The Procurement Glossary » e-Invoicing

e-Invoicing

Procure-to-Pay

Definition

The exchange of invoices in a structured electronic format that can be processed automatically, without manual data entry.

Explanation

e-Invoicing replaces PDFs and paper with machine-readable data, enabling touchless matching and faster payment. Many jurisdictions now mandate it for tax compliance, adding a regulatory driver to the efficiency case.

Example

Suppliers submit structured e-invoices that auto-match to POs, cutting exceptions and speeding approval.

Related terms

• Invoice — A supplier's bill requesting payment for goods or services delivered, itemising what was supplied and the amount due.
• Three-Way Matching — An invoice-control check comparing the purchase order, the goods-receipt record and the supplier invoice before payment.
• Accounts Payable (AP) — The function and ledger responsible for recording and paying what a business owes its suppliers.
• Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) — A standardised format for exchanging business documents such as orders and invoices computer-to-computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is e-Invoicing?

The exchange of invoices in a structured electronic format that can be processed automatically, without manual data entry. e-Invoicing replaces PDFs and paper with machine-readable data, enabling touchless matching and faster payment. Many jurisdictions now mandate it for tax compliance, adding a regulatory driver to the efficiency case.

Can you give an example of e-Invoicing?

Suppliers submit structured e-invoices that auto-match to POs, cutting exceptions and speeding approval.

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