with Stampli to conduct the AP Automation: The… read more

Nationwide Security Service - Stampli Case Study
AP Automation Case Study
Nationwide Security Service Pays Subcontractors 55% Faster with Stampli

Reduces a Net 45 to a Net 20 day payment schedule For businesses like a nationwide retailer that has valuable inventory in its stores to secure, working with multiple security vendors in each location or geography can be a management nightmare. That’s where Nationwide Security Service shines, as it’s a one-stop shop that provides complete… read more

AP Processing Times
AP Automation Blog
Getting to Faster (and Cheaper) AP Processing Times with Automation

Small businesses, mid-size firms, and enterprise-level companies have something in common: All can need more time than they should from when they receive an invoice to when they pay it. As Stampli and Treasury Webinars found in a 2021 survey report, “AP Today: Bottlenecks, Benchmarks & Best Practices” small businesses need an average of 15 days,… read more

Accounts Payable Automation Benefits
AP Automation Blog
Accounts Payable Automation Benefits

Less is more… We’ve all heard this maxim plenty of times, but there’s tons of truth when you apply it to your AP department. Think about it for a minute: Accounts payable automation benefits include: Less overhead, more efficiency Less paperwork, more easily accessible digital files Less chance of error, more accuracy Less monotony for… read more

Invoice Documentation for an Effortless AP Workflow
AP Automation Blog
How to Process Invoices with Supporting Documents via AP Automation

It’s a pain for the vendors, who have to ‘jump through all sorts of hoops’ just to get paid. It’s a pain for the rank-and-file employee who doesn’t want to fuss over lots of financial details that have very little to do with their actual responsibilities at work. And as you are likely well aware,… read more

10 reasons AP Automation
AP Automation Blog
CFOs & Controllers: 10 Reasons AP Automation Deserves Your Attention Now

By Ernie Humphrey, CTP Accounts payable, what’s with all the hype? No one paid much attention to accounts payable beyond accounts payable professionals for many years, even decades, until just a few years ago. Then, boom, an explosion of AP automation companies, and webinars, conferences and associations all dedicated to excellence in accounts payable. Is… read more

What Will Your Department Look Like After AP Automation
AP Automation Blog
What Will Your Department Look Like After AP Automation?

As a Controller or AP leader which oversees the Accounts Payable function, have you thought much about AP automation?  When we say AP Automation, we’re not talking about outsourced coding centers that take 1-2 days to manually code an invoice, or spotty Purchase Order (PO) matching, and the occasional coding error. We’re also not talking… read more

AP Automation Blog
Our Step-by-Step Guide to AP Automation Project Implementation

Accounts Payable automation can transform your organization. AP automation gives you control of your P2P processes and real-time visibility of transactions and AP data. It empowers your AP department to save money, increase efficiency, and grow your business. Cloud-based AP automation solutions are simple to use and can be implemented and integrated with your ERP… read more

woman standing in front of a giant tablet that Billy the Bot is holding. The tablet is displaying a check list and the woman is making the first task off.
AP Automation Blog
Best Practices for Implementing Accounts Payable Automation

How can you overcome the barriers to implementing AP automation to save money and lead transformational change in your organization? A 2023 survey of accounts payable leaders and employees by Stampli and Probolsky Research revealed that 89% of senior leaders are “very interested” in the potential for AI automation. The same survey revealed several barriers… read more

How Finance Professionals Are Overcoming Objections to AP Automation
AP Automation Blog
How Finance Professionals Are Overcoming Objections to AP Automation

“In every field of human endeavor, he or she that is first must perpetually live in the white glare of publicity.”  This is the first line from a famous print ad in 1915 from the General Motors division Cadillac titled “The Penalty of Leadership,” and it’s worth reading in its entirety.  At this moment, every… read more

Getting Buy-In for Automation Projects
AP Automation Blog
3 Steps to Getting Buy-In For AP Automation at Your Organization

The wonderful world of accounts payable automation… It has more of what you want (accuracy, time savings, departmental efficiency), and less of what you don’t want (duplicate payments, strained vendor relationships, and soul-crushing work). Sounds like a win-win, doesn’t it? Accounts Payable automation (AP automation) uses the power of machines to streamline your accounts payable… read more

How AP Automation is Revolutionizing the Accounts Payable Process - Stampli
AP Automation Blog
AP Automation is Revolutionizing the Accounts Payable Process

In the early years of civilization, clay tablets were used to record the number of items delivered. Essentially ledgers, these clay tablets are some of the earliest examples of writing and accounts payable processes. In modern times, accounts payable became a paper and ledger process. Purchase orders and invoices were handwritten, approvals took days, and… read more

AP Automation Blog
AP Transformation – Our Ultimate Guide

Business management, including accounts payable, is undergoing an evolutionary change. Digital technologies and artificial intelligence are streamlining business processes and allowing businesses to achieve significant efficiency gains and to drive growth. At the same time, those same technologies are enabling CFOs to take on a more strategic role – turning functions like accounts payable into… read more

AP Automation Vendors
AP Automation Blog
What You Need to Know About AP Automation Vendors

For many businesses, their accounts payable needs haven’t stopped due to the remote reality of working from home during a global epidemic, but they have shifted.  We understand it can be challenging to keep business processes moving forward during an epidemic or other force majeure events. If your AP Automation project needs urgent attention or… read more

How to get buy-in for your AP automation business case HERO
AP Automation Blog
How to get buy-in for your AP automation business case

You know the benefits of accounts payable automation and would like to implement it for your business. That means you have to sell the business case to senior leaders. But how do get your CFO/CAO, VP of Finance/Accounting, Controller and IT department on board? Investing in the right AP automation solution can be evolutionary for… read more

5 Things That Make Stampli the Most Flexible AP Automation Platform
AP Automation Blog
5 Things That Make Stampli the Most Flexible AP Automation Platform

We’ve all been there. Using a software that doesn’t really fit with how we work during our day. This software might be just a little too this. That one just a little too that. None are really just right. It’s a Goldilocks challenge. But teams and companies come in all sizes and shapes. And, as… read more

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