Peppol is a European network that enables the secure exchange of commercial documents, such as e-invoices and e-orders. Connecting to the Peppol network can be done via a Peppol Access Point, but what exactly is this and how does it make e-invoicing easier for you?
E-invoicing via Peppol
Data security is becoming increasingly important. This also applies in procurement and finance. Besides governments, organisations are therefore increasingly choosing to exchange orders and invoices securely via Peppol.
As an organisation, do you want secure e-invoicing or does your customer demand it? Then it is good to know what is needed for that.
First of all, your software should be able to send a UBL that meets Peppol’s specifications. Not every software package can do this, but a but e-invoicing service provider can help you convert the e-invoice generated by your software to the required format. Once your UBL is in order, your e-invoice can be sent. For this, you need a Peppol Access Point.
What is a Peppol Access Point?
Peppol is a set of agreements between software packages and e-invoicing service providers on how e-invoices are exchanged securely. This set of agreements is used by several communities. These communities are often organised by country. Each community has Access Points connected to it. These are often e-invoicing service providers and ERP software packages (Peppol Access Point providers). They are connected to the Peppol network and can send your e-invoices and e-orders to-and receive them from-your customers and suppliers.
Choosing a Peppol Access Point Provider
To e-invoice via Peppol, there are 2 options:
1. Your accounting or ERP software package is connected to the Peppol network. In this case, you can already exchange your invoices securely.
2. Your accounting or ERP software package is not connected to the Peppol network. In this case, you need a service provider to connect your software package to the Peppol network. Such a service provider is called Peppol Access Point provider. You can also read more about connecting to the Peppol network via a Peppol Access Point provider in
In general, organisations wishing to start e-invoicing through Peppol use a Peppol Access Point provider, such as tradeinterop. A good e-invoicing service provider will have the right infrastructure and keep your connection up-to-date. They can also help you with things like format conversion and onboarding suppliers to e-invoicing.
Benefits of e-invoicing via Peppol
The big advantage of e-invoicing (and e-ordering) through Peppol is that the network over which the documents are exchanged is secure. Because of the validations that are carried out, as a recipient, you can be sure that the e-invoice you receive comes from the organisation in question. This makes ghost invoices a thing of the past. In addition, you can be sure that you receive all e-invoices in the same format and that you can process them automatically.
As a sender, you can receive feedback on the status of your invoice. So you know for sure whether your customer has received your e-invoice or not.
A Peppol Access Point can make e-invoicing through Peppol as easy as ‘pushing a button’. Look carefully at what your organisation’s requirements and needs are and choose the best-suited service provider on that basis.
Want to know how tradeinterop can help your organisation connect to Peppol? Feel free to contact us or, for more information, download one of our free white papers.
