Our Philosophy
Moving from AP chaos to
AP clarity.
For decades technology providers promised AP automation would fix inefficiencies. But they only automated dysfunction.
That's because the problem was not just a technology issue. It was deeper. It was a broken system.
The goal of past AP automation solutions was to simplify workflows and improve working capital. But these systems were built with only the buyer in mind. They addressed the pain points of buyers, and ignored the supplier entirely. Buyer and supplier incentives were misaligned, and suppliers had little motivation to participate fully in the system.
Suppliers became the forgotten stakeholder.
Old AP solutions added another layer of friction and cost enterprises time, dollars, and endless frustration.
The result was
AP chaos.
How We're Fixing It
A functional system needs three critical components
Supplier Enablement
The Technology Solution
Aligned Early Payment Incentives
We've reimagined how AP works for everyone. We've designed every solution to empower your supply chain partners, because when suppliers are set up for success, they send perfect invoices – meaning faster approvals, fewer inquiries, and early-approved invoices.
An early-approved invoice is your AP department's most powerful asset.
These change the game by:
Gaining speed and clarity and eliminating the constant triage of exceptions.
Reducing suppliers chasing invoice status, since they are now engaged and self-sufficient.
Unlocking working capital, as accelerated payments turns invoice timing into a strategic lever – and a profitable one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why have suppliers historically been the “forgotten stakeholder” in AP automation? Most AP platforms were built to reduce internal buyer costs, not improve supplier experience. As a result, suppliers were left with limited visibility, fragmented portals, and manual follow-ups to understand invoice status. This imbalance created friction: delayed payments, higher dispute volumes, strained relationships, and unnecessary AP workload. Supplier-First™ AP Automation recognizes that suppliers are essential participants in the AP ecosystem — and that including them unlocks efficiency for everyone.
How does treating suppliers as stakeholders change AP outcomes? When suppliers become stakeholders instead of outsiders: Invoice issues are resolved earlier and faster -AP inquiry volume drops dramatically -Payment cycles become more predictable -Supplier trust and compliance increase Instead of AP acting as a gatekeeper, it becomes a shared workflow where suppliers actively help ensure invoices are accurate, compliant, and payable, reducing downstream friction for buyers
Isn’t AP automation supposed to be a buyer tool? Historically, yes, and that’s the limitation. AP automation has long been designed to optimize buyer efficiency alone. But that approach ignores the fact that suppliers generate most AP workload through inquiries, disputes, and corrections. Direct Commerce reframes AP automation as shared infrastructure. When suppliers are empowered with transparency and tools, buyer efficiency improves naturally, without adding headcount or complexity.
Why is Direct Commerce positioned as a supplier tool, not just an AP system? Suppliers experience AP friction more frequently and more painfully than buyers. Direct Commerce gives suppliers tangible value: visibility, control, speed to cash, and insights they can’t get elsewhere. When suppliers benefit directly, adoption increases, collaboration improves, and the entire AP ecosystem becomes more efficient, creating network effects that benefit buyers at scale.
Why is changing the AP mindset so difficult, and why is it necessary now? AP processes haven’t fundamentally changed in decades, even as supply chains have become more complex and global. The old model doesn’t scale. Supplier-First™ AP Automation reflects how modern businesses operate: networked, transparent, and collaborative. Companies that embrace this shift reduce friction, strengthen supplier relationships, and future-proof their AP operations.
Why share invoice delay insights with suppliers? Invoice delays are often caused by correctable issues, missing POs, pricing mismatches, compliance errors, but suppliers typically don’t know this until weeks later. By sharing why an invoice is delayed, Direct Commerce allows suppliers to resolve problems upstream. This reduces disputes, shortens cycle times, and improves trust between buyers and suppliers.
How does this approach support working capital optimization? Supplier participation unlocks scalable early payment programs like dynamic discounting and supply chain finance. Buyers gain predictable cash forecasting while suppliers choose liquidity when it makes sense for them. This alignment allows working capital optimization without forcing suppliers into unfavorable terms.
How does this model improve buyer–supplier relationships? Transparency eliminates mistrust. Suppliers no longer feel ignored or uninformed, and buyers no longer feel overwhelmed by inquiries. Instead of adversarial interactions, Direct Commerce enables structured collaboration tied directly to invoices, improving relationships, supplier loyalty, and long-term supply chain resilience.